L to R: Lavender, Rosemary and Orange Blossom Lotion; Meyer Lemon and Sage Shampoo; Lavender, Jasmine and Blood Orange Conditioner; Meyer Lemon and Sage Bath Gel.
The fruits of Elixir’s recent packaging project for The Spa Hotel Healdsburg are now available. The custom botanical blends are all 100% natural. Experience the products at the spa or as a guest at the hotel (or its sister, h2hotel, which opened in July). Located 67 scenic miles north of San Francisco, Hotel Healdsburg continues to be rated one of the world’s best hotels by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure. To enjoy these products farther afield, order online.
Elixir has completed a logo and packaging for From the Fields’, based in Mill Valley. Founder Betsy Fields came to Elixir in 2009 with her first bag of homemade granola … and, one short year later, From the Fields’ (which Elixir also named) is producing more than a ton of artisanal granola every month—still in small batches—for selected stores around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Fields’ flavors (Original, Orange Ginger, Cardamom Rose, Cherry Almond, Honey Lavender, Pineapple Coconut, Currant and Nut-Free) have grown out of recipes she’s collected over the years from family and friends. All ingredients are organic, sourced directly from local family farms. You can pick up a bag at Rainbow Grocery or Marina Market in San Francisco and at Whole Foods in Novato (among other locations).
Elixir is pleased to show the newly designed logo for Vaguely Noble Horse-Keeping. {For the curious, “vaguely” refers neither to the company’s attitude nor to the caliber of its equine clientele. Vaguely Noble (1965-1989) was an illustrious thoroughbred racehorse.}
Vaguely Noble the company, was founded by equestrian and herbalist Kimberly Chase, who specializes in combining herbal extracts and homeopathic remedies to formulate customized herbal prescriptions for horses. The backward-facing rider bearing aloft a botanical was Chase’s vision, which Elixir was pleased to execute. Chase looks to past generations of horse-trainers and owners for time-honored plant-based treatments and remedies that improve health and promote healing.
Vaguely Noble Horse-Keeping also stocks tinctures, dry mixes and hoof oil to address more common equine conditions such as seasonal allergies, joints and mobility, immune booster, anti-inflammatory and laminitis. Fresh out of the gate, Vaguely Noble can be reached on Facebook or by phone: 310-968-5932.
Elixir has recently been engaged by San Francisco architects Aidlin Darling Design. The multidisciplinary firm, founded in 1997 by partners Joshua Aidlin and David Darling, has completed public, commercial and residential projects in addition to furniture and interior design commissions.
Aidlin Darling Design has been honored by the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in 2010 as a Finalist in the Interior Design category of the National Design Awards. The Awards Gala will be held on October 14, 2010, in New York City, in conjunction with National Design Week.
Levi Strauss & Co. recently sponsored the Care to Air Design Challenge, seeking “the world’s most innovative, covetable, and sustainable air-drying solution for clothing.” Levi’s awarded $10,000 in prize money on August 16 at the temporary Levi’s Workshop on Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission district.
Elixir collaborated with Levi’s and the Workshop’s letterpress gurus to create packaging for a limited-edition kit of air-drying supplies to be given away at the event. The kit featured the solution designed by Dr. Russ Hornstein, neurophysiologist by day & eco-innovator by night. Hornstein, a.k.a. Einspine, won a Top Community Collaborator award.
To read about the six winning entries visit the Levi’s Workshops blog. If you are inspired to install Dr. Hornstein’s elegantly simple apparatus, click here for instructions.
The Care to Air Design Challenge is a great extension of Levi’s Care Tag campaign, which encourages Levi’s jeans and Dockers owners to wash their wear in cold water, line dry when possible, and then ultimately donate to Goodwill. On the corporate level, Levi’s is working to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing and to improve global sustainability in the cotton industry.
Elixir is excited to be working with prAna on their brand visual language, to be unveiled soon in all channels: new website, retail graphics, packaging, and the company’s first direct-to-consumer catalog. The 17-year old brand, based in Vista, CA, is a longtime purveyor of apparel & accessories for yoga and climbing, as well as activewear—all with a bohemian bent.
The catalog will complement prAna’s website—which just launched today, designed & developed by our colleagues at Gorilla, the Chicago-based e-commerce gurus; retail partners (including REI, Athleta, independent yoga studios and climbing gyms throughout the country); and, prAna’s own flagship store in Boulder, CO. We love the new Fall line and encourage you to take a look. The Fall 2010 catalog will arrive in mailboxes later this month.
We’re pleased that our work has been selected for PRINT’s 2010 Regional Design Annual, a comprehensive survey of graphic design in the United States. Three of our recent projects will be included in the December 2010 issue alongside other winning entries.
Greenwood School, a Waldorf-inspired pre-kindergarten through 8th grade based in Mill Valley, CA, worked with Elixir to develop a marketing strategy, brochure and admissions kit.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf — A set of tins was part of a comprehensive brand visual language that Elixir developed for the coffee retailer’s ’09 holiday promotion.
The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 2009 Fundraiser — Elixir designed the invitation and collateral for the event honoring Julie Packard, Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Elixir has been retained by the owners of Hotel Healdsburg and h2hotel in Healdsburg (67 miles north of San Francisco), to redesign the packaging of their spa products. Recently reformulated with natural and organic botanical ingredients, the line will include: Meyer Lemon & Sage Shampoo and Bath Gel; Lavender, Jasmine & Blood Orange Conditioner; Lavender, Rosemary & Orange Blossom Lotion; and Lavender, Rosemary & Sweet Orange Soaking Salts. Both hotels will feature the spa products in their guest rooms.
Since 2001, the Hotel Healdsburg has been Sonoma County’s premier luxury wine country lodging. Its sister, h2hotel, opens today. The new LEED Certified, eco-friendly property includes solar heat, a living roof, innovative heating and air systems, and an underground cistern for water collection. Construction used a combination of sustainable and local materials.
For reservations or more information:
Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
T 707.431.2800
h2hotel
219 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448
T 707 922-5251
The Spa Hotel Healdsburg
327 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448
T 707.433.4747
