Acapulco of the 1950s

Back in its heyday in the 1950s, Acapulco was (they tell me) a slice of heaven on earth. Hollywood stars, starlets, millionaires and royals from around the world flocked to this Pacific Beach resort and partied like only Mexico can.  And after the music was over and the body too tired to go on, they went back to their yachts, villas or luxe hotels and plopped down to rest before the next soirée … and many did so on the fabulous Acapulco Chair.

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through the eyes of a hermit crab

For some time I have kept my eye on the career of New York-based photographer extraordinaire Cynthia Karalla, a one time collaborator of enfant terrible Andres Serrano.  Although her work is deep, dark and usually disturbing, she is a talented artist to be reckoned with.  More recently I was in her studio where I uncovered some very beautiful atypical photographs of seashells, and as it’s summer, this is the perfect time to enjoy and bring these to you.

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table power

Sometimes we don’t want to place art on a wall, but use it on a table, mantelpiece or other flat surface.  It’s a great idea for smaller pieces that need their own space to shine. Enter this brilliant table painting easel which I’ve used in the past.  It’s made from nickel steel and is (26in. | 66cm.) high with a base (5in. wide x 6in.deep | 13 x 15 cm).  It can hold frames up to (21in | 53.5cm.) high.  Find it at Mark McDonald in Hudson, New York for US$350.00. 

put on a happy face!

What modernist aficionado doesn’t love Florence Knoll’s three-seater bench of 1954 or George Nelson’s platform bench of 1946?  But as a designer sometimes preoccupied with mid-century design, you want something with a little more punch, with a little oomph. In my case, I had to look back to c. 1935-1940 to find this lovely mahogany banquette offered at Sotheby’s Paris.  Isn’t it gorgeous? It can also double as a comfy daybed. I can’t get enough of its shape and clean lines … so simple, elegant and unpretentious. But most of all, I like it because it looks like a gynormous smile!

Image credit: Sotheby’s.  The banquette was sold in the 20th Century Decorative Arts sale in Paris, 25 May 2011, lot 36, estimate €7,000 – 10,000 | sold €8,750.00

snack time

What is healthier than a plate of apples, grapes, raspberries, apricots, gooseberries, walnuts and plums?  A scrumptious vegetarian elixir of carbs, antioxidants, fiber, proteins and fats.  It’s unlikely the Flemish artist Osias Beert had this in mind when he painted this abundant Still Life in the early decades of the 1600s … almost 400 years ago!  More likely he selected his props based on their novelty and appeal for a greater chance of selling his painting to the rich merchants of Flanders and Spain.

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Mid-century inspiration of 21st century design

Isn't this a beautiful piece of furniture?  I recently was shopping for a mid-century console and found myself rightfully distracted by this lovely piece produced in the studio of American cabinetmaker Matt Soorikian of Atlanta, Georgia.  You HAVE to see it in person.  The surface is lusciously soft, a testament to the time and dedication each piece gets from Matt.  The geometric matrix at the front is perfectly fitted and so it is the sum of all the exquisite details that gives this console its “pop”.

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Inspired by a coral reef?

Having been fortunate to spend many of my teenage summers at or near the ocean, I grew to appreciate sea life and organic forms, so it was a surprise to me when I learned that accomplished American lighting designer David D’Imperio and I shared similar experiences.  For years I have been attracted to his delicate, simple and very cool linear suspension lighting line and now I know why!

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since 2500 b.c. and still reinventing itself

One medium in decorative arts so often overlooked by lovers of art + design, including myself, is glass.  The material itself has been around for eons, but yet for whatever reason, it just doesn't get the attention it merits. Now is the time to start changing this.

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A faceless identity

There have been those times in my life when the thought of running off to the Kho Phi Phi Islands in the middle of the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand (which by the way, IS Paradise on earth) has crossed my mind … no mobile phones, no computers, no Facebook or Twitter … nobody knows who you are. But there’s a reason I've stayed put:  the notion of being an anonymous face, while deliciously tempting, is also deeply depressing.

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You better believe it!

With summer here and people crossing the oceans as if it isn't a big deal, it occurred to me to dedicate this post to a way of transportation almost forgotten and its link to one of the most recognizable icons of  American architecture anywhere.

The 1930s were certainly awhile back, yet some of us either know of somebody that lived during that time or have seen period photos and therefore know that life was pretty much as it is today… no powder wigs or painted moles!  So it was a real surprise to discover an interesting fact about transatlantic travel in the third decade of the 20th century. 

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For the venti-double-half-caf-caramel-frappuccino crowd?

The 1930s, the age of the ocean liners and skyscrapers, brought great changes to the homes of the fashion conscious across the globe.  And the French were the inspired leaders of this revolution as Art Deco spread from Paris to New York to Shanghai.

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Engaging with art

I ALWAYS advise buying art or design based on whether it triggers something emotional in the viewer.  Although “keeping up with the Joneses” seems increasingly super cool in the art world these days, buying art primarily as an investment is risky (no one has a crystal ball to predict the future) and quite frankly, naive. There are plenty of people who bought 18^th century French painting by blue chip artists like Fragonard or Boucher for exorbitant prices 15 years ago that can’t even give them away these days. “Buy with your eyes (and heart) and not your ears” is something I repeatedly heard the famed American dealer Richard Feigen say and boy is he right!

