September 2009 Archives

all hands on deck!!!!!!

September 30, 2009 1:00 AM

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One of the best accessories for a bookcase is a grouping of vintage American or English glove forms. I found these divine, sculptural, metal forms from a wonderful dealer in London, grabbed them, and shipped them home immediately!!!! On my bookshelves I grouped them in sets of three or five. Always an odd number!!!!  I have also seen them polished up to a bright shine.......but, this "accessorator" loves everything in it's original condition, a bit rough around the edges!!!!! 

If you like what you see and want to have a collection of "hands from across the pond" get in touch!!!!

Lights, camera, action!!!!!!!

September 29, 2009 1:00 AM

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These stunning Frame Pendant Lamps were created by Seattle based design studio Iacoli & Mcallister. Founded by Jamie Iacoli and Brian Mcallister, designers "interested in material exploration and industrial processes applied to furniture, lighting, household products, and wearables." They intentionally keep their studio small, assembling all of their pieces in Seattle, allowing them to continue their hands on process from concept to finished product. 

The hanging fixtures are available in a palette of a dozen delicious powder-coated colors, as seen above. The trapezoidal shapes are a very modern take on the lanterns of the early nautical communities of the United States. They are sold individually, in three graduating sizes 5"x5"x5". 8"x8"x8", and 11"x11"x11". In addition, the medium and large frame lights are available with a hand formed and finished corian diffuser, as seen on the right fixture.

When I saw the hanging lamps on display, Iacolimcallister had used a photographers light stand to prop the fixtures.......I think they look amazing hanging from it and would love to have the "whole" package in my living room!!!

A girl can never have tooooo many cookbooks.....or dishes!!!!

September 28, 2009 1:00 AM

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I am so lucky to have so many interesting and innovative friends!!! One of my most interesting BFF's is an amazing cook...YUM!!! In addition, she is a passionate collector of "everything" and has collected cookbooks for decades!!! She has created incredible dinners with the help of all the great chefs from Julie Childs to Ina Garten!! Of course,, I adore everything she makes.....but, I really covet her enormous collection of dishware!!!!  There is dinnerware galore..... and every holiday has its own set of plates!!! She has a variety of sets of fine china, as well as the most divine sets of hand thrown dishes.  What really fascinates me, is that she has figured out how to put these passions together in her recently re-done kitchen.......and has created a totally new piece of furntiture....... a unique "book/dish case"!!!!!

Isn't "the accessorator" lucky to have a friend who shares the "accessoration" gene, as well being a divine cook!!!!!!!!!

Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!

September 25, 2009 1:00 AM

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The London Design Festival, Sept. 19 to 27, is a "collection of the most innovative, inspiring, and creative events, installations, and exhibitions taking place all over London."  The focal point of this years festival is this giant chess set in Trafalgar Square. The Battle of  Trafalgar, handcrafted by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón, working with Italian ceramics experts Bosa, is composed of 32 ceramic chess pieces. Each piece has a metal armature beneath its ceramic exterior, and is set on a wooden base with castors, so that it is easily moveable. Reaching as high as five feet, the pieces are set on a mosaic glass chessboard, created by Italian tile specialists Bisazza. Representing "specific iconic buildings in London and their domes, towers, and spires," each unique piece is hand painted by Hayón. The "game" is centered between the two fountains in the square and on either side of the set are elevated platforms with high back chairs, where players can sit to direct their pieces. 

"I've lived in London over 3 years during which time I have been able to discover the city, its history and heritage.I will be able to represent all of this using my own personal style. I really like the ides that Londoners and other visitors can come to Trafalgar Square - such a central focus in London- to wander around my installation and perhaps even take part in a game of chess." Jaime Hayón

Available for a "match" after lunch, the morning is reserved for play by the British Chess Federation!!!!
 

A Designer Dish Rack!!!!!!!

September 24, 2009 1:00 AM

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Chartreuse is my favorite color....so, imagine my delight when I found this divine stainless steel and polypropylene dish rack!!! high&dry, was the inspiration of award winning, London based, design company black+blum!!!! The sculptural rack, inspired by architectural models of buildings, folds flat for storage and has extra long spikes to hold your champagne flutes, a must!!!! Also included with the rack is a drainage tray which has a "lip" that can be flipped up or left down, depending upon usage.  

Giving each product its own "character and soul" is part of the overall design philosophy of design team, Martin Blum and Dan Black. They believe..... "our brief is to create functional products that will charm and entertain."

The "accessorator"  always loves good design.....but, she really, really loves incredible color and this dish rack certainly has it all!!!!!

Paper: An Amazing Artform!!!!!!!!

September 23, 2009 1:00 AM

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Opening October 7, 2009, the Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) has an innovative new exhibition that is dedicated to the use of cut paper as a contemporary art form. Slash: Paper Under The Knife will include the work of 50 international artists, including Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Tom Friedman and Kara Walker. In addition, there will be several site specific works that will be built and installed during the show. Paper, a medium traditionally used as a surface, will become the focus of the artwork itself. The pieces feature a variety of treatments of paper....including burning, tearing, laser cutting, and shredding. In addition to a number of artists who use paper as a sculptural devise, there will be works from artists who modify books, creating sculptural elements. In addition there will be a section using cut paper in film and video.

