Taking Climbing Walls To New Heights: Illoiha Gym

Illoiha gym in Japan has taken the popular craze of wall climbing to new heights (pardon the pun).

Rather than scaling a wall studded with rocks and boulders, they've created an unusual and artistic version by using picture frames, flower pots, and deer antlers.

Looks like a lot of fun and a neat way to burn off calories.
So cool, it almost makes me want to exercise.
I said 'almost'....

CA Boom Design Show 4 is This Weekend + An Architectural Tour Through Venice

Well, this weekend is CA Boom Design Show 4 here in Santa Monica. The kick off party was last night and thanks to Jean Aw of NOTCOT you can feel as though you were walking through the show and get a look at some of the items being showcased this year in the Barker Hangar via her gallery of photos. You can view them by clicking here.

Today's walking architectural tour (One of the coolest things about the CA Boom show are the architectural tours) is in Venice, CA. For those of you who aren't able to make it, here's a few pics of the five homes they will be seeing today:

	Sharkey Residence by du Architects More Images & Project Details
	AK Live Work by Sant Architects More Images & Project Details
	One window house by Touraine Richmond Architects More Images & Project Details
	chroma color house by translation of space More Images & Project Details
	mhouse by XTEN Architecture More Images & Project Details

Now you kind of feel like you are there!
If you can't get to the show this weekend, check out CA Boom's site for all the cool things you've missed.

Fun New Finds From David Weeks

For those of you who miss Butter NY (I know I do) it's good to know that David Weeks Studio is still going strong. An extremely talented designer best known for his interiors and lighting in retail, restaurant and retail applications, he has come out with a few new super fun products for 2007.


Above: David Weeks in his Brooklyn studio

David Weeks does it again. And again.
First fun new release, coming next month (April) are these 3 fun and funky silicone resin Gorilla ashtrays!
Now with a Robot theme and a Skull theme as well.



Spring 07A new edition of the Gorilla ashtray will be in stores starting in April.
Produced by Areaware, the silicone ashtrays will be offered in three versions, to suit the domestic requirements of goths, geeks, and primate lovers.


Above: Close-up of one of David Weeks' new silicone ashtrays, the Robzilla


above: The Skullrilla ashtray


Now in pink

In addition to those, he has designed these three new votives for Kikkerland (see below):



Where can you get them?
the candles will be available for sale at the gift shop of the Santa Monica Museum of Art in May.

And, as a dog lover, I couldn't very well forget to introduce you to Shiner Stout-Weeks, David's hound labrador mix: