Between the stadiums, Olympic villages and country uniforms, the Olympics has nearly as much designs as it has sporting events. As the details of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London start to become public, we will decide which designs deserve the Gold and which are struggling to stay in the race. The first Olympic post is about the Gold itself- the medals. Designed by David Watkins, the medals weigh 14 ounces, which makes them the heaviest in Olympic history. According to the press release about the medals “The core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern city, or … a geological metaphor as a tough crystalline growth which is deliberately jewel- like.” What do you think of the design?

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Last week, we were inspired by unique designs for floors- now it is time to our attention upward and look at inspirational ceilings. From paintings, to blown glass, ceiling decor can add color and tone to a space, without taking up any floor space.

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Orange and Park is a local San Diego company that combines maps, typography and images to create local pieces of art, perfect for San Diegans. David Klinker and John McCauley, the company owners, are both native San Diegans who share a love for the city, ocean and the artwork that they create. Each of these unique designs show the teams love for America’s Finest City and for the coast. Check out their website for more information.

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Art in the Village features over 100 local and regional fine artists using mediums such as oil painting, watercolors, photography, mixed media, new media, classical and contemporary sculpture, as well as artisans who hand-design jewelry, woodworking, furniture, pottery, clothing and accessories.

Located in the Village of Carlsbad from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on State Street and Grand Avenue.

Fiesta del Sol, the largest free two-day, alcohol-tobacco free Latino Family Festival in San Diego. The festival celebrates the richness of our region, while honoring Latino communities’ contributions to San Diego. Fiesta del Sol is organized by Justice Overcoming Boundaries with a diverse group of community members from across San Diego County.

At César Chávez Park in Historic Barrio Logan

Bring your family and blankets and enjoy SummerFest Under the Stars, a free concert at the La Jolla Cove that features SummerFest artists along with special guest, the San Diego Youth Symphony’s International Youth Orchestra.

Screen on the Green at the San Diego Museum of Art

Grab a picnic, a blanket, and a few friends for our film series under the stars on the east lawn adjacent to the Museum. Be sure to arrive early to grab a good seat on the lawn!

The Train is a 1964 war movie directed by John Frankenheimer from a story and screenplay by Franklin Coen and Frank Davis, based on the non-fiction book and Le front de l’art by Rose Valland. It stars Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield and Jeanne Moreau.

Set in 1944, the film sets Resistance-member Labiche (Lancaster) against German Col. von Waldheim (Scofield), who is attempting to ship art masterpieces from a French museum to Germany.

All films begin at sundown, approximately 8 p.m.

Restaurant design can enhance or detract from a dining experience. But at the newest location of Nobu in Dubai, you might actually forget that you are there to eat. The playful use of textures, floral patterns and rich colors is enough to feed your hunger for design. The Rockwell Group designed the restaurant and according to their website “the restaurant walls and ceilings with large hand-woven curvilinear abaca panels to evoke an environment submerged under an ocean wave”. Next time your in Dubai, stop by, or you can always look at the images here.

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Sometimes when searching for things for our INspiration blog, we stumble across homes that just make us jealous. And since our envy is overflowing, it is only right to share it with you. This San Francisco loft offers more space than most at 5,000 square feet. In fact it offers more space than most houses. Martin Building Company helped to design and create this amazing old warehouse space into an open, airy home. The quirky details like the laser optic lit steel tube hall and a basketball court in the living room only make this home more fun. And while we are green with envy, you’d have to shell out a lot of green to own this place which sold for $3.32 million. And while you look through the photos, join us in a little game of I-Spy when it comes to the pieces that you’ll find at Hold It Contemporary Home. We’ll start… I-Spy a Lazy Time by Camerich.

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