Creative City Tour: Austin, Texas

So you’re Austin-bound for this year’s SXSW and you’re ready to be inspired. Guess what, you’re in luck! Last year’s trip to interactive was an extremely fun week full of interesting folks and creative must-sees. Be it shopping on South Congress, tunes on East 6th or five-star trailer grub, it’s hard to be disappointed when visiting this city. Whether you’re a seasoned regular or new to the Austin scene, follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

1. Austin Texas Music Mural, East 6th at the Driskill Hotel
2. Iron Works BBQ: Best corn on the cobb for the veggies- Great ribs for the carnivores. (100 Red River Street)
3. Stag: Freeman’s-esque men’s store with a burly meets hip lifestyle twist. Fantastic product and displays. (1423 S. Congress Ave.)
4. Uncommon Objects: Hands down, the most inspirational store on S. Congress. The owners are retail display geniuses. (1512 South Congress)
5. The Fifth Gallery: Great underground prints. (305 E. 5TH- below Action Graphics)
6. Tesoros: Skull-inspired folk art galore. (1500 S. Congress)
7. Big Top Candy Shop: Vintage speakers to accompany a vast array of sugary sweets. (1706 S. Congress)
8. Emos: Multi-room dive bar bedecked with really rad posters. Name appropriate. (605 Red River)
9. Jo’s Coffee: Perfect coffee and sandwich joint. Also ideal for business meet-ups. (242 W. 2nd St.)
10. Gallery D: A hip array of clothing, art and shoes, curated by former Barney’s buyer, Emily Keast. (436 W. 2nd St.)
11. Amy’s Ice Cream: The best midday pick me up. Utterly delish. (1301 S. Congress)
12. By George: Another boutique with Anthropologie-like wall displays. (1400 S. Congress)

March 10, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Creative City Tour: Sydney, Australia

Ever since studying abroad in Sydney, I’ve had an affinity for Australians. From their attitude on life to their insanely good coffee to the style that’s influenced by opposite seasons, creativity’s always on the cusp down under. Last month I went on a scouting trip to both Sydney and Melbourne and this creative tour is the first of a two part series of my favorite patterned pit stops. From your first coffee of the day at Bunker Bar to rummaging through the fabric bin at Tessuti to knick knacking at Via Alley, it’s easy to see why Sydney’s as inspirational as it is livable. Follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

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1. Via Alley, Shop 3, 28A Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
2. Coffee Shop, Crown Street at Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
3. Alice McCall, SE 3 L 2 25 Cooper Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
4. Ratty discarded mattress on Oxford St. NSW 2010
5. Tessuti Fabrics, 110 Commonwealth Street, NSW 2010
6. Desordre Store, 323 South Dowling Street, NSW 2010
7. Spring Court, 113a Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
8. The Bunker, 399 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
9. Hub Furniture, 72 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010

February 7, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Snap Shots from Art Basel, 2010

1. Kaari Upson, at Rubells, Photo by Helen Toomer Labzda

2. Artist Unknown, at Pulse Art, Photo by Tono

3. Artist Unknown, at Pulse Art, Photo by Tono

4. Jason Rhoades at Rubells, Photo by Helen Toomer Labzda

5. Yago Hortal at Galeria Senda at Pulse Art, Photo by Helen Toomer Labzda

6. The Holes booth at NADA, Photo by Helen Toomer Labzda

Here’s a quick round-up from Art Basel, 2010. Sadly, I couldn’t make it, though the steady stream of Facebook photos from friends and colleagues kept me in the loop! Between Helen Toomer Labzda, Mirrorball and Tono’s collective photos, its easy to deduct that texture is back in full force. Vivid compilations with complicated twists were everywhere. Have a look and tell us what you think. Enjoy!

December 7, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street Finds: Chubby Cafe + Gaim Graphics

Last week I had true artist admiration (and envy!) while dining at Chubby Cafe with Michael Keferl, of CScout Japan. Michael turned me on to this gem of a spot which is tucked away in the Setagaya suburb, just outside of Shibuya station. The cafe is a creative trifecta of art, food and retail and is housed just below Hiroshi Murakami’s graphic design studio, Gaim Graphics. Murakami is a believer in merging interesting people with good art and soulful music and has succeeded in creating an unpretentious vibe in the space below his office. Everything is perfectly curated, from the organic menu to the paintings on the walls to the graphic merchandise on the shelves. If you’re in the Tokyo area, definitely check it out- it’s a rejuvenating break from the madness of the city and a reminder to relax and enjoy the day.

July 13, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Creative Tour: Le Marais, Paris

Today we’re featuring a walking tour of Le Marais in Paris by yours truly. I was recently asked to give creative recommendations and I realized it was time to share my thoughts on Pattern Pulp. Le Marais is filled with inspiration- from concept stores to stenciled graffiti to restaurant tile work, nearly every square foot is filled with eye candy. Every trend tracker, designer and food aficionado I know weaves through this neighborhood with fury, armed with a camera, a note pad and acute taste buds. Follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

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1. A patterned makeup bag at the homegoods concept store, Autour du Monde.
2. Stenciled street art along Rue des Rosiers.
3. Shoes Up poster at the sneaker store across from Muji in Le Marais.
4. Le Claireur has the most dramatic lighting and walls of color coded retail.
5. The tiled bathroom floor at the delicious restaurant, Derriere.
6. Intricate iron knocker on Rue Vieille du Temple.
7. The Muji store carries different stock here, it’s quite creative.
8. La Perle is a great bar for music + drinks for the hip(ster) scene.
9. A patterned chair at Merci, another charming homegoods & bookstore.
10. Photography installation along Rue Charlot.
11. A wall of photos by Guillaume Giraud at Noir Kennedy.

The full set of photos can be viewed here.

May 26, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Creative Tour: Jersey City, NJ

Oftentimes the cities surrounding New York are overlooked, as travelers don’t always know where to go or what they’ll find beyond the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. Today we’re featuring a creative city tour by Don Sipley, a freelance illustrator and FIT instructor who currently resides in Jersey City, New Jersey. Sipley’s illustrations are fantastical and extremely print friendly. He’s designed countless book covers and has been supplying the glossies with illustrations for over a decade now. This photo series was taken over a period of time over the past winter while Sipley walked his dog at sunrise. She’s an older dog and walks at a slow pace, so Sipley started taking photos to amuse himself. Follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

1. View of downtown Jersey city from top of 150 Bay st building, looking West
2. Deli, corner of Erie st and 4th st
3. Number 8 on payphone, Erie btw 3rd and 4th st
4. Details of 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, parked on 1st st btw Erie and Grove
5. Stockinette Knitting Café, 581 Jersey Ave
6. Details of 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, parked on 1st st btw Erie and Grove
7. Brownstone, corner of Erie st and 4th st
8. Broken payphone, Jersey ave and 4th st
9. Saffron Building, Dixon mills smokestacks, the Beacon-downtown jersey city
10. Colgate Clock, on the waterfront near Hudson st and Essex st
11. View of Newark ave, Newark ave and Bay st
12. North Baptist Spanish Church, corner of Jersey st and 3rd

March 29, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik