The Accessorator: January 2010 Archives

Frederique Morrel ...... From Poufs to Deer Heads!!!!

January 28, 2010 1:00 AM

French company Frederique Morrel, the brainchild of husband and wife team Frederique Morrel and Aaron Levin, has moved from covering poufs, footstools, pillows, furniture, and lamps in vintage needlework ...... to these updated taxidermy "deer creatures." This past week at Maison et Object, in Paris, the company presented "The Slice of Life" collection. The unique, handmade creatures are created from polyurethane taxidermy molds, re-enforced with steel rods and covered in re-cycled vintage tapestry. Each piece, whether a full-sized animal or a trophy head, is then completed by the addition of real antlers, horns, hoofs, or fur pieces. Frederique's concept is "to "decycle" (put into a new life-cycle) unj-justly un-recognized, anonymous and devalued pop artifacts."

According to Frederique and Aaron, "Our products have been carefully re-made using vintage needlework saved from oblivion in the interest of the redemption of the painstaking work involved in their original creation. When wondering around markets or garage sales we're often very saddened to see discarded embroidery. We think about the love, time, craftsmanship, and patience that went into creating such beautiful things and find it so sad that they end up unwanted and for sale for a few dollars."

I think these quirky and clever "artifacts" are divine and decadent ......... imagine one "accessorating" your great room ...... or a whole heard of trophies "accessorating" a wall!!!!!

That's a WOW!!!!!

From a Taiwan Alley to a New York Apartment!!!!!

January 28, 2010 1:00 AM

"Plastic Classic," designed by Taiwanese industrial design student Pili Wu, combines the expensive, traditional classic design of Chinese furniture with a typical cheap, anonymous Taiwanese stool. Redefining the traditional loop chair ..... simple. elegant, and expensive,design .... into an object that is in combination with mass-produced product results in a "split personality!!"

"The Plastic Classic project began as a focus on the transformation of Taiwanese culture, hoping to represent what i thought and felt living in Taiwan. In Taiwan, plastic stools are very popular, seen on street, alleys, and by street food stalls or ban dou (traditional Taiwanese outdoor banquet, seen at weddings or celebrations). Taiwan used to be a plastic production kingdom, plastic chairs and stools have been present fot a very long time, yet interestingly nobody knows about the designer or inventor of plastic stools, but it's cheap price, simple structure and fast production has enabled its popularity, so popular that it has turned into a "classic" design that nobody has ever really noticed. Similarly, loop chair is another classic of traditional Chinese furniture, its elegant and reliable structure represents a certain social status and position." Pili Wu

I think this chair, the ultimate meaning of low-brow meeting hi-brow, is divine and would be wonderful in New York, as well as Taiwan!!!!!!!!!!

A New York First ...... Jody Morlock at Clic Gallery!!!

January 27, 2010 1:00 AM

Clic Gallery is the creation of Calypso founder Christiane Celle. Moving from the world of apparel, into the world of books and art is a wonderful transition, ( Just ask me, I made it!!!) and I applaud Christiane for successfully taking this great leap of faith!!! On my first trip to her New York gallery/bookstore, I was thrilled to see the first New York exhibition of work by self-taught artist Jody Morlock. I have been following Jody's career at the divine design store Comerford Hennessy, in Bridgehampton and am very pleased to see her work at Clic.

Jody's pictures are film strips, a chaotic mix of beautiful and darkly funny images. She says her work is "a story composed of poured colors, geometric curvaceous shapes, large brush strokes and Freudian dream-like sketches." Jody, a part of the downtown New york art scene, considers herself a "student of the streets absorbing everything I see." The show , Dig it!, is a "personal excavation" of her work. Jody's influences include "street art, grafitti, advertising, movies, Africa art, and fetish objects" ...... a melange of images and objects that help her create paintings and sculptures ....... her "urban hieroglyphics."

