it's like she's on a secret mission

bound mirrors

2012-01-30T09:49:00.006-05:00

I love these textile-wrapped Bound Mirrors, from Grain. Their use of color and pattern reminds me of these colorblocked boards, and I think that a combination of both types of objects would all look amazing hanging on a wall together.

(Via swissmiss)

Designer of the Month: Louise Bourgeois

2012-01-27T09:30:00.185-05:00

Week 4: fabric

Louise Bourgeois, Untitled, 2002. Tapestry fabric and stainless steel, 74 1/2 x 15 x 12 inches/189.2 x 38.1 x 30.5 centimeters. Courtesy of Cheim & Read, New York (BOUR-5637) CR# BO.7400.

During the last decade of her life, Louise Bourgeois made yet another shift in focus by working in fabric, creating both figurative and abstract sculptures and drawings. While the act of sewing always held a special significance for Bourgeois, both as a domestic iconography and because of her family's business repairing and selling tapestries, she began stitching together sculptures from fabric during the late 1990s/early 2000s.[1] Not only was this for practical reasons - large-scale carving and casting were too demanding for Bourgeois, who was in her late 80s when she began these works - but it was also a way to extend her practice of incorporating clothes into her installations.[2] According to the Guggenheim Museum's 2008 Louise Bourgeois exhibition:

Extending her practice of incorporating clothes into her installations, Bourgeois constructs many of these fabric sculptures from scraps of tapestries—the material that played a central role in her early experience—as well as garments and household linens that she has saved over her lifetime, infusing the objects with a powerful set of memories and associations. In contrast to the artist's more characteristic use of anthropomorphic fragments, in these late sculptures the body is fully realized.[3]

Louise Bourgeois, Untitled, 2002. Fabric steel and wood, 14 x 15 x 6 inches/35.6 x 38.1 x 15.2 centimeters. Courtesy of Cheim & Read, New York (BOUR-5386) CR# BO.6766.

In addition to these fabric sculptures, Bourgeois also created fabric drawings.[4] These works, created during the period of 2002 to 2008, are unique for Bourgeois in that unlike than the symbolic sculptures that she was also creating during this period, these drawings are completely abstract in nature, taking their symbolism from the material itself. As Hauser & Wirth explains in their 2010 exhibition of these works:

The fabric drawings are abstract and heterogeneous, deriving their formal logic from the juxtapositions of patterns printed on their materials and the artist’s long-standing motifs. Over a six-year period their designs evolved, exploring more intricate geometries and increasingly incorporating collaged elements. Stripy and chequered drawings that Bourgeois began making in 2002 weave thin strips of her garments together, bending the modernist grid. Later works adopt polygonal structures, stitching the fabrics so that the patterns form concentric circles and spirals similar to spider webs and the vibrant mirrorings of a kaleidoscope. Rather than being minimalist, these morphing geometries are supple and embracive, softly corporeal.[5]

Louise Bourgeois, Untitled, 2007. Fabric, 69.9 x 55.9 cm / 27 1/2 x 22 in. Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth, London BOURG44847.

Bourgeois was a remarkably prolific artist who strove to challenge conventional ideas about art, expressed her ideas through a wide range of forms and materials. In addition to an array of exhibitions and retrospectives of her work, as well as a renewed interest in her art from the early 1990s through her death in 2010, Bourgeois has had a remarkable influence within the art world, inspiring artists as diverse as Kiki Smith, Cindy Sherman and David Hammons.[6] Over the course of her life, her achievements have ranged far and wide to include, among others, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (1973), membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1981), membership in the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in New York (1983), an Officier de LOrdre des Arts Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture (1983), a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in Washington, D.C. (1991), a Grand Prix in sculpture from the French Ministry of Culture (1991), a Mayor Award for Art and Culture by the Mayor of New York (1993), a National Medal of Arts (1997), the Golden Lion for a living master of contemporary art at the 48th Venice Biennale (1999), an honorary membership at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Vienna (2000), and a Medal of Honor from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia (2005).[7] As Christian Leigh explained so well of her enduring influence:

Bourgeois's art renders the self as the bearer of all things, great and small, good and evil. Subjecting herself to the gristliest of dissections, she insists that we the viewers look as intently as she does, not only at her, but at ourselves as well. Here is where her radicality lies. She illuminates the responsibilities we must insist on and the choices we must make by personalizing them first and only thereafter universalizing them. In so doing, Bourgeois gives license to an uncanny utopia whose foundation is laid within the self and whose force pours continually out.[8]

[1] Guggenheim Museum online, "Selected Works: Fabric Sculptures," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html, (accessed January 12, 2012).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Special thanks to Katherine Bowman for bringing Louise Bourgeois' fabric drawings to my attention. I'd already decided on Bourgeois as January's Designer of the Month, but these made me even more eager to write these posts.

[5] Hauser & Wirth online, "Introduction," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois: The Fabric Works (October 15 -December 18, 2010), http://www.hauserwirth.com/exhibitions/743/louise-bourgeois-the-fabric-works/view/, (accessed January 26, 2012).

[6] Christian Leigh, "The Earrings of Madame B...:Louise Bourgeois and the Reciprocal Terrain for the Uncanny," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 51-2.

[7] Guggenheim Museum online, "Biography," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html, (accessed January 26, 2012).

[8] Christian Leigh, "The Earrings of Madame B...:Louise Bourgeois and the Reciprocal Terrain for the Uncanny," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 69.

colorblocked boards

2012-01-26T09:26:00.008-05:00

Never underestimate a good cutting board. Not only are they functional, but a good cutting board can look just as great serving its intended purpose on the table as it can decorating your walls. And while I've seen some beautiful cutting boards in my life, these colorblocked versions - made from Pennsylvania-grown sycamore and finished with milk paint - are almost too gorgeous for words. Handmade by Lostine, you can find four stunning versions for sale through Anthropologie.

(Via Design*Sponge)

the boathouse

2012-01-25T09:53:00.001-05:00

It may be cold and grey outside, but that's all the more reason why this stunning Norwegian summer getaway, by TYIN tegnestue Architects, is just what I need on a day like today. Modeled on a mid-18th century boathouse that used to reside on the land, the simplicity of the old building, its good placement and honest use of materials were key sources of inspiration for the building's redesign.

And what an incredible place they created! Don't you just love the way the back-lit cotton canvas gives off that beautiful glow? And the cladding, made from Norwegian pine, was pressure treated so that it will give the boathouse a silvery grey patina over time, with no maintenance needed. As the architects explain:

An adaptable design approach and flexibility in the building process coupled with a high degree of presence on the work site have been crucial for the final result of this project. Rational choices in regards to material use, method of construction and detailing have given this boathouse its distinguished architectural features. The building remains true to the historical and cultural heritage of Norway's coastal regions while catering to new modes of usage.

(Via desire to inspire)

Emily Rothschild

2012-01-24T09:40:00.002-05:00

I came across industrial designer Emily Rothschild's work over the weekend and was really impressed by her work. As her bio explains, Emily aims to "identify areas of our lives that are often overlooked in order to create new, lasting, and often humorous design solutions," a goal that, judging by her portfolio, I'd say she accomplishes very well. Take these lockets, for instance.

A re-design of turn-of-the-century mourning lockets, Emily's USB lockets are a beautiful as they are functional. Rather than a place for photographs, these necklaces contain USB flash drives instead, serving as a creative and unexpected place to store multiple photographs and memories. Her medical locket serves a similar function, but is meant to keep medical records safe and easily accessible, with the USB drive itself able to be engraved with vital information.

I also really love her take on the ubiquitous seven-day pill cassette. By creating a brass version and adding the option to wear it as a brooch, unlike its disposable plastic predecessor, these pillboxes become cherished and even humorous objects.

You can see more of Emily's designs, many of which are available to purchase, as well as her larger projects, on her website.

the bark side + shit new yorkers say

2012-01-23T09:56:00.047-05:00

It seems that this past week was a particularly good one for clever videos, because both of these required multiple viewings made me laugh in their own special way.

First up, dogs dressed as Star Wars characters barking out the Imperial March? Um, yes, please. The subtle use of props to distinguish the dogs is fantastic, but the ending with the AT-AT is what really got me. Way to go, Volkswagen.

(Via The Fox Is Black)

And then, of course, there's the one video that all of NYC has been talking about lately. I already loved Ilana Glazer for Broad City, but I'm happy to find out that her brother Eliot is hilarious as well.

(Via kottke)

Designer of the Month: Louise Bourgeois

2012-01-20T09:38:00.257-05:00

Week 3: sculptures and installations

Louise Bourgeois, Dagger Child, 1947–49. Painted wood, 76 1/8 x 5 3/8 x 5 1/8 inches (193.4 x 13.7 x 13 cm). © Louise Bourgeois Trust/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY. Courtesy of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (92.4001).

In 1949, Louise Bourgeois had her first sculpture exhibition at New York's Peridot Gallery, showing work made from wood that had been carved, assembled and stacked, with the resulting figures symbolically representing family members and friends.[1] "Even though the shapes are abstract," Bourgeois explained, "they represent people. They are delicate as relationships are delicate. They look on each other and they lean on each other."[2] Known as Personages, the 17 thin, freestanding, vertical forms that were shown at the Peridot Gallery were displayed in such a way that suggested movement.[3] As a result, this exhibition may be considered Bourgeois' first installation piece, with Charlotta Kotik explaining:

In these early sculptures, Bourgeois created a special brand of animism that continues in her work to this day. The figures or objects represent personages close to her not in appearance, but in spirit; they constitute, in fact, a surrogate family. Bourgeois' approach to her art at this time displayed an unprecedented fusion of the rational and intuitive. She concentrated on the spiritual function of her sculpture, using form, materials, techniques, and scale to give tangible expression to the traumatizing experiences of her own life in a heroic attempt to exorcize them.[4]

Louise Bourgeois, Cumul I, 1969. White marble on wood base, 51 x 127 x 122 cm. State purchase 1973, attribution 1976. AM 1976-933. © CNAC / MNAM dist.RMN / Philippe Migeat. © Adagp, Paris 2008. Courtesy of the Centre Pompidou, Musée national d’art moderne, Paris.

In 1951, Bourgeois became an American citizen.[5] Although this was a period during which she largely withdrew from the commercial art world, she spent much of the 1960s teaching in public schools, at Brooklyn College and at Pratt Institute, continuing to lecture at various institutions through the 1970s.[6] The end of the 1960s signaled a new period for Bourgeois, defined a pronounced shift in form with the creation of biomorphic sculptures through experimentation with materials such as latex, resin and plaster.[7] It was during this period and into the 1970s that Bourgeois' work became much more sexually explicit, exploring the body, gender and anthropomorphism, as well as a frequent use of marble as a sculptural material, which she liked to work with because it gave the illusion of the softness of skin.[8] Bourgeois also became appreciated by a wider public during this time as a result of the change in attitudes wrought by feminism and Post-modernism, with her work expanding to include larger three-dimensional work and environmental installations, and expanding yet again after the acquisition of a large Brooklyn studio in 1980.[9]

Louise Bourgeois, Cell (Choisy), 1990-1993. Pink marble, metal and glass, 306 x 170,20 x 241 cm. Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation, Toronto. Photograph by Peter Bellamy. © Adagp, Paris 2008. Courtesy of the Centre Pompidou, Paris.

