Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Dec 10, 2011, 1:53 pm
Out walking in beautiful Brooklyn with my friend Shannon the other day, we stumbled upon the cutest modern boutique called Module R. It’s chock full of really cool modern stuff but I focused most of my attention on the vast number of options available for carrying lunch to work. I’ve been on ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Nov 25, 2011, 12:49 pm
During a dinner party last night I had a realization, don’t become to attached to things.  I had this epiphany after spending the evening coaxing coasters underneath glasses and following my friends three year old around with a wet towel and dustpan. I realized unlike my civilized friends,  I...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Nov 7, 2011, 1:38 pm
When I first saw this pillow on Yanko Design I thought, why would someone want this? However, after a bite of lunch (I think better on a full stomach) and a poll around the office, the brilliance of this invention fully came to light (pun intended). I call it a pillow but it’s actually a pillowcas...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Oct 24, 2011, 3:49 pm
The Human Rug I would argue that there is nothing creepier than a rug that looks like your neighbor took a face plant from the Empire State Building. Even though it’s so very obvious the rug is not real, it looks like a cousin of the blow-up doll, with it’s creepy slack jawed stare, it’s stil...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Sep 5, 2011, 5:26 pm
The new Scion iQ on a test drive in Los Angeles, California. I’ve been car free for years. Having lived most of my adult life in large cities with excellent public transportation, I’ve never seen the need for one. And once I became an avid bike rider, I felt a certain pride in the ability t...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Aug 16, 2011, 2:48 pm
Hard to believe but the little house you see above wasn’t meant for adults, it’s for children. These miniature homes are from Smart Playhouses and were inspired by Danish design. They definitely remind me of my days in Copenhagen. Scandinavians know how to enjoy their leisure time, in fac...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Aug 3, 2011, 2:24 pm
 Award winning indie director, Brandon O’Larey of creative  media collective FRANK, contacted me recently about his new short documentary BUILD. He knows I don’t normally post a lot of videos on MUL, but I found the subjects so inspiring and honest about their passion for design, I had to shar...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 29, 2011, 9:56 am
I am moving to a new apartment on Saturday and as excited as I am to relocate to new digs, I find myself absolutely loathing the packing process. So many heavy, poorly packed boxes now line my hallway, it’s hard to imagine how all of them will find their way to my new place! If everything I owne...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 26, 2011, 4:28 pm
City living can be tough! Sure it comes with nice perks. Rich culture diversity, world famous events, unrivaled people watching, not to mention you can get a hot dog at 3 in the morning on a Tuesday. But with all the niceties, come the not-so-niceties: very little space to call your own, deafe...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 25, 2011, 3:50 pm
I’m a fan of snarkiness. I identify with the Urban Dictionary’s definition of a snarkoleptic, “One whose snarkiness regularly manifests itself so naturally and fluidly that snarky comments could be delivered even from the depths of beta sleep.” That is so me. But I am a firm believer that ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 21, 2011, 5:36 pm
I usually ride my bike to and from work during the summer. I find the morning ride over the Brooklyn Bridge and the evening ride home, gives me a more energy then a double espresso from Starbucks (and a butt you could bounce a quarter off of). And you just can’t beat the view, although I could do ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 20, 2011, 6:35 pm
  I am a huge fan of all things miniature. Miniature people, miniature houses, miniature horses… the list goes on. I am also fond of terrariums. I have tried once or twice to make one on my own, needless to say I could never quite get the hang of it and my creations were abandoned in favor of ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jul 20, 2011, 8:30 am
There’s nothing that warms my heart more than seeing a broken object, headed for the dump, come to life again as a beautiful accent in home decor. I met the fellows from Art of the Board at this year’s ICFF and was charmed, not only by their humorous personalities, but also by their dedication t...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - May 31, 2011, 7:50 pm
I was always so impressed with people who can ‘play’ wine glasses. I’ve never been able to do it. Luckily, no talent is needed to make these wine glasses sing. Simply fill to desired note level and rub away! Only down side is they’re sold in pairs, so you’ll have to get several to play a p...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Apr 25, 2011, 10:16 am
I think the only thing I like more than miniature things is larger than life items! Spanish artist Rómulo Celdrán has taken everyday items and made them oversized to draw attention to those everyday objects we take for granted. I’ve always wanted to take a road trip across America and visit all ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Apr 18, 2011, 10:18 am
I’m not crazy about spiders, but I am crazy about well designed tables! This “Walking Table” designed by Wouter Scheublin moves across the room like a spider crawling on your leg. The eight table legs are designed in such a way that when you push the table to move it, the legs pick up and walk...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Apr 12, 2011, 1:03 pm
This may be one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time. It’s like something out of a James Bond movie. This dome is covered in algae because it is underwater. The only way to access it is to enter a mansion. You must find a secret wooden door that leads you down some steps where you  ro...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Apr 4, 2011, 9:39 am
I always loved hammocks, the association with springtime and lazy summer days. Just laying on that comfortable netting as you drift off into a impromptu nap. Well it seems Henry Sgourakis was inspired by hammocks as well when he created the NOOK chair. The chair and ottoman combination created with...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Apr 3, 2011, 6:38 pm
Fireplaces are awesome. Sitting around them is relaxing and warm and wonderful. Having a fireplace outside is even better! Especially if it’s by a pool. This one is exceptionally beautiful. Designer Brandon Williams handcrafted this fourteen gauge steel into a very cool design. The metal is of du...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 31, 2011, 11:05 pm
I have always had a thing for Airstream trailers. Combining the gorgeous vintage design of the outside of an airstream with the clean classy new look of a modern renovation makes this truly a beautiful project. Architect Matthew Hofmann has used mostly sustainable materials like bamboo floors to re...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 31, 2011, 11:17 am
There is nothing like sitting at a bar drinking a glass of wine, but what if you were sitting on the corks to every wine you ever  drank! Thats exactly what the “Life After Corkage Bar Stool is all about.   Over 2,500 wine and champagne corks make up the seat of this unique stool and ottoman. ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 31, 2011, 2:14 am
The disaster in Japan has got us all thinking about what we can do to help. Designers have long been trying to figure out a way to create disaster relief housing that can be assembled very quickly in the wake of a problem. These innovations have finally become available to civilians after being used...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 30, 2011, 1:16 am
This Accordion Shelf designed by Eisa Srozyk is a creative way to look at cabinet doors. Sadly it doesn’t make beautiful music if you pump the doors, but the fluid motion creates of this piece makes it beautiful either open or closed. Tweet
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 25, 2011, 2:48 am
I loved playing with those marble runs as a kid, but clean up was always a pain. Bernhard Burkard has combined this game with my other love for refrigerator magnets. With the Plama Marble Run 2D there is no clean up necessary. Simple arrange the marble ramp magnet shapes to create thousands of ramp...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 11, 2011, 9:18 am
Just when you thought they had run out of places to advertise, someone comes up with another one! This inventor probably spent way too much time looking at the back of women’s legs, and  thought, ‘I bet I could sell advertising on women’s legs if I could just get it printed on there’. Intro...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 9, 2011, 9:39 am
Paul Jr. who is known for designing motorcycles has decided to take a shot at another manly item, the grill. For $140, you get 285 square inches of cooking space to grill those burgers. The unique design is collapsible so you can take it with you on those long road trips with the family or the guys...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 8, 2011, 9:41 am
I love my cat, but I hate when she jumps on the table and digs in the planter box. Apparently this table is my worst nightmare, but I still think its an awesome design and beautiful table, even if you don’t have a cat. The gorgeous walnut table top designed by Emily Wettstein incorporates a remov...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 8, 2011, 9:38 am
Chung-Tang Ho has created a new kind of cabinet. One without door, drawers or shelves, but a series of independently sliding wood pieces that move to shape the item you are placing into it. Everyone has one of those toys as a kid with the metal pins you press your hand or face into to create an impr...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 3, 2011, 2:13 pm
The Solowheel is the mode of transportation I have been waiting for since I was a kid. Anyone born in the 80′s will remember the featured character  ”Gizmo Duck” from the hit TV show Duck Tails. He had a single wheel instead of legs to zip around on. Now this childhood fantasy had come to lif...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 1, 2011, 1:04 pm
I have always wanted a boat or a submarine, so when I saw this hybrid I immediately fell in love! When viewed from the top you would think it was any other little pontoon boat, but below deck it immediately becomes apparent this is no normal craft! The electric semi submarine “Ego” could be com...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Mar 1, 2011, 3:13 am
Check this it out! Found this on one of my favorite blogs Dude Craft. A sphere made entirely of books! It’s being displayed at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts , an awesome and unique (it’s the only one like it in the U.S.) organization dedicated to the book as a vibrant contemporary art f...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Feb 6, 2011, 6:24 pm
Took a little field trip to The Future Perfect, one of my favorite Williamsburg, Brooklyn stores. Saw some really interesting stuff, they change it up a lot. So thought I’d post a few of my faves here for those who can’t trek to Brooklyn. Check out their online store if you can’t make it to NY...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Feb 3, 2011, 8:54 am
I have a love/fear relationship with motorcycles. Don’t most people? Riding on the back of a bike is a heart-pounding rush and I love it. Nothing beats swerving in and out of traffic, cruising down city streets gazing at the glowing lights illuminating above from tall buildings. Sometimes I feel l...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Feb 1, 2011, 10:09 am
