a so'mace summer

ocean collection

our friends at so'mace have had quite a year so far between the local design house's debut at the ny int'l gift fair, welcoming pretty pacific-inspired tableware to the collection, and a spring move to a new showroom space.

if you adore designer kaypee soh's modern take on island style, the whimsical laminated linen trays and bowls will surely find a place in your home. the smallest sizes are perfect for keeping little pretties tidy while their larger mates make for carefree displays and will certainly charm guests when pressed into service.

the new rug collection caught my fancy as soon as the lovely isla (who pens the official so'mace blog) first shared sneak peeks last year. the designs are already making me sigh from afar and while preparing this post i discovered my favorite motifs (chevrons! sea urchins! fish scales!) will say hello in the summer 2012 flat-weave collection. hooray!

urchins * scales

asymmetric chevrons

be still my heart . . . and offered in the exact colorways of our future bedroom makeover. hand-knotted rugs made of wool &/or silk can also be yours (including my beloved fan coral first featured in kaypee's pillow collection) in custom colors and sizes. and, so'mace rugs score extra credit for earning goodweave certification which ensures that no child labor is involved during the production process (an exploitative practice to remember should you be wooed by bargain price tags).

say hello to the so'mace 'ohana over at kilohana square (neighbors include rainforest and south coast paperie, the paper goods boutique opened by bradley & lily) or send a love note to inquire about mail orders.

• where: 1016 kapahulu avenue, suite 100
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 3p

aloha friday scoop

i'll keep this short and sweet since the long weekend awaits . . .

{first friday highlights}

• chinatown boardroom hosts japanese artist fuyuki who will be live painting during the opening reception for his september show. {6p to 9p; 1160 nu'uanu avenue}

• scoop up looks from khush during tonight's trunk show at fighting eel and save 10% off your entire purchase. {5:30p to 9:30p; 1133 bethel street}

• welcome recently opened vintage shop mish mash to the neighborhood and fill-a-bag with a handpicked selection of style finds for $20. {5p to 10p; 1164 smith street}

an international graffiti battle featuring hawaii's top street artists takes over the linekona art center for a day long festival of live art making, urban gardening workshops, hip hop classes, spoken word performances, & a long list of possibilities to inspire your day.

p.s. say hello to sierra dew & learn how to stencil tees!

• when: sat, sep 3rd - 12p to 7p
• where: linekona art center, 1111 victoria street

Click to read more ...

kokua japan - take two

while the world delights in the royal wedding today, a smaller celebration is taking place at greenroom hawaii which is marking the first anniversary of their surf art gallery-slash-boutique with a love for japan silent auction this weekend (more details in today's scoop). some of our favorite island artists have donated artwork including oahu illustrator kat reeder who created an especially lovely poster which embodies our islands' aloha for japan with quiet sweetness.

if venturing to waikiki on saturday night is not in the stars, kat's online shop just stocked up on her aloha for japan print ($25) which benefits the red cross's relief efforts in japan.

since the first kokua japan roundup, kinohi designs has released more love for japan plus our friends at owens & co., so'mace, and the wedding café have made cute new tote bags to help the cause. peek all the new designs after the jump!

love & hope by kinohi designs

if you have been waiting for the next round of help heal japan goodness by kinohi designs, two new offerings have joined designer jennifer tanabe's heal button. the hope design will benefit unicef while proceeds from the love tee will also help the red cross. an etsy shop will be launching soon, but in the meantime send jen a note to place an order.

{$20 online}

help heal japan tote

occasionally, there is a silver lining to being cursed with procrastinating ways. first the wedding café 'ohana sent over a peek the other day of their new help heal japan tote bag mixing sister shop eden in love's birdie motif with japan's rising sun. understated in the most delightful way with 100% of tote proceeds donated to the american red cross.

{$20 eden in love + the wedding café}

then a note from isla at so'mace arrived yesterday with news of a design fundraiser with missy at owens & co. (chinatown's lovely new design & home goods shop). the graphic collaboration is printed on recycled cotton and available in two cheery hues with proceeds benefiting direct relief international. add $5 for shipping if you wish to rock an aqua or bright pink tote on the neighbor islands or mainland.

{$30 owens & co. + so'mace}

have you happened across any new local prettiness to help our friends in japan?

blue crush

big waves continue to thrill the north shore which makes today perfect for a show and tell of the latest pillow collection from honolulu designer kaypee soh. typeface designs have been popping up in home decor for quite some time now so you can imagine my delight upon discovering that the islands finally got a little font love when i happened upon kaypee's latest lumbar pillows.

the north shore and waikiki offerings reverse to a colorful listing of local beaches known for sunning and surfing while the island edition is made for readers who swoon for blooms. all are a lovely way to add a local but modern hint of your favorite surf spots whether you live just around the way or simply want to sweeten your faraway space with a little hawaiian style.

retro waikiki

island aloha

vintage north shore

in the so'mace tradition, pillows are reversible and are currently available in colorways reminiscent of glassy seasides and glowing sunsets.

the new designs ($90) await you at the so'mace studio and can also be ordered up via tel/email.

• where: 1115 young street
• shop hours: mon to fri 10a to 6p | sat 10a to 3p

double identity

vintage starfish

since i am signed up for apartment therapy's fall cure in hopes that a little hand holding will help me tidy up and refresh my home away from home, it seems only appropriate to share the gorgeous new(ish) pillow collection from honolulu designer kaypee soh today.

while swatches were previewed before the collection debuted at the made in hawaii festival, i completely spaced and forgot to feature the completed pillows which continue to reference the islands with tropical charm.

kaypee's use of cheerful turquoise never fails to make me swoon but fans of more traditional hawaiian motifs will want to check out the lovely muted kapa pattern which combines old school design with an elegant modernity. and, makeover artists will welcome the simple genius of the reversible patterns designed so that a quick flip updates your space without any additional fuss.

more peeks below . . .

kapa

elephant ear

starfish

the 100% linen pillows ($120) are constructed on oahu so your best bet is to hele over to so'mace to gather up your favorites.

• where: 1115 young street
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 3p

offline orders are also welcome so click for details on how to get your wish list dispatched to your door.

p.s. isla just posted a peek sharing all the fun during last sunday's shop day hosted by so'mace.