The expansion of Bourgeois' workspace in 1980 coincided with a desire to create larger environmental installations - physical spaces capable of signifying memory, time and recognition.[10] In particular, Bourgeois' Cells pieces from the 1990s - self-contained installations that deny entrance to their interiors - serve as manifestations of complex psychological narratives.[11] "Each Cell deals with fear," explains Bourgeois, "Each Cell deals with the pleasures of the voyeur, the thrill of looking and being looked at. The Cells either attract or repulse each other. There is this urge to integrate, merge, or disintegrate."[12] Like much of her work, Bourgeois' Cells serve not only as narratives of a personal history, but the cathartic representations of a lifetime of emotional struggle.

[1] Charlotta Kotik, "The Locus of Memory: An Introduction to the Work of Louise Bourgeois," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 18.

[2] Ibid., 18.

[3] Guggenheim Museum online, "Selected Works: Personages," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[4] Charlotta Kotik, "The Locus of Memory: An Introduction to the Work of Louise Bourgeois," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 18.

[5] Guggenheim Museum online, "Biography," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[6] Ibid.

[7] Guggenheim Museum online, "Selected Works: Biomorphic Forms," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[8] Centre Pompidou online, "Metamorphosis as a Principle of the Work: The Ambiguity of Materials, Shapes and Meaning," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (March 5 - June 2, 2008), http://www.centrepompidou.fr/education/ressources//ENS-bourgeois-EN//ENS-bourgeois-EN.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[9] Guggenheim Museum online, "Biography," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[10] Terrie Sultan, "Redefining the Terms of Engagement: The Art of Louise Bourgeois," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 39.

[11] Guggenheim Museum online, "Biography," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html (accessed January 19, 2012).

[12] Louise Bourgeois, artist's statement in The Carnegie International, reproduced by Terrie Sultan, "Redefining the Terms of Engagement: The Art of Louise Bourgeois," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 41.

I could eat a horse

2012-01-19T09:54:00.011-05:00

An ingenious tool for the whole family by Icelandic designer Stefán Pétur Sólveigarson, I could eat a horse allows you to measure out the perfect amount of spaghetti for whoever's eating, from child to adult, up to a family of four with the horse (of course). Available at the Reykjavik Corner Store.

(Via The Fox Is Black)

lately

2012-01-18T13:46:00.004-05:00

My other handsome fellow and socked feet.

blackfield

2012-01-18T09:45:00.001-05:00

What looks like a sheet of botanical wallpaper is actually Blackfield (2008), an installation by London-based artist Zadok Ben David.

And while the concept of black steel flowers and plants blooming out of a floor of sand is pretty remarkable looking in itself, just wait until you see the other half of this installation.

That's right, the black field burst into full, vibrant color just waiting on the other side.

(Via The Jealous Curator)

if I had a million dollars

2012-01-17T09:45:00.025-05:00

I would buy...{the home accessories edition: vases}

The Flexvase, from Vij5, available at The Future Perfect.

One of Tina Frey's resin Leo Vases, from Horne.

Stephan Jaklitsch's Terrain Vase, available at the MoMA Design Store.

This large Non-Temporary Vase, from Hella Jongerius, available at The Future Perfect.

And Up In the Air Somewhere's peach stripe smokestack vase.

water installation

2012-01-16T10:02:00.009-05:00

I've seen some incredible fountains in my life, but never have I seen water used in quite this way before. This Osaka Station waterfall clock/signage/intricate floral pattern maker is a completely fascinating use of technology. I could sit and watch this thing all day, or at least for a few more minutes.

(Via The Kid Should See This)

moonrise kingdom

2012-01-13T13:12:00.000-05:00

At this point, I'll go see absolutely any movie made by Wes Anderson, even if I know nothing about it and regardless of the reviews. Luckily though, this looks like it's going to be awesome.

Designer of the Month: Louise Bourgeois

2012-01-13T09:47:00.211-05:00

Week 2: Painting and prints

Rather than going through a straight biographical history, I decided to focus on three specific aspects of Louise Bourgeois' work this month not out of any specific desire to categorize a lifetime of artistic expression, but more simply because when looking at such an incredible range of artistry as Bourgeois displays, it can be both helpful and fascinating to look at like objects. So, while Bourgeois is best known for her sculptures and installation work, we're going to stay away from those for now, focusing entirely on her works on paper this week.

Louise Bourgeois, Femme-maison, 1946-1947. Oil and ink on linen, 91.50 x 35.50 cm. Private collection. Photograph by Rafael Lobato, © Adagp, Paris 2008. Courtesy of the Centre Pompidou, Paris.

In 1938, Louise Bourgeois and Robert Goldwater moved from Paris to New York City. During her early years in New York, Bourgeois studied at the Art Students League, and soon began to display her paintings, with her work shown in the Brooklyn Museum Print Exhibition in 1939.[1] Bourgeois' early work, such as the femme-maison (house-woman), above, takes much of its inspiration from the Surrealist art movement, but this was just one of the many artistic styles that would attempt to claim Bourgeois throughout her life. As Charlotta Kotik explains:

Befriending a number of expatriate realist artists during the Second World War, she participated in the rise of Abstract Expressionism, shared the legacy of the New York School, and through her early working methods anticipated the practices of Process Art and the discipline of Minimalism. She readily comprehended all, but accepted none. Fiercely independent, she charted her own territory instead, traveling a solitary path and sustaining the isolation that so frequently attends such a road. Motivated to express deeply autobiographical content, Bourgeois followed her own rhythm. Although her work explores abstraction, allusion to organic form permeates most of her pieces, naturally strengthened by the suggestion of fragments of human anatomy.[2]

Bourgeois was given her first solo show in 1945, during which she exhibited 12 paintings at the Bertha Schaefer Gallery in New York.[3] It was also during this time that Bourgeois became involved in printmaking, working at Stanley William Hayter's printshop, Atelier 17, in the mid-to late 1940, where she met WWII European exiles such as Le Corbusier and Joan Miró.[4]

Louise Bourgeois, Untitled, plate 9, third version, state II, from He Disappeared into Complete Silence. Engraving and drypoint over photogravure with watercolor additions from an illustrated book with eleven engravings, ten over photogravure, six with drypoint, five with aquatint, and five with watercolor additions, plate: 9 1/8 x 4 1/8" (23.2 x 10.5 cm); sheet: 10 1/16 x 6 3/4" (25.5 x 17.2 cm). Gift of the artist. © 2011 Louise Bourgeois Trust. Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art, New York (1277.2008.9).

And although Bourgeois both exhibited with a wide range of artists during this time, including, most notably, the Abstract Expressionists, drawing on the unconscious as subject matter, she refused to be labeled under any one category. Instead, according to Rina Youngner, "she created symbolic objects and drawings expressing themes of loneliness and conflict, frustration and vulnerability," such as in the above image, from He Disappeared into Complete Silence (1947), her best-known printed work.[5]

Louise Bourgeois, Untitled, plate 2 (facing page 4), only state, from Homely Girl, a Life, Volume I, 1992. One drypoint from an illustrated book with ten drypoints, one with roulette and one with punching, plate: 7 3/8 x 5 3/8" (18.7 x 13.6 cm); page: 11 1/2 x 8 3/4" (29.2 x 22.2 cm). Gift of the artist. © 2011 Louise Bourgeois Trust. Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art, New York (29.1993.A02).

So it's incredible to consider that all of Bourgeois' prints were created during two periods: 1938-1949, and again from 1973-1993, with none made at all during the time in between, when she focused entirely on three-dimensional works.[6] As for her painting, which so defined her early life both in Paris and New York, this was abandoned entirely in 1949 in favor of installation and sculpture.[7]

[1] MoMA online, "The Collection: Louise Bourgeois," from Grove Art Online by Rina Youngner, © 2009 Oxford University Press, http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A710&page_number=2&template_id=6&sort_order=1 (accessed January 12, 2012).

[2] Charlotta Kotik, "The Locus of Memory: An Introduction to the Work of Louise Bourgeois," from Louise Bourgeois: The Locus of Memory, Works 1982-1993, ed. Charlotta Kotik, Terrie Sultan and Christian Leigh, (New York: The Brooklyn Museum in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1994), 13-16.

[3] Guggenheim Museum online, "Biography," from the exhibition Louise Bourgeois (June 27 - September 28, 2008), http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/bourgeois/exhibition.html, (accessed January 12, 2012).

[4] Ibid.

[5] MoMA online, "The Collection: Louise Bourgeois," from Grove Art Online by Rina Youngner, © 2009 Oxford University Press, http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A710&page_number=2&template_id=6&sort_order=1 (accessed January 12, 2012).

[6] Deborah Wye, "A Drama of the Self; Louise Bourgeois as Printmaker," from The Prints of Louis Bourgeois, ed. Deborah Wye and Carol Smith, (New York: The Museum of Modern Art in Association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1994.), 11.

[7] Holland Cotter, "Louise Bourgeois, Influential Sculptor, Dies at 98," The New York Times online, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/arts/design/01bourgeois.html?scp=2&sq=louise+bourgeois&st=nyt (accessed January 12, 2012).

the joy of books

2012-01-12T09:30:00.017-05:00

A highly impressive, colorful piece of stop-motion animation from the husband-and-wife team behind Toronto's Type bookstore. Because tthere's nothing quite like a real book.

(Via Brain Pickings)

new house project

2012-01-11T09:32:00.000-05:00

I can't get over the adorableness of these child's pottery and bathroom sets, from New House Project. Their combination of simple graphics and bright spots of color on wheel-thrown ceramics are a perfect combination for the little one in your life. And I certainly wouldn't mind them for myself, either.

Blog About It

2012-01-10T09:58:00.131-05:00

If you've learned anything about me from reading these Blog About It posts, it's probably the fact that I love reading blogs by people who create lovely things, write about themselves and the business of selling said lovely things, and who do both things accompanied by some good photographs. Where is exactly where I'm taking you all today with blogs by Jennifer Sarkilahti and Anna McClurg.

If the name Odette New York sounds familiar to you, it's probably because it's been featured on this blog many, many times.

Minerva Divinus

party aftermath

Topkapi Palace

But not only does Jennifer create the most beautiful jewelry, but she's an avid blogger as well, featuring images of her life, work, travels, and inspirations. Some of my favorites from the past year included her two new collections, a trip to Greece and Turkey, lots of good studio and process images, and a wonderful d*s sneak peak of her apartment.

Anna's look books for her clothing make me swoon. Case in point? Her holiday 2011 collection made me want to wear velvet more than ever in my life, and I was very disappointed that I wasn't able to buy her Henriette Dress before it (very quickly) sold out. But not only does Anna sell the clothes that she designs and creates herself, but she makes pretty incredible historical outfits as well. How rad is that?

rag curls

Prince Edward Island

rolls

And of course, there's that small matter of her wonderful blog as well. It's always great to peak into other people's lives, especially someone who lives in a very different place from me. I love seeing images of Anna's work in progress, inspiration, trips taken, good food, and lots of other little looks into her daily life.

tin chapel

2012-01-09T10:09:00.015-05:00

Isn't this just the most charming little chapel? Located in the town of Faversham on the Kent coast of England, unlike most converted church homes where brick is the material of choice, this "Tin Chapel," as it's affectionately known, was constructed at the end of the 19th century from prefabricated sections of corrugated iron.

It's a tiny coastal church for a historic coastal town, and the entire conversion - from the neutral palate of white and sky blue to all of its shabby-chic details and wide-open layout - has a very beach housey sort of feel to it. I love that the owner, artist and craftsman Nick Kenny, worked on this renovation almost exclusively using materials that were salvaged or picked up at auctions for next to nothing. It's incredible what can be created with a little bit of imagination and some re-purposing skills.

(Via sfgirlbybay and Trendland)

Designer of the Month: Louise Bourgeois

2012-01-06T09:42:00.162-05:00

One of the most important artistic figures of the 20th century, it's no exaggeration to say that the influence of Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) will be felt far beyond the span of her 98-year life. While primarily known as a sculptor, Bourgeois was an artist whose work included everything from painting and printmaking to performance, with a life and career that spanned multiple countries, decades and artistic movements.

Louise Bourgeois behind her marble sculpture Eye to Eye (1970), 1990. Photograph by Raimon Ramis. Courtesy of the Centre Pompidou, France.

Born in Paris, France in 1911 to a family who owned a gallery that dealt in antique tapestries, Bourgeois took to art early in life, drawing fragments of missing images to help in the tapestry repairs. It was an emotionally conflicted childhood, particularly with regard to her father, however, that she often counts as formative in the creation of the symbolic, psychologically charged work that would define her career.[1] At the age of 20, Bourgeois entered the Sorbonne to study mathematics and geometry, but left to enroll at at a series of art schools before marrying the American art historian Robert Goldwater in 1938, moving to New York, and establishing herself as an artist of incredible renown.[2] An artistic hero to many, this month, I'm excited to explore the remarkable life and career of Louise Bourgeois. I hope you'll join me.

[1] Holland Cotter, "Louise Bourgeois, Influential Sculptor, Dies at 98," The New York Times online, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/arts/design/01bourgeois.html?scp=2&sq=louise+bourgeois&st=nyt (accessed January 4, 2012).

[2] Ibid.

Dadu Shin

2012-01-05T09:33:00.013-05:00

There's always something incredibly personal and fascinating about looking through an artist's sketchbooks. Even more than some of the finished work, I'm always excited to get these rare looks at half-thought out ideas, doodles and observations. Thank you, Dadu Shin, for satisfying my curiosity.

(All images © Dadu Shin. Via The Jealous Curator)

apache

2012-01-04T09:30:00.011-05:00

Apache from oneedo on Vimeo.

I came across this music video for Danger Beach's Apache after watching the video for MGMT's All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, via one of my favorite blogs, The Fox Is Black. It's a bit of a round-about way to have found it, but the illustration for both is by Ned Wenlock (aka Oneedo) with character animation by Rodney Selby. So, while the MGMT video is newer, I really love the simplicity of the rotating, unfolding scenery in Apache. I also happen to like the music better, so there's that too, and the characters of the band members are pretty great, but really, it's just a beautiful piece of illustration and animation.

if I had a million dollars

2012-01-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

I would buy...{the clean-up-my-act edition: brushes}

A table brush set, available at mjölk.

A mushroom knife with brush, from KIOSK.

A Japanese vegetable brush, available at Neëst.

The Lovisa Watson Dish Brush, from mjölk.

And a natural wood brush, available at General Store.

LifeCycle

2012-01-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

I thought that this beautiful video from Holstee about life, finding your passion, creativity, and the joys of bicycling would be the perfect thing to start off the new year. I hope it inspires you to make 2012 the best year yet.

The Holstee Manifesto is a call to action to live a life full of intention, creativity, passion, and community.

The LifeCycle Film came about as a desire to bring the energy and passion behind the Manifesto to life through something we love--biking. As we seek to live mindful lifestyles that leave a positive impact on the people and world around us, biking has become a passion that is much more than a transportation alternative. It is a way of fully experiencing the city we love and all of its details.

This Film is a celebration. It is a celebration of gatherings, of diversity, of life, and of the beauty of shared experience. We hope you enjoy.

(Via Brain Pickings)

2012 calendars: part 8

2011-12-28T09:30:00.035-05:00

Not only is this my last calendar post, but it's my very last post of the year as well. Today's options include crested shields, synchronized swimmers and lots of hellos. I hope you've all enjoyed looking at these, and that you've found a favorite calendar (or two) to use in the new year.

I love how shields make everything so much more official, and The Paper Thieves have created a lovely crested version to help see you through 2012. Not only is this quirky calendar adorned with a bear, which makes it pretty great right off the bat, but since each month gets torn off as the year progresses, it has the added bonus of being able to be re-purposed as a mini bulletin board, makeshift frame, or just some nifty wall art.

I've always loved the particular graphics that accompany how-to instructions. Dance step charts are my favorite, but until I saw MaeMae Paperie's 2012 calendar, I had no idea that synchronized swimming could even fall into this same category. The combination of minimalist graphics, bold colors and letterpress make this one of my favorite 2012 calendar options.

And finally, from snowflakes to daffodils, from lemonade to holidays, Vicinity Studio's 2012 wall calendar helps you say hello to all of the best parts of the year. While it also comes in a black and white version, I think that the watercolor wash is just too beautiful to pass up. Goodbye, 2011 - Hello, 2012! See you all next year!

castles in the sky

2011-12-23T13:47:00.078-05:00

Hi friends! I hope you all have a very merry Christmas this weekend, and are continuing to have a happy Hanukkah. I always think it's great when these two holidays fall around the same time, not only because it makes both of them feel more festive, but I also just love having an excuse to add latkes to the standard Christmas dinner fare. In addition to potato latkes, I have a great, if somewhat unconventional ricotta cheese latke recipe as well, both of which are as delicious for breakfast as they are for dinner.

Like many Jewish families, mine always spent Christmas day at the movies. Since I now spend it with my husband's family, however, for whom Christmas is a very big deal, this year, you're more likely to find me making latkes on Christmas than in the theater. But I will tell you that I do intend to spend Monday at the movies, and at IFC in particular. For those of you who live in the NYC area and are looking for some great films to watch - on Christmas day or otherwise - I would highly recommend checking out the schedule for the Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, & the Masters of Studio Ghibli, a comprehensive retrospective of films from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli animation house, playing now through January 12.

Most people are familiar with at least a few of Studio Ghibli's offerings, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away being some of the most popular, but there are other, earlier films that are just as wonderful, and which are rarely seen outside of Japan. Personally, I'm especially excited to see My Neighbor Totoro - undoubtedly one of the most fun and magical children's films ever made - in the theater, but Kiki's Delivery Service, Nausicca and Whisper of the Heart are all also favorites that I wouldn't mind watching again, particularly on the big screen.

Regardless of how you spend your holidays, I hope that they're both wonderful and festive, filled with good food, family and friends!

vertical garden house

2011-12-23T09:45:00.001-05:00

You may have a difficult time believing your eyes, but what looks like a public garden in the above photograph is, in fact, four-story vertical home in Tokyo.

Designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa, this house, and the fact that it's a house at all, kind of boggles the mind. As Roberto Zancan, who wrote about it for domus, explains:

With no true facade, all that emerges in the anonymous front are the from bottom to top: the living room and kitchen on the ground floor, followed by the first bedroom on the floor above, moving on to a bathroom, then to a second bedroom, and finally to the roof-terrace, where a tiny room is located, used either as a guest room or extra storage. No interior walls divide the surface area into "rooms". Only full-height windows and curtains form the separation between the interior and the amenities placed in the exterior: a bathroom and laundry room, along with benches and planters functioning as parapets. Other inventions on these curious terraces include design features such as an oval-shaped "meeting room" created by enclosing a table with a curtain. The feeling of living in a hanging garden is emphasised by a thin layer of soil spread out on the floor of the upper room and by the continuous transition between inside and out.

That's right, not only are there any interior walls, but there's no facade to speak of, with only floor-to-ceiling windows, curtains, planters, and appliances dividing up these unusual spaces. It's certainly not the kind of place one could readily imagine living in, but you have to give these guys credit for their daring, highly unusual, and visually arresting creation.

(Images courtesy of domus, with photography by Iwan Baan. Via Spoon & Tomago)

honey harvest

2011-12-22T10:08:00.001-05:00

honey harvest from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

As today is the shortest day of the year, with winter now officially here, I thought it might be nice to bring a reminder of the sun to you all. Created for Kinfolk Magazine, Honey Harvest is yet another example of the beautiful videos created by tiger in a jar. Keeping bees is a pursuit that I've been talking about wanting to do for a while now, and this video just does such a gorgeous job of capturing the sweet result of these efforts.

2012 calendars: part 7

2011-12-21T09:43:00.117-05:00

More calendars? Yes, please! Today's 2012 calendars are all of the illustrative variety, with journeys, mysterious ladies, the night sky, and one spectacular body of water. Onward!

I say it ever year, and I'll say it again for 2012: Atherton Lin's annual calendar is always one of my favorites. Boots On & Ready is a visual travelogue of 12 walks in England - from moors and beaches to the back streets of London. Available at Buy Olympia.

I love Australian artist Catherine Campbell's illustrations, and for 2012, she's compiled some favorites together for the prettiest folk-inspired calendar. Printed on heavyweight card stock, these postcard-sized illustrations are perfect to both display and share.

For those of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere, Little Bright Studio's 2012 constellation calendar, with its lovely depiction of the night sky in metallic silver ink on dark indigo paper, will keep you looking towards the stars.

And finally, Cathy McMurry's 2012 calendar is mixed media rendition of Oregon's Crater Lake. With its beautiful patterned imagery and handwritten dates, this calendar will undoubtedly make you want to visit this magical body of water for yourself.

if I had a million dollars

2011-12-20T09:42:00.000-05:00

I would buy...{the accessories edition: boxes}

A llama animal box, from AREAWARE.

A set of Daniel Ballou's stackable cargo containers, available at The Future Perfect.

The Belle jewelry box and ring holder, available at Mjölk.

A sculpted pine and cedar cube box, from arrikworld.

And one of The Moby Duck's resin bunny boxes.

Amanda McCavour

2011-12-19T09:33:00.025-05:00

Is Amanda McCavour's work not incredible? Her ethereal, impressive installations, all of which are created out of thread, are stunning in both their design and execution. And what a process! As she explains in her artist statement:

In my work, I use a sewing machine to create thread drawings and installations by sewing into a fabric that dissolves in water. This fabric makes it possible for me to build up the thread by sewing repeatedly into my drawn images so that when the fabric is dissolved, the image can hold together without a base. These thread images appear as though they would be easily unraveled and seemingly on the verge of falling apart, despite the works actual raveled strength.