When I look at Jody's work, I immediately think of the Bay Area artists who's work I adore and covet ...... Chris Johanson, Barry McGee, Clare Rojas, and the late Margaret Kilgallen ........ putting her in excellent company!!!!!

Clic Gallery website

Gino Sarfatti ......... A Stunning light Fixture!!!!!!

January 26, 2010 1:00 AM

I was visiting two of my "tastiest and chicest" friends this past weekend ...... and I fell madly in love with this divine chandelier!!!!! It was designed by world-famous Venetian designer Gino Sarfatti for his company Arteluce, started in the early 1940's, it became the international reference point for the "modern architectural movement" in lighting. Sarfatti designed and produced over 400 amazing lighting designs over a thirty year period. His company, the foremost of the era, was innovative in materials, production, technologies, light sources, technical lighting effects, and design aspects. Movement was an important element in his designs; standing lamps and wall mounted lights, frequently incorporated articulated metal arms, often in brass. Sarfatti designed all forms of lighting ...... chandeliers, floor lamps, wall lamps, table lamps, and sconces ....... usually including metals in his pieces.

And, it is important to remember Sarfatti often incorporated color without fear .... the sign of a true "accessorator"!!!!!!!!!

Alexa Lixfeld ........ Drawings Come to Life!!!!!!!

January 25, 2010 1:00 AM

The goal of the Selyn Socio-Economic Development Foundation is "to foster the intellectual, social, ethical, moral, spiritual, and emotional development of the less fortunate children of Sri Lanka, by assisting them in all aspects to become competent and employable and we will create sustainable and practical socio economic opportunities for rural women in order for them to achieve life long success." Created by Hamburg based designer Alexa Lixfeld (12/14/09 post) in a joint venture with Selyn, a private initiative, manufacturing and exporting handloom textiles, toys, and handicrafts, the Foundation's goal is to raise funds for a school for the children of the area, as well as provide jobs for local women, the foundation's first project was this collection of dolls.

Working with local children, Alexa helped to create a collection of dolls adapted from the children's drawings. Designed by students from Grades 1,2, and 3 of the Royal International school in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, the drawings were transfered exactly drawn, onto 100% natural hand dyed, hand woven fabric and sewn by the women of the collective. "All dolls are truly unique and has the name of he child who made it or a name that was given to it by the child." These fabulous dolls are available at Rossana Orlandi, Milan; Mint, London; and TOUCH, Los Angeles.

According to Alexa, "the design of this project is a project design, rather than only a product design. It involves all aspects of the social and cultural facts found in Sri Lanka and involves all aspects of the manufacturing methods of the company, as well as the dreams and visions these people have."

This project is spectacular and it is imperative that we support this project and continue to empower these women and children.

Alexa Lixfeld's website

TOUCH website

Alessi & Campana Brothers Revisit "Blow Up" Collection!!!!!

January 22, 2010 1:00 AM

I adore the Campana Brothers collection for Alessi in stainless steel ...... the pieces reminded me of Cornelia Parker's blown-up shed in the permanent collection of the Tate Modern ...... this weekend Alesssi is previewing a new version at Maison et Object, in hand-finished natural bamboo ..... even closer to the Parker piece!!!! Don't worry, if you're not in Paris, you can see the Blow Up collection next month at the N.Y Gift Show ...... looks great doesn't it!!!!!!!

Alessi website

More Beirut Buzz......Bokja's Mix of Color & Pattern!!!