I look forward to this exhibition focusing on materials and process. It incorporates my two favorite mediums.....paper and books.....DIVINE!!!! 


A million, zillion colors to light up your life and the life of others!!!!

September 22, 2009 1:00 AM

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The world is a very, very, very small place...even coast to coast!!! My friend Jill Smith showed me these delicious votive holders from glassybaby.....then my friend Jimmy Marden, told me that his sister in Seattle, Patrice, has a best friend who makes a great product that I should know about........guess what..... glassybaby again!!!! There are no coincidences..... the time has come to write about these spectacular, colored glass votives....with a heart of gold!!

This is an incredible story of courage, fight, determination, strength, and giving back!! Lee Rhodes is an amazing woman.... three time cancer survivor, mother of three, and entrepreneur.  Ten years ago Lee was diagnosed with a very rare form of lung cancer. Trying to bring some calm and peace into the life of her family, she bought her then-husband a series of glass blowing lessons as a stress reliever. He brought home a series of small,  colorful glass containers. "Lee placed tea lights in them and spread them around her home, feeling the chaos become calm...and glassybaby was born."  

Fast forward to 2009.....glassybaby is a multi-million dollar business with three stores, as well as an extensive website. Lee employs more than 25 glass blowers, working seven days a week, producing in excess of 1000 "babies" weekly!!! Cureently there are over 70 hand blown colors available and if there are additional colors that you can think of just tell Lee!!! 

I think more than the "gift of glass"  that Lee brings to the world, is the "gift of giving back" apparently, so much a part of who she is. She has created glassybaby goodwill, "a select group of colors that benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patients and cancer research."  

Thank goodness for coincidence......Lee Rhodes is an amazing woman, an inspiration to us all in so many ways.....I am so thrilled that our paths have crossed and I look forward to meeting her in Seattle next month!!!

And of course, I cannot forget....... 70 colors of votives are an "accessorator's dream!!!!!!!"


Tea for Two!!!!!!

September 21, 2009 1:00 AM

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sorapot_bench jpeg.jpgSorapot is a unique and modern teapot, it is the thoughtful creation of designer Joey Roth. He incorporates the cleanliness of line, architectural shape, and the quiet simplicity of a gentle cup of tea into his design. The tea is displayed "inside a glass barrel like an aquarium of tea leaves." The Zen nature of the design, incorporating the sleek chrome handle, reminds me of a gentle piece of sculpture. Made from the highest quality stainless steel, pyrex glass, and food-grade silicone, the pot's beauty increases with age! According to Joey...."My dream is to find a well-loved, well-used Sorapot in an antique shop fifty years from now, and I designed with this image constantly on my mind." 

Designed to hold 11 oz., it is perfect for two cups of tea.......why would anyone need more!!!!! 


New neutrals.....a color palette for cooking inspires design!!!!!

September 18, 2009 1:00 AM

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This "color queen" finds inspiration everywhere.....including the local  spice and nut market in one of the more obscure places I have visited, Sharjah!!! This Arab Emirate, unlike Dubai, retains a long history, sense of charm, and cultural heritage, which I found very engaging. I was intrigued by the local market and was totally enamored by this neutral color palette of local spices and nuts. Although I traditionally have found a stronger color direction in the mid-east, I became very aware by this palette. I found myself thinking about the various shades of white, black, grey, and taupe......accented with shades of paprika, pea, and cinnamon. The variety of neutrals take me  back to a more traditional theme that I often relegate to a classic look in design. Thinking about the calm of this palette reminds me to stay open to a variety of colors that are reflected through out the world.

What do you do with.....1.8 billion used christmas trees?????

September 17, 2009 1:00 AM

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I have a great passion for English design, from textiles and clothing.... to furniture and paintings. There is a certain freedom and creativity in the design that I think is the result of the "eccentricity" of the English!!! The art schools have  adventurous students, who lack fear in their creative explorations. They mix old and new, pattern and color, shape and materials in "tricky" ways......often, with tongue in cheek!!!

Royal College of Art graduate, Fabien Cappello's unique furniture from "reclaimed" Christmas trees, is a wonderful example of the quirky, thoughtfulness of English design. According to Cappello, "this project is built up around the waste generated by the Christmas industry. There are 1.8 million Christmas trees in the streets of London in January. I took advantage of this huge amount of wood shipped every year in the city." Begun in December 2007, using the trunks and tree stands as timber, the small branches as dowels, and the needles to create a new compressed board material..........Cappello created a "bespoke" collection of small occasional pieces of furniture. When asked if he was thinking "green" Cappello said, "the project is not about waste collection or recycling, but rather how people integrate with urban environments." The collection was shown as part of the graduate shown at the RCA.

Given my love of odd and unusual accessories, I adore these small pieces and would love to have one under my "Christmas tree" this year!!!!