I am interested in the vulnerability of thread, its ability to unravel, and its strength when it is sewn together. I am interested in the connections between process and materials and the way that they relate to images and spaces. Tracing actions and environments through a process of repetition, translation and dissolving, I hope to trace absence. My work is a process of making as a way of tracing and preserving things that are gone, or slowly falling apart.

While I love that this work can stand so well on its own, I love knowing how much thought and time went into these. You can see more of Amanda's work on her website.

(Via The Jealous Curator)

covers

2011-12-16T10:07:00.001-05:00

Covers/Luis Urculo from Luis Urculo on Vimeo.

For lack of a better way to describe it, I really have to tell you guys that this video is kind of weird, but in a pretty incredible way. As you'll see for yourself, Covers, by Luis Urculo, is a reconstruction and review of iconic, monumental architectural works built from stacks of random objects. About halfway through, I still wasn't sure that I wanted to keep watching, but in the end, I was totally charmed by these quirky, minimalist representations. My favorite was definitely Fallingwater, but not only did I enjoy trying to guess what each stack was supposed to represent, I also couldn't help but be amused and impressed both in the way the objects were stacked as well as by the choice of objects themselves. It's a really unusual, but very cool concept.

(Via The Fox Is Black)

ISWAS+WILLBE

2011-12-15T09:43:00.009-05:00

I don't know about all of you, but I am simply unable to resist any sort of perfectly photographed and arranged objects. Throw in some pretty packaging and it's an absolutely deadly combination, especially when the objects in question are jewelry from ISWAS+WILLB. With their fantastic mixing and matching of colors and materials, these guys create some truly stunning pieces.

2012 calendars: part 6

2011-12-14T09:34:00.045-05:00

With 2012 only a few short weeks again, I figured that it was time to up my game and keep those calendars coming at you. So for today's picks, let's bring it on back to one of my all-time favorite printing formats. We've seen a few before now, but today, it's all letterpress all the time.

First up, whether it's bathing suite or Batman weather, Impressed Design's 2012 calendar will have you looking good no matter what the season.

But maybe an old pair of boots and some work clothes are more your style. In that case, try Brown Parcel Press and its 2012 letterpress calendar, featuring fruits and vegetables straight from the farm, on for size.

And finally, an annual favorite, with 1canoe2. Their work always brings a smile to my face, and the 2012 letterpress calendar, which comes with its own little wood stump for some truly snazzy display on your desk, is certainly no exception.

butter + love

2011-12-13T13:40:00.001-05:00

I am lucky enough to have a lot of really amazing cooks in my life. In addition to my husband and family, all of whom enjoy good food and know how to cook and bake up a storm, there are also the friends who - professionally or simply passionately - can more than hold their own in the kitchen. Case in point is my friend Alison, of the exceedingly delicious Butter + Love. While those of you who live in Brooklyn may already recognize her beautiful, tasty treats from some Fort Greene and Cobble Hill shops, as well as the Brooklyn Flea and Smorgusburg, she recently launched a website and will soon be taking orders on Etsy.

And don't think I'm just writing about these cookies because I happen to know the baker. Oh no, my friends, these are the kind of cookies you have dreams about. I'm currently addicted to the marionberry and rosemary sea salt jam sandwich cookies, which are just about the most perfect combination of sweet and savory imaginable. Of course, any cookie that involves jam is usually good with me, but there's also no way to go wrong with choices like salted honey lavender shortbread or gingerbread mustaches either. That's right, I said gingerbread mustaches. See all of Butter + Love's offerings right here.

Kari Herer

2011-12-13T09:30:00.005-05:00

While there's a lot to love about photographer Kari Herer's work, I find these rabbit and flower prints, with their minimal illustrations and botanical compositions, particularly delightful.

(Via Design*Sponge)

Ice Cube Celebrates The Eames

2011-12-12T09:24:00.001-05:00

Before becoming a rapper, Ice Cube studied architectural drafting, and as you can see in the video below for Pacific Standard Time, he has a great affection for the architecture of LA, and for Charles and Ray Eames. It's very brief, but without a doubt the best and most insightful overview you'll find of The Eames Case Study House #8. I can't even tell you how happy this sort of thing makes me.

(Via The New York Times)

Zander Olsen

2011-12-09T09:38:00.050-05:00

At first, I was a bit taken aback by Zander Olsen's Tree, Line series, but they've since really grown on me. I think it's because of the way they challenge the expectations of your typical forest landscape photography. The wrapping of the trees, the contrast between the colors and textures of the ground verses the sky in the photographs, and the way that the final image completely messes with your sense of physical plains is very visually arresting. According to Olsen:

This is an ongoing series of constructed photographs rooted in the forest. These works, carried out in Surrey, Hampshire and Wales, involve site specific interventions in the landscape, ‘wrapping’ trees with white material to construct a visual relationship between tree, not-tree and the line of horizon according to the camera’s viewpoint.

(Via The Cozyhunter)

bicycle wheel animation

2011-12-08T09:33:00.001-05:00

I've seen this video a few different places now, and I still think it's just so damn cool. Yeah bicycle wheel animation!

(Via The Kid Should See This)

2012 calendars: part 5

2011-12-07T09:48:00.001-05:00

Today's calendar post it a little unusual. While most of the calendars I focus on are of the traditional wall variety, that's not going to be the case today. Today, we're taking it into multiple dimensions. Watch out now.

Looking to carry a calendar that does more than just tell you date? Well, Present&Correct's got you covered, with this 2012 tape measure calendar. Each day = 1cm with this calendar, with one side to show you January-June, and the the other July-December.

Next up, while it is made out of paper, this SURGE calendar takes your ordinary wall calendar into three dimensions. Made from one sheet of paper, the SURGE calendar pulls out to resemble an architectural model. Available at the MoMA Design Store.

And finally, the only desktop calendar you'll ever need, this pretty wooden perpetual calendar is available at West Elm.

if I had a million dollars

2011-12-06T09:44:00.002-05:00

I would buy...{shot through the heart: the arrow edition}

An arrow cuff bracelet, from Odette New York.

Jessica Rae Gordon's Archer print.

This arrow tee, from Makool.

One of Quivver's beautiful wooden arrows.

And this pretty Liberty of London arrows-print journal, from Bound In Circles.

Henry McCausland

2011-12-05T09:45:00.000-05:00

I find everything about Henry McCausland's illustrations fascinating, with even the most ordinary scenes suggesting a sense of adventure. And while his highly patterned, fantastically-colored landscapes aren't quite of this world, the people who inhabit them seem all the more familiar, and extraordinary, for it. Which really all just goes to a long way towards saying that I think it's pretty great stuff.

(Via The Fox Is Black)

little boat

2011-12-02T09:32:00.001-05:00

Between the holidays, a whole lot of birthdays, and a week of being sick, I'm taking a break from Designer of the Month for December, with plans to be back in January. Until then, are there any designers out there that you'd love to know more about and to see featured here? If so, give me a holler - suggestions are always welcome.

Little Boat from nelson boles on Vimeo.

And until next week, I thought I'd finish this week off with a truly stunning little piece of animation from Nelson Boles. Have a great weekend!

(Via BOOOOOOOM)

trench bridge

2011-12-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

What an incredible concept! Ro&Ad Architects designed this Trench Bridge - located at Fort de Roovere, in Halsteren, The Netherlands - to be invisible from a distance. For something as ordinary as a bridge, I love the completely altered perspective of this design.

(Via CONTEMPORIST)

blink

2011-11-30T13:23:00.002-05:00

Juka Araikawa, of Blink, makes some of the prettiest pet accessories I've ever seen, including beautiful handmade, hand-dyed leashes and a variety of brass tags in shapes that range from mountains to sparrows. See more on her website and Etsy.

little printer

2011-11-30T09:47:00.004-05:00

Meet Little Printer, from BERG. Isn't he just the cutest?

Hello Little Printer, available 2012 from BERG on Vimeo.

So what does Little Printer do, exactly? Basically, in conjunction with the BERG Cloud, Little Printer publishes your own mini, receipt-sized personal newspaper. Available in 2012, you can read more about Little Printer right here.

(Via kottke)

Suzy Lelièvre

2011-11-29T09:25:00.001-05:00

I love when people design things that are completely silly and strange, especially when they actually end up being at least somewhat functional.

Suzy Lelièvre's work is a perfect examples of this. Yeah, it's all kind of weird, and not anything I'd want to live with (except for maybe those dice and dominoes - they're both pretty neat, and not nearly as big a commitment as the furniture), but really, I just love that it all exits.

(Via all the mountains)

Li Xiaodong Atelier

2011-11-28T09:36:00.001-05:00

Any guesses about what this building is used for?

What about now?

Or maybe this view helps. No? Well, would you believe that this is a library?

The Liyuan Library, near Beijing, China, was designed by Li Xiaodong Atelier, and is certianly not like any other library you've probably ever seen. According to the architects:

Because of the overwhelming beauty of the surrounding nature our intervention is modest in its outward expression. We can’t compete with nature’s splendor. The building blends into the landscape through the delicate choice of materials and the careful placement of the building volume. Especially the choice of material is crucial in blending with the regional characteristics. After analyzing the local material characteristics in the village we found large amounts of locally sourced wooden sticks piled around each house. The villagers gather these sticks all year round to fuel their cooking stoves. Thus we decided to use this ordinary material in an extraordinary way, cladding the building in familiar textures in a way that is strikingly sensitive.

(Via CONTEMPORIST)

Deisgner of the Month: Andy Goldsworthy

2011-11-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

Week 4

The majority of the work by Andy Goldsworthy that I've focused on over these past few weeks has been of the ephemeral variety, but today, I'd like to focus on Goldsworthy's more permanent, large-scale sculptures, both in the naturalistic and built environment.

Seven Spires, 1984. Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, UK. Courtesy of the Haines Gallery, San Francisco.

Although it was decommissioned in 1998, Seven Spires (1984) - seven sets of pine trunks pinned together to form tall, slender spires - was the first of many large-scale works by Goldsworthy.[1] While these works clearly retain Goldsworthy's aesthetic, they're vastly different than his more ephemeral works not only in their size and longer lifespans, but also in the amount of planning and help needed to complete them. Wood, stone or clay - regardless of the material used to create them, they're similar in that they must be resilient enough to last for long a period of time, yet as part of the landscape, they're meant to change with it.

River of Earth (Riviére de Terre), 1999. Collection Musée Gassendi, Digne-les-Bains, France. Courtesy of the Haines Gallery, San Francisco.

One of the most striking examples of the ways in which Goldsworthy's large-scale sculptures are meant to change over time is his River of Earth (1999) project, for which Goldsworthy created wall from 7,700 pounds of red Dumfriesshire clay. While this was a type of sculpture that Goldsworthy had created before, this time, he decided to film the 10-day process of the wall drying and cracking. By taking his normal photographic habits to the extreme, Goldsworthy was able to capture the variety of colors revealed within the clay - taken from different depths of the same lake - in stages, as the sculpture dried, creating this river-like form.[2]

Roof, 2005. Permanent installation, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Courtesy of the Haines Gallery, San Francisco.

