When advertising’s paired with texture, there’s a good chance our team will take note. This round up’s not overly clever, though the product focus is unmistakable. Using negative space and a contour profile, Ceasar Stone presents an elegant thoughtful message. Showcasing a simple swatch, ABC Stone and Rug Art share their wares. Are you a fan?
If you’re a fan of mosaic collages, it’s your lucky day, as Margo Selby‘s intricate pillows are for sale on One Kings Lane. Selby’s textiles play with alternating shapes, using color to convey depth and sophistication. If you’d like to learn more about her woven technique, sign up for a Whitstable Workshop, as she offers lessons for beginners and experienced weavers. There are a few spots available for June 22 and 23rd, grab em while you can (if you’re a London local)!
How incredible is this DIY? It makes you want to go to your local flea market…or to Brimfield (if you’re east coast/USA based), and collect old treasures to decorate. Contributed generously by one of our British readers and fellow pattern makers, Nicolette Tabram, the transformation of these drawers was inspired by traditional in-lay furniture produced by the craftsmen in Rajasthan, India. To follow the steps for yourself, check out Bram’s site, and to purchase this fabulous piece, visit her Etsy store.
Every few months we share a new take on the all-over-patterned look. It’s forever getting a facelift and finding it’s way through various cultures and set designs. Remember this, this and this? Well today we’re sharing Max Gazzè‘s album art which we found on Luz Photo, a Milan-based photo agency. Shot by Barbara Oizmud, this blue and white classical theme rings true to Gazzè’s Italian roots, presenting textured shapes representative of a grand bedroom and library.
In another life, I would have moved to Manhattan, followed in my grandfather’s footsteps and become a window dresser. As a teenager, I was one of the rare birds who put the profession on a pedestal, as two of my favorite men killed it in the field- Jim Shocket, Hiriam Walker’s merchandiser extraordinaire, and well, Simon Doonan, the man who revived and rebranded Barney’s after their financial crash of the 80’s. I remember reading his book in college, promising myself that I, too, would combine small things in mass and craft witty displays that hit high and low culture.
Fast forward, and the picture’s a bit different today. I’m designing, writing and connecting, not prop styling, though still very much obsessed with the commercial art form. I’ve always believed it’s a way to expose the public to creative commentary- so the task should be taken seriously.
As serendipity would have it, during my first week of paid work in New York, I rode the elevator up with Mr. Doonan. I was in lime green new balances and polka dotted slacks (a la Lena Dunham). He was wearing a floral shirt, lavender tie and tinted glasses and had a serious, focused presence. All I could hear was my heart racing, as the numbers inched their way to our floor. Those were my shyer days when all I wanted to do was speak up- give him a compliment, talk about papier mache, the New York Observer, or just ask if he needed a hand in the office…but before I knew it, the ride was over, he took a left, and I a right. Of course I later learned that Barney’s visual workshop was on our floor…pretty cool, but what a tease.
So back to today’s post…Bergdorfs. Last week I had errands uptown, and when I’m near Central Park, I try to hit the nearby department stores. The Spring displays were in full swing, and as I was exiting the women’s ready-to-wear floor, I happened to catch the magic in the making in the homegoods department by the escalator. I got permission to snap a few shots. Here we have the Greek Islands going up, and while it felt a bit intrusive, I was really excited to document the work in progress. Expressive and mediterranean, just like the plates.
During our time on the west coast last week, my husband and I met up with old friends for dinner in Silverlake. These particularly amazing Australians jumped ship from New York for LA. One of the many stories we rolled over laughing about was our collective childhoods and how each of us were better or worse than we one day hope our children will be. One of the best memories had us reviewing a letter that was written to Elizabeth’s mother, from her teacher, telling her parents how disrespectful she was for drawing all over her school desk…
Which made me think about kids today having to sit still and focus for hours on end without any ongoing creative outlet, it’s surprising that classrooms haven’t really evolved to accommodate for obvious behavior. Hell, I still doodle in meetings (sometimes).
Anyway, this brings me to today’s feature- a great capture of artists Ananya Tanttu and Eetuelmeri Sihvonen creating meticulous pen illustrations at the art gallery and homegoods store, Lokal in Helsinki. I was lucky enough to visit this wonderfully curated space earlier this year and have a lot of admiration for the owner. She’s continuous refreshing the store and filling it with original treasures for observation and commerce. If you’re ever in that neck of the woods, check it out.