Grannie's bed-tray never looked this chic!!!

September 16, 2009 1:00 AM

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My very tasteful and chic Grandmother, Nana Lu, always started the day with a bed tray.....  a white linen doily, scalloped in pink, lined the top..... with a glass of fresh orange juice, a silver carafe of coffee, a cup & saucer, a plate with toast and butter, a pot of jam, a white linen napkin, and a silver bud vase with one red rose.....always at 9AM!!!!!!! But, as we know those days are long gone!!!!! I hate not being pampered, missing the niceties of life, and am thrilled to find Peter White who has designed Le Petit Dej, for his company ByWhite Design, for similar reasons!!!

"Every Sunday morning my father would lovingly prepare breakfast in bed for our mother. My sister and i would crawl in under the sheets and join her. The full tray would arrive complete with a fresh flower in a small crystal vase. Invariably the vase would topple over and we'd all be eating soggy toast. Le Petit Dej was born out of my desire the tradition alive for my family-sans wet toast."

This divine acrylic tray is 14.5 x 21.5 x 4 inches in size, is available in white, yellow and red, and is even made in the USA!!! It is a fabulous design and most important there is never soggy toast!!! And reminds me of my Nana!!!


Picasso reinvented!!!!

September 15, 2009 1:00 AM

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Book page.JPGI have a pair of eclectic and eccentric friends who collect EVERYTHING.....including books. While browsing The Biography of Alice B. Toklas by Linda Stein, they saw a picture of a pair of Louis XV armchairs that were covered in a needlepoint by Alice B. Toklas (see above). The design for the seat covers was a drawing by Picasso, that Gertrude Stein had asked him to draw specifically for Alice to needlepoint. My friends, realizing that they had a framed, vintage French needlepoint of a Picasso painting in storage and a pair of antique wood framed armchairs, knew they had the makings for their own Picasso Chairs!!! Scouring a fabric store in Florida, they found textiles in colors to work with the needlepoint. They decided where each color was to go and that every edge was to be accented with black binding. An upholsterer was found and they were in business!!!! The result is this fabulous pair of "art chairs"........ the ultimate perfect accessory......any "accessorator" would be proud to own these!!!! 

Hip hardware for your home!!!!!!!

September 14, 2009 1:00 AM

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As a "color queen," I find myself excited by any colored hoses, buckets, and brushes I find in my travels......and I don't find too many!!!  Soooooo, imagine my surprise when I found a company that uses hip color and pattern to design a vivid collection of household hardware!!! Alice Supply Co. is the brainchild of Californian's Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen. These former fashion mavens, have brought "chic" into the world of mundane utilitarian products!!! 

During a surfing trip to Mexico, the girl's found brightly colored buckets and brooms in a local hardware store and they began to envision their next business!!!! Once back in the States, they began to design their "joyful" collection of products....including hoses, buckets, tool boxes, brooms, toilet plungers, dust pans, and brushes. Starting with orange and lime green, adding a bright multi-stripe, and a camaflouge print resulted in the palette for their first collection. Taking the name Alice, a nostalgic nod to the witty housekeeper on The Brady Bunch, a business was born!!!

When I first saw the prototypes of this humorous collection of "divinely redesigned," utilitarian household objects last January.... I was totally awed by it.......gving a  personality to cleaning products is a wacky, but much needed idea!!!! Well, it is finally available at various retailers, and I am delighted to share it with you!!! 

This collection makes cleaning a dream.....even for the most domestically challenged among us!!!! It also gives us great new accessories, for the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry ....... rooms previously very hard to accessorize!!!!!!!!!

Midnight musings from the accessorator #3.......Reclaimed Plastic.....keepin' it Green!!!!!

September 13, 2009 1:00 AM

I am obsessed with what happens to all of the empty plastic bottles that are flooding the earth!!! For some reason, this summer there are even more empty containers than usual at the dump......it is becoming really scary!!! What shall we do with all of this environmentally disastrous waste????  We know that feeding it into the sea is killing the fish and ruining the balance of nature.....SOOOOO......where does that leave us????

When I was at the gift show this past month I saw this incredible chandelier,,,,,created from used plastic bottles.... it not only looked great, but was soooo green!!! Unfortunately it was only a prop for a booth......but I think it is an amazing idea that someone should make for "real life" use!!! Don't you agree???

Magnetic shelving!!!!!!

September 11, 2009 1:00 AM

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Product and furniture designer Henry Julier created this modular, magnetic shelf system, Magneto. The system supplies a 18" x 24" metal back panel and mounting hardware, and 4 shelves that have powerful neodymium magnets beneath their surface. Easy to move and very stable,  the maple shelves are  6" & 9" long and vary in width from 3" & 4.5". In addition to the board they are shipped with, the shelves adhere to any magnetic surface. 

I love an extra surface for "accessoration" and these magnetic shelves are a great idea for a "movable art piece."  It's so easy to reposition the shelves and change what's displayed......  I think a "themed look" would be divine.......maybe, all vintage salt & pepper shakers or ceramic owls!!!!!!  Terribly chic!!!


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