Where were you when Balloon Boy (Falcon Heene) was floating around in the sky?

I got home from work by the time it was discovered he was hiding in the attic. But for a good day, the people of this country were captivated by an experimental aircraft that supposedly had a boy inside. Oh, many people ignored the fact that it looked like the aircraft probably could not fly with the child inside. Many of us were too busy being captivated by the sheer absurdity the story.

As a headline for this article/editorial from the Boston Globe explains: Admit it– we make Balloon Boy stories fly. Hey, remember, the Montauk Monster from a year ago? (I’m surprised it hasn’t inspired a movie yet.) Odd things grab our attention. However, difference between the average person and media is how long one get attached to a story. I’m guilty of it as I write this post.

However, there actually is more behind the story this time around. It’s still all about attention.

While editorial cartoonists were going “Hey, remember that movie Up?” or making a stretched political allusions (Obama as the Balloon Boy because of the rising deficit… or something like that), some journalists realized that they had seen the family before.

They were on Wife Swap.  The episode with the storm-chasing dad (and his family) gets paired with the family that is all about safety.

More facts have been unfolding about Richard Heene, domestic violence issues, his playing scientist (with only a high school diploma). For the sake of this post, I want to focus on the fact that, as AP reports:

But the investigation could reach beyond the Heenes, possibly into the world of reality-show promotions.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said documents show that a media outlet had agreed to pay the  ”>Heenes. Alderden did not name the organization but said it was in an industry that blurs “the line between entertainment and news.” It was not clear whether the deal was signed before or after the alleged hoax, or whether the media outlet was a possible conspirator. If so, the organization could face charges as well.

People are seeking attention– media attention for whatever reason with reality shows looking to be the easiest way to get known. Perhaps people like being part of the spectacle or perhaps they’re looking to break into acting.

The current state of reality TV stinks for entertainment, especially now that most people are aware of the scripting or that people formulate the drama themselves. I mean there’s even the Cartoon Network show, Total Drama Island and it’s sequel Total Drama Action. I think the shark has been flown over once there’s a cartoon version. People are actually watching regular sitcoms and drama again. (To be fair, there are pretty good series airing. Pysch, for example is awesome.)

It’s been a decade since MTV’s Real World  that started the craze for reality television as we know it. Oh yeah, there was/is Candid Camera but that’s different as we weren’t following people lives at that point. And besides, memory is a fickle thing. In the beginning, the show was actually an interesting social experiment. 7 strangers transplanted to NYC from different areas of the US, and dealing with each other, culture shock and working.

But like with many things MTV it started to suck. Probably due to a combination of patterns of casting on the show and that the continued on running long enough that the teenager who grew up watching were eligble to try out to be a cast members. They recognized what role they might play and even then they started their own drama just to be that one person and strecth their 15 minutes as long as they can.

Then reality TV began to change from learning about real people’s lives or social experiments to DRAMA, DRAMA, DRA-MA. We have gotten to the point where we have scripted series that pretend to be reality TV shows.

However, that isn’t to say that all reality TV turned rotten with some bad apples. Some of the shows that require a modicum of talent (Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance?, etc.) are still good. Probably because people are actually doing something, and have talent worthy of being praised. In this case the drama is just an actual side-effect. Even, my current guilty pleasure The Rachel Zoe Project, features Mrs. Zoe and her assistants doing something. Oh you might think it’s easy dressing people, but from experience, it is not. Much less if they are celebrities in full view of the public eye.

Who am I kidding? I watch the show for Brad. He's so dreamy.

On the opposite end of the spectrum we also have shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which provide homes for families dealing with hardships.  Or you have a show like Kathy Griffin: Life on the D-List where it’s clear to everyone that reality show is not always real, and is half the fun.

