Homegoods at Autour Du Monde

People often ask which stores are an important barometer of what’s fresh in and around Paris. There are the obvious spots (Merci Merci, Colette, Tom Greyhound)…and Le Marais and Pigalle at large, but I never go without paying a visit to Bensimon’s home and lifestyle store, Autour Du Monde.

Here are a few snapshots from my most recent visit. Things were quite modern and geometric. As usual, there were pink and yellow florescent accents to compliment linen homewear. It’s also worth noting the clever ceramic, lighting and bedding items that were a reminder that we’re still in a color-blocked trend cycle. One of my favorite collections was the all-over print tennis sneakers – a collaboration with Corso Como, Milan’s best known concept store. They almost look like something Shantell Martin would draw.

June 22, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Spotting Ceramic Tiles in Morocco

This post seems so obvious, I almost second guessed adding it to the reel, but tiling is and always has been integral to Moroccan culture that it would be crazy not to share some of the patterns and mosaic work from my travels around the country. The colors shifted from vibrant to subdued and were dispersed with care and geometric precision depending on location.

The storefronts, restaurants, houses of prayer and general architecture were a maze of intersecting patterns. Merged with cement and clay, these glazed geometric formations told stories of each location. Jewish stars covered the old synagogue in Marrakesh while abstract landscapes covered shops along the High Atlas Mountains.

While in Fez, I visited a workshop that documented the ancient technique – vats of clay would be baked in the sun then turned into long slabs. They’d then be scored and cut by local craftsmen, then glazed and placed into patterned formations. Bowls and table wear would be painted, while walls would be laid and spackled. The entire process was as beautiful as it was laborious- something that almost feels nostalgic with today’s design and construction methods.

May 6, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Color Spotting in and Around L.A.

At the end of October, my husband and I spent some time in LA. We had a wedding in Oakland, but figured it made sense to go a bit early, do some work, meet up with friends, and drive up the coast. Here are a few shots from my bouts around West Hollywood, Silverlake, Koreatown and Venice Beach.

Peach, blush and nude tones were still prevalent – they’ve had serious staying power for the past few years. A few favorites across the board were from A.P.C in the form of quilting, Ten Over Six as jewelry, ceramics and mobiles and Fred Segal, as a fringe leather and denim jacket. En Soie had quirky embroidery and printed saying on their womens’ and children’s accessories.

Bold blue accents also held their own- either in combination with neutral palettes, or in tandem with other saturated brights. The two examples above are from Siglo Moderno, a luxury design showroom and Chariots on Fire, a beautifully curated home accessories shop. We also ate at Commissary, which had the most interesting menu. I wanted to include it, as the mix and match theme seemed to be a new update to my dining travails in L.A. At the few new places we visited, lots of various non-related plates were encouraged – most of which were unhealthy, but delicious. In a city obsessed with image, health and clean food, it almost seemed like a direct reaction to a trend that’s defined the area for so long. Anyone else feel the same way?

December 16, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Rebus Puzzles & Hong Kong Emoticons

If you’re a bonafided texter, you’ve probably downloaded the extensive emoji library on your phone and are commenting via instagram, facebook and twitter with banana bunches, dancing girls, hearts, flames, waves and planes.

I recently was caught red-handed, texting pools, thumbs, suns and rainbows to my niece in California…confirming my oldest brother’s assumption- that I’m the eccentric sibling in the family (something I’ve always gotten a kick out of considering how organized and calculated I am in relation to my otherwise nontraditional profession).

So, let’s talk emoticons and rebus puzzles. When I’m scrolling through pictures and commentary, it’s almost a battle of the wits, wading through hilarious pictorial subs. The west has finally caught on that cartoons and illustrations are as funny, awkward and amusing as words are- particularly when coming from an untraditional (adult-like) source.

Today’s post highlights a package of stickers I got in the Hong Kong airport last month. They’re hand drawn, glow-in-the-dark and encompass a wider variety of emotion- in the most adorable way possible. What do you think? Are you in your 20’s and 30’s and an avid emoji user? Would you plaster these all over your walls and ceilings instead of the constellation stars we all grew up with? Do share…

September 9, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Snap Shots from Myanmar

This post is a bit eclectic and way overdue. My husband and I visited Singapore and Myanmar back in June and I have yet to really post any photos. Here are a few to start…

We travelled from Yangon to Bagan to Inle Lake. Along the way met with more crafts men and women than ever expected. The population is resoundingly kind and resourceful and every day lead to new creative findings. The woman above extracts fibers to be used for weaving.

The male puppet came home with me. I have a soft spot for handmade crafts and as a result had a full suitcase at customs. The woman, like mostly everyone else, was wearing Thanaka root- which is a sunscreen made from local tree bark.

One of the most remarkable man-made developments in and around Inle Lake are the floating vegetable gardens. They’re expansive and are anchored by bamboo. They’re moved around the lake throughout the season. Here’s a man picking tomatos.

Interestingly, textile design isn’t extremely popular in the area. Most women prefer to weave. The lead designer at this shop has assigned a design to the threads and sectioned them off to be dyed.

Once the threads have been dyed they’re wrapped around a spool. It’s important to keep them organized for loom threading (which is done by hand).

One of many looms, run by the women of the village.

Here I am atop one of the taller Pagodas in Bagan. The stairs felt like a 90 degree angle…was worth it though. The view was spectacular.

Inle Lake…

At first glance, this woman seems impressively tough. Then you look at what she’s selling: Tofu. Made me smile. It’s easy to be a vegetarian – it syncs with Buddhism.

I took so many photos of the children. They were sweet and upbeat and had the widest most beautiful smiles. If you’re thinking of visiting, feel free to get in touch, or check out this more in-depth report from Justin (my hubs).

July 30, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Following Mosaic Collages Around the World

We’re mixing things up today! Whenever creative city tours go live, we usually try to focus on hotspots in a single city (not a bad thing, right?)- though today, I’m stringing a multiple city tour together, under the umbrella of a reoccurring pattern.

While I’m constantly in touch with friends and colleagues living abroad, grilling them on pop culture and random social trends, I’ll say that I’m quite fortunate to have a job that has me on the go when I’m not on the wacom tablet. Scouting inspiration and observing daily routine in cities and suburbs around the globe is absolutely fascinating and something I probably wouldn’t have fallen into had I not left my full-time job six years ago.

So today’s feature. Of the 9 photos, I took 5 of them over the past year. The theme is graphic with unexpected patchwork, reminiscent of mixed media mosaic tiling.

From the curated art world to reactionary street art to the commercialization of home, fashion and printed goods, it’s interesting to see how this trend has seeped into society’s subconscious, revealing an exciting departure from pixelated patterns.

From stucco wallpapering in Lake Como to cement work in Atlanta (via little_ekd in my instagram feed!), to painted patchwork in Glasgow (thank you Pinterest) to a painted grate on Hoiser Lane in Melbourne and a segmented condo facade in Hong Kong, it’s easy to see an outdoor architectural trend here.

In the home sphere, the reinterpretation on soft goods is also obvious. The featured geometric pillows from La Rinascente in Milan are quite similar in color and form to the stucco wall in Lake Como. The unbelievable quilting and embroidered techniques from Alabama Chanin which was recently featured recently in NY Times T Magazine mirror the Glasgow wall with stunning precision.

Mimicking this technique in print, The overlapping hearts are a simple yet striking design I spotted last month in Tokyo. Giving gravity to the theme and tying loose ends where necessary, John Squire’s current show in London features dazzling mosaic work undone in chaotic organic nature.

January 19, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik