Meg is traveling to NYC soon for ICFF, and I’m eager to hear about the inventive new designs she encounters. Some ideas are so brilliant, they leave you wondering why they haven’t existed for years—Sian Zeng’s magnetic wallpaper is one of these. The papers are printed with eco-friendly inks, and are installed over a magnetized liner. I can’t imagine a more delightful activity for a child than creating stories using the patterns on the walls, and actually moving characters or buildings from place to place to interact with one another. Sian’s wallpapers are perfect for children, it’s true, but her designs are sophisticated and beautiful enough to be in any interior. You can see the full collection here.
{All images from Sian Zeng}
The best part of working in print is seeing so many talents come together to form a single vision. In just one article, you have a subject, a writer, a photographer, a stylist—all collaborating to make a space or project come to life. Editors and creative directors bring a critical eye to the piece: choosing images, creating layout, adding their own final touches before it goes to the page. It’s a fascinating process to watch, and it heightens my awareness of successful creative collaborations.
The installation artwork, Reverse of Volume, by Yasuaki Onishi, is stunning in its own right—anyone in the vicinity of the Rice Gallery in Houston between now and June 24th should run to see it in person. But for those of us who can’t make it to the show, this beautifully made film by Mark and Angela Walley transports you directly to the space. Through the camera angles and pacing, you feel close to the process, and to the physical details of this massive undulating sculpture. The filmmakers did a wonderful job crafting the film to match the contemplative, tactile, and subtle grace of Yasuaki’s work. I hope you enjoy the film as much as I do, and please make your way to this exhibit if you can; it looks far too amazing to miss!
{All images from Yasuaki Onishi: Reverse of Volume (RG), by Walley Films }
The flowers in the Bay Area are at their peak right now. Rose bushes which normally blend into the background are covered with lush blooms as big as grapefruits, and the camellias are holding onto their last flowers. Driving in the evening with the windows down, the car fills with the smell of jasmine and the street medians are carpets of orange poppies. For me, the lush flowers each spring are one of California’s biggest charms. I’m trying to take in the blooms while they last, before the rest of the camellias fall to the sidewalks and the rose bushes fade back into the gardens ’til next year.
Parisian artist Lyndie Dourthe’s paper flowers are as lovely as the blooms we’re enjoying this spring. The delicate hand-dyed papers and restrained, but vibrant colors make each flower a work of art. Lyndie, whose work is heavily inspired by nature, has created a portfolio of beautiful objects from paper and fabric. Looking through her work feels like exploring drawers of a vintage curiosity shop, with a delightfully modern edge. Her collection of flowers is exceptional, and it wonderful to know that they’ll last well beyond a single season.
{All images via Lyndie Dourthe}
One of the most challenging rooms for me to decorate is my kitchen. Let’s face it: some kitchen appliances and accessories are just not that pleasing to the eye. When the space in your cupboards runs out, everything seems to pile up on the countertops. That’s why I love finding items that serves a purpose and are also pretty to look at.
The Utilitarian Ceramic by Ben Fiess perfectly combines function and art. They remind me of the old ceramic jars my grandmother used for sauces and pickled vegetables. Every jar has four components: the container, strainer, lid, and cap—all held together by a rubber band. I can easily see myself using this to store salt and pepper, or even serving soup for guests (wouldn’t that be unexpected?). And when my cupboards are packed with not an inch to spare, there will be no guilt in leaving these beauties on the counter!
{All images by B.Fiess}
Hooray for Friday! We’ve had a busy week: team meetings, the book party for Mom, Inc., productive brainstorming sessions, and project prototyping. It’s a thrill to walk into shops and see Issue No. 7 on the stands. Not only is it one of my favorite covers so far—can I have a giant plush tree man in my house, please?—but also my favorite theme. When I spotted these paper illustrations by Fideli Sundqvist, they seemed too wonderfully whimsical to keep to myself.
I’ve seen lots of 3-D paper work, but certain elements of Sundqvist’s creations really stood out from the rest for me. The topographical layers of paper, the unusual cloud and wave shapes, and the depth of expression she creates in the face of her characters with just a couple of curved cuts for eyes and mouth. It’s utterly delightful. My goal this weekend is to be a bit like that elephant: I want to call up a friend and head out on an adventure! If all goes well, I will report back next week. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
{All images by Fideli Sundqvist, via Upon A Fold}
