These colourful ads by Ogilvy & Mather for 103.5 KISS FM in Chicago caught my eye for the bold and colourful typography as well as the clever copy. It’s true, the lyrics of current dance music is pretty bizarre when you take out the beat! I don’t think that last song by Usher is going to win any songwriting awards anytime soon…

(images via i believe in advertising)

Do I need Pineapple Ring Sticky Notes? No, I definitely do not. But I may be able to convince myself I do based on my love for Hawaii and unique desk supplies. The sticky note packaging is also an example of simple but perfect packaging. I don’t think these pineapple rings would be as fantastic without the tin can to keep them in. It’s amazing how you can re-imagine boring, corporate yellow post-its with a little imagination in shape and packaging…

(spotted on mochi things)

It always amazes me what a little spray paint can do. I saw the above storage jars on House to Home this morning and was instantly smitten. Glue a small animal or figurine to an old jar top, spray paint the whole piece and ta da! You have a chic, colourful and unique storage container. Don’t they look like they would be crazy expensive? Fantastic for kids but I think the idea could be used in any studio and space needing unique storage. Sugar, pasta, flour, nuts – just think of what could be done with this idea and kitchen storage containers.

Castle is an Australian homeware and design company at the top of my current obsession list. The mastermind of colour-loving designer Rachel Castle, the line is just bursting with creativity and vibrant hues. From bedlinens and cushions to fabric garlands and one-of-a-kind art pieces, Castle seamlessly fuses exquisite handcraft detail with a geometric design soul. I just love Castle’s handstitched embroideries with their bright colours and blend of fabrics including vintage French linen, flax Belgian linen, Australian wool, moleskin and velvet. Oh and the styling of their product photographs is ridiculously stylish. I wouldn’t mind living in those set designs. Yes, I think I would be quite happy to wake up in some colourful sheets with a handmade fabric garland draped across my chic art pieces. What more can I say other than I am utterly in love with Castle!

If her homeware range Swiden Design is any indication, designer Charlotte Swiden is as bonkers about colour as I am. The Swedish-born, Melbourne-based creative is launching a new line next week called “Tivolivat” inspired by fun park rides, fairy floss and ferris wheels. From illustrated prints to painted wood decorations, the collection is bursting with colour and modern shapes. My favourite pieces are Tivolivat’s bold, geometric and happy-inducing cushion covers. I think that beautiful pattern of multi-coloured rectangle and square stripes (on the bottom far right in the first image) might just find a new home at my place…

Most Fashion Weeks are a glorious parade of one runway show after another but I always look forward to seeing how some designers buck the trend and do something unique. New Zealand label Twentysevennames did just that when showed their Autumn/Winter 2012 line in an exhibit of Guy Coombes photographs. The concept kind of reminds me of that wallpaper/shirt scene in Garden State. What a brilliant way to highlight the patterns of the collection and stand out from the crowd. I hope Twentysevennames creates an entire lookbook of these fabulous photographs. I’m starting to think fashion should be sold alongside matching wallpaper…

(spotted on liebemarlene vintage)

Advertising the new Westfield Stratford City shopping center in London, this film captures 100 years of East London style in 100 seconds (as well as popular dance styles). I love the level of detail like the male dancer going off to war in the 1940′s section. It also makes me wonder what the heck went on in the 1990′s and 2000′s. Was it that dull fashion wise? It makes me wish for a comeback of the fashions featured in early to mid 1900′s portion of the piece! The 2011 outfit is rather chic so perhaps we are at the start of another great fashion era. What a fantastic film showcasing brilliant styling as well as British fashion and its dominant colours.

