DESIGNS ON VINTAGE OBJECTS

It was just a matter of time before Honolulu got a Dwell-ready furniture store, showcasing mid-century modern objects of desire. Last month partners Mark Pei and Travis Flazer did it, opening Area, their hobby turned second (and third) job. As an Aloha Airlines pilot, "Mark has a lot of free time," says Flazer, the comedian of the pair. They considered a cafe, "but that seemed like a lot of work." Both guys love interior design and cased garage sales — "it started from there," said Flazer. Before they knew it, they were reupholstering chairs and refinishing credenzas and putting them in a storage space. They did a test run at the All Collectors Show in March — and sold out. The duo spent their profit on a hunting trip to California, the El Dorado of vintage furniture. They've caught on so quickly, they're finding goods by word of mouth rather than yard-sale patrols.

Area: 111 Nu'uanu Ave., above Indigo; open First Fridays and by appointment; 779-8436; www.area-store.com.

— Lesa Griffith

SOMETHING REALLY NEW FROM BLISS LAU

New York accessories designer Bliss Lau, who grew up in Honolulu and went to Punahou, has been on our radar for years with her handbags. Now she's innovating again, with a line of body jewelry that's unlike anything we've seen.

It's inspired by garment shapes such as capes, halters, boleros and tuxedos. Every piece is different and comes in three sizes: small, medium and large.

The chains are fashioned from a brass-base metal that Lau antiques in nickel or brass and lacquers to maintain the color. The connecting tabs are leather, in keeping with her DNA as a bag and belt designer.

The line is not yet available in Honolulu, but can be ordered online at www.blisslau.com. Prices range from $182 to $676.

WIRED

'QUARTERLIFE' TARGETS TWENTYSOMETHINGS

"We blog to exist; therefore we are ... idiots," Dylan Krieger says on her blog — the central device of the new series "Quarterlife," which debuted online Nov. 11. Played by Bitsie Tulloch (who also appeared in "Lonelygirl15"), Dylan turns her laptop's webcam on unsuspecting roommates and neighbors and comments on them — letting slip observations of unrequited love, boozing and other reputation-smearing situations. The Web site is trying to be a "place to find information and resources for your creative life." If you log onto quarterlife.com, you can be Dylan and Co. The series is the creation of Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, the duo behind shows such as "thirtysomething" and "My So-Called Life." Eight-minute web-isodes drop Sundays and Thursdays on MySpace, then a day later on www.quarterlife.com.

Still hooked to your TV? NBC has picked up the show, and will tentatively air it in February.

— Lesa Griffith

ELECTRO COMEBACK

A new album by Underworld offers hope for electronic music. Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are best known for the racing techno anthem "Born Slippy (Nuxx)," which defined the "Trainspotting" soundtrack. "Crocodile," opening track on the new "Oblivion With Bells" (Ato Records), recaptures the wondrous feel of Underworld's 1994 "dubnobasswithmyheadman."

—Michael Hamersly, McClatchy News Service