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Look, we all know it: designers are a self-absorbed lot. We're rightfully criticized as being shallow, myopic and more concerned with the veneer than the beating heart inside. We at 42four want to change this, give something back and help the less fortunate, those who may not have access to our expertise, the unfashionable and tasteless. So today we are doing our part and we are proud to announce the launch of Designers Without Boundaries!™
For our first clients, or, as we like to call them, Help-Partners™ we turned to one of the the most vilified, hated and spat upon people in our society: the landlord. Today we are lending our skills to the less unfortunate to better our world tomorrow and into the future.
For a first step we decided on something easy. Something simple enough for a landlord, but with a big impact. Today we are releasing a new colour collection to help our Help-Partners™ help themselves help the help they've hired to handle the day-to-day management of their properties. Today we announce Feudalism™ our newest collection of interior surface treatments. We sincerely hope you'll join us in our excitement about this program and to help you get on board, here's a sneak peek:
We begin with our most popular custom colour: Nordic Scrotum™. The uncomfortably caucasian fleshiness of this "colour" can be used for trim and/or wall treatments as well as for ceilings, cabinetry, floors, windows or roofs. A perfect way to add a touch of hopelessness to any semi-legal "garden" "suite" .
Possibly the best part about Despair™ is that it requires zero effort on your part. Zero! And, as we all know, a landlord's favourite effort is no effort at all. By merely waiting one, maybe two months Nordic Scrotum™ automatically becomes Despair™. And the only change is in the perception of the tenants themselves - it's all in their minds! Now that's design science!
A cousin of Nordic Scrotum™, Indifference™ really lets them know where you stand. Neither gloss nor matt, semi nor eggshell, a paint that will leave your tenants so disoriented they'll hardly notice that smell or the scurrying under the kitchen counters.
Neglect™, a classic treatment for any home - rich in patina and warmth, or damp and chilling drafts. Or whatever. Who cares?
Off "White"™ is unique in that it is our only treatment that requires a team to apply. First we start with a simple coat of white paint (any brand) applied judiciously to every surface in the home and then the Feudalism Finishing Technicians™ are brought in to smoke and deep-fry fish for 11 years.
Growing more popular every day, Renoviction™ is challenging Nordic Scrotum™ for the top spot. Renoviction™ is a classic architectural white with a little touch of blue to make it colder, more unforgiving - a perfect match for any contemporary cash-grab. A fresh coat of Renoviction™ and no review board will ever question that 40% increase in rent. No sir.
All of us at 42four are super excited about Feudalism™ and we hope you are too. Stay tuned!
Georges Favre's beautiful poster for Wonder bicycles, late 1920s. France
Vancouver at West end density. Same amount of people in 1/4 the area with no, I think it could be easily argued, loss of happiness, liberty or freedom. Unless you define happiness, liberty and freedom as being entitled to drive your own personal vehicle everywhere all of the time.