It may seems strange, given Goldsworthy's love of working outdoors, to consider his work that makes use of a built space, but to Goldsworthy, even these sculptures have the sense of naturalism to them. He explains that:

My work with buildings is an attempt to understand and draw out their nature. Installations that engage with the building architecturally have been the most successful in trying to achieve this intention. There is a difference between a work that hangs as a rectangle on a wall and one that covers the wall completely - one is a picture, the other is the wall. At best, these works should feel as if they have risen to a building's surface as a memory of its origin, a connection between the building and its materials source.[3]

Work such as Roof, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., while created within a built environment, is simply a more permanent iteration of forms (both the dome shape and creation of holes) that Goldsworthy has explored through less durable materials throughout his career. These large-scale sculptures may be more permanent than other examples of Goldsworthy's work, but they are no less a part of his ongoing dialogue with nature.

[1] Andrew Causey, "Environmental Sculptures," Hand To Earth: Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture, 1976-1990 (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990), 125.

[2] Andy Goldsworthy, "Diaries: Digne," Time (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, 2000), 82.

[3] Andy Goldsworthy, "Time, Change, Place," Time (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, 2000), 8.

the first press of the season

2011-11-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

The First Press of the Season from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

Well, if this doesn't put you in an autumnal mood, I can't imagine what will. The First Press of the Season at Carr's Ciderhouse, in Western MA, beautifully captured by Ryan.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

2012 calendars: part 4

2011-11-23T09:20:00.102-05:00

It's already getting towards the end of November, but don't worry if you still don't have a calendar for 2012, because there are still plenty of great ones out there. For today's post, we're going to look at year-at-a-glance calendars. While I personally prefer a calendar whose image changes on a monthly basis, these are all just too beautiful to miss.

The artwork of Julianna, of Oh My Cavalier, has long been a favorite of mine, but I think that her 2012 Bird Children calendar, with its watercolor illustrations and hand lettering, is particularly gorgeous. Definitely a calendar that I'd be happy to spend an entire year with.

Next up is Pam Lostracco's colorful mountain calendars. Inspired by the mountains of Laos and Thailand, these soothing poster-sized vistas are available in sea green, blue mist and red sunset.

And from poster-sized, we move on to over-sized. The 2012 wall planner, from Present&Correct, which measures 997x700mm, is large enough to help you plan out your entire year in style.

And finally, instead of paper, how about a linen calendar, from bookhou? With its handsome laurels and simple charms, it's definitely an appealing option. Of course, if you're not into the whole year-at-a-glace thing, there's always bookhou's pretty, monthly paper calendar as well.

if I had a million dollars

2011-11-22T09:49:00.005-05:00

I would buy...{the cozy edition}

A pair of Elsa Pyjamas, from Toast.

Donna Wilson's Bora Da Throw, available at Horne.

One of these big knit beanbags, by Zilalila.

West Elm's Hand-Blocked Jaipur Quilts + Sham sets.

And a peach stripe knit hat, from Hetterson.

against the grain

2011-11-21T13:42:00.001-05:00

Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.

Colorful dancing art supplies plus stop motion animation is nothing short a recipe for a happy Monday afternoon.

(Via Black*Eiffel)

marcel the shell with shoes on, two

2011-11-21T10:11:00.029-05:00

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, TWO from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

So psyched that Jenny Slate & Dean Fleischer-Camp made another Marcel video. Totally adorable, and always worth it.

Designer of the Month: Andy Goldsworthy

2011-11-18T09:45:00.134-05:00

Week 3

Throughout his career, Andy Goldsworthy has been a highly prolific artist. When not working on a large or long-term project, he attempts to make a work every, each of which is diligently photographed.[1] Additionally, he has written extensively about his artistic processes, with many of these words and images featured in a variety of themed books exploring different elements of Goldsworthy's work, from Wood to Passage, Enclosure, and Time.

Carefully broken pebbles

scratched white with another stone

1 June 1985, St. Abbs, Scotland. © Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue.

And of course, as a living artist who has much to say about his work and process, and who keeps copious notes about his sculptures, it's easy to find out why a work has been created in a certain way. For example, of the above work, Goldsworthy wrote:

Diary: 1st June

In the evening went to small
beach to work as the sun
went down - time the
completion of work with
sundown - broken stones
-cracked in two -not easy.
Scratched white around cracks
- made a sort of spiral which
suited this work - this is how
forms such as spirals/circles/balls
appear - out of the making and not
taken out there to be imposed
When I do that work is stiff [2]

For Goldsworthy, lines and shapes will influence what a finished work looks like just as much as the matter that it's created with. While he spends a great deal of time focused on specific locations, creating sculptures out of objects found within the environment, Goldsworthy has also done studies that have focused on one particular form or material. A good example of this is his continual fascination with leaves.

Leaf horn, 15 November 1986. Penpont, Dumfriesshire. © Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue.

Over the course of his career, Goldsworthy's leafworks have grown from their beginnings as ephemeral arrangements and constructions, captured only in photographs, to sculptures made both outside and inside his studio.[3] While the above Leaf horn makes use of the same spiral shape as the pebble work above it, there is very little else that relates the two works other than Goldsworthy's consistent use of natural materials and shapes in his work, and a desire to continually push the boundaries of his sculptural explorations. But a shape will often influence an entire body of work for a particular material, such as the use of the spiral within Goldsworthy's leafworks. As Paul Nesbitt explains,

Goldsworthy relishes working with the spiral form in leaves because of its leading role in a process as natural as growth itself. The basic method of construction enables an astonishing wealth of forms to emerge in his hands...A leaf is folded along its length so that the prominent central vein is uppermost, forming a backbone. This is then shaped into a tight spiral, loosened, and another leaf, similarly folded, is nestled into the fold of the previous one and pinned with thorns. As the process is repeated the spiral grows. A natural cone shape results and grows from the thin end downwards and outwards.[4]

Goldsworthy's leafworks are just one example, but this exploration of form, like all of his repeated use of forms and materials, has resulted in an wide range of incredibly striking and varied bodies of work.

[1] Andy Goldsworthy, "Time, Change, Place," Time (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 2000), 7.

[2] Andy Goldsworthy,"1985_071," from the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue online, http://www.goldsworthy.cc.gla.ac.uk/image/?id=ag_03285&t=1 (accessed November 17, 2011).

[3] Paul Nesbitt, "Leafworks," Hand to Earth: Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture, 1976-1990 (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990), 99.

[4] Ibid, 104.

Jeremy Kohn

2011-11-17T09:48:00.000-05:00

In order to get their full effect, I think that photographer Jeremy Kohm's photographs should be viewed as large as possible. These three are all available as prints on 20x200, but you can see more of Kohm's unique style, captivating portraits and washed-out landscapes on his website.

(Via Miss Moss)

Aleksandra Domanovic

2011-11-16T09:35:00.002-05:00

Her website doesn't really give much information about her, so all I really know about Aleksandra Domanovic is that among other works, she creates these sculptures out of stacks of printed paper. Pretty cool, right? And if you've got 8,555 sheets of A4 paper and time on your hands, you can print your own version of the stack on the right in the last image, directly above.

(Via Design For Mankind)

if I had a million dollars

2011-11-15T09:45:00.001-05:00

I would buy...{the accessories edition: geodes, druzies and rocks of all sizes}

One of mossière's druzy geode rings.

A pair of geode cuff links, from Specimental.

One of Cori Kindred's rock collections.

A CINTA belt, from RadLabs.

And Dollybird Design's Fall Tides Necklace.

Travis Louie

2011-11-14T09:26:00.050-05:00

Dorothy and Her Damsel Fly

Sir Frederic Burke and His Leviathan

The Family Yeti

Herman and Morris

A Boy and His Squid

What could be more wholesome than a portrait of a boy and his squid? These paintings, by artist Travis Louie, are from "Curious Pets," Louie's latest exhibition, at Merry Karnowsky Gallery, and "The Creature Show," a previous installation at Roq La Rue Gallery, both of which feature some very unusual animals and the people who love them. Now, while a family yeti and pet damsel fly may not be your first choice of companion, it's difficult to not get completely drawn into Louie's strange, quasi-Victorian, highly detailed world. I particularly the way that Louie creates an entire story to go with each painting. The Family Yeti, for example:

For as long as anyone can remember, there has always been a Yeti in the Wallace family. Victoria Wallace spent most of her adult life concentrating her efforts on “Yeti awareness”. Over the last few centuries, it has become the Wallace family’s primary philanthropic endeavor. No one knows for certain how long these docile hairy beasts can live. The current family Yeti is believed to be over 300 years old. It has become a tradition for each generation to have their portrait painted with the Yeti.

See more of the art of Travis Louie right here.

(Via Cool Hunting)

Designer of the Month: Andy Goldsworthy

2011-11-11T09:35:00.009-05:00

Week 2

One of the most formative experiences in Andy Goldsworthy's life was the holiday work that he and his brother took on as teenagers, at a local farm in Leeds, near the suburban housing estate where they were raised.[1] It was during this time, at the age of 13, that Goldsworthy discovered the nearly woods, and in these woods that he made his first outdoor sculptures.[2] Never a strong student, Goldsworthy had a difficult time finding his place during his time in art school, finally ending up at Preston Polytechnic (now the University of Central Lancashire), where he received his degree.[3] It was here that Goldsworthy truly began to create in nature, establishing a routine of working out of doors most days, only going in to college once or twice a week to attend a few classes and talk to people.[4]

Foxglove leaves

split down centre vein

laid around hole

October 1977. Leeds, Yorkshire. © Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue.

Around 1976, during these formative college years, Goldsworthy established the patterns of creating art that would follow him for the rest of his life, including his constant use of the camera. It was also during this time that Goldsworthy began to focus on particular motifs, one of the earliest of which are holes; the above work was one of the first that Goldsworthy chose to show when he began exhibiting a few years later. As Miranda Strickand-Constable explains:

Goldsworthy made his first hold by accident, when scraping through layers of sand: one layer fell in, and he was pleased with the resulting dark space. Using the idea posed problems: it did seem to want to be round, but it must not be perfectly so, or it would have that man-made appearance he had been so studiously avoiding, and might carry unwanted overtones of traditional symbolism. For this reason, when he first began to explore the 'hole' theme, and later in the leaf patches of 1980-84, he did come to use a circular shape ('it is such a fundamental form, you can never get away from it altogether'), it is always unevenly outlined, a little off balance.[5]

Frost leaf patch, December 1979. Clapham, Yorkshire. © Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue.

Goldsworthy himself elaborates, explaining that "the hole has become an important element. Looking into a deep hole unnerves me. My concept of stability is questioned and I am made aware of the potent energies within the earth. The black is that energy made visible."[6] Similarly, circular shapes have long held a strong appeal for Goldsworthy, either drawing the viewer into the space, or creating a sense of contrast and form through shape and color.

Dandelion circle on bluebells, 4 June 1985. Brough, Cumbria. © Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of the Andy Goldsworthy Digital Catalogue.

[1] Miranda Strickand-Constable, "Beginnings," Hand To Earth: Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture, 1976-1990 (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990), 11.

[2] Ibid., 11.

[3] Ibid., 11-12.

[4] Ibid., 13.

[5] Ibid., 19.

