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Todd Oldham Walks Us Through His Favorite Pieces in the Kid Made Modern Collection

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:53:21 PDT

Run, don't walk to your nearest Target to pick up Todd Oldham's just-released line of Kid Made Modern DIY art supplies. The collection - which we first told you about back in January - includes 48 affordable kits and pieces (all priced under $20) based on his book of the same name. The multifaceted crayons (one has 64 colors in a single crayon), board book-making kits, and beautiful learn-to-sew kits with Charley Harper images are all designed to bring tots to the table and inspire a love of various forms of arts and crafts. I had the honor of walking through the collection with Oldham himself which was nothing short of impressive. Take a look at some of his favorite products in the line, and hear how the designer believes we can cultivate creativity in our children!

6 Todd Oldham Kids Made Modern Staples We Want in Our Grown-Up Art Supply Kit

Elka Karl — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:00:45 PDT

Todd Oldham’s Kid Made Modern collection arrives at Target stores and Target.com on May 20, featuring a wide range of DIY art supplies that are all priced under $20. While we're sure to scoop up some of the line for the kids in our extended families, there are a few we're coveting for ourselves as well. Keep clicking to see which ones we'd like to add to our own art supply kits, and how we'd use them!

Todd Oldham to Bring Kid Made Modern to Target With New Line of Art Supplies

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:04:55 PST

Art supplies and crafts collection, designed by a real-life designer, at Target prices? Sign me up! When Todd Oldham first published Kid Made Modern ($16) almost three years ago, he created a minirevolution in the world of arts and crafts. Inspired by the most influential midcentury artists - including Alexander Calder, Charles and Ray Eames, and Marimekko - he sought to teach lil ones about their creativity through 52 projects kids could do at home, everything from creating flowers out of wire (Calder) to making polka-dotted book covers using bubble wrap (Marimekko). The projects all used a combination of household items and store-bought crafting products.

This Spring the designer is expanding his drive to inspire creativity in kids through a new partnership with Target. On May 20, Target stores nationwide will introduce more than 50 Kid Made Modern art supplies and kits, all designed and tested by Oldham himself. I got a sneak peek at the line last week and can already tell you that it will be on your must-buy list! The beautifully made products - including crayons in various shapes and sizes (the pyramid one was my favorite!), board book-making kits, gorgeous wooden blocks primed for painting, and learn-to-sew kits that feature Charley Harper's gorgeous images - are all artfully packaged in recyclable boxes (many of which double as display cases) and will all be priced under $20 (talk about great birthday presents!).

Stay tuned for more details in May (including my interview with Todd as he walked me through his favorite products). Until then, take a peek at a few of the highlights from the line!

Have You Found Any Treasures in the Trash?

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:00:18 PDT

Todd Oldham recently blogged about a new photography book called Rubbish by Jake Chessum, chronicling stunning images of trash all over the world. It got me to thinking about some fabulous street finds I've come across, and I wondered if any of you had been so lucky. I once passed a fantastic gray leather club chair while on the bus, because I was late to work, and I've been kicking myself ever since that I didn't stop to take it home.Source

Todd Oldham Introduces Charley Harper to Old Navy

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:30:55 PST

It's no secret that Todd Oldham is a big fan of the work of wildlife illustrator Charley Harper, considering that he co-authored a book with Harper. It's also no secret Todd Oldham is the creative director of Old Navy. Thus, welcome Charley Harper to Old Navy! A collection of Charley Harper books, games, and tees for children under $15 is now available at Old Navy and is part of the retailer's effort to target young moms on a budget. I'd call that budget beautiful! Although most of these trix are for kids, there's a great Charley Harper Coloring Book ($9.50) and a Memory Game ($14.50) that would both make easy, affordable artwork for your home. Stocking stuffers?

Top Design, Episode One: "Impress the Best"

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:00:00 PDT

If you've been reading my interviews, you know that I'm excited about this second season of Top Design, so I was pleased to tune in last night for the first episode. First off, I was surprised by the amount of star power in the contestant pool (well, for reality television at least), including one interior designer, Preston Lee, who I'd already featured on CasaSugar. Also in the mix was a Martha Stewart Living senior style editor (Eddie) and actor Ricky Schroder's wife (Andrea), among other talented contestants.

