The Accessorator: February 2010 Archives

Happy Birthday ............. Monopoly!!!!!!!!!!

February 26, 2010 1:00 AM

Monopoly, my favorite board game "accessoration" is having it's 75th birthday!!!! In honor of the occasion Hasbro has created a, soon to be available, birthday edition named Revolution. Forgoing it's traditional square board for a new round one, using credit cards instead of paper money for digital banking, and changing the names of the familiar color coded properties.... according to Hasbro the game is still the same!!!!

SAYS WHO????? There's no Boardwalk or Park Place!!!!!!

Monopoly website

Campana Brothers ..... Alligator "Accessorations"!!!

February 25, 2010 1:00 AM

For those of us who grew up in the 60's, the most important "accessoration" on our polo shirt's was the embroidered Lacoste "alligator" ..... it is an iconic logo and the forerunner of penguins, bears, horses, etc, and the giant Ralph Lauren Polo Player!!!!! Lacoste is trying to breath new life into the alligator with the help of world renowned Brazilian designers Fernando & Humberto Campana. The brother's have designed 4 limited-edition shirts that were hand-made at the Coopa-Roca Women's Co-operative in Rochina, Brazil, updating a traditional "accessoration!!!"

Available at Moss and Moss Online, the 4 shirt styles are ...... women's all-over lace-applique (edition of 12), men's all over lace-applique (edition of 12), men's "alligator pools" (edition of 125), and women's "lianes" or "vines" (edition of 125). The pattern of "alligator pools" on the mens shirts is influenced by the "anavihanas", small fluvial islands in the Amazon; and the women's shirt is influenced by the "vines" that grow in the trees in the tropical rain forests.

I think this "accessoration" project is extremely innovative and it also serves an important purpose ...... it engages the women of the co-op in a project that enables them to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families, and it continues the development of the traditional Brazilian hand-craft techniques. Giving back is the most important "accessoration" of all!!!!!

Moss website

Book Shelf ....... Curated with a Single Thought!!!!!

February 24, 2010 1:00 AM

This work is deigned by innovative San Francisco industrial designers, Mike & Maaike. The reclaimed, hardwood shelf is combined with books selected by curator Athmeya Jayaram. Titled Juxtaposed: Power, the shelf has slots specifically cut to house seven seminal books about power and society. The "sculpture" includes 2,451 pages, 2390 years, 2251 wars, 432 revolutions, 90 empires, 7 books, 1 shelf. The piece is offered in a limited edition of 50 and is the second in a series of curated bookshelves, the first work was a collection about religion. Both "shelves" were produced by design company Blankblank.

"What should we value most-freedom or security? And who should decide- the few or the many, individuals or groups, humanity or God? For the first time, the world's most seminal texts on power and its relationship to the ordering of society are brought together and presented on the same level."

My favorite "accessorations" are books and art, and this is a spectacular design that incorporates both, as well as the idea of perfect minimalism (not something I am very familiar with!!) You have the perfect tomes on the perfect shelf, and are never overbooked, as I am!!!!!! Tables, chairs, the floor and sometimes even my bed are covered......no place to eat, sit, stand, or sleep!!!!!

Mike and Maaike website

Fornasetti ...... A New Discovery!!!!!!

February 23, 2010 1:00 AM

Milanese artist and illustrator Piero Fornasetti was the creator of over 11,000 witty and imaginative patterned decorative objects. He died in 1988 and his son Barnaba, "is perpetuating the workshop tradition, continuing the production and reviving the most popular pieces, creating new ones," keeping his Father's whimsical, humorous, and elegant designs alive. Recently, in the basement, he found a plastic form of a vase that had never been produced and he used it as the jumping off point for this imaginative and off-beat collection of objects; vases, teapots, a tale, etc.. According to the Fornasetti company, these stunning pieces, produced by licensee Bitossi Ceramiche, will "travel" from display at the Spazio Fornasetti to be shown at Barneys New York in mid-May.

These pieces are the ultimate collectibles, the most fabooooooolous "accessorations" ...... I would do back flips to get one ...... and that would look pretty silly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gettin' thru & Gettin' on with it...Alexandra Penney!!

February 22, 2010 1:00 AM

Alexandra Penney is one of the most interesting, talented, tasty & chic women I know. She is supremely smart, an artist with a unique voice, able to juggle a million things in the air.... writer, photographer, and an "accessorator" supreme!!! She just came off a lousy year, an implosion supreme, something unimaginable and guess what ..... she once again turned really crappy lemons into really yummy lemonade!!!!