[6] Andy Goldsworthy, "Introduction," Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990), 3.

Ann Marshall

2011-11-10T10:06:00.017-05:00

Beige, 2010.

Used To Be A Southern Belle, 2011.

Portrait of a Three-Legged Rabbit, 2008.

Wait, 2011.

Sunshine and Molasses, 2010.

Ann Marshall's pastel and paper collages, with their many-layered patterns, are wonderful examples of not only the portrait genre, but they also represent mixed-media work at its finest. Whether focused directly on the viewer or off in their own world (or, as the case may be, cradling a rabbit wearing a neck cone), these tattooed ladies can't help but be utterly captivating.

(Via The Jealous Curator)

2012 calendars: part 3

2011-11-09T09:42:00.110-05:00

The 2012 calendar extravaganza continues this week with a very delicious theme, with seasonal produce galore, a photographic year-in-food, and delightful French pastries.

I'd been wondering when Krank Press would sell a version of their perpetual gardening calendar for New York, and it looks like the wait is finally over. With each month featuring separate lists for both planting and what's in season at the market, this linoleum block-printed beauty is perfect for gardeners and gourmands alike. And if you live outside of the Empire State, don't worry, you can still get your inner gardener on throughout the country, with versions of this calendar available for everywhere from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northwest, and many places in between.

But Krank Press isn't the only one focusing on seasonal produce. Portland, Oregon-based Little Canoe's seasonal fruits and vegetables calender will also make your mouth water, with its vibrantly illustrated produce and pretty calligraphic labels.

Did you know that Jenna, one half of the husband and wife team behind the incredible confections of Whimsy & Spice, is also responsible for the company's photographs? True story. And not only has she applied her stellar skills to photographing the full range of Whimsy & Spice's products, but this year, she's also created this lovely year in food photography calendar, to help make your life that much more tasty.

And finally, wouldn't you know it, but one of my favorite letterpress printers also went with a food theme this year. Sycamore Street Press' French pastry calendar is simply delectable looking in all of it's pastel-hued, sugary glory.

Blog About It

2011-11-08T09:42:00.135-05:00

Inspiration is a funny thing. Sometimes it comes upon you completely unawares, from unusual places, and sometimes, it's something you find much closer to home. There are a ton of blogs, mine included, that share a belief in searching out the inspirational, regardless of what category or form that may take. For previous Blog About It posts, I've shared blogs that I find inspirational in terms of fashion and style, a focus on curiosity and an openness about both personal and business lives. Today, however, with The Fox Is Black and Cool Hunting, it's all about finding inspiration in the modern world.

I'm relatively new to The Fox Is Black - an art and design blog that seeks to discover and share the most interesting and inspiring parts of contemporary life and culture - but in the 6 months or so that I've been a follower, it's quickly become one of my favorite daily reads.

Space Suit of the Week

Re-Covered Books

The Desktop Wallpaper Project

While Bobby Solomon, the blog's founder and Editor-in-Chief, along with a host of regular contributors, are all interested in many of the same things that you'll find on a variety of art and design-focused blogs, it's the other projects that The Fox Is Black focuses on that are the real draw for me. Don't get me wrong, all of the posts about individual artists, interesting architecture and new technology are fascinating, but you can't deny the appeal of projects like Space Suit of the Week, Re-Covered Books, and The Desktop Wallpaper Project.

Cool Hunting is one of the major players in the blog world, with a global team of editors and contributors that share inspiration and innovation in design, technology, art, and culture.

Philips concept beehive

Hollo modular cabinet

Wilder Quarterly

As the name suggests, Cool Hunting is a great site for finding out what's interesting and cool right now, especially in terms of the latest in technology and design. And while the perspective is always international in scope, Cool Hunting's home base is New York, meaning that they're particularly adept at keeping up with a city that has so much talent and inspiration coming out of it, that it's sometimes hard to keep up.

murmuration

2011-11-07T13:30:00.004-05:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Until this video, I had never heard of a murmuration - or synchronized flocking - of starlings, but it's a pretty incredible phenomenon. Can you imagine witnessing this spectacular display in person?

(Via The Kid Should See This)

lightning vest

2011-11-07T09:54:00.009-05:00

I was a fan of Dargelos' unique, handmade bicycle accessories to begin with, but their latest product, the Lightning Vest, has taken my respect to a whole new level.

An incredible combination of elegant design and functionality, the Lightning Vest is a hand-netted, highly visible safety vest made from a custom developed 3M reflective material. Not only can it can be worn year round, day or night, over pretty much anything, but the neck opening is wide enough to pass over your helmet, and the netting is large enough for your hands to access your pockets. Very strong, lightweight and compact enough to fit in your pocket without ever getting tangled, the Lightning Vest is by far, one of the coolest bike accessories I've ever seen.

(Via swissmiss)

Designer of the Month: Andy Goldsworthy

2011-11-04T09:45:00.173-04:00

Andy Goldsworthy, Storm King Wall, 1997-98. Fieldstone. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Lelong, New York. Photograph by Jerry L. Thompson. Courtesy of Galerie Lelong, New York.

I first became aware of British sculptor and photographer Andy Goldsworthy's (b. 1956) work through the Storm King Art Center, where Goldsworthy's wonderful site-specific work, Storm King Wall (1997-98), stands. Of course, to say that Storm King Wall - which elegantly snakes around trees and through the woods, before trailing off into a lake - is a site-specific work is obvious from even the worst images of it. No sculpture of such a massive size that fits so perfectly into a landscape could have been created for any other space. To say that all of Goldsworthy's works, then, are site-specific, only hints at the wonders that he is able to create within nearly any environment. Like Robert Smithson, Goldsworthy's work is often grouped in with the Earthworks movement. Rather than simply manipulating the land in a very noticeable and permanent manner, however, most of Goldsworthy's work - with some exceptions such as Storm King Wall - have a much more ephemeral quality to them; the creation his work often occurs solely from the materials that he finds within a given environment. As Miranda Strickand-Constable explains in Hand To Earth, "Goldsworthy is sometimes described as working 'in the landscape' but this only sometimes true. He is not concerned with a view of the land, as we see it, but with the land itself, its substance, the things that live in it and what happens to it."[1]
And as Goldsworthy himself describes of his method of artistic creation:

For me, looking, touching, material, place and form are all inseparable from the resulting work. It is difficult to say where one stops and another begins. Place is found by walking, direction determined by weather and season. I take the opportunities each day offers: if it is snowing, I work with snow, at leaf-fall it will be with leaves; a blown-over tree becomes a source of twigs and branches...Nature goes beyond what is called countryside - everything comes from the earth. My work made indoors or with urban and industrial materials is an attempt to discover nature in these things also. It is more difficult to find nature in materials so far removed from their source, and I cannot go for long before I need to work with the earth direct - hand to earth. What is important to me is that at the heart of whatever I do are a growing understanding and a sharpening perception of the land."[2]

In addition to the creation of the sculptures themselves, because of the often fleeting nature of his work, photography is a very important part of the creative and documentary process for Goldsworthy. He explains that, "My approach to the photograph is kept simple, almost routine. All work, good and bad, is documented. I use standard film, a standard lens and no filters."[3]

Andy Goldsworthy. Courtesy of Columbia College Chicago.

This month, from stone and wood to leaves and ice, I want to take you through some of Goldsworthy's incredible sculptures and fascinating body artistic career. I hope you'll join me.

[1] Miranda Strickand-Constable, "Beginnings," Hand To Earth: Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture, 1976-1990 (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990), 11.

[2] Andy Goldsworthy, "Introduction," Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1990).

[3] Ibid.

DKNG Studios

2011-11-03T09:25:00.000-04:00

I love a good gig poster, and was immediately drawn to the bold, detailed graphics of DKNG Studios. Not only do they create some really great work, including lots of other cool poster and print work, and some fantastic music packaging, but they also have the pretty cool distinction of resident poster artists at the Troubadour in Hollywood, California.

(Via grain edit)

ilha formosa

2011-11-02T09:36:00.000-04:00

Designer Tien-Min Liao created Ilha Formosa, a beautifully-conceived infographic book, poster and bookmark that uses paper illustrations to display facts about Liao's home country of Taiwan.

I particularly like the bookmark, which, when in use, looks like an island floating on top of the page. As Liao explains of this project:

When I came to the United States, I noticed that many people don't know my hometown Taiwan. Some people even cannot tell the difference between Taiwan and Thailand, just because they sound alike. As a designer, I think I should do something to promote this beautiful island.

(Via you might find yourself)

if I had a million dollars

2011-11-01T09:41:00.003-04:00

I would buy...{the animal edition: a horse, of course}

I'm Smitten's Horse Hostess notecard.

This rocking horse, made from recycled wine barrels, from Stil Novo Designs.

Odette New York's Dala Horse Necklace.

A horses tee, from supermaggie.

And Grace Design's linen and gold horses bag.

HAERSKOGEN

2011-10-31T09:56:00.001-04:00

HAERSKOGEN from David Luepschen on Vimeo.

Ever wonder what kinds of mysterious animated creatures live in the woods?

(Via swissmiss)

Designer of the Month: William Morris

2011-10-28T09:58:00.192-04:00

Week 4

Books always played an important role in William Morris' life. In addition to his love of literature, Morris was an accomplished author and poet with ambitions of printing his own books, with this dream finally realized in 1891, with the creation of the Kelmscott Press. As Morris explains of his decision to start a press, "I began printing books with the hope of producing some which would have a definite aim of beauty...they should be easy to read and not dazzle the eye, or trouble the intellect of the reader by eccentricity of form in the letters."[2]

Kelmscott Press, The Story of the Glittering Plain or the Land of Living Men: Title Page, 1894. Courtesy of The Illustrated Word.

With a background and love of calligraphy, it should be of no surprise to see the type that Morris designed. When one thinks of simplicity of design and ease of form, Morris is not a designer whose work comes to mind, but it's hard to dispute the beauty of the Kelmscott Press' creations. It's important to keep in mind, however, that Morris' aim was to create extraordinary works of art, even within the ordinary form of the book. In doing so, the type that he designed, with its eye to the Gothic, while not the most paired-down of fonts, did serve its purpose of readability.

Kelmscott Press, The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer...now newly imprinted: Title Page, 1896. Courtesy of Graphic Arts.

In the creation of the Kelmscott Press' books, other important aspects of the design process were taken into consideration as well. From his earlier attempts at printing, Morris knew that type looked at its best only if it was carefully spaced, and his insistence on matters such as tight spacing of words and decent margins had a lasting effect on later typographers.[3] Besides Morris' handsome type, however, it was the additional decorations - woodcut ornament and illustration, printing on fine handmade paper or vellum, and the use of a dense black ink, occasionally relieved by brightly colored inks - that truly elevated the Kelmscott Press' books to true works of art, particularly The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (what came to be known as the Kelmscott Chaucer), which was finished just before Morris' death in 1896.[4]

[1] Linda Parry, "Introduction: Morris - The Man, Socialism, Prose Romances and the Kelmscott Press, 1886-96," from William Morris, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 21.

[2] Ibid., 21.

