This week we added a new weapon to our shop arsenal: an Epilog Laser! Here are a few test pieces. What do you think we should create first??

Ilan just returned from a trip to New York and was eager to share what he encountered there — Asian influence resonating throughout the city from the street to the Metropolitan Museum of Art!  Check out a few of his pics below:

Electrifying colors and minimalist stencil graffiti pop this one-eyed panda right off the wall!

Stepping out of the cold and into a “japanese cantina” for a bite to eat, Ilan found these amazing ceramic condiment holders.  Minimalist- and futuristic!

 Continuing his exploration of the city, Ilan found his way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Drawn to the Asian collections, he found much to be inspired about, including this stone fountain.

 Rounding out the trip, Ilan stopped by Oliver Peoples on Madison Avenue to check out our orbs.  Can you see where our influence comes from?  So, we have to ask – what inspires you?

Here’s a peek at a credenza that we’ve recently finished!

Playing with translucency and opacity, we illuminated the credenza from the inside and wrapped it in a thermoformed solid surface plastic…

To soften the edges further, we engraved an intricate design (inspired by Marie Antoinette!) into the surface with our in-shop CNC machine.

Venice, a love affair for us and for Hollywood from Charlton Heston to David Duchovny!

A quiet Windward Circle at 5am.

Johannes Girardoni, an American-based sculptor and installation artist, has been lighting up Ilan Dei Studio this past week!  We have been assisting  Johannes on a new project of his that uses light and resin.  Check out some pictures below of the resin casting in process.  And, be sure to check out Johannes’ incredible work at girardoni.com!

Johannes and Shane, our multi-talented master craftsman, prepping the resin for casting…

Preparing color mixtures…

Testing color and light…

Casting in progress…

Success!!

Ilan Dei Studio was pleased to collaborate with our friend and Venice neighbor Jennifer Siegal of the Office of Mobile Design  to fabricate OMD’s designs for the Museum of Monterey in Monterey California.

Ilan Dei Studio worked with Office of Mobile Design to develop key details and construction methods to achieve the complex angles desired in the displays. Each box was designed and fabricated using multiple compounding angles to give the perception of movement as the visitors walk around the museum floor. Read more »

Operating from the heart of Venice allows Ilan Dei Studio to have the perfect vantage point to interact with the fun and, sometimes, eccentric community that makes its home next to Venice Beach. Located within walking distance of Abbot Kinney, we are right in the midst of the celebration known as First Friday. And this coming Friday is no different! Tomorrow marks the first Friday of August and, in accordance, several businesses and galleries along Abbot Kinney Blvd. are offering special deals and events to bring the community out onto the streets. With the weather comfortably warm, this is a great way to explore Venice!

One local business, Elvino Wine Shop, will be opening their doors for a wine tasting for First Friday. The three wines they are offering for $10 are a 2010 Terrior Sauvignon Blanc (Central Otago, New Zealand), a 2010 Terrior Pinot Noir (Central Otago, New Zealand), and a 2008 Charles Cimicky, Trumps, Grenache-Shiraz (Barossa Valley, South Australia).

If you have ever wondered what would happen if you took street art and community feedback and combined them, Candy Chang has the answer. With her ‘I Wish This Was‘ initiative, Candy Chang started a way for neighborhoods in New Orleans to comment on urban planning straight at its source. She has come up with clever little stickers that state ‘I Wish This Was _______’, and within the blank space, community members are able to suggest different necessities in their city on vacant lots and abandoned buildings.

Take a look at their site and start shifting the gears forward in your city! Thanks to Design Milk for bringing this fun and creative idea to our notice!

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You’re seeing it here first!

Here is a glimpse at our recently competed project, the Oliver Peoples Chicago store. Keeping to the theme of the their other stores while still bringing in a personality that’s unique to this location, our team has been hard at work designing and fabricating all the interior fixtures and furnishings for this beautiful eye wear shop. Go ahead and give their site some love, we love their classic and chic sunglasses, obsessed is more like it!

The best way to find out about what we’ve got going on in all areas of our company is to get on our mailing list, you can sign up in the RIGHT COLUMN —-come on, don’t be shy.

Can you guess who was featured on Design Milk’s Designer Dailies series?

None other than our own Ilan Dei!! Now everyone has an opportunity to know what it’s like to live a day in the life of a designer! A day with Ilan is never dull; he wakes up to a morning in the surf, spends the day checking up on projects, and gets to spend some quality time with his family when his busy day is done. Be sure to take a look at the rest of the article.

Many thanks to Design Milk for featuring Ilan!

Don’t be shy about dropping by our Facebook and liking our page and feel free to post comments, we love hearing what our fans have to say! And continue to watch our blog to find out what Ilan and the rest of our team are up to.