The Home Traveler by Anne Lorenz is part handbag, part stool. Presented as part of D3 Design Talents exhibit at IMM Cologne, the Home Traveler is a huge carryall with a stool like base. The bag has ample space to hold whatever you can stuff it with. Not meant for actual traveling, the Home Traveler...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Baby - Feb 1, 2011, 8:43 am
Need a little inspiration for a modern nursery? You don’t have to settle for the cutsie clowns or Disney’s latest movie character. Creating a modern room for baby is easier than you think.Here are a few ideas to help create a sophisticated and unique baby room. Think: furniture, walls, textiles...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 30, 2011, 11:00 am
I’d describe the Rewrite desk’s unusual shape as a work bubble for easily distracted people. Designed by Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi founders of Danish design studio GamFratesi the desk was originally designed for an exhibition at the Museum of Art and Design in Copenhagen, the desk is now ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 28, 2011, 2:28 pm
I hate to cook. I know, I know it’s not trendy to hate cooking these days. You can hardly turn a channel on TV without landing on some  reality cooking show torturing contestants for fun and profit. It’s not my bag, but I get it. And I don’t read food blogs, well that’s not true, I read my ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 25, 2011, 8:24 am
Milk crates are sturdy and practically indestructible-the perfect furniture making material. Tables, chairs, even beds can be made from this recycled resource. Every college student in America has used them at one time or another to store books and the like. So DIY to make your own furniture!! Need...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 22, 2011, 8:27 am
The Grocery Cart Bicycle bike by Korean designer Jaebeom Jeong, is supposed to entertain children while their parents shop. Screw that! Why let the kids have all the fun? I see races, corporate sponsors- this sport could really take off. Tweet
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 19, 2011, 9:09 am
I’m too young to remember Ben Hur.  I know it won 12 Academy Awards and it’s revered as one of the greatest epic history movies of all time. But I’m gonna be honest here, I’ve never seen it. I could give a Cliff note account, if i had too. I’ve never had too. One thing I do know about the...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Baby - Jan 16, 2011, 1:24 pm
There are so many pieces of furniture children are not allowed touch, why not give them a piece of their own that they can literally beat the hell out of?  This is exactly the concept behind Rip+Tatter, a pint sized cardboard chair that children can destroy at will. Durable and disposable, cardboar...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 16, 2011, 11:35 am
The Moda Collection features designs that look similar to the patchwork furniture designed by former sculptor and painter Lisa Whatmough from Squint. Like Lisa, Moda has taken a variety textured fabrics and mix-n-matched them to create a colorful and unique piece of furniture. I was immediately a...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 12, 2011, 3:49 pm
Sculptor Wayne Chisnall can literally ‘pull himself together’ thanks to his idiosyncratic creation, a life sized ‘some assembly required’ model kit of himself. The piece is called, “And When I Am a Man”. It is on display at the “States of Reverie” show at the Scream gallery in Mayfa...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Baby - Jan 12, 2011, 3:31 pm
We had a nice little snowstorm last night in NYC. Having missed the last one a couple weeks ago, I was excited to the city blanketed with snow once again. City adults children also seem to be enjoying the fresh snow. I saw more than a few newly built snowmen on the way into the showroom this morn...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 11, 2011, 9:47 am
Bulgarian designer Georgi Djongarski created the  i-gloobox as an alternative source of shelter for homeless citizens.It’s made of thick fabric and has an aluminum frame for stability and provides a much needed respite from outdoor elements. Thank you WooHome Tweet
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Jan 10, 2011, 9:30 am
Winter always me think of warm, cozy interiors. On a recent trip to Aspen, Colorado I saw so many examples of modern ski lodge decor. Big pieces, fur, animal antlers and lots and lots of wood! Finally a compromise between ski cabin coziness and clean, sleek NYC apartments. I now see, there is no nee...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Dec 10, 2010, 3:02 pm
I will be the first to say it, I’m not a big clock person. I don’t wear a watch, loathe it really. And you’d better be prepared to go on a miniature scavenger hunt to find out what time it is in my home. I know where the clocks are. I do have to have some inkling of time. They just have to ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Baby - Nov 16, 2010, 10:21 pm
This may look like the world’s smallest sleeping bag, (how cute is that photo?!) but it’s actually a medical device that will help change mortality rates in poor countries. Modern medicine has helped save the lives of many premature babies, but in developing countries where medical supplies can ...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Living - Nov 16, 2010, 8:53 pm
The Baby C cradle is little expensive at $4170 but totally worth it cuz it looks so frickin cool! Designed by Dripta Roy for Puur the Baby C Cradle features a unique handle to rock baby to sleep. The sleek Babycotpod by Shaun Milburn looks like a miniature space ship. Babies who wish to be spac...
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Tracy F. posted an article on Modern Urban Baby - Nov 16, 2010, 8:43 pm
If you’re looking for a environmentally friendly and humane products for your children you will certainly appreciate these playful rugs. They use only natural fibers and dyes in the production of their rugs. Strong advocates of social and environmental sustainability, Indi-B is committed to deli...
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