[3] John Dreyfus, "The Kelmscott Press," from William Morris, ed. Linda Parry, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 312, 316.

[4] Ibid., 311.

Andrew Hem

2011-10-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

This woman's work, 2010.

Make the best of things, 2009.

Beginning of an era, 2009.

Times are changing, 2009.

Bigger than, 2008.

The introspective, otherworldly paintings of Andrew Hem.

(Via BOOOOOOM)

2012 calendars: part 2

2011-10-26T09:33:00.105-04:00

For today's 2012 calendar post, we turn to animals, a category that I think it's safe to say, is universally appealing. Because who wouldn't want a furry friend or two to keep them company throughout the year? While some of these calendars feature other naturalistic images, such as flowers and feathers and trees, it's animals that truly take center stage.

Combining beautiful drawings with song lyrics, The Wild Unknown calendars have been some of my favorites for a few years now. For 2012, they've created three stellar calendars that are a wonderful mix of strikingly beautiful and adorable illustrations: kittens, flowers & feathers and birds & bunnies.

Next up, the always lovely illustrator Camilla Engman has a new home with Studio Morran, named after her beloved and much-featured dog. The Studio Morran 2012 calendar covers all of your anthropomorphic animal needs, with its lighthearted host of creatures of all shapes and sizes.

And finally, there's this Night Owl Paper Goods calendar. This wooden calendar, which looks like a cross between an owl and and cat, takes the cute-animal factor to a whole new level.

clam lab

2011-10-25T09:39:00.000-04:00

My former studiomate, Clair, also known as Clam Lab, makes some of my favorite tableware, creating work that's as elegant as it is functional. See more in her shop.

60-second adventures in thought

2011-10-24T13:39:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what undead cats have to do with quantum mechanics? Well, The Open University explains it all in this delightfully animated, 60-second thought experiment.

The last in a series of 6, Schrödinger's cat is my personal favorite, but you can see other 60-second Adventures in Thought, including The Grandfather Paradox and Hilbert's Infinite Hotel, through The Open University.

(Via Brain Pickings)

faber castell

2011-10-24T09:42:00.002-04:00

Faber Castell from eric yeo on Vimeo.

Yep, it's a Faber Castell ad, but damn if it's not also super cool. Enjoy!

(Via Design Mom)

Designer of the Month: William Morris

2011-10-21T09:44:00.137-04:00

Week 3

The reorganization of William Morris' decorative arts firm as Morris & Company in 1875 brought a period of incredible commercial success. 1875-6 was a time of incessant work at the dye-vat for Morris, during which he reinstated indigo-dyeing as a practical industry and helped to renew the use of vegetable-based dyes.[1] This was followed, in 1877-8, by a period during which he was absorbed in the production of textiles (1877-8), becoming particularly interested in the revival of carpet-weaving as a fine art.[2]

William Morris, Bird, 1878. Wool textile, manufactured by Morris & Co. Purchase by Edward C. Moore Jr. Gift, 1923. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Already a unofficial adviser to the the South Kensington Museums, in 1876, Morris was appointed an examiner of drawings at their School of Art, a position that confirmed his expertise as a designer and art historian and began his public lecturing career.[3] The most notable of Morris' speeches, "The Lesser Arts," quite possibly the most famous lecture ever given on the specific topic of the decorative arts, was delivered before the Trades' Guild of Learning on December 4, 1877.[4] In it, Morris argued for the link between aesthetics and quality of craftsmanship to that of social conditions, proposing that only the arts that are grounded in socialist principles could be truly noble, vital and beautiful.[5] As he explained:

To give people please in the things they must perforce use, that is one great office of decoration; to give people pleasure in the things they must perforce make, that is the other use of it...There is a great deal of sham work in the world, hurtful to the buyer, more hurtful to the seller, if he only knew it, most hurtful to the maker: how good a foundation it would be towards getting good Decorative Art, that is[,] ornamental workmanship, if we craftsman were to resolve to turn out nothing but excellent workmanship in all things, instead of having, as we too often have now, a very low average standard of work, which we often fall below.[6]

William Morris, The Forest, 1887. Tapestry, woven wool and silk on a cotton warp. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund. Courtesy of The Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Of course, while Morris championed the decorative arts and the ideal of art for all, in reality, the work produced by Morris & Co. was, for the most part, handmade, and out of the reach of most. Not that this diminished Morris' enthusiasm for the socialist causes of the day at all, or changed the fact of the influence of his designs. In addition to his socialist leanings and public dissatisfaction with the state of the British Government's politics (Morris officially declared himself a socialist and joined the Democratic Federation in 1883), it was also around this time that Morris became distressed about the increased restoration of some of Britain's most significant early buildings.[7] In 1877, he founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, solidifying historic preservation as become another cause that Morris would champion throughout his life.[8]

[1] J.W. Mackail, "William Morris," from The Dictionary of National Biography, Supp. vol. 3. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1901. 197-203, reproduced by The William Morris Society in the United States, http://www.morrissociety.org/morris/bio-mackail.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Linda Parry, "Introduction: Morris - The Man, Commercial Success, Politics and Conservation, 1875-85," from William Morris, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 19.

[4] Carma Gorman, "William Morris, 'The Lesser Arts,'" from The Industrial Design Reader, (New York: Allworth Press, 2003), 35.

[5] Ibid., 35.

[6] William Morris, "The Lesser Arts," from The Industrial Design Reader, ed. Carma Gorman, (New York: Allworth Press, 2003), 35.

[7] Linda Parry, "Introduction: Morris - The Man, Commercial Success, Politics and Conservation, 1875-85," from William Morris, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 20.

[8] J.W. Mackail, "William Morris," from The Dictionary of National Biography, Supp. vol. 3. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1901. 197-203, reproduced by The William Morris Society in the United States, http://www.morrissociety.org/morris/bio-mackail.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

house in tanimannari

2011-10-20T09:31:00.001-04:00

I think this greenhouse, with its bright white brick floor, grapevines running along the trellised walls, and abundance of natural light, has got to be one of the most appealing rooms I've ever seen. One section of a two-part renovation project for a couple in Okayama, Japan, Akio Kamiya Architect & Associates' "House in Tanimannari" project incorporates some of my favorite architectural details. Except for the stone base, the free-standing greenhouse is completely transparent, with the light changing with the weather.

Part two of this renovation is a modern, detached room that utilizes the structure of the original building without detracting from it. There's an open dining room, kitchen and living space on the ground floor; a staircase at the back leads up to a bedroom, which overlooks the area below.

(Via designboom)

square inch design - minimalist children's stories

2011-10-19T13:34:00.001-04:00

Hyper-minimalist poster designs of classic children's stories, by Christian Jackson of Square Inch Design. I am totally in love.

(Via A CUP OF JO)

whale fall

2011-10-19T09:48:00.001-04:00

Whale Fall (after life of a whale) from Sharon Shattuck on Vimeo.

Did you know that whales lives about 50-75 years, and that one whale can support a community of organisms for another 50-75 years after its death? As this beautiful cut paper, puppet video shows, "when a whale dies, the story has just begun." And if this video makes you interested in finding out more, have a listen to Radiolab's Loops episode for the inspiration behind the video.

(Via The Kid Should See This)

if I had a million dollars

2011-10-18T09:54:00.007-04:00

I would buy...{the clothing edition: fall, or, what I wish I was wearing right now}

Prairie Underground's Austen blouse, available at Beklina.

A pair of stripey wrist worms, by Sandra Juto.

EmersonMade's black leggings.

Regina Ballet flats, from Frye.

And Tulle's singe breast coast, available at Need Supply Co.

daily metaltation

2011-10-17T09:34:00.003-04:00

You may remember Steve Powers from his mural series, A Love Letter For You, but did you know that he has a rad blog as well? Check out some Daily Metaltations.

(Via Miss Moss)

Designer of the Month: William Morris

2011-10-14T09:41:00.002-04:00

Week 2

William Morris was born on March 15, 1834 at Elm House, in Walthamstow, England. At the age of 6, the family moved Woodford Hall, a large country house whose with land adjoining Epping Forest, a unique tract of country little changed since medieval times, where a love of nature was instilled in him at an early age.[1] Morris' romantic temperament was shaped as much by nature as it was his by his schooling. Although Morris did the minimal amount of work to pass his courses, he was a voracious reader; he particularly admired the writings of art critic and patron John Ruskin, whose 1853 book, The Stones of Venice, especially the chapter, "Of the Nature of Gothic," held great significance for the young Morris, further influencing his lifelong fascination with all things medieval.[3]

William Morris, La Belle Iseult, 1858. Oil on canvas. Bequeathed by Miss May Morris 1939. Courtesy of the Tate Gallery, London.

After finishing school, Morris attempted a career as an architect and gained a position with George Edmund Street, one of the most noted Neo-Gothic architects of the time, but found that he had no aptitude for it; rather, this period would be invaluable for influencing his later work as a designer.[4] A friendship with architect Philip Webb led to Webb designing Red House, a home for Morris and his wife, Jane Burden (the model for Morris' portrait of Guinevere, above). Morris' subsequent design and decoration of the home, a period when Morris discovered what would become a lifelong passion, led him to start his decorative arts firm, Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., in 1861.[5] The subsequent years brought notoriety for both Morris' artistic and design work as well as his writing and poetry.[5]

Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., Wallpaper sample - Fruit (Pomegranate), 1864. Colour woodblock print on paper. Museum no. E.3712-1927. Courtesy of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

While Morris lived in London during the majority of the year by this point, in 1871, he acquired Kelmscott Manor House, which would become his permanent country retreat and a frequent source of naturalistic inspiration.[6] In 1874, the design firm was reorganized under Morris' sole direction and renamed Morris & Company, ushering in an an important and extremely productive time in his life.[7]

[1] J.W. Mackail, "William Morris," from The Dictionary of National Biography, Supp. vol. 3. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1901. 197-203, reproduced by The William Morris Society in the United States, http://www.morrissociety.org/morris/bio-mackail.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Linda Parry, "Introduction: Morris - The Man, Childhood to Marriage, 1834-60," from William Morris, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 14.

[4] Ibid., 14.

[5] Ibid., 16.

[6] J.W. Mackail, "William Morris," from The Dictionary of National Biography, Supp. vol. 3. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1901. 197-203, reproduced by The William Morris Society in the United States, http://www.morrissociety.org/morris/bio-mackail.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

[7] Linda Parry, "Introduction: Morris - The Man, Red House: The Firm and Literary Fame, 1861-74" from William Morris, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996), 19

marbelous wood

2011-10-13T09:32:00.000-04:00

I would never have conceived of marbelizing wood, much less imagined the stunning effects that could be created from this technique, but I am certainly glad that Danish artist Pernille Snedker Hansen did. Her product, Marbelous Wood, is meant to challenge the way we use wood in our built environment, engaging in a dialogue with the natural growth rings of the underlying wood.

(Via Design for Mankind)

Lottie Davies

2011-10-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

From photographer Lottie Davies' travel series - north, south, east, and west.

(Via lost)

mr button

2011-10-11T13:09:00.003-04:00

Wouldn't these Mr Button buttons be the perfect thing to sew on kid's clothing? By John Caswell Design. And if these weren't cute enough for you, you will definitely want to check our Mr Switch.

