That special piece

I've been wanting to learn how to embroider for a while now. I have even thought of applying it to the vintage "porn" sofa (you'll have to ask to get that story) instead of re-covering it. When I came across Vladimmir Kagan and Erica Wilson's place in The Selby a few months back I was really blown away by most everything (the colors, the patterns, the art, the furniture) in their place but most of all was the chair where they pooled their talents. It's just so incredibly beautiful. Wouldn't it be incredible to learn how to embroider from Erica.

TEN10

Another lovely visit while I was in Los Angeles was the sweet tiny studio of TEN10, where I was lured in by those oh so familiar darling bird houses by Stan Bitters in the window. I wanted to take home the one in the bottom corner with that stunning textural glaze but, I was being on my best behavior, since that kind of shopping has to be on hiatus for now. 


As I was speaking to Joanna (the owner I believe), she shared with me a few of Stan's recent large scale commissions and let me know there will be a write up on Stan in the next C magazine, so keep an eye out for it and stop in and say hello to Joanna if you are in the Silverlake area and check out their other wares. 

Caminho Niemeyer/Niemeyer Way: Guest Post Jorge Soares

I do like playing the tour guide, so now we will go across the bay from Rio to Niteroi. After the instant iconic status of the Museu de Arte Contemporanea (MAC), the mayor of Niteroi asked Oscar Niemeyer to create a series of buildings along the coast: Caminho Niemeyer. Not all of them have been built yet, some are still being finished and yes, Kelly, I did have to use my ingratiating skills to get close enough to take pictures. Oh fun. (Oh Jorge, you are so charming and persuasive;)~kw

Teatro Popular de Niteroi



The dome of Memorial Roberto Silveira Museum in front of the theater

the future headquarters of Fundação Oscar Niemeyer
 
the star : MAC Niteroi

Charitas Ferry Building, don´t have to tell you who designed it, do I ? And end of the tour folks, thanks for joining me.

*All photos and content by Jorge Soares. 

Umami Burger

A couple of weeks back a dear friend took us out to eat at Umami Burger in LA LA town. Although it wasn't the best Turkey burger I ever had, it was pretty good and they had what looked like a pretty stellar veggie burger too. I love a burger shop with options. (I always get jealous of those that can pick up a hot dog on the city streets, I want a hot dog too, just not a beefy one)


And while i wasn't overly excited about the layout I loved the palette of materials. The fun tile work (easy to clean), what looks like reclaimed wood in a fun pattern along the wall and of course the typography nearly everywhere, I just wish I could read it.

What Henry Built

I haven't had the opportunity to use their services as of yet but I have admired their work for sometime now. I found Henry Built when I was researching kitchens, gosh, maybe 5 years ago. At first they were just inspiration but then I tried to recommend them on a couple of jobs once I was informed that their services could be easily transported to the bay area but, so far it just usually works out that a local cabinet maker is the one that clients choose, understandably. Perhaps, one day.


They have always done furniture but they have recently expanded that line (images above) the pieces are just as elegant and well made as their cabinetry. Have a look.

p.s. thanks for all your lovely comments on that last post... it's been a rough week and you all keep me strong. xo

Too many hats...

Forgive me for being in absentia, I've been wearing a few too many hats and it gets hard to juggle sometimes. So again this space may be on and off for a bit until something concrete lands in my lap. And more than likely it's not going to 'land there' I'm going to have to scratch and claw my way to it. Wish me luck.


On another note this gal (that would be me) has always LOVED hats. I love to see that more and more people are brave enough to don a chapeau. C'est moi in the top row there in my vintage Kangol. I'm not sure what year but I'm guessing from the 60's. I would guess the thirties but I'm not sure Kangol was making toppers for ladies yet. Anyone know? (photo by my talented and dear friend Viv) All other credits can be found over on my pinterest board.

p.s. I want to cry a thousand tears that this dress is not in my closet. 

Help Shigeru Ban - Help Japan

I have always been intrigued with Japan from as far back as I can remember and certainly before my design education, although that probably solidified it. Once my shock over their situation began to ebb even in the slightest, (I'm still stunned with heartache) I began thinking of one of my most beloved architects Shigeru Ban. I knew he had to be doing something since he has in the past been a front runner in temporary architecture for just these kinds of frightful events. It's something that he and his office has held in high regard, not just the seductive and glossy commissions.


So if you are looking for an alternative way to give please consider contributing to their office, as it is something that they have worked on for years over many disasters. When you scroll down you will see just where they are starting to help.


The photos I have chosen to show are of his paper structures. Not all are of the temporary shelter variety but all are uplifting  in their materials, portability and spacial provisions.