The major problem with hoaxes like the “Balloon Boy” and the rise and fall of reality TV is that people want big crazy moments to happen, but are too impatient to just let it happen. If they aren’t watching and waiting for the big moment Richard Heene wanted fame, and instead off doing anything major to deserve it or waiting around for luck to happen to him, he half-assed a hoax, and now has to face felony charges, probably for waisting the time and resources of local officials looking for his son.

This story will be forgotten soon. The lessoned to be learned from all this is that classic moments (songs, albums, novels, artwork, events) that are craved are either crafted by tireless work, accident or sprezzatura.

A representation of one of the best desserts in the world “Tiramasu” MM MM GOOD!  This Unique Modern Earth Tone Art is an Original Abstract Painting that has a GLOSSY top design for Home or Office Decor. It has 2″ sides that are painted dark brown and ships direct from the artist’s studio ~ready to hang! (click on painting to view it in a room and to read more about it) 

TOMATO ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nunca dejarán de sorprenderme.

Uno de los colectivos que desde los 90 más han llegado a aportar a la creatividad contemporánea… gráfica, publicidad, cine, música, arquitectura, interiorismo…

Y todo lo hacen bien.

http://www.tomato.co.uk/

Ilustradora que trabaja en Glasgow, cuyo blog me ha llamado la atención por la manera de trabajar los fondos, a base de sus ilustraciones infantiles cargadas de incocencia.

http://gorjuss.co.uk/

Went to see the VCE Top Designs exhibition at the Melbourne Museum today. It’s a selection of design work by VCE students who studied Visual Communication, Food Technology, Media Studies, Design & Technology or Systems Engineering in 2008. Very inspiring! It makes me wish I had done some of these subjects when I studied VCE!

One of my favourite pieces included the short film by Laura Owsianka of Padua College, on the Mornington Peninsula. It was a music video/animation, to the song ‘Mango Tree’ by Angus & Julia Stone.

Here is some of her folio work. You can check more of it out at Australian Teachers of Media Victoria

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I also really liked the photography work of Stephanie Cammarano and David Torr, and the visual communication work of Katherine Ryder and Joshua Thompson.

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Josh Thompson, of Carey Baptist Grammar School, designed fashionable USB’s.

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Katherine Ryder, of Swinburne Senior Secondary College, designed some very beautiful clothing tags.

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Stephanie Cammarano, of Our Lady of Mercy College, took several photos demonstrating a range of phobias

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David Torr, of Billanook College, made several montages out of photographs.

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If you’re interested, The Age has an online photo gallery of more of the exhibiton. I really recommend you check the exhibition at the Museum out, it’s there until the 26th of July, 2009.

Bravo’s Top Design exposes some of our most colorful pieces in an extreme interior.

Bravo's Top Design 2

Featured are three multi-colored Case Study Shelving Units with dimple doors, a yellow Easy Chair, a red Split Rail chair, white Noguchi end table, a table Pear Bubble Lamp and a hanging Saucer Bubble Lamp. All the items are available at our Los Angeles showroom or Modernica online. Art direction by Ben Zelle.

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Y siguiendo con publicaciones francesas, esta vez de diseño gráfico, una de las revistas sobre el tema gráfico más importantes e interesantes que se publican, es la revista Etapes.

Aunque desde hace un tiempo se publica una edición en habla hispana, adaptada más a nuestro contexto (los franceses son otro mundo y lo digo de manera positiva), yo recomiendo la edición original francesa, la cual ya conocía desde hace mucho tiempo. Esta junto a la alemana Novum, me parecen dos publicaciones que no pueden faltar en el repertorio de un buen diseñador gráfico.

Los vigueses que estamos aquí en una esquina del mundo podemos adquirir aquí un suscripción. También podemos pasarnos por el quiosco que hay en la calle “” y solicitarla allí, ya que trabajan con muchas publicaciones internacionales. Y otra manera de ojearla es la biblioteca del MARCO.

Bravo uses our Split Rail Loveseat and Case Study Stainless Coffee Table in their latest ad for Advertising Age.  Our furniture is often featured on episodes of their popular interior design show Top Design.  We look forward to the next season.