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Kyoto meets New York via Barcelona

Recently I had the opportunity to personally view the exclusive modernist furniture line of Barcelona designer Jordi Milà whose philosophy on furniture and furnishings, I share.  He says that “we use furniture to fill an empty space to make our own.  We become familiar with it, as it helps define the way we inhabit our spaces and relate to others and in the process it becomes an important part of our lives, a reflection of who we are”.

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not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes ...

and I, won't be surprised if it's a dream ... c'mon sing with me!!! ... sorry but I could not resist.

One can easily be “at the top of the world” when you see this fun, ingenious and quite wonderful table lamp from Japan.  The DCS Corporation brings us Cloud from the new Abovo line of fixtures. I think it is equally appropriate in a playroom, quirky space or minimalist interior and will most certainly be a conversation piece.  Doesn’t it make you happy?  The fiber cloud is intricately made (and very realistic), like only the Japanese can do it.

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what's the difference?

I often find myself having the conversation with clients regarding vintage vs. re-issued furniture.  Frankly, each have their merits.  Assuming the vintage piece, in this example a swivel chair (left image), is usable and from a coveted maker, it will most likely increase in value, something to consider particularly if the client is interested in building a larger design collection.  Vintage pieces are harder to find at a drop of a hat and are in most cases, more expensive.

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amongst giants

Following the successful shows by Jeff Koons, Xavier Veilhan and Takashi Murakami at the Château of Versailles, this summer’s exhibition belongs to French artist Bernar Venet who from 1 June to 1 November will be showcasing his enormous sculptures in the Palace gardens and the neighboring Marly Estate.

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modern scandinavian chic

There are several design colleagues I admire, particularly those who lend an “it” factor to the spaces they create.  One such designer is Patrik Lönn whose stately elegant space above is simply inspiring.  The balance of the room is achieved in pairing the Scandinavian brass chandeliers and early 19^th century center tables with the wall openings to the Dining and Living Rooms and making it all modern and sophisticated by placing a 20th century ebony commode with nickel accents under a mirror acting as a pier between the openings.  Très formidable. It is fresh, livable, elegant, unpretentious and vey, very now. Bravo Patrik!

Image Credit: ©Patrik Lönn  

Mama mia …. the lines, the shape, the color!

Sometimes the best things come in small packages … haven’t we all heard that?  A good example is this sublime 3.3/4 in. | 9.5 cm. x  4.1/2 in. | 11.5 cm. porcelain vase made in 1920 by the very accomplished American ceramist Adelaide Robineau.  I can’t get over the intensity of the color and its unusual form. 

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a modern master

If we are open and aware, sometime in our lifetime there appears a true contemporary master craftsman and sublime artist who pays so much attention to detail, materials, design and originality that he resembles the best of the best craftsmen from the past.  Case in point, M. Hervé van der Straeten who has been producing magnificent sybaritic collector pieces for awhile.  In particular I cannot get enough of “Branches”, a bulls-eye mirror designed in 2004.  This organic museum piece is approx (55 in. | 140 cm.) high and (53 in. | 135 cm.) wide.  Van der Straeten is represented in New York by Maison Gerard.

what would Rodin think?

In today’s contemporary design world, 2006 (the year the above chairs were introduced at the Salone del Mobile in Milano) is “so yesterday”, yet this wonderful piece seems to defy all odds and still be the talk of the town.  The clay chair, designed by Dutch wünderboy Marteen Baas is just that.  Hand modeled from industrial clay onto a steel frame and painted in a multitude of colored lacquers, this is literally one of those rare pieces where one can see the “artist’s” hand in the finished product. Far from being delicate, these chairs can take some abuse and live to talk about it.  They are sooo cool!

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a sound system like no other

Not the most entertaining of subjects to blog about (or for that case, read about!) but paramount in any high-end interiors project is the sound system.  In the worse case, the speakers are placed in plain view and in the best case, they’re placed inside a wall with some type of visible speaker fabric to allow the sound to travel.  Enter Amina Technologies in Huntingdon, England.  These very clever Brits have invented a way to install their speakers INSIDE a wall without a hint of the visual sound source … zero visual impact!  This is a truly ingenious and revolutionary product and a must for any discerning client that prefers the sight of their Agnes Martin to that of a speaker scarring the wall.

Image credit © Agnes Martin Estate,  represented by the Pace Gallery, New York. 

what is elegant and whimsical and holds its perfect balance even in the slightest of winds?

The answer: Kinectic sculpture (also known as mobiles). I like this art form because it does not take itself seriously even though there is serious thought behind it.  And of course the artist that ALWAYS comes to mind is Alexander Calder.  But lucky for us, today there is a contemporary artist putting a new twist on these flying dancers on a tight rope. Matthew Roberts of Ekko Mobiles in Portland, Oregon is the inspired artist/engineer behind these contemporary creations.  His art is hanging at HARPO Studios, featured in the film “Ocean’s Thirteen” and in all sorts of publications and private spaces.