(spotted on notcot)

Shopping List Magnets by Harrington and Squires allow a refrigerator to become one big grocery list while adding pops of colour to your kitchen. A fantastic London letterpress workshop, Harrington and Squires have recently added a set of Spice Magnets to their collection. I’m thinking you could take a cell phone photo of your fridge before heading to the grocery store so no paper list is needed at all. Can’t wait to see what they add next. Perhaps liquor store, farmer’s market or bakery essentials? The possibilities for food and colour seem limitless…

(photographs via harrington and squires, kitchen critic & unlimited editions)

I love these Action Pencils by We Are What We Do, a non-profit organization that gives all profits from their stationery line directly to schools and community projects. Even the most snooze-inducing tasks can be brightened up with some colourful, positive and community improving desk supplies. These pencils bear just six of the 131 small and simple actions that We Are What We Do list as ways to make someone’s day, make your home a big greener and overall, do a little chunk of good. I really hope the organization comes out with a giant box of 131 Action Pencils. Each day, you could grab a pencil and complete the action. A vibrantly colourful desk and a happier life would be the end result I think…

(spotted on our workshop; read more about the fantastic mission of we are what we do line here)

I first became smitten with the work of designer Sarah Illenberger when I discovered she was behind the fantastic cover of one of my favourite books, Papercraft (the second photo above). In addition to clever photography work like the raining watermelon I posted about previously, Sarah creates brilliant handmade paper pieces for publication covers, advertising pieces and set design. I was thrilled to read on the weekend that in September, Gestalten is publishing an entire book devoted to Sarah’s spectacular work. The cover, shown at the top of this post, is just plain fabulous. It’s amazing how a few twists of gold paper becomes a modern croissant. How great are those slices of speckled sausage? I can’t wait to read Sarah’s book and marvel at her handmade wonders and zest for making everyday objects joyful.

(read about on design boom; photographs via gestalten)

Mixing CMYK colours with customizable details, designer Igor Perkusic created this unique hairdresser business card design. Cut along the dotted lines on the back of the card and you can create the hairstyle of your dreams. While most business cards end up in a drawer, I’m thinking these fun little characters will get prime real estate on your desk and maybe remind you to book your next haircut!

(spotted on card observer)

I love the Hermetic series by creative Italian company Seletti. Unlike the regular plastic type, these handsome fridge containers are porcelain with colourful silicone tops. Not only will your fridge look instantly full of good design but your leftovers can go straight to the oven without the negative health effects of heating plastic. Come to think of it, your leftovers can go straight to your dinner party table without anyone knowing any better!

Paper-Cut-Project is an Atlanta studio overflowing with paper craft talent. These wigs are just some of the 20 paper pieces they created for Kate Spade’s Lillian Bassman collection window displays. Both the wigs and collection are inspired by the famous 1961 Bassman photograph, “A Touch of Dew” featuring windswept model Lisa Fonssagrives behind the wheel of a convertible. Such chic, modern and strong paper design with a true sense of motion, I wouldn’t mind having one to display as art. Those ponytails. Oy. The wigs are on display in Kate Spade store windows in New York so if you see them, please send a photo my way!

(spotted on strictlypaper; photograms via paper-cut-project and 1stdibs)

It’s hard to beat a box of Crayola crayons but the Abex Neon Crayon Set from MoMa takes the cake in the “most handsome crayons ever” department. Vibrant neon in sticks of black wood all housed in a tin with wise typography – if Kanye West had a child, I imagine this would be the only set allowed in the house.

I quite love these ads for Stilgraf Printing by São Paulo, Brazil agency DPZ. Using elementary colour theory, Pantone swatches are personified in clever little scenes. I’m thinking this idea could be expanded into a television show? In the same vein as Mr. Men, each colour swatch could have its own personality and character quirks. Who wouldn’t want to watch a show where the metallic swatch book is God? From the looks of that blue/yellow/red family, there is plenty of juicy drama to be had!

(images via ads of the world)

Love this video directed by Nick Thompson to advertise Melbourne music festival 2012 Summadayze Colourfornia. Throwing colour powder in slow motion is pretty damn mesmerizing. Fashion meets the Holi festival! Great looking typography and identity at the end of the video too. Oh and the song “Colours” by Calvin Harris has some rather perfect lyrics: “I don’t care what you dress like or what you wear but please make sure, you’ve got some colours in there”. Couldn’t agree more. In my head, Calvin will perform this song at the Summadayze festival and the crowd will start recreating this video in thousands of pigment hues. Yep, I think I need to go to Melbourne next summer…

(Thanks for the inspiration Joseph!)