Modernica is the Official Manufacturer & Distributor of Case Study Furniture

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I used to be good at design but that was long long time ago. However, I’ve always been interested in design stuffs, even though I’m not in the business. I know there are tons of sites and blogs around there about “DESIGN”. That’s why I’ve decided to share my fav design sites.

1. fubiz

2. Smashing Magazine

3.  abduzeedo 

4. Designboom

5. snap2objects

6. vectips

7. VandelayDesign

I finally managed to catch the final part of the Finale and, once again, you can find my post over at Reality Ravings.

So far, there has been no news on a third season. The first season rated badly; the second season offered a new host (India Hicks replaced Todd Oldham), new catchphrase (maybe India couldn’t deliver “See you later, decorator” with Todd’s flair – she cast off losers with “We cannot live with your design”) and the occasional “Pop Design” to spice things up. That’s a whole lot of re-jigging for a new show. I think Bravo really should have a go at a third season, just to give the format a chance to gel.

Eddie Ross was the last contestant to be eliminated before the final and departed with the words “Eddie Ross is bigger than Top Design”. He is keeping the world informed of his work over at eddieross.com.

On the most recently aired episode of “Top Design” I was pleased to see the demise of my least-favourite contestant.  That’s not to say that all four left are brilliant designers, but they are a good mix of reality show contestants.  I say my heartfelt goodbyes to [spoiler alert!] Andrea over at Reality Ravings.

The theme for this episode was futuristic vision, in case the title didn’t tip you off.  The contestants were given a very small three-walled space in which they were encouraged to leave the 21st century behind.  To help them do that they had all the resources of those forward-thinking Ikea designers, as well as money to spend at what looked like the US version of “Spotlight” and a furniture store specialising in 20th century “iconic” design.  Confused?  So were they.  Reality Raver has kindly posted my much longer blatherings over at her site.

This show would be more honestly entitled “Top Decorator”. The contestants compete in decorating challenges; so far I have not seen any evidence of interior design.  No matter – ’tis all a bit of fun.

This week’s challenge was to produce a “green-friendly” redesign of some tiny – even miniscule! – office spaces.  Some shenanigans ensued, and one contestant was eliminated.  Head on over to Reality Ravings for my full recap.

One thing I hate about living in Australia is how far away this fair country lies from everywhere – or anywhere. I mean, it takes two days to get to Europe and half of North America, and the best part of a day to get anywhere else. And we get our TV shows really late. Like Top Design, which I’ve just started watching even though it aired in the US in October 2008.

I am grateful, however, that I have experienced six fewer months having been subjected to Kelly Wearstler’s hair. The girl is frightening. I mean, when I was five years old the girl next door had crimped hair and I thought it looked stupid back then – and she didn’t even have it in a beehive. What’s even funnier is that no one figured out I was gay…

But back to Kelly. Now I’m all for dressing confidently and like a clever 80s reference as much as the next cowboy. But her hair, over-stylised clothes and exaggerated fashion references completely destroys any credibility she may have once had.

Kudos to the hilarious Doodlewhore for the cartoon at top, btw.

Kom att tänka på något när jag såg Top design. Inredning är verkligen designvärldens och modets motsvarighet till wall-mart.

The season of Top Design currently airing on Arena is the second and we are already half-way through.  In the episode “Triathlon of Decorating”, the contestants work individually for the first time and most of them seemed keen to take the opportunity to “showcase” their own style.

My full blerg is at Reality Ravings once again, but I do have a couple of reservations about this show as a whole.

First, there’s no “Omarosa”.  A competitive reality show needs some drama between competitors.  In the first season of The Apprentice, Omarosa alienated not only her opponents, but her team-mates as well, which made for some can’t-look-away television.  Survivor has had its fair share of strategy players (Rich, Lex, Johnny Fairplay) and even created a crossover love-to-hate Amazing Race contestant in Robandamber.  Project Runway has personalities that rub together to create tension and the designers are not shy in giving bitchy interviews about their competitors.  So far, the TD “cast” verges on the very passive side of passive-aggressive.  I’m not suggesting that the producers need to bring the crazy – that has made Hell’s Kitchen unwatchable – but the energy level could be amped up.