(Via swissmiss)

a kitten named Noguchi

2011-10-11T09:52:00.006-04:00

has come to live with us.

Kyle Bean

2011-10-10T09:50:00.001-04:00

You may have seen UK-based designer Kyle Bean's work before - his clients include everyone from Wallpaper* and Wired, to Scientific American and The New York Times. I spent some time looking through his portfolio yesterday, and while I was surprised by the amount of work I recognized, I was also incredibly impressed by how much good, interesting stuff was on there. Kyle specializes in hand-crafted models, and you can just tell that these two-dimensional images don't even begin to do them justice.

(Via Design Milk)

Designer of the Month: William Morris

2011-10-07T09:47:00.000-04:00

October's Designer of the Month, the English designer, writer, socialist, decorative artist, medievalist, printer, and historic preservationist, William Morris (1834-1896), is one of the figures within the decorative arts and design cannon whose life looms large in my mind. And with all those identifiers, who could blame me? Morris was a champion of the craftsman at a time when industrialization was changing the world towards the way of the machine and was one of the foremost artists associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement, creating works that are still immediately recognizable today and influencing countless other artists, designers and craftsmen.

George Frederic Watts, William Morris,1870. National Portrait Gallery. Courtesy of The William Morris Society in the United States.

How much do I love this guy's work? So much so that I got one of his wallpaper patterns as a tattoo, that's how much. But that Morris created a work that I thought was so beautiful, I wanted it permanently inked on my body, just goes to show you how enduring his designs truly are. But you don't have to take my word for it, because for the next few weeks, we're going to work our way through Morris' life, one crazy, beautiful, idealist part at a time. I hope you'll join me.

the ultimate hitch cookbook

2011-10-06T09:59:00.001-04:00

Hitch from Pascal Monaco on Vimeo.

Wondering exactly what makes Alfred Hitchcock the master of suspense? Well, this clever animated recipe book breaks it all down for you, dish by dish.

(Via Brain Pickings)

2012 calendars

2011-10-05T09:24:00.085-04:00

Well well fall, so we meet again. I'm not quite sure how the summer went by so quickly, but these past few days in New York have really felt autumn-like in the best possible way. Now, while there are a lot of things to love about the season, as many of you already know, one of my favorites is that the beginning of fall is also the beginning of calendar season. And it's pretty clear how I feel about calendars; from the traditional paper to cloth, in print form or bound, I adore how creative people get with them. So get excited friends, because once a month or so up through the new year I'll be bringing you a selection of my favorite picks for 2012 calendars, starting with this week's pretty patterned options.

First up, a 12 month calendar featuring drawings and patterns reflecting geometry and nature, from Leah Duncan. In a color palate of dark indigo, gold, coral, beige, gray, and pink, it's very 2012. But if you're not crazy about the use of both geometric forms and botanicals all in one calendar, you don't worry have to worry because Leah's got you covered, too, with her poster-sized single-themed floral and geometric calendars.

Next, we have this lovely range of letterpress calendars, from Smock. The top Oxford pattern is my favorite, but I love that each of the options, from Pollen to Peacock and Sorbet, are all so different, and thus appealing to different people.

And then, of course, there's Katie Vernon, of ChipmunkCheek's 2012 calendar. Katie's combined her awesome flora and fauna illustrations into one colorful calendar covering a wide range of imagery. And like all good print calendars, it's easy to just remove the dates at the bottom and then voila! - 12 new works of art to hang on your walls far beyond 2012.

if I had a million dollars

2011-10-04T09:56:00.002-04:00

I would buy...{the furniture edition: coffee tables}

This vintage industrial coffee table, from brandMOJO interiors.

An icon of design, the Noguchi Table, available at Design Within Reach.

One of bookhou's random patterned steam bent tables.

The clever Three Sixty Table, available at The Future Perfect.

And any of Palo Samko's incredible pieces, such as the 5 Birds Coffee Table.

east village studio

2011-10-03T09:51:00.000-04:00

Is that not one of the most appealing lofted beds you've ever seen? It's part of a the design of a space-saving East Village Studio, by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture.

It's always nice to see a small space that actually looks habitable, and I'm particularly fond of studio spaces that clearly and cleverly find ways to delineate the bedroom from the rest of the apartment. A loft is a fantastic solution, and this one is just so darn nice looking. Also, staircase that doubles as storage? Awesome.

(Via desire to inspire)

Designer of the Month: Yoshitomo Nara

2011-09-30T09:32:00.141-04:00

Week 4

Yoshitomo Nara returned to Japan in 2000, and in 2001, his first solo exhibition in a public museum “I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me,” at the Yokohama Museum of Art, generated a huge fan following for the artist.[1]

Yoshitomo Nara, Dogs From Your Childhood, 2000. Fibreglass-reinforced plastic and acrylic on canvas laid down on panel. Courtesy of Phillips de Pury & Company.

Although Nara had been creating sculptural works for some time, since 2003, he's added an additional element to his exhibitions through his collaboration with Hideki Toyoshima and the Japanese design collective graf to create installation pieces.[2] As Nara explains of this decision:

Rather than merely offering the work for the viewers to see face-on, I want to trigger their imaginations. This way, each individual can see my work with his or her own unique, imaginative mind. People with very imaginative minds perhaps can see something more than I can, and the reverse is true: to those with no imagination, my work will appear just like rubbish. I watch from behind the scenes, and it amuses me. Maybe an exhibition is not where I present my achievement but an experimental place where visitors find an opportunity to see themselves reflected as though my work were a mirror or a window. For people who cannot, or will not, really look, there will be nothing.[3]

Yoshitomo Nara + graf, London Mayfair House, 2006. Mixed media installation. Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery.

This idea of creating installation pieces to complement his paintings and drawing has since become an integral part of the display of Nara's work. In 2006, the exhibition "Yoshitomo Nara + graf: A to Z" was held in Nara's home town of Hirosaki.[4] Taking the idea of a collaborative project to a new level, not only did Nara and Toyoshima work together on the project, but locals as well as volunteers from all over the country responded to the call for help to realize the forty-four spaces, including twenty-six huts to correspond with each letter in the alphabet - from A to Z - that were created for the show.[5] Other collaborations around the world followed, with the installations gradually becoming more sculptural and Toyoshima eventually becoming independent from graf; Yoshitomo Nara + graf evolved into YNG.[6] Nara has since exhibited his work in solo and group shows throughout Asia, Europe and the US, lent his images to everything from postcards and notebooks to toys and clocks, and continued to collaborate with Toyoshima on installations to compliment and add an extraordinary element to his exhibitions.

YNG, Not Everything but / Green House (detail), 2009. Mixed media. Courtesy of Marianne Boesky Gallery.

[1] Asia Society online, "The Artist," Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool, http://sites.asiasociety.org/yoshitomonara/artist/ (accessed September 22, 2011).

[2] Melissa Chiu, "A Conversation with the Artist," Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool, ed. Melissa Chiu and Miwako Tezuka (New York: Asia Society Museum in association with Abrams, 2010), 179.

[3] Ibid., 179.

[4] Hideki Toyoshima, "From S.M.L. To A To Z And YNG," Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool, ed. Melissa Chiu and Miwako Tezuka (New York: Asia Society Museum in association with Abrams, 2010), 243.

[5] Ibid., 243.

[6] Ibid., 244.

Shane McAdams

2011-09-29T09:35:00.000-04:00

I never expected to showcase two separate artists creating such distinctive, gorgeous works using ballpoint pens, much less featuring them within a month of each other, but here we are. I first fell for Il Lee's enormous canvases, and now I've been similarly awed by Shane McAdams, another Brooklyn-based artist whose work uses the same medium, but to a very different affect.

It's really the vibrancy in Shane's work that gets me, and that these bright hues were created with pen ink is pretty incredible.

(Via The Fox Is Black)

Alyson Fox

2011-09-28T09:35:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what universe Alyson Fox's unusual, faceless people live in, but it's one that I love the chance to visit through her drawings. And as is usually the case with talented people, these images are just the tip of the iceberg that is Alyson's extensive portfolio. You can see more work, including photography, jewelry and objects, on her website.

(Via sfgirlbybay)

Blog About It

2011-09-27T09:46:00.077-04:00

Cultural curators. That's what Maria Popova, of Brain Pickings, and Rion Nakaya, of The Kid Should See This, are so very good at being. Although at first, it might seem like these two represent very different demographics - Brain Pickings' is clearly aimed at adults while The Kid Should See This is geared specifically towards children - both share a similar focus of presenting topics that deal with curiosity in all its shapes and forms.

Brain Pickings is all about different forms of creativity across a wide range of topics. As Maria Popova, the site's brain child, describes it, "Brain Pickings is a discovery engine for interestingness, culling and curating cross-disciplinary curiosity-quenchers, and separating the signal from the noise to bring you things you didn’t know you were interested in until you are."

Sophie Blackall's illustrated Missed Connections book.

Seed Nursery catalogs from the Smithsonian's collection.

Correspondence from Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey and Peter F. Neumeyer.

From the serendipity of missed connections to the millennium seed bank project, illustrated correspondence, and topics as far flung as the science of happiness, creative cartography and collaborative consumption, Brain Pickings never fails to delight. I'm mostly familiar with Brain Pickings through its weekly newsletter, which delivers the best articles of the week straight to your in-box, but to really get a sense of all the interesting, creative endeavors in this world, the blog is definitely the way to go.

Rion Nakaya knew that there was a ton of interesting stuff out there not necessarily geared towards kids, but which they should definitely see. Which is why, along with her three-year-old co-creator, she put together The Kid Should See This, a site that pulls together all sorts of interesting off the grid-for-little-kids videos and other smart stuff.

The LightLine of Gotham from seeper on Vimeo.

The Alphabet from n9ve on Vimeo.

KLUGE from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

As Rion explains, "There's just so much science, nature, music, arts, technology, storytelling and assorted good stuff out there that my kids (and maybe your kids) haven't seen. It's most likely not stuff that was made for them... But we don't underestimate kids around here." Yes, the kid in your life should see this, but so should you.

roomroom

2011-09-26T09:53:00.002-04:00

I don't know why I sometimes get stuck on certain types of design at the expense of others, but it's occurred to me that I haven't posted any architecture on here lately. Of course, I only write about stuff that I'm really excited about, and there hasn't been a whole lot of architecture lately that's fit into that category. But as soon as I saw Takeshi Hosaka Architect's RoomRoom, I knew that it was destined to be blogged about.

RoomRoom is a two storey dwelling in the Itabashi ward of Tokyo that was created for a deaf couple and their children, as an annex to their main house. The design of the structure considers the clients' communication needs through the perforation of the walls, roof and floor with a number of 200 mm squares, which facilitate a way to visually tie the inhabitants together throughout the space. Now, you all probably know by now how much I enjoy architecturally incongruous home additions, but it's both wonderful and refreshing to see a main design feature of an addition that was built with both aesthetic and practical purposes in mind.

(Photos by Koji Fujii / Nacasa&Partners Inc. Via designboom)