I was running errands this morning, listening to Jack J (who has a spectacular new release) when it struck me that I’ve never really had the time or luxury to spend an entire month living away from my home. The concept of a “holiday” in American culture isn’t a thing like it is in many European culture. Granted, I am working remotely while I’m here. Even so, I was sitting on a bench, sipping my Iced Americano (Syra on Universitat has become my go-to spot) I realized that I have the time and space to simply sit. I have time to visit restaurants on my list. I have time to visit museums when I’m ready to. I can avoid being thrust into experience a new place.

Last week I walked upwards of 40 miles. When compared to my walking behavior in Los Angeles, I’ve nearly double or tripled my physical activity. Barcelona, by design, is a much more people-centric city, as I learned through an informative little video that talks to the grand vision of Ildefonso Cerdá. I’ve even noticed some interesting little details, like how many blocks are exactly 100 meters (discovered while using the Google Maps app on my Watch) which makes the city easier to navigate once you know this. I even decided to buy some running gear and download Strava in the hopes I can get to know the city by getting a little lost running through it.

✖️ — I love a good urban renewal program, especially when it’s focused on giving more space to people and planting tons of trees. ON-A have a fantastic proposal to rejuvenate parts of the Barcelona waterfront with a massive park which they’ve dubbed Parc Blau. The overall idea is to reclaim some of the waterfront space adjacent to the park of Montjuic, almost as if the park is taking over. The concept is sadly still a concept, though with the ways the Barcelona is trying to re-green the city, this doesn’t seem unreasonable.

✖️ — Speaking of greenery as an inspiration, Anna Sing created a series of typefaces inspired by houseplants for her thesis project, and the results are delightful. She calls the collection Greenhouse Type, with four different typefaces ranging from the utilitarian (Prune, a gentle sans) to the flat out bonkers (ORKYD, an experimental display). Typefaces are $25, go support a budding designer (sorry, I had to).

✖️ — Dan Funderburgh, well-known for his design work in pattern making, recently teased a new wallpaper he’s releasing with Flavorpaper called House Planted. For long time readers, you’ll know I love Dan and have asked him to collaborate many times in the past, so I’m looking forward to seeing what color ways this print comes in. Related, I hadn’t seen this incredible mosaic piece he completed for the Bellmore Lirr station. How lucky for the people who pass by that everyday.

✖️ — A fear of the unknown and the things that go bump in the night is a commonality we all share. Joseph Häxan, an Australian photographer, has tapped into this feeling with his incredibly creepy but oddly beautiful work. his series The Rite of Spring is particularly noteworthy, an exploration of the human body both at odds and somehow becoming one with nature. Lots of incredible work with some mind-bending ideas, I love to see innovative projects like this. Be forewarned, lots of nudity, in case that bothers you for some weird reason ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

✖️ — Following on a tangent of the bizarre, there were a lot of hot takes last week around Thom Browne’s newest Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear show. This time around he went over-the-top with a collection filled with tons of layered patterns, oversized and ill-proportioned garments, all tied together with a bod to childhood toys. Personally, I liked the show because it begged the question, “why don’t our clothes look like this?” It highlights the idea of “what if?” and gives is a glimpse into a fascinating world of concepts.

✖️ — The fine folks at Future Perfect have bold new exhibition featuring pinewood cabinets from the 18th and 19th century that have been hand painted with 18th century decorative traditions and art deco and modernist ornamentation. The designs are by Amsterdam-based artists Job Wouters and Gijs Frieling who “continue to explore the ways in which two-dimensional imagery, ornament, and decoration can create new possibilities for three-dimensional objects.”

The Trend Report™ by my partner, Kyle Raymond Fitzpatrick, is a sharp and insightful look at all the things going on in the world, arriving every Sunday to your inbox. Highly recommended, obviously.