Alt Design – Pineapple Astroturf Kite

Budlofsky: Doesn’t match my style.

Matheson: You ain’t got no style…

I checked out the stoner action epic Pineapple Express over the weekend. It got me thinking about an old charity client of mine who happened to be my best friends son. At 23 he had just moved out of his house and into a rundown, one bedroom apartment. After his first month my friend approached me and begged that I do something to make her son’s hovel a little more livable.

Like Saul Silver (James Franco), her son was a young entrepreneur (a kite maker, not a drug dealer) who worked out of his home. Working at home means two things: 1. You’re home must be comfortable because you’re going to be in it constantly. 2. Depending on your line of business, there are going to be a lot of people tramping through your living quarters.

Most of his apartment was covered with filthy linoleum tiles. They felt sticky, looked disgusting, and even soiled a few of his kites when they fell on the floor. He had a few old posters, relics from college, taped to the walls, but the place felt desolate.

We discussed carpet, art and shelving units, but he couldn’t afford to spend money on investment pieces and wasn’t into Ikea. We struck a solution that centered on basic alternative interior design theory, take something that you enjoy, and transform it into decoration.

This guy loved to be outside, mostly to play golf and fly kites, but he could never find the time. We decided to use Astroturf carpet, a nod to mini-golf, and a clip-system to wall mount his kites like display art. Granted, this unrefined look might only work for a young bachelor, but he loved it. In fact, a recent phone call informed me that he’s taken the idea to his new place, even though his wife has confined his interior decorating efforts to one isolated room.

Indoor Astroturf might not be for everyone but mounting kites can work in a variety of situations. Another friend of mine was fortunate enough to attend the Olympics this year, and he told me over the phone how startled he was by the beautiful kites that were flying everywhere.

After my earlier post on not-hot Olympic gimmicks, I feel it’s good karma to share a happy kite picture. The original picture caption explains that these girls are “welcoming the Olympics” by flying themed kites.

Hot or Not – Olympic Furniture

It’s no surprise that the 2008 Olympics are filled with western marketing ploys. The big interior design news is that Staples will be the official furniture provider for the international games. Staples has been much more low key about their Olympic involvement than fellow sponsoring giants McDonalds, but leaked information claims they are coming out with a Special Olympic Edition line of furniture, which brings us to abominations like this Olympic Web Cam.

The Olympic games may be magical, but that doesn’t mean everything they spawn is golden. There’s a fine line between spirited conversation pieces and tacky dust collectors. Staples hasn’t gone public with their Olympic line of furniture yet, but word is it will feature unique table and chair sets inspired by the five ring colors and the steel architecture of Beijing National Stadium (FYI: disillusioned stadium designer Ai Weiwei has a lot to say about the Chinese government).

There’s no telling how this furniture will look, but I think one should purchase furniture pieces that last longer than the next international sporting event. Buying furniture inspired by traditional Chinese design movements, like lacquered chests or shelving, might be a much better way to design with the spirit of the Olympics in mind. Buying a piece of furniture featuring specific 2008 Beijing Olympic themes could get old fast… really fast.

This solid rosewood Mahjong table set is classic and high quality. It would be a great personal reminder of the Olympics and it’s a piece that would last a lifetime.

Real Talk Design Verdict

Even though we haven’t seen it yet, we’re going to assume that Staples sponsored Olympic themed furniture is going to be more gimmick than substance, it’s definitely NOT something to purchase.

I hate to end on a negative note, the internet is filled with enough hate already. So I’ll leave you with this…

The most stunning example of interior design in the Olympics is the wonderful new subway designs created by Professor Song Xiewei, which now grace the Beijing Olympic subway branch line.