For the first challenge, the designers had to furnish an entire apartment in two days, with the designers divided into four teams, working on four loft space apartments for four-star clients.

To find out who the star clients were and to see photos from the episode,

Each team had to design for one of the show's judges or hosts, including India Hicks, Margaret Russell, Jonathan Adler, and Kelly Wearstler. I love that one of Jonathan Adler's design requirements was "very dog-friendly." Cute! Kelly Wearstler gave a strict no-television edict (I wonder how the Top Design producers reacted to that) and a place for displaying her flea market finds. Margaret Russell requested color and asked her team to stay away from beiges and neutrals. India Hicks asked for an apartment with a "Caribbean plantation feel to it."

Oh, and if this wasn't enough of a challenge, the designers had only $2,000 to work with to furnish and decorate the entire apartment! I actually loved the money limitation, since the designers were forced to use unusual sources, such as a salvage store and thrift shops, to create their spaces. Not only did this take their designs out of the usual retail box, it provided incentive to repurpose old, potentially tired pieces into something new.

Just as things were getting interesting, the designers were interrupted for a "pop design quiz," where they had to make individual shadow boxes out of everyday objects found in their rooms. I loved Wisit's shadow box, as well as Jennifer's, Eddie's, Kerry's, and Robert's pop designs. In the end, Wisit, Ondine, Eddie, and Kerry were all granted immunity, guaranteeing that they couldn't be eliminated in this challenge.

There were some incredibly silly mistakes made over the course of the episode, including ordering the wrong color of wallpaper, forgetting to turn off faucets, and seeping paint all over the floors. Some of the teams had a very difficult time cooperating, and already it seems as if there is some cattiness brewing between contestants. I loved the redesign of Kelly Wearstler's loft and thought Jonathan Adler's loft looked nice, too However there were some straight-up ugly additions to Margaret and India's loft spaces, with some truly incongruous choices. (Serge's akimbo mirror in the corner? Just. Weird.)

Kelly's team was granted the top design, which was well deserved, with Jonathan's team coming in second. India and Margaret's teams were in the bottom two. Ultimately, Serge was sent home, which I think was more than fair.

I think that this season is off to a promising start, and I love the low-budget limitation, which I hope will be carried throughout the season. I'm also grateful that the judge's deliberation process seems to be significantly shorter, with more time spent on the process of creating the spaces. All in all, a good introduction to season two.

What did you think of this episode? Did it leave you excited to see more?

View 40 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Cool Idea: A Colander As a Vase

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:44 PDT

I recently polled you on your love for Todd Oldham's ice cream cone carnation floral arrangement, and you were pretty split on it. I on the other hand was not a fan; although in general, I feel that the world-renowned designer can do no wrong. Today is no exception to that notion, though. Oldham has created another arrangement for FTD, the Todd Oldham Green Salad ($79.99), this time using a colander as a vase. I adore this innovative use of a colander, not only for its good looks but because it is something everyone can achieve. Of course, it helps to have a vibrant, kelly green colander to perk things up, but I love it regardless of color. It's also a great housewarming gift, as the colander can be used in the kitchen once the arrangement falls by the wayside. Love it?

Interview: Todd Oldham on Top Design

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:15:25 PDT

As you may know, Bravo’s series Top Design will be back for its second season on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with a new look, new producers, and a new host. Lucky me, I recently had the chance to participate in a conference call with the new host, celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks, as well as world-renowned designer Todd Oldham, who has moved over to a new role as the contestant's mentor. It was really a blast to hear from both of them, and I can't wait for the season to begin.

Here are some of the highlights:

On designing on a budget:

It’s an old-fashioned notion to think that style has anything to do with money. Top Design, this season especially, has a great evidence of that because many of the challenges had . . . don’t have anything to do with money but have to do with ingenuity. I’ve seen very, very rich affairs that look pretty awful. So I’ve never been too confused what money gets you.