Secondly, the challenges return products that are often just variations on a very limited theme.  Masterchef really stretches the contestants and rewards risk.  Runway seems to provide enough air for some truly eccentric design.  I get the feeling that the TD contestants are either chosen because they’ll suit the “house style” of the sponsoring magazine (Elle Decor), or they work hard to fit themselves into an Elle Decor box.

Will I keep watching?  Yes – I’m optimistic that the bland contestants will be the next to go, which will change the dynamic of the group.  If, however, we get to the finale with Natalie, Andrea and Preston fighting for the title of Top Designer, I will feel cheated.

Ondine Karady's room from the Top Design season two finale.

Good morning Modern Domestic readers! Here’s some news you can use to distract you from your Monday morning email inbox.

Ondine In The District

• I’m sure that Top Design fans were thrilled to see that Ondine Karady, the Top Design season two finalist, was featured in The Washington Post! She’s splitting her time between NYC and DC, and the Post did a beautiful feature about her Logan circle condo. Apartment Therapy has a nice follow-up on the piece. Ondine was most in sync with my personal style, so I’m happy to see that she’s just a couple metro stops away.

Would You Pay For Eddie’s Mockery?

• In other Top Design alum news, Eddie Ross is now hosting guided shopping tours around different flea markets. This begs the question – would you pay $45 to go on a guided shopping trip with Eddie Ross, just so he could laugh at you behind your back?

The Domino Deal Hunter Returns

• Thank God! The Domino Deal Hunter has a new blog! I loved Nick Olsen’s picks and I’m so happy I can still get my fix.

National Geographic Cupcake Safari

• Cupcakes Take the Cake reports on a National Geographic Traveler series that looked at the top 25 cupcake bakeries in the United States. DC favorites Hello Cupcake, Georgetown Cupcake, and Red Velvet Cupcakery all made the list – the article even mentioned the Peanut Butter Cup that I loved so much at Red Velvet!

Back in 2000, I was Ricky Martin’s escort at the Grammy Awards which basically entailed making sure his cute little buns were in the right place at the right time. This was back when PDiddy and JLo were all the rage (the year of the green dress, as a matter of fact, which was quite shocking at a 5 foot range). It was a year of Latin spice (Santana swept the awards).  The escorts were told to wear black, because we would be on the red carpet in front of all the cameras, and we needed to fade into the background amongst the galaxy of stars.

So what did yours truly wear?  Shocking white slacks, 6-inch black heels, and a white, backless shirt (like a square foot of material) that I had covered with hand-embroidered sequins to resemble zebra skin. Topped off with a massive white puffy jacket. Let’s just put it this way: it was not hard for my parents to identify me on the TV screen standing amidst all the red carpet royalty. I was ghetto fabulous. And I knew that the outfit had a shelf life of oh, about one evening. But I mean, come on, it was the Grammys. Tacky gets you on the list. I got a lot of compliments on my outlandish costume, one of the Backstreet Boys even told me he liked my shirt right before he asked me to get him coffee. Jamie Foxx sent his assistant over to my side of the green room to ask me out. Unfortunately for Mr. Foxx, I learned in junior high not to date men who hit on me by proxy.

Looking back I think….wow.  Nervy.  GOD, did I look ridiculous. I knew I would. I would die if I could dig up a photo of that event. I had no aspirations of being “discovered” in any sense – I just thought, when am I ever going to be in a place were I could rock an outfit this absurd? And it was worth it.

