A couple of months ago, we told you we were hard at work on a custom mural for the Santa Monica Public Library, known for its innovative, one-of-a-kind “green” architecture and landscaping. The 539 square foot design for the Children’s Activity Center was conjured up by our stellar design team to both promote sustainability and ignite the imagination. We feel it hits the mark. Then again, we are biased. Let us know what you think! And keep your eyes peeled for more custom projects on the boards.

DNA 11, the inventors and creators of custom portraits made from customers’ DNA, has opened its first pop-up gallery called the DNA 11 House. The gallery marks the first location on the West Coast where authentic DNA 11 art is on display and available for purchase. Located at 218 6th Street in Hermosa Beach, California, the house is open to the public by appointment only now through April 1, 2009. We’ve known co-founders Adrian Salamunovic and Nazim Ahmed for years and manufactured the window graphics for this awesome house. But more importantly, we’re psyched for these guys – their stuff is amazing so you should definitely make an appointment to check it out.

We gave you the heads-up, now it’s time for the big reveal. The 14-story Hotel Andaz – formerly the Hyatt Continental aka Riot Hotel – has opened its doors. The 257-room hotel boasts spectacular panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills on one side and the Sunset Strip and downtown Los Angeles on the other. Visitors will experience West Hollywood culture, such as quotes from local neighborhood personalities, art installations from Los Angeles artists and impromptu performances from some of the city’s up-and-coming musicians. Pretty cool.

For our part, we decked out the rooms and public spaces with prose, blik Anise by Ilan Dei as well as customized pieces. We’re psyched we were able to be a part of this historic update to an icon of the legendary Sunset Strip.

Abstract painter, Stanton Macdonald-Wright, amazed visitors when he unveiled the Santa Monica Public Library’s landmark mural in 1935. Covering nearly 2000 square feet, the mural is both large in scale and ambitious in theme, detailing the history of humankind through the evolution of the creative arts and sciences. One-of-a-kind artwork, along with striking architecture, put Santa Monica Public Library (SMPL) on the map as one of the most beautiful in the country. What’s more, SMPL is certifiably “green”. Designed by Moore Ruble Yudell, the 104,000 square foot Main Library, which opened in January 2006, is the City’s second major facility designed and built with the intent of significantly reducing the building’s negative impact on the environment.

We were recently invited to design a four wall mural in the children’s reading/entertainment room. The theme: sustainability, of course! So we’re hard at work coming up with a design that’s educational, fun and true to the character of our neighboring town, Santa Monica, California. We can’t wait to show you the reveal, but in the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what’s on the boards.

Experian Cheetahmail, is a leading service provider of online marketing solutions for top enterprises worldwide, folks like Borders Books, H&R Block, Barclays, Sears Holdings Corporation and Wyndham Hotels just to name a few. We were recently commissioned to design graphics for several large walls in their So. Cal. headquarters. They gave us concepts and objectives for the space and our crackerjack design team went to work. We also collaborated with TheNatureOrchestra, a supremely creative design studio located in nearby Santa Barbara. Here’s what we came up with! Thanks, Cheetahmail, we had a blast with this one.

For additional images and more on our custom work, head on over to blik Custom.

You may already be familiar with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but in case you aren’t, this renowned facility opened its doors in 1855 as the nation’s first hospital devoted exclusively to caring for children. It’s been the birthplace for many dramatic firsts in pediatric medicine as well as fostered medical discoveries and innovations that have improved pediatric healthcare and saved countless children’s lives.

We were fortunate enough to be asked to help infuse some positive energy into CHOP’s Radiology Department. Specifically, we’re working on design layouts for 15 rooms where children will be screened or receive treatment. We’re thrilled to be a part of this project and can’t wait to show you the reveal! In the meantime, here are some mock-ups of what’s to come.

This morning, the day of President Obama’s inauguration, our friend and neighbor Deborah of epOxybOx, hosted a Venice neighborhood viewing party and celebration. Folks came together for food and drink, gathering around a large-screen TV to watch the swearing in of our new President. On the windows, blik installed the words, “Hope is a verb”…We agree, don’t you?

Hotel Andaz is an innovative, new hotel by Hyatt Hotels set to open January 8th, 2009 on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, California. The hotel offers a blend of personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated service. Sounds good to us! To add to the ambiance, Louey Rubino Design Group asked us to collaborate with them to create 260 custom rooms at the hotel. blik Anise by Ilan Dei makes an appearance as does Threadless Living in Harmony, along with original graphics designed by Louey Rubino.

This is just one blik custom project “on the boards.” Stay tuned for more updates and photos as this and other projects come together.

Google just opened their first official Canadian headquarters and kicked things off with an open house last week. Overlooking the Dundas-Yonge Square in Toronto’s downtown district, the new suite of offices and board rooms represent more than just another branch of the search engine giant. It also marks the completion of a research project into the creation of an innovative workspace that balances the philosophies of being environmentally-responsible with the creation of a relaxed working environment that is distinctly Canadian in its feel.

We were asked to manufacture some beautiful, photo-real graphics for the lounge (see photo above). In addition to our custom graphics, the lounge area includes a foosball table and a Nintendo Wii system for Mario Kart breaks. Employees are encouraged to hang out and chat, and to take in the view of the Dundas-Square activities on the streets below. Pretty sweet. Check out more info and photos of Google’s new Canadian digs.