On common design mistakes that people fall into:

I always find that one of the worst disasters I see is just people having someone else decide what they need around themselves. No matter how beautiful [something] is, if it doesn’t really suit the person I think that’s a much bigger disconnect than maybe having some tastes that everyone might not like.

To hear more of what Todd had to say during the call,

On his new role as mentor:

I’ve been sort of crazy blessed with opportunity right now. My schedule is very tight. When I first joined Top Design, I was able to do both roles, but the amount of time that that requires is off the charts. So I was able to just really kind of clear the schedule for the mentor, which I was happy [about] because that’s my favorite part.

This was the no homework job. It was really fun just to get to show up and be very present. It was really fun and organic. I love being in the moment and reacting, and sort of responding to the energy from the contestants because, you know, they’re - I wouldn’t say they’re in panic mode, but they’re about as revved up as they can get.

On the judges (Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, and Margaret Russell):

I think all of - what I was impressed about all the judges is that they’re fans of design. There’s no, you know, no one’s a brutal nightmare. All the information is constructive. I think that the contestants are really lucky to have such fair sort of, you know, good-hearted judges.

On what each contestant brings to the show:

It’s very nice to mix it up. I actually always prefer some idea influenced by more of an outsider point of view. LA and New York are terrific but, you know, the influences here are very broad and sophisticated. Sometimes being sort of less exposed or exposed to more hybrid ideas leads you down more interesting paths.

That’s what’s great about this show. There’s like, there’s every kind of person and thought process you could find. There was all kinds of ages, points of view, ethnicities. It’s really - it’s an interesting microcosm of design and also the world. It’s a really good mixed point of view.

On his preference for design styles (mid-century v. traditional):

Most of my friends are a little more eccentric and [have] kind of gone more the individual route. I think ultimately it’s a hybrid of anything that leads us to more interesting ways. So I think the Frank Lloyd Wright house with the big mushy cushions might be a better way to go about it.

On his own home's style:

Mine’s very cozy. I think I have a different philosophy about home and design than others because I find a lot of people, clients, like the design to end. I think of it more as a garden where it’s just constantly going and adding to, and painting on top of, and layering in. I have a lot more fun with that. So then I don’t get so attached, and it makes it more interesting.

Stay tuned to hear what India Hicks had to say!
Source

Love It or Hate It? Todd Oldham Ice Cream Party

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:14 PDT

I'm normally of the persuasion that Todd Oldham can do no wrong. But today? Not so much. The colorful designer has now slapped his name on a collection of floral arrangements for FTD, including this Todd Oldham Ice Cream Party ($39). If I'm feeling simpatico, I suppose I might say a genuine ice cream cone could make a cute arrangement for a kid's birthday, filled with some wildflowers. But a ceramic ice cream dish? Filled with carnations (yuck!) in "vanilla" or "strawberry," and a "red cherry" carnation? Come on, Todd!

This Just In: Todd Oldham Releases Carpet Series For Durkan

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:00:00 PDT

Todd Oldham has released a new series of flexible, versatile, carpet designs for Durkan, a division of the Mohawk Group, which will feel right at home in hospitality interiors. TODD: Todd Oldham Designs Durkan, launched at the Hospitality Design Expo 2008 in Las Vegas this month. The Haberdashery Collection pays tribute to menswear by updating classics patterns like argyle, corduroy, plaid, herringbone, hounds-tooth, and checks with contemporary colors and pattern directions, dressing hospitality interiors with design elements that will never go out of style. The Facets Collection was inspired by jewels and chains, sometimes layered or highlighted by texture and color, adding an element of luxury and cohesive distinction. According to Oldham, "These accents effectively and cost efficiently bring an added richness and dimension to the designs that might have previously only been achieved in woven carpet." The Concentrics Collection experiments, "with scale and turning the design elements in different angles," taking "concentric squares in a new direction that can be appreciated and enjoyed by designers looking to achieve any style - from modern contemporary to rustic." I'm really digging some of these designs; I may just have to buy a hotel so I can cover my floors in TODD — dream. Until then, we can keep a look out for these designs the next time we travel to a Home Away From Home!