DESIGN GOSSIP

SIGN PAINTERS DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

SUMMARY: We’re wrapping up our pre-season with a review of the documentary Sign Painters (2013, directed by Sam Macon and Faythe Levine). How much did we swoon for all the hand-lettering? How did we feel about this film highlighting dozens of white dudes? We talk type vs. lettering, work-for-hire, function vs. aesthetic and peak chalkboard.

• Signpainters Instagram, The Revival of America’s Hand-painted Sign Industry by Ester Bloom for the Atlantic, Charlene’s painted window for CAKE Plus-Sized Resale.

 

Heads up - This is the last episode of our pre-season. We'll be back soon with a full Design Gossip season where we discuss things like gender in design, taking the leap from corporate to creative solopreneur life, craftivism and lots of shop talk. Stay tuned.

ARTICLE CLUB

SUMMARY: It’s our first article club (kind of like book club) - we discuss Meet the Plantfluencers by Penelope Green for the New York Times and Just Getting in to Mid-Century Modern? Don’t, the 2020s Are All About the 80s by Rachel Del Valle for Gear Patrol. What’s the deal with sexy plant selfies? Are glass blocks cool or heinous? We talk favorite houseplants, plant scams, magenta grout and the color mauve.

Heads up - this episode was recorded last month, pre-protests. (Just in case it seems odd that we don’t acknowledge current events)

LINKS:

• Wit & Whistle, The Sill, Boys With Plants, Rooted, The Jungalow, Group Partner, The Princess, the Plantfluencers and the Pink Congo Scam

• This is the Most Popular Home Decor Style in Each State, Glossier Glass Block, Togo Sofa, Cesca Chair

BLACK CREATED PODCASTS

SUMMARY: We’re amplifying black-created podcasts this week in lieu of a regular episode. This list is by no means comprehensive, please continue to explore, listen, rate and review content by black creators.

LINKS:

1619 Still Processing Yo, Is This Racist? Therapy for Black Girls Pod Save the People The Secret Lives of Black Women What a Day Thirst Aid Kit Why Won’t You Date Me with Nicole Beyer Code Switch Scam Goddess Small Doses with Amanda Seales and Uncivil

JOYFUL (Part II)

We continue our conversation about Ingrid Fetell Lee’s book, Joyful - The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness. In this episode we take a closer look at a few of the categories outlined in the book. What qualities feel the most joyful? We talk yarnbombing, past travels, Gestalt theory and Charlene has a hot take on symmetry. We mention: Lewis Miller Floral Design, Jan Vormann Lego Art, La Boca Buenos Aires, Minneapolis Elf Door Example, Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Worksheets (free after her email signup)

JOYFUL (Part I)

We're covering Ingrid Fetell Lee's book, Joyful - The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness. What aesthetic qualities do joyful things have? Why don't we give ourselves permission to pursue joy more often? We talk colorful footwear, flowers, creative workspaces and pool floats. 

LINKS: Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Worksheets (free after her email signup) Poketo, Ashley Mary, Ban.do, Sunnylife, Comme des Garçons, Askov Finlayson North Hats, AdamJK

NEXT IN FASHION (Part II)

We’re gossiping about the final five episodes of Netflix’s Next in Fashion. Who wins? who almost wins? What looks had us swooning? We talk housecoats, workout scarves, military fashion and JNCOs. Heads up...there will be spoilers!

NEXT IN FASHION (Part I)

It’s our first pre-season minisode! We’re gossiping about the first five episodes of Netflix’s Next In Fashion. What looks did we love? What didn’t work? We talk shoulder pads, cow-ma-flauge, lingerie, fancy fabric scissors and more…

PRESEASON TRAILER

We’ve been working on an in-depth, bespoke design podcast series for a while now… But then the world turned upside down with a pandemic which shall not be named. So we decided to condense and fast-track our podcast for you into preseason minisodes. We’re leaning into quarantine lifestyle and binge-watching and binge-reading some of our favorite design shows, documentaries, books and articles, and then we’re gossiping about them right here. Don’t worry, our bigger podcast is still in the works, but in the meantime consider this a taste of things to come.