January 21, 2010 1:00 AM

I have always adored the unique pieces of furniture from the Lebanese furniture company Bokja, the brainchild of Huda Baroudi and Marie Hibri. I first heard of the collection from a Lebanese friend who was renovating her apartment. Her architect sister, who had designed the space, took her to meet these two wonderful woman and see their furniture. The result, an immediate match was made and a stunning vintage chaise, covered in a patchwork of antique suzani textiles was sent to New York. I must admit I was very jealous when I saw it ...... it is sooooooo me!!!!!I

Since then, I have been following the company with a passion!!! I have seen the collection in New York City at ABC Carpet & Home; in Miami, in 2008 at Design Miami; in Milan at Spazio Rossana Orlandi; last fall in Paris at Merci; and in London at Gallery Fumi. Finally, last month I was in the new Bokja store in Beirut and met Hoda!!!! She was charming and of course, as is the case in Beirut, we had friends in common...... but, most importantly, she remembered the chaise that had come to NYC!!!!! We chatted, I learned more about the company, and fell in love with a number of pieces in the store!!!

Bokja is not the new kid on the block ........ Hoda and Marie's partnership began in 2000, when textile collector Huda, put a piece of Uzbek tapestry over one of Marie's antique chairs, to get a better look at it ..... and a collaboration was born!!! The charming, eclectic furniture combines extraordinary textiles from all over the middle east, a melange of color, patten, and often needlework, with antique furniture from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Each bespoke piece of furniture tells a different story and the narrative results in a name and "passport" specific to the piece.

Linking old and new, repurposing both the textiles and the "used" furniture ..... this riot of colour and pattern, the incredible sense of history in the textiles, and the wonderful shapes make these pieces so special ...... they are the ultimate "accessoration" for any room!!!!!!!

Bokja Design website

James Cohan Gallery ..... Tapestries by Contemporary Artists!!

January 20, 2010 1:00 AM

Gavin Turk "Mappa Del Mundo," 2008

Shahzia Sikander "Pathology of Suspension," 2008

Fred Tomaselli "After Migrant Fruit Thugs," 2008

Kara Walker "A Warm Summer Evening in 1863," 2008

Astro Vivid Astro Focus "aaxé vatapa alegria feijão," 2008

Grayson Perry "Vote Alan Measles God," 2008

Julie Verhoeven "Far From The Maddening Crowd," 2008

DEMONS, YARNS, & TALES: Tapestries by Contemporary Artists, currently on view at James Cohan Gallery, is one of the most unusual and interesting exhibitions in Chelsea. This visual feast, featuring hand-woven tapestries from thirteen internationally acclaimed artists, was the brainchild of Brits Christopher and Suzanne Sharp of The Rug Company. They created the London- based art organization Banners of Persuasion and commissioned the project. Approaching artists to use a medium foreign to their practices was very adventerous and required a great deal of thought and time. Each artist translated his/her "known language" into this centuries old medium, "a craft faded long ago in much the same way as the magnificent tapestries themselves disintegrated." Each artist's tapestry is an editions of 5, prices range from $40,000 to $145,000. The weaving house that is making the tapestries is in China, set up ten years ago, it uses Flemish weaving techniques, originally used by the tapestry makers of Aubusson. "The factory is situated in a rural area north of Shanghai and the weavers, all of whom are women, part time so that the can continue to work in the fields and gather the harvest."

The artists' works reflect a variety of subjects ....... including "fictional landscapes, architectural abstraction, fashion and flora and the politics of race, gender, international conflict and the environment." The connections between the artists', their traditional mediums, their own voices, and this new medium are very clear. Gavin Turk focused on the environment, appropriating Boetti's map and creating the continents from garbage. Shahzia Sikander reflects her interest in the detail of Indian miniatures in her design. Fred Tomascelli said, "Tapestry..oh, that is the first pixilated image." His piece continued incorporating hallucinatory visions that he used in a wood panel piece of the same name, substituting "his frequent use of unorthodox materials such as drugs and hemp for silk and gold threads." Kara Walker's piece, a black silhouette of a lynched woman hanging in front of this racially charged image taken directly from a vintage Harpers Magazine continues her use of historical references. Artists' collective avaf have designed "a collage of images, that captures the hedonistic ethos both of carnival and clubbing; they evoke the glory days of disco and gay activism." Grayson Perry created "a tapestry littered with images that we associate with the perceived threat of global terrorism- following the historical tradition of of using the medium to tell stories of power struggles and war." Julie Verhoeven, known primarily as a fashion designer and illustrator, has seamlessly blended the art of tapestry with her illustrative drawings, weaving her "girls" whom she describes as "swinging between sweetheart pretty and angst-ridden desperate" in yarn.