Last week her book, The Bag Lady Papers, was published by Hyperion Books. The book, in true AP fashion, is a witty, charming, humorous and moving take on how she handled having her "greatest fear" become a reality. An enormously successful woman; editor-in-chief of Self magazine, best selling author, and dedicated artist ....... "she always harbored a secret fear that she would become a bag lady if she ever lost her life's savings." Her worst nightmare became a reality last December when she found out that "everything" had vanished overnight in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme. This book is her story of renewal and reinvention ...... discovering what is meaningful and what is really unimportant ....something we should really all be thinking about!!!!

Alexandra is a powerful example for all us girls...... showing strength, courage, passion, and guts ........ she put herself out for the world to see and anyone who takes a shot at her or the book should be "bitch slapped"....... she works hard, with great passion and drive, she can laugh at herself, and let herself cry too ......... but the most important thing is that she picked herself up, dusted herself off and started over again!!!!!!!!!

In truth, I think I might have gotten into my bed with my bunnie slippers and a box of Godiva instead but I honestly hope I would be as graceful as Alexandra!!!!!

Amazon link to The Bag Lady Papers

Marcel Wanders .......... Designs for Bisazza!!!!!

February 19, 2010 1:00 AM

These over-the-top, "fastastical creatures" .......... designed by Marcel Wanders for Bisazza (see blog 2/12/09), are a limited edition collection of tables or pouf-tavolino (ottoman). I dream about living in an all white linen beach house, "accessorated" with one of these stunning glass mosaic objects ...... a wonderful collection of books ....... and fabulous contemporary art!!!!!!!!! That's my idea of heaven!!!!!

Bisazza Tiles website

Marti Guixé ....... Pushing Design's Boundaries!!!!!!!

February 18, 2010 1:00 AM

Catalonian Marti Guixé, living between Barcelona and Berlin, calls himself an "ex-designer." He is extremely outspoken in his "disregard" of design and works hard at pushing boundaries between design, art, and performance. Firmly ensconced in the contemporary movement, often using cheap or disposable materials, looking forward rather than backward, and forfeiting traditionalism ...... results in his more playful, less commercial, approach to design. An important example of his work is this installation, "Respect Cheap Furniture," an edition of 50 hand painted plastic Monoblock chair that are painted with the name of the edition. This well-known, inexpensive chair, universally accepted for it's good design, is an important addition to his series "stop discrimination of cheap furniture" begun in 2004.

"There are several products in which the shape is not important and the function is important. I think the way to do that is working basically with ideas, so that the shapes and materials become anecdotal."

I think that these chairs, part of an exhibition last fall in Berlin, are a wonderful reference to my view of our current design climate ..... nothing has value and everything is valuable!!!! Seems like an "accessorator's" dream ...... or is it a nightmare???????

Marti Guixé website

Giving Back to the Community...Trash for Teaching!!!

February 17, 2010 1:00 AM

One of the most extraordinary, interesting, and memorable "accessorations" I have seen lately is CASTAWAYS, a collection of kits designed to help kids create art. Each kit is a collection of various recycled cardboard pieces, taken from safe and clean manufacturing castoffs, packaged together for children to create individual "artworks" and to learn about ecology!!!!

The kits are charming and I love the shapes & colors of the elements, but what is really, really most impressive is why they were created .............They are a fund raising tool for Trash For Teaching, a Los Angeles based not-for-profit organization started in 2004 by Steve & Kathy Stanton. Parents of a young son, the Stanton's saw the wonderful, creative objects he had made at school from disguarded materials. They began to think about all of the salvageable materials available from their own box manufacturing business and how the "stuff" could be used creatively by kids ....... and they came up with this brilliant idea to give back to the community!!! They started a foundation which "collects clean and safe cast-off materials from trash manufacturing processes (that would otherwise become trash) and repurposes them as educational resources." By repurposing waste, they created an environmentally based program that treats children to an incredible arts education, including materials, workshops and teacher visits. The project features Treasure Trucks, former U.S. Postal trucks that have been redesigned as a moving arts workshops ..... they even run on vegetable oil collected from local restaurants!!! Traveling between schools, filled with discarded "stuff" these trucks, or art classrooms, are a never ending source of delight to children!!!