Above: Japan Pavillion, 2000, Paper Church transplanted from the Kobe to Taiwan
Below: PAPER LOG HOUSES - Kobe, Japan, 1994 / Kaynasli, Turkey, 2000 / Bhuj, India, 2001



Above: PAPER TEMPORARY STUDIO - Paris, France, 2004

Here are the links again. 
Give to the Shigeru Ban office
Shigeru Ban's Paper Structure
Shigeru Ban's Office


*all images from Shigeru Ban's website

Arquivo Contemporaneo: Guest Post Jorge Soares

I won't always introduce Jorge but wanted to just quick say a couple of things. One being that I think these posts are best suited for Friday's don't you? A little bit of tropical warmth to take you into the weekend. So that is where you will see them from here on out. And two, oh dear lord, how I love chairs. Especially of the Brazilian variety.  We don't have access to knowledge of many Brazilian designers or design for that matter up here in the Northern Hemisphere so that makes this post extra special. I even had to look up several designers. Thank-you Jorge for the design lesson. xo



João Caetano just opened a second Arquivo Contemporâneo shop. He is a renaissance man with a twinkle in his eyes - a cardiologyst, a musician, a lover of good design, a storyteller, one of the people that makes Rio more interesting. He pays a lot of attention to Brazilian design and now, since the new shop is in walking distance from me, I can just stroll by to check things out. This time it was all about chairs.

the handwriting is on the wall:" Arquivo Contemporaneo represents the best of Brazilian design," signed by Sergio Rodrigues. Two of his "Parati" chairs (1963)



Top photo: More Sergio Rodrigues: Poltrona Mole (mole means soft) aka Sheriff lounge chair (1957) that made him internationally famous. 

Bottom Photos: Gisele by Aristeu Pires (2003) Kilin armchair (1973). Diz armchair (2001) born a star. both by Sergio Rodrigues. What can I say. The man is a living legend.

(quick comment: Kelly here just interrupting this gorgeous post to say I have never seen the Sheriff chair in Denim and there is just something so right about that choice of material. Love it. And for those that don't know I think the Poltrona Mole is Brazil's equivalent to the Eames Lounge Chair, only I might add that I think it is a better success at the modern lounge chair as I could see a very large man resting in that chair and I know for a fact that some large men that have plopped into an Eames Lounge have sent it smashing all over the floor. )



3 Cordame chairs by Eduardo Baroni



Top three photos: Paulistano chair by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, 2 FDC1 chairs by Flavio de Carvalho designed in the fifties, Tupi chair by Leonardo Lattavo and Pedro Moog

Bottom photo: São Conrado and Guaiuba chairs by Carlos Motta This is the tip of the iceberg. By my calculations, it will take me about 2 years to get to the lovely Campana Brothers.

*All photos by Jorge Soares

Specific Merchandise

Not sure how I didn't know about this magical place called Specific Merchandise but I know there is going to be a must visit on my hit list on my next trip south. Those Workstead lights (those kids sure know what they are doing over there) are calling my name and the carved paper bag by Morgan Macleen, yes please. thanks sight unseen for the heads up.

Right out the window

When I see posts/collections like these it makes me want to throw that uniform I was talking about right out the window. Dear Miss Moss stop taunting me;) xo You too Jill Stuart.

It comes naturally...

to some. A minimalist touch that is. Genevieve of tell you today wrote how she thinks of herself as a minimalist and then looks around and realizes that it couldn't be further from the truth thinks definitely yes but with loads of color and pattern in volume;) When she wrote that I realized I was just as guilty of that kind of thinking. 

Ashley Rose Helvey on the other hand seems to be living it quite naturally. (She denies such but I say a pile of laundry is in everyone's house at some point, we're talking minimalist's not nudists;)  I think intellectually I'm drawn to these spaces but in reality my emotional state takes over much more than I'd like to admit. I also realize that some might look at these photos and say there are far to many patterns here to come off as minimalist but again that is my editing of the space (I can't even edit minimal! haha) via Ashley's photos so head on over to view the space in it's entirety.

Cumuloids, Globoids, and Sprokets

This post doesn't really need much in the realm of wordy explanations. The work speaks for it self. All images and work by Pamela Sunday, she's that classy broad you see above. What a lovely name too. No?

Grain & Gram

Grain & Gram is a gentleman's journal that is focusing on craft and the men that hold it dear, through flawless photography and in depth interviews into their process and how they got where they are and of course where are they taking it. The photography is beautifully shot (the color, swoon), the design - clean and modern but friendly, and the interviews- thoughtful and curious. Great job guys. Bonus points for featuring so many talented Florida Gents, we don't hear about many from this part of the country.


But seeing this journal definitely makes me think. Hey Ladies, where is our well shot, well designed, well written journal focusing on women and their craft. Seriously, I fall for the pink chiffon and lace like any of the rest of you (I mean I still love my Lula magazine) but man oh man am I tired of eating frosting, enough with the frills and give me a classic button down shirt. I want to see a serious (aka not über-girly) journal for women along the lines of printed tomes such as the gentlewoman featuring smart, talented ladies in various design and craft fields. Any takers?


For now you will just have to fawn all over the photographs below by JonPaul Douglass and head over to Grain & Gram to read the interviews by Aaron Martin and of course admire the design and layout  (so perfect) by Danny Jones. And by the way I found out about these talented Gents via a very talented Lady.

YHBHS.SOTSASS.LIMN

David of YHBHS invited me to say a little something about Ettoré Sotsass and Memphis Group. There was only one problem, I had never really been a fan or even really understood what their work was about... but I knew someone who did. Go have a look to read the rest. 

Thanks David for asking me to be a part of this exploration and for peaking my curiosity. It was great to get together with Dan Friedlander again and hear a bit of history I wasn't privy to before.