These tapestries are incredibly stunning, they have to be seen "out loud" to be appreciated!!!!! I have given you a small selection, but sincerely suggest a trip to the gallery ..... this is a must see exhibition!!!!!

James Cohan Gallery website

Banners of Persuasion website

Crosby Street Hotel ....... AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

January 19, 2010 1:00 AM

There are some things that are just indescribablely, fantasticly fabulous ...... and the Crosby Street Hotel is one of those things!!!! I was lucky enough to be taken there for lunch last week by my tastiest, chicest design friend SDE, to discuss our April trip to the furniture show in Milan, and I was wowed beyond belief!!!! This is the penultimate "accessorated and designed" space in NYC. Words fail me, but Wednesday night I am taking the it E-I-C there for dinner and a viewing......can't wait to see what he says!!!!!!

Opened in Soho, in October, this stunning hotel was brought to life by world renowned, British hotelier's, Tim & Kit Kemp, owners of the UK's luxurious Firmdale Hotels. The duo's unique philosophy, "hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions," is the basis of their "specialty" hotel business. While incorporating this concept in all of their hotels, this is clearly the design dictum leading their first U.S. venture. Co-owner Kit, known for her "quirky, colorful, London style," designed the hotel's interiors. She uses an innovative mix of color, pattern, and texture; adding a unique blend of antique, classical, and modern furniture and accessories. A modern mix of organic materials and shapes, as well a variety of foliage and flowers, also complements the hotel's aesthetic. In addition, Kit has put together an extraordinary collection of original contemporary art, that is featured throughout the hotel. Designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the hotel is aiming to get gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, as well.

There are a number of innovative and interesting design elements throughout the space ..... the first one that appears is the hotel's sign. Seen from the outside of the building, through leaded glass windows, the word CROSBY is composed of individually framed collages, reminiscent of Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, each including a different letter. The word STREET is a combination of vintage and new "found" letters, a la artist Jack Pierson. The visual is spectacular ....... but, unfortunately, there is an Italian shelving unit sitting inside the window that is a bit distracting ....... this is easily remedied and is my only complaint in this otherwise perfect place!!!!!

The public spaces in the hotel are fabulous!!!!! The lobby seating area includes a wonderful vintage wood frame settee covered in soft French linen, and two vitrines filled with shells, that became instant coffee tables!!!! Two "rag -rug stripe" slipper chairs finish the set up...... and in the distance are two wing chairs covered in souzani patterns!!! On the other side of the lobby is a stunning organic wooden garden bench, covered in greenery; a stone dog reclining on it, under an enormous mirror, is lit by a giant theatrical standing floodlight ...... beyond chic!!!! In addition, there is spectacular art in the lobby, including a giant 10' head made out of white letters, three divine dogs covered in comic strips, and a wonderful framed collage of a dachshund!!! YUMMY!!!!!

The Parlor, off the lobby, is a montage of fabulous accessories, art, and furniture. Mixing floral patterns on vintage wing chairs, and a tufted rouge velvet sofa at one end; a vintage round table and chairs, separating a wonderful roll-arm sofa in patches of grey heather and red at the other ..... the room, with soft lighting and a fireplace, is warm and inviting.

The Crosby Bar, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea, has incredible eye candy; a magical blend of pattern, print, and color!!!! In addition, hanging from the ceiling are the most spectacular light fixtures in New York City!!!!! Another wall fixture is created by telephones mounted to the wall that are lit .......... so incredible!!! Vintage tables have zinc or aluminum tops ..... chairs and throw pillows are upholstered in incredible Maharam woolen collaged textiles, designed by Hella Jongerius ....... and the banquets are covered in amazing stripes!!!! The bar has a trio of colored lucite lamps that make my heart pound!!!! I thought I had landed in "accessorator heaven"!!!!!

