Delight & Whimsy in 2014

This grouping is marked by bright colors and bold graphics. Here are a few projects that brought a smile to many – be it through interesting construction, playful design or clever execution.

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1. Arpana Rayamajhi’s Napal inspired jewelry.

2. Accessorizing your closet in the most silly and fabulous way.

3. Celebrating the female form, hieroglyphics style, with Rachel Levit.

4. Impossible 3D Paper patterns by Maud Vantours.

5 Voutsa’s quirky and fabulous wallpaper themes.

6. Expressive and unexpected movement through line.

7. DIY Envelopes from Frankie Magazine.

8. Wagner and MM Lafleur cut and redesign American bills.

9. Tiger Sushi Furs and Hand Fun Fans.

10. Fast fashion: in the form of paint, wit and repetition.

December 26, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Crafts & Commercialism with Marni

My clients really range. Some have massive budgets with serious production, ad-buying and PR capabilities, while others are start-ups. In the new business environment, every dollar counts, while we find a platform and craft a message to share with the world. You’re probably wondering, well, what does that have to do with the Marni pictures above? Are they one of Shayna’s clients? I wish they were…

I’m sharing these layouts, as they prove a point about creativity. You can hire models and do over (or under) stylized photoshoots, sure, but you really don’t have to…if you have a creative team willing to take risks.

By no means is Marni a budget brand (hello!), but they know that their customer is artistic and wealthy, if not a little out there. They have foresight that they’ll appreciate a quirky campaign showcasing the thought behind the product. So, with paper, scissors and ribbons, one of the cheapest newsletter campaigns that ever existed made it’s way into my inbox…and I loved it.

What do you think?

April 17, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Art: Organized Chaos at Home

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Would you be inclined to pick up a marker if you had this poster on your wall? I came across this playful piece at Merci Merci in Paris last month. It’s organized chaos at it’s best, and entitled Coloriage Geant. This roll of paper is a playful gift for any kid at heart.

July 1, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Textures in Wall Decor from Moonish

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Decorators rejoice, there’s a new kid in town! Meet the folks behind Moonish, a new modular wall decor company sprout out of Brooklyn. Hand-dying and silk-screening marine grade plywood “tiles,” each square can be attached to a wall with a magnet and steel adhesive. I like this. I also like the patterns. They combine geometrics of traditional tiles with the warmth of wood in a fresh way. You can cover a wall, or simply accent a space, mixing and matching as you go. Very DIY friendly for the crafter/renovator in all of us.

June 26, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: Hanging Floral Displays

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The best retail displays are made meticulously with TLC. Today’s feature highlights the delicate beauty of hanging flowers. Inspired by the drying process, as illustrated in the first photo, flowers are elegant in all lives. Handmade in both instances, Anthropologie‘s paper tulips hang above their home department. Bisous Ciao‘s display, a love of labor by the owner and chef, Tanya Ngangan, is a gradual wave of layered papers. All very season appropriate, isn’t it?

June 5, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

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