This is why I love Kelly Wearstler.  She doesn’t get up in the morning to be a wallflower. I mean, of course, she does some great interiors, but her personal style is why I keep an eye out for her.  There are several out there in the blogosphere who absolutely trash her.  Let’s put this in context, people.  She’s a friggin’ designer – do you want her in JCrew?  No. Personally, I think she rocks.  Why let the contestants on Top Design get all the airtime?  She was the only reason I ever watched that show. From this gorgeous Oscar de la Renta style dress to the depths of crimped-hair mania, she’s always in character, just like her rooms.

[here]

[here]

She never seems age inappropriate (unlike other reality show stylists, ahem).  She knows what works.

I would say, yes, more absurd than my Grammy outfit.  But she’s the only one you’re looking at in this scene.  Am I right? What else is fashion for?

I’m really just sitting here waiting for hats to come back fo real.  Everyone used to wear hats. It’s like the world just stopped wearing shoes or something.

[Apartment Therapy]

Love the shoes.  Like finding an old vintage table top accessory for your den.

I wonder what came first, this Missoni skirt or this wall Kelly designed.

[via NYPost]

This is so darned uptight and elegant that it is downright funky.  Love the striped ascot. (Is that an ascot?)  And Grandma’s brooches. And the hat.  Always the hat.

[via Design*Sponge]

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a body that works with anything.  Like good architecture, it’s hard to screw it up.

[via Rotten Tomatoes]

This tie is fab, I wish I could find a close-up.

Chicken or the egg?  I’m pretty sure KW was rocking the crazy baglady look before Carrie wore it in the SATC movie.  Although, I kinda like Carrie’s pajama pants spin on the ensemble.

[here]

Like her rooms, exaggerated proportions always make the eye do a double take.

[via Domino]

And then with a braid of her hair, she’s 25 years old again, simple and sweet.

[here]

Seriously, why let your livingroom have all the fun!  Take that style into the out of doors.

[here]

All I can say about this one is, hey Kelly, if you’ve got it flaunt it.

When she was seven years old, Andrea visited an uncle in Washington, D.C, and was overcome with interior design and architecture.

Granted, at the time, she didn’t know what either of those things were, but she was captivated by them all the same.

“There was a staircase I remember that had really long treads and a really shallow rise,” she remembers. “As I walked up through it, I felt it change the whole rhythm of how I walked, and I felt myself gliding up through the space that was moving all around me.

“The idea that you could change how people walk, their rhythm, movement and perception just gripped me. It was so clear.”

After that experience, she felt compelled to start working with her hands. Her mother taught her how to sew and her father showed her how to use tools. She appreciated the craftsmanship that went into making everything from clothing to the most elegant building in the world.

While pursuing her master’s in architecture at UCLA, one of her professors challenged her to expand her architectural notions into interior spaces. To  Andrea, that was an invitation to break all the rules.

“One of the most important things I’ve learned is that you can be irreverent, and it can have really successful results,” she says. “Nowadays, I encourage my clients to do their own thing in terms of design, even if it’s weird. It can be a challenge to truly express yourself without going overboard, but that’s where I come in. I help people figure out their personal style and what elements are important to them. I show them how to restrain themselves but give them a little outlet for expression.”

Andrea’s irreverence has inspired her clients to be true to themselves and create an enviroment that speaks to them. It also landed her a spot on Bravo TV’s inaugural season of Top Design, an interior design reality competition.

Just goes to show that breaking the rules will take you places way better than jail. To add an artful edge to your quarters, check out Etsy, an online shop featuring handmade crafts from people all over the world. Talk about a personal touch.

MORE TIPS & TOOLS

Andrea’s Magic Touch
Feeling inspired, but don’t know where to start? Contact Andrea’s design firm to help you tap into to your design personality.

Oh, So Cute
An eclectic collection of modern daily finds for your home or office, including kitchenware, home accents and the most interesting stationary around.

Just Do It Yourself
Earth-friendly and wallet-conscious, ReadyMade helps you claim your corner of the world and decorate it just the way you want it.

The Gift Closet
Looking for crafty gift ideas? The Gift Closet is a great place to find ideas for clever gifts you can make.