And ...... as if this isn't tempting enough ....... each room and suite is completely unique!!!!!!! The Crosby Hotel is a WOW ............ I'm ready to move in for life!!!!!!

Crosby Street Hotel website

Pantone Folding Chairs by Seletti!!!!!

January 15, 2010 1:00 AM

These divine aluminum folding chairs are going to be previewed at Maison et Object in Paris, January 22 to 26. And of course, this "color queen" is dying to see them immediately !!!! Created by the trendy Italian accessory company Seletti, the chairs have padded seats in six pantone colors. The colors include; 672C pastel pink, 186 C ruby red, 377 C macaw green, 14-0848 mimosa, 268 C royal purple, and cool grey. Love the labels too!!!!!

Of course these are fabulous "accessorating" colors and if you miss them in Paris you can see them next month at the New York Gift Show!!!!

Seletti website

Metaconcrete's Signature Bookcase!!!!!!

January 14, 2010 1:00 AM

This graceful and lyrical bookcase was designed by Beak Jonghwan and Woo Yangsic. Called "signature shelf" it is a combination of a long, thin piece of metal that curves, creating the shelves, combined with vertical metal columns that pierce the shelves and hold the system upright. According to the designers, "Signature is made by a combination of simple and brief configuration factors." The duo's design company, Metaconcrete, started in 2008 and based in Seoul, Korea, reflects their belief that "design is created from the point of contact between the idea and reality." The company's name refers to their approach of blending metaphysical and concrete science.

I was extremely captivated by this piece of furniture and the thoughtfulness in the approach to its design. I think that if we blend metaphysical concepts with concrete ideas we will create new and innovative ideas and products. This seems to me to be an eastern philosphy that we might embrace in the west. But, what I adored most about the project was the drawing for the piece that the designers sent to me ......... the simplicity of line, and how it had come to life so seamlessly!!!

Just a Bunch of Coconuts ..... by Guyton/Walker!!!!!!

January 13, 2010 1:00 AM

I am in love with this light fixture ....... I saw it hangs in a double high, glass walled media room on the water in East Hampton!!!! Created by artists Wade Guyton and Kelley Walker, the duo who make up the artistic tag-team Guyton/Walker. The fixture was part of a 2009 exhibition at Greene Naftali Gallery. The chandelier hangs approximately 5 feet long and is a combination of porcelain, light bulbs, sockets, and electrical wires. Each coconut is a ceramic mold, and each mold is created from a different, real coconut!!! The result is that each porcelain coconut is unique!!!! The piece draws reference from previous works that the pair did that included silk screens and inkjet paintings.

This "accessorator" would love to have this in my house ....... only problem is i have no double height ceilings!!!!!

Greene Naftali Gallery website

KiBiSi chairs for Shanghai Expo 2010!!!!!

January 12, 2010 1:00 AM

The design philosophy behind recently formed, Copenhagen based idea-driven industrial design company KiBiSi is that "ideas and products are intrinsically tied. In the fertile overlap between Design, Architecture and Ideation KiBiSi seeks to spawn a new breed of idea driven design." Obviously having no fear of color, this team created these chairs for the Danish Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010. Produced by contemporary Danish furniture company HAY, each chair is made from molded plywood and has numerous color combinations.

These chairs screamed "accessorator" ......... could you ever imagine so many color combination!!!!!!!!!! YUMMY!!!!!!!! What shall I order??????

KiBiSi website

HAY website

A Rose, is a Rose, is a Rose at CRG Galley!!!!!!!

January 11, 2010 1:00 AM

Brrrrrrr it's soooooo cold outside ........ and as anyone who knows me knows, I never leave the house from January to April!!!! But, Saturday, I braved the elements and went to the opening of "The Language of Flowers," an exhibition at CRG Gallery. And, I have to admit that this visually stunning show was definitely worth the effort!!!