"Trash for Teaching is a not-for-profit dedicated to environmental awareness and education through creative reuse. By making materials readily available to schools and teachers, we bridge the gap between the excess of waste created in manufacturing processes and the lack of materials in public education. Use of our materials also encourages critical thinking and stimulates the imagination by challenging children and teachers to find creative applications for non-traditional objects."

Trash For Teaching website

Box & Flea ...... Accessories created with love!!!!!!!!

February 16, 2010 1:00 AM

Probably, one of the most "American" accessories is the bandana!!! Remember Gene Autry and Roy Rogers ..... those all American heros of the wild west .... they wore 'em!!!! And the "ranch-hands" and "cowpokes" in the 50's westerns, they used 'em to wipe the sweat from their brow and to make them appear a bit more bon vivant!!!! Whatever the purpose was, these well-worn bandanas got better with age, adapting to the characteristics and personality of the owner ...... just like our favorite pair of jeans does today!!!

My friend, artist Alex Dodge, told me about Box & Flea, a collaborative between architects Jeremy Barbour and Andrew Woodrum. The pair has created a company based on this same concept, recreating "cherished" items that gets better with age. "Our work is defined by the pursuit of craft and a sense of timelessness through the production of extraordinary wares suited for the everyday." The collection of hand-printed, handmade bandanas, produced in small quantities in Greenpoint. has the timelessness quality and feel as the original well loved treasures of the Old West.

If you a bandana is not up your 'thing", think outside the "accessory" box ...... take two bandanas, sew them together, add a bit of stuffing and ......... the result is a fabulous pillow!!!!!!! A grouping of pillows, in a melange of assorted patterns and colors, would be ideal for "propping" an outdoor couch or hammock this summer.............STUNNING!!!!!

Box & Flea website

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 15, 2010 9:05 AM

"Vases" by Jaime Hayon ...... at Bisazza, Paris!!!!!!!

February 12, 2010 1:00 AM

J'adore Spanish design guru Jaime Hayon ...... Maison et Object's designer of the year!!!! Remember the fantastical giant chess game at London Design week (blog 9/25/10) ..... incredible!!! This past week in Paris, luxury Italian tile company Bisazza had a stunning installation of "The Pixel Vases Collection" designed by Hayon. Using his "family of figures" for shapes, as well as glass mosaic patterns, Hayon created these 20 limited edition handmade ceramic vessels. Each piece is exhibited on it's own unique shaped pedestal, complementing it's design. The color palette is the whitest of whites as the base color, then accented with black,white, red, and metallic gold & silver tile ...... pretty fabulous!!!!

Bisazza is the premier producer of glass mosaic tiles; interior & exterior, decorative & commercial. To creatively extend their "luxe" brand identity the company continues their collaboration with some of the most significant designer of this generation, including Tord Boontje, Marcel Wanders, Paola Navone, and Andrée Putnam. The extensive collection of limited edition works includes giant silver tiled objects from Studio Job, large gold tiled pieces from Alessandro Mendini, a spectacular tile folding screen from Patricia Urquiola, and tiled furniture from artist Sandro Chia. The editions are featured at Bisazza stores worldwide.

I adore Bisazza and would love to "accessorate" with any object they produce ....... especially the Marcel Wanders tables ...... wait till you see them next week!!!!!!! DIVINE!!!

Bisazza website

Jaime Hayon's website

Maison de Cire Trudon ......... Lights Up Paris!!!!!

February 11, 2010 1:00 AM

The stunning, well designed Magasin Trudon on the rue de Seine in Paris, is a visual feast, a must see, a "go-to" shopping experience ........ an "accessorator's" dream!!!!!!! From the well known scented candles, the individually sold bright colored candles in a variety of sizes, the "candle-busts" of nobility, the "church" candles in natural with gold text, and those with gold seals....... everything is eye candy ....... Look everywhere ...... don't forget the furniture, the accessories, the vintage candlestix, the color-walls, and the fantastical propped displays ......spectacular!!!!!

The history of Cire Trudon candles began in 1643, when wax merchant Claude Trudon began making candles for the churches of Paris. The all natural candles were (and still are) made of 100% vegetable wax, with pure cotton wicks, for the purest candles and the cleanest burn. Royalty, including Marie Antoinette, learning of the quality of the candles, asked that the candles be available for their castles .... Versailles included!!!. Today, Cire Trudon candles remain the oldest and finest candles in Paris, and possibly world-wide. In addition to manufacturing private-label candles for a variety of companies, including Hermes, Dior, and Guerlain, Trudon sells their candles internationally

I found these divine candles, encased in stunning absinth colored, hand blown be-spoke Italian glass vessels and labeled with gold crests made by the same company that makes Moët Chandon's champagne labels, at Barneys NYC. I think the black boxes that house the candles are as identifiable as Tiffany blue boxes!!! Over a dozen scents are available but, my favorite is "Ernesto," a clean scent that favors leather, wood, and tobacco. The total package is a wonderful "accessoration" and a divine gift!!!!!!

Cire Trudon website

Vase by Fernando Brizio ...... Galerie Kreo, Paris!!!!

February 10, 2010 1:00 AM

Galerie Kreo, opened in 1999 by Didier & Clémence Krzentowski, is "dedicated to artistic exploration in design." Known as a "design impresario," Didier is a lifelong collector, who following his passion, has been a major force in establishing contemporary design as an "art form". He disagrees with the term and explains, "there's a difference between collecting furniture and art. You use furniture. It's your home, in that way, design is not like a piece of art, it has a much more functional place." The galerie produces limited edition pieces from internationally renowned contemporary designers, rather than the conventional model of dealing, buying and selling pieces.

My heart starts to pound furiously every time I go to the galerie ....... there are dozens of things that I would die to have but, .... and for the past two years I have been madly in-love with Portuguese designer Fernando Brizio's vase, "Painting with Giotto #3". Created in 2005, this limited editon "vase" of faience (earthenware) and felt tips pens, an edition of 20 + 20 A.P. + 2 prototypes, makes my heart flutter!!!! I love it with all of my heart and am using all the control I have to not bring it to NYC ........ but, my resolve is withering ....... so I thought to make me feel better to share it ...... but, it hasn't really!!!! WHAT AM I TO DO!!!!!!!!!!

Galerie Kreo website

Vanessa Stromboni ....... Objects Ethniques in Paris!!!!

February 9, 2010 1:00 AM

Vanessa Stramboni has an "accessorator's" sensability ..... that I adore!! She mixes eccentric French vintage, with African ethnic; blending bijoux (jewelry, in our lingo!), textiles, furniture, lighting, and fantastic objects to create her store's eclectic feeling. I adored the set of four black & white, French 60's chairs, whose seats are re-upholstered in a black, white, & grey wool check fabric .... very reminiscent of Chanel!!!! The collection of black and white African masques, that have a slight hint of red, are exceptional "accessorations" ...... and of course, I love, love, love the African stool that still has touches of it's original bright colored paint!!!!!

This store is soooooo YUMMY ....... I have been obsessing about this stool and am almost ready to call and have it shipped to NYC !!!! NO CONTROL here!!!!......

Venessa Stromboni website

4 Days In Paris ...... the Hotel Recamier & More!!!!!!!

February 8, 2010 1:00 AM

I spent last week in Paris and it was divine!!!! I stayed at the Hotel Recamier, a wonderful newly renovated, boutique hotel in the Place St. Suplice. It was recommended by my friend, the au courant E-I-C, and as usual, he was right ..... it was fabulous !!!! ! The hotel has been redesigned by interior designer Jean Louis Deniot, who in addition to creating the stunning public spaces, was inspired to design 24 entirely different rooms. He successfully blends an eclectic mix of 20th century decorative styles, creating "Parisian elegance, neither hyper exuberance nor minimalism" ....... but clearly contemporary chic with a French accent!!! In addition, this charming "bijou" is owned by Sylvie de Lattre, a hotelier who pays special attention to each guest ...... making you feel that you are a treasured friend visiting her wonderful home!!!

I "accessorated" all over Paris.... lunch at my most favorite cafe- the Croix Rouge, vintage shopping at Catherine B, a quick trip to the fabulous Merci on the Blvd. Beaumarchais, a visit to the new L'Eclaireur for women and of course a return to the men's store (bought gorgeous summer scarves!!), I saw my favorite lamp at Perimeter Gallerie, met Oliver the director of School Gallery (bought a fabulous drawing), had a wonderful lunch at TCH'A (the maison de the), found Arty Dandy on the Rue de Furstemberg (they were out of the KARL WHO t-shirts!), picked up breat at Poilane, book shopped at La Hume, and had an amazing dinner at L'Timbre .......

That's just a hint of my "accesorations" ......... much, much more to follow this week!!!!!!!!

Hotel Recamier website

Block Bookcase ....... by Amy Hunting!!!

February 5, 2010 1:00 AM

Norwegian furniture designer Amy Hunting (currently living in London) has come up with this fantastic bookshelf!!! To create this innovative and exciting design, Amy has used blocks of over 20 types of wood, found in a London timber importers waste bin and cotton rope. Reclaiming these simple materials has had stunning results!!!

According to Amy, "The dogma behind this product is probably quite obvious: what can you do with blocks of wood and cotton rope? Using a knot traditionally used for sailing and fishing you can pull the strings and the shelf will disassemble. It can easily be put together again."

Every "accessorator" is fascinated with bookshelves ...... the most fabulous place to accessorate ...... and this design is so clever and chic ...... and ecologically appropriate!!!!!!!

Amy Hunting's website

Furniture Upholstered with Vintage Grain Sacks!!!!

February 4, 2010 1:00 AM

These wonderful "new-vintage" pieces of furniture are from Blue Ocean Traders in Louisville, Kentucky. Combing reproduction antique frames with vintage linen grain sacks, from Eastern Europe, gives each piece a unique history with a modern twist. Historically, the sacks were one-off patterns; woven into the linen was either the farmer's name, initials, a specific stripe, or linen pattern. The purpose of these markings was to identify each farm, so that the sacks got returned to the correct farmer after they had been emptied. In their travels, Blue Ocean's designers put together a collection of these sacks, creating this selection of vintage-inspired furniture, each with bespoke upholstery.

I think these pieces are a wonderful "accesoration." They feel like they are charming vintage pieces ....... without being old!!!!

Blue Ocean Traders website

Seletti ......... Innovative & Eccentric Accessories!!!!!!

February 3, 2010 1:00 AM

I think the Italian design company Seletti makes "spicy" accessories, their designs are innovative, exciting, irreverent, and quirky (think Pantone Folding Chairs featured 1/15/10)!!!! The collection blends iconic elements and objects, showing that style can be functional, have an edge and still be unique, personal and fun. At the NY Gift Show the back wall of their booth was stacked with this wonderful collection of faux antique chests .... and of course, I feel in love with them all!!! Each piece is hand painted and is available in a variety of shapes including fat boys, bombays, and french regency. Tables and bureaus are part of the collection ....... and I wouldn't be surprised to see a series of odd chairs appearing soon!!!

These fabulous pieces have everything going for them ....... shape, color, and patter ....what else can an "accessorator" ask for ..... to zing a room????????

S eletti website

Books ..... the Ultimate Finish For Every Room!!!!!

February 2, 2010 1:00 AM

I adore books ..... reading them, as well accessorating with them!!! So, when I met Brian Wynn, owner of Middletons, I was in heaven!!!! This eco-friendly Kentucky company rescues vintage books from the public library system and turns them into studding treasures!!! Brian creates a unique library of re-claimed books, rebinding them with beautiful hand-printed papers. In addition, he also rebinds books with solid paper, and individually hand-silk screening each one. After binding, the books go through a process to soften the jackets, giving them a gently worn feeling. In addition, color or a metallic surface can be added after the binding process, creating another design element.

This spectacular collection of books creates the ultimate "accessoration" ..... a bookshelf, table top, fireplace mantel, or even just sitting on the floor ..... these books complete the look of any room!!!!

Brian Wynn's email

#1 at NY GIFT Show.....Little Nest from Australia!!!!!!!

February 1, 2010 1:00 AM

This is my PERFECT find from the NY Gift Show .......... child size chairs by the design icons of the 20th Century!!!!!! Imagine a baby 1956 Eames lounge, a tot's 1958 Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, or Mies Van Der Rohe's 1927 Barcelona chair in mini ........... and that's just the beginning!!!!!!! This collection is available from the Australian company, Little Nest. The brainchild of Samantha Firestone, it is now distributed in the U.S. by Los Angeles representative Karen Alweil Studio.

These designer's are the best of this century, the most influential and exceptionall!!!!! But, the idea of creating these iconic designs in miniature is over-the -top ...... a giant WOW!!!

Little Nest website

Karen Alweil Studio website

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