Homegoods from Helsinki

Polkka_Jam_mansardi

We’ve been big fans of Polkka Jam since they launched. The palettes are fresh and the graphics are a beautiful balance between simple and interesting. Today, we’re fixated on the Huvila Collection, which launched this past Spring.

The collection comes from a place of love, honoring the small and meaningful moments we spend with friends and family. The graphics signify a secret garden gone wild. If you’re looking to freshen up your table or bed, snap these up quickly, as they’re a limited edition run.

June 19, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Hannah Waldron's Woven Art

When I see a project like this, my jaw drops. It’s one thing to design an intricate layout in illustrator or photoshop where your planes are 2D and your toolset is smooth and mathematical. It’s another thing to translate that work of art into a 3D woven masterpiece. Behold, Hanna Waldron’s latest creative endeavor, Cloud in Hand.

Waldron has been studying textiles for the past two years in Sweden, at Konstfack, and has recently presented her Master’s project, a woven poem…bringing Patti Smith’s The Coral Sea to life.

My Master’s project, an intricate weaving based on the poem The Coral Sea by Patti Smith, is a tapestry for the present. My design celebrates Smith’s luminous crafting of words to convey the physical world and aims to translate the tactile qualities of the poem into the tactile medium of weaving.

I believe that there is a need now in contemporary society for greater material knowledge. This work aims to put value into making and investigate interdisciplinary approaches to sharing material knowledge.

June 13, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Feminine Florals for Summer

Flowers are everywhere – as to be expected…we’re upon summer! What’s interesting though, is the type of flower we’re seeing. Every season, we get accustomed to new design styles, and this time around, painstaking detail and illustration is front and center.

Line work dominates, reminding us of the medical journals that started popping up when organic and artisanal packaging started filling store shelves. It almost doesn’t matter if the colors are vibrant or muted, as the illustrations tell the story.

The style transcends products both locally and abroad- as the imagery above is from Sweden, the Philippines, New York, Miami and Paris. While we’re used to seeing flowers and vines from fashion and beauty, it’s most interesting to see the application blown out of proportion and scattered throughout the home sector…that’s when we know the design is here to stay, at least for a few years.

1. Genus Chair by Pillip Estlund 2. Wallpaper from A Bakeri Grows in Greenpoint (via Design*Sponge) 3. Nature & Human Collection by Lesia Paramonova 4. Illustrative work-in-progress by Daryl Feril 5. A Beautiful oversized knit I shot while in Stockholm 2 weeks ago 6. and another photo I took while at & Other Stories

June 4, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Kids Wear & Mini Rodini

Prior to Tel Aviv, I spent two days in Stockholm…which was amazing. It was sunny and warm and a feast for design eyes. There’s a post to be written solely about the creative scene in Sweden, but today, I thought I’d focus on a singular brand that’s really hitting the mark. Meet the folks at Mini Rodini.

Founded in 2005 by the illustrator Cassandra Rhodin, this fashion and home line’s become one of Scandinavia’s fastest growing children’s wear brands. Selling all over the world- from boutiques in Kuwait to London to Paris and New York, it’s made it’s mark in high-end, ethical fashion. I always lean in favor or humor and color when it comes to art and everyday life, and it’s nice to see a merging of these world executed so well. Have a look for yourself!

June 2, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Complex Formations

Today, we’re doing a simple compare and contrast of nature, art and fashion. The similarities are breathtaking, as each image feels like it’s within two degrees of each other in regard to form and complexity.

The top photo is a colony of mussels from Laguna Beach. They feel rather ordinary in a spectacular way. Then we have origami V-Pleats. Each diamond has been folded in half so that the top corners touch every edge with perfect precision. Go ahead and try to replicate…not so simple. Then, singing Marni’s praises yet again, this jacket is a phenomenon on it’s own. The texture bunches are both futuristic and life-like. I’m a huge fan.

April 23, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Using Instagram to Spot Trends

For better or worse, Instagram keeps me in the loop. Anyone else feel this way?

From observing work-in-progress from inspiring creatives to following design shows I can’t attend, the influx of imagery is really useful and pretty inspiring. Oftentimes, it helps confirm theories that have been floating around in my head- in regard to trends popping up in various design communities around the world, (say in Australia, Helsinki and L.A), and also leads me to new ideas and talent. It’s a pretty useful tool beyond selfies and party pics.

Yesterday, I took a screenshot of the Phillips Auction House invite. It seems fairly standard at first, but I loved the combination of camo and metallic in an upscale layout. This artistic commerce pays homage to Andy Warhol, presenting part of a timeless series. This lead me along the path of neon camo and got me thinking about where it’s popping up this season. You can always expect reinterpretations, so it’s worth following the art world to stay abreast, if not ahead of curb. Art always leads fashion (in my humble opinion).

Here we have sneakers, (bags and wallets) from Valentino. The kicks straddle a unisex vibe, but are sold in the men’s department. This chambray/camo/drawstring pullover by General Idea is another commercial, yet creative direction for guys that feels fresh this season. If you’re looking to simply add elements of the concept to your wall or iPhone, check out Joe Van Wetering’s work. His prints speak to the camo-loving monochromatist.

April 10, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik