I have to warn you, if you try on a hat from Mr. Green Hats it will likely start an obsession. The shape of the hats are absolutely wonderful and the fabric detailing reflects fantastic design sense. They describe their hats as “traditional shapes with a modern twist” and many of the hats use vintage 1940s tie fabrics. Custom colors and sizes are available. Prices vary from around $170 to $260.

You can expect this to be huge. Japanese retailer MUJI, which has stores in many other parts of the world, makes its US debut this November. The store will be located in New York at 455 Broadway. A flagship in Midtown Manhattan is slated to open next year. MUJI products are minimal (in form and color), unbranded, and extremely inexpensive. Literally translated, Mujirushi Ryohin, MUJI’s original name, means “no brand quality goods”. To get an idea of their products you can visit the UK online store. The images shown are of MUJI stores in Tokyo. A limited number of MUJI products have been available domestically through the MoMA Store but the new store will offer over 2,000 items. Many of them come from the minds of design greats such as Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison and Enzo Mari.

MUJI represents a return to modernism’s roots in mass produced low cost goods. The website offers these seemingly ironic thoughts, “Because there is complexity in purity. Elegance in plainness. Intricacy in streamlining. Richness in reduction. Depth in minimalism. Surprise in uniformity. Innovation in re-use. Cool in the avoidance of cool. And there is true sophistication in simplicity.”

Raw Bags is the brainchild of Beth Warner, a designer inspired by the raw textiles she encountered in her work as a buyer for an importing firm. Bamboo sticks, raw leather and rattan products are woven to create a unique line of handbags and wallets. Go to
raw-bags.com to find a dealer near you.

What started as an country getaway became a home for Grace Weir and Joe Walker in County Leitrim, Ireland. The Dubliners were concerned about planning approval for a non-traditional house. Architect Dominic Stevens came up with the solution to make the house “disappear” by covering the roof in grass and making the exterior walls mirror the surrounding greenery. The 1500 square foot home was completed five years later and for the modest budget of 50,000 Irish pounds (60,000 USD). Photos by Derek Speirs. You can read the full article on the New York Times website.

Some day, we’ll all have T-shirts this cool. Till then we’ll have to settle for rocking to Justice’s D.A.N.C.E. video with a T-qualizer. If you’re dying for one of the T’s in this video, we’ve heard Colette is your best bet.

One look at the above 1936 Peugeot Darl’Mat 402 Coupe designed by Emile Darl’mat and you can feel your mouth water. The curves of streamlined car designs have a sensual timeless quality to them. A collection of such cars has been assembled and put on display at the Phoenix Art Museum. Many of the cars come from the 1930s a time when America looked to the future for recovery from the American Depression and specifically the aerodynamic teardrop shape.

The above 1936 Stout Scarab by William Stout drew inspiration from the scarab beetle. The image above shows the unusual design of the car’s front.
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As one of the most diverse cities in the country, Los Angeles drives healthy competition for boutique business. They are in every section of the city. Finding the best and the most coveted can be a challenge. We have our favorites and are tasking you to give up yours. Tell us who you like and why. Recommendations can be sent in via comments in the section below or via our Contact Form. Please provide the name, address, web site (if any), and what you like best about your boutique of choice. We’ll be posting up our picks from reader recommendations and tossing in a few of our own.

First up is Greyone. This store mixes street illustration, skate culture, with well designed spaces to create an environment all it’s own. With two Pasadena locations and a third in Manila Phillipines, this international boutique is at the intersection of design and fashion.

GREYONE 15 E. Holly St. Pasadena,CA 91103 (626) 578-1582

Y3 convertible Backpack Trolley by Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas. This bag can be carried as a backpack or pulled on wheels with a handle that extends from the top of the bag. We love having options. Exterior features two zippered pockets, side handle, luggage tag, stow away trolley and adjustable backpack straps that can be hidden. Interior features snap compartment and zippered pocket. Nylon with leather detail. 13in X 23in X 8in. Available in orange or black (orange highly recommended). You can pick it up here for $395.

While most concept cars live their entire life on the drawing board, the Tramonta is one of the few thats actually being brought to life. Granted, only 12 are being made a year, but a scant $660,000 price tag will get you into a rather exclusive car club. With cues taken from F1 cars and fighter jets, the Tramonta’s got looks that will surely turn heads. It boasts a V12, 5.5 liter engine with a top speed of ohhh, 220 mph (355 km/hr) . We’re guessing if you’ve got the cash for this ride, you can probably afford the speeding tickets.