Georges Bataille's essay, "The Language of Flowers," was the starting point of the exhibition, "The symbolic nature of the flower is a revealing text wherein Bataille draws parallels between the anatomy of the flower and the human body as well as his interpretation of the nature of seduction, beauty, love, and death as understood through the flower's physical and historically condensed characteristics." CRG Press Release

The show, incorporating some 25 artists, who use the flower as a common point of departure, features a variety of generations ........ from the influential 20th century painter Fairfield Porter, to the newly emerging painter Steven Bindernagel. The senses are touched by artists who incorporate a wide range of mediums including ...... the beautiful, hanging tape and tar paper collage, Latin Rose (1989) by Jim Hodges; Tonico Lemos Auad's plant and carved stone Medusa (2007); Petah Coyne's Untitle #1292 (Scarlett), a waxed flower piece that incorporates a taxidermy bird. There are stunning exploding flower photographs from Ori Gersh; as well as photographs by Colby Bird, Carter Mull, Bob Beck, and Lyle Ashton Harris. The extraordinary selection of works on paper includes artists Andy Warhol, Bruce Conner, Lisa Sanditz, Hannah Wilke, and four obsessive ball point pen drawings by Butt Johnson. I adore sculpture and this show includes amazing works by artists Hannah Wilke, Nayland Blake, Kathy Prendergast, as well as two divine pscyho-sexual pieces from Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo, that I would kill for!!!!!

Soooooo, the accessorator suggests "acting as if" ....... pretend it's spring, jump into a taxi for a trip to Chelsea, and visit the flowers that have just sprung up on Twenty-second Street!!!!!!

CRG Gallery website

CAI Lighting creates a mural with light!!!!!!

January 8, 2010 1:00 AM

Lighting, as an art form, continues to fascinate me .... and while I was in Beirut, I was particularly taken by this series of 5 contemporary sconces. They line the wall of a double height staircase atrium in a stunning house owned by a Lebanese art collector. In addition to the sculptural design of each individual fixture ..... created by CAI Lighting, a trio of Beirut-based designers Christophe Hascoët, Annabel Karim Kassas & Isabel Rolland ..... an additional artistic element appears when they are lit. The scones, Splashing Drop, create a dramatic interplay of light and dark wrapping around the atrium ..... the resulting middle eastern influenced pattern becomes a mural or wallpaper. When standing in the room-like atrium, surrounded by the mesmerizing graphics, in combination with the height of the space, there is a peaceful and spiritual sensation.

CAI Lighting website

January 2010 Archives

Frederique Morrel ...... From Poufs to Deer Heads!!!!

4 Comments

From a Taiwan Alley to a New York Apartment!!!!!

1 Comment

A New York First ...... Jody Morlock at Clic Gallery!!!

0 Comments

Gino Sarfatti ......... A Stunning light Fixture!!!!!!

0 Comments

Alexa Lixfeld ........ Drawings Come to Life!!!!!!!

0 Comments

Alessi & Campana Brothers Revisit "Blow Up" Collection!!!!!

0 Comments

More Beirut Buzz......Bokja's Mix of Color & Pattern!!!

2 Comments

James Cohan Gallery ..... Tapestries by Contemporary Artists!!

1 Comment

Crosby Street Hotel ....... AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

3 Comments

Pantone Folding Chairs by Seletti!!!!!

3 Comments

Metaconcrete's Signature Bookcase!!!!!!

1 Comment

Just a Bunch of Coconuts ..... by Guyton/Walker!!!!!!

0 Comments

KiBiSi chairs for Shanghai Expo 2010!!!!!

1 Comment

A Rose, is a Rose, is a Rose at CRG Galley!!!!!!!

0 Comments

CAI Lighting creates a mural with light!!!!!!

0 Comments

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