Trend: Conversations in Cross-stitching

It’s an interesting phenomenon when DIY techniques are applied to luxury homegoods. You peruse the store thinking, my goodness, I could make that, then probably never do. The technical finesse and process behind what looked like a simple execution is rarely realized in the moment. Case in point: These clever burlap needlepoint pillows from ABC Carpet and this cross stitched living room set from Furniture Row on Greene Street.

This highly exaggerated design works well in other scenarios as well- particularly in retail display. I snapped this typographic lace signage during a trend trip to London last year while at the Converse store on Carnaby Street. Simple and ingenious, wouldn’t you say?

February 19, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracing Love Round the World

I always tell people American Two Shot‘s one of my favorite brands to follow on Instagram. Artistic, funny and relevant, this Valentines day gram‘s right on the money, particularly for New Yorkers.

In line with their logo, The Darkroom of London‘s window decal is right on brand. Creating a multilingual ‘i love you’ pillow, card and iphone case, Schauleh Sahba of San Francisco experiments with type for her latest textiles. Dressing mannequins in Helsinki, these heart charms are part of an elaborate, busy display for a children’s accessory store.

Tapping The Darkroom once again, their pattern-blocked African heart cards have a simplistic, edgy beauty. Meanwhile, these overlapping Japanese grids emit a precise, zen-like mood. Expressing love for food in Paris, the heart replaces the cupcake, which replaces the macaron in the Marais.

Happy Valentines Day!

February 14, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Plastic Plaids with Megan Geckler

Lately I’ve had flagging tape on the mind. It’s uses are astounding for spatial design, especially if you’re patient and technically skilled. Megan Geckler‘s creative applications are some of the most inspiring examples I’ve seen to date.

Setting the bar rather high, Geckler’s woven plastis are reminiscent of plaid swatches. Using a saturated minimalist palette, each work tells a modern yet folksy story. For sweeping layouts, here’s some more of her impressive work.

January 29, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Installations on a Budget

The title of this post reflects the current state of affairs in so many stores around town and abroad. After everything’s been spent on product, PR and marketing, the window budget is usually minuscule, unless maybe you’re LVMH, Anthropologie or Bergdorfs…

Talk to any artist or designer though, and they’ll be the first to tell you that limitations force creativity. The image above is one I love to reference- it’s a window display by Simon Doonan for Barneys when they filed for Chapter 11 in 1996. He scavenged the bathrooms for toilet paper, added lighting and created a monochromatic masterpiece.

Fast forward to today, and Turkish artist, Sakir Gökçebağ is wowing us with other innovative uses of this most common, everyday item.

There’s a elegant simplicity to his art that mimics computer infographics, particularly ones related to travel, wouldn’t you say?

January 14, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Around the Globe: Funhouse Facades

If I ever open a brick and mortar shop for Pattern Pulp, it’ll be a dizzying experience- in a good way. So, when I venture into concept stores, restaurants, museums and essentially any retail spot that tests convention, I get very excited. I’ve found some of the most visually arresting store and floor facades in Helsinki and Tokyo…I can now add Buenos Aires to the list.

Here are a few collages representing a textured way of life. From iron welded walls and punctuated waste bins to street-inspired stencils and kid-friendly wallpaper. All of these were spotted in Palermo Hollywood and Soho.

January 10, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Patterns in Productivity

It seems like everyone got into full gear with January yesterday morning. Perhaps it’s because all the kids are back at school, or reflective of a mental state where the middle actually performs as the beginning (similar to walking into a store and needing space to process your surroundings). Regardless, yesterday was a big day for my family and I and as I heated up the car to melt the frost from the windshield, I found these ice patterns to be a beautiful filter for the day.

January 9, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik