Recently in “On the Wall”

This innovative clock, created by Catalan designer Marti Guixé (see post 2/18/10) was designed for Italian company Alessi (see post 1/22/10).  The 24H Sentence Maker is a white aluminum wall clock, with a blank face and a dry-wipe surface. You can write or draw anything you can think of on it's face ....... including numbers, if you must!!!!! Using a wipe-dry pen and any thoughts, ideas, emotions, etc ...... you can create your own "exclusive" clock. Guixé, is a multi- talented genius; performance artist, writer, product designer, and  thinker. He looks at objects with fresh eyes, "thinking about them and methods that can encourage peoples' active participation and spirit of reinvention." 

"Objects have become tools for perceiving reality of every day, and also for communicating not only with objects, but also with other people through objects." Marti Guixé

I adore the idea of "emotions" instead of numbers and I can't wait to get my hands on one of these clocks ...... maybe 4 or 5 ..... one for each room ..... that way every room can reflect my different emotions inherent to that space!!!!!  That really is "over-accessoration", even for me!!!!

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!!!!!

Gavin Turk "Mappa Del Mundo," 2008

Julie Verhoeven "Far From The Maddening Crowd," 2008

To date, illuminating Milan's opera Teatro alla Scala to resemble a bookshelf is the ultimate ACCESSORATION!!!! Mario Nanni's, "La Luce della Musica" is a visual and musical experience that takes your breath away. Opening the opera season at La Scala, this tribute to Bizet's "Carmen" is extraordinary. Nanni, the ultimate "architect of light" uses video projections and light to "highlight and compliment" the architecture of this historic structure designed by Giuseppe Piermarini (1776-78). The bookcase pattern projection is one of six that Nanni created to light the opera house. It was done as part of Milan's International Festival of Lights. Nanni is the ultimate lighting master, beginning his career as an electrician and becoming world renowned ...... this work at La Scala is monumental!!!!!!!!

Dutch designer Lotty Lindeman's limited edition installation, "Tasenkast," is being launched by Gallerie Priveekollektie next week at Design Miami. Blurring the line between practical design and furniture, these "suitcases" can be used in their traditional role for travel or with the addition of interior shelves, they can be collected on the wall as a series of cabinets or shelving units. The cases are made of quilted padded fabric, that is wrapped around two wooden sides. The wall installation is hung from a wooden bar using fabric straps with fastenings that match those on the bag. 

"Interiors nowadays are presented like still, but in fact there is a lot of mobility of objects, moving around by human needs. Tassenkast plays on the edge of what we perceive as a fashion item and what we perceive as an interior product." Lotty Lindeman

This unique concept for a "moveable" shelving system is so captivating   .... I would love to have it as a "sculpture" on my wall!!!

Last week, my friend Jennifer Parry visited NYC and she asked me to take her to Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side, to this amazing store she had heard about ....... I drove around for one hour, made a number of phone calls for directions, and finally found this eclectic and innovative "design project," that is Maryam Nassir Zadeh, a store that is so special .... it was worth every minute of the hour to find!!!

Owned by Maryam Zadeh, and her fiance Udsay Kak, this well curated, modern space is both open and intimate. The front has large glass windows, interior walls are white painted brick, the floor is grey concrete, and original wooden floor-to-ceiling beams support the ceiling. The store is non-traditionally fixtured with a variety of handmade wooden tables and benchs, flea markets finds, and organic elements found by the owners. The clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories featured in the store are by innovative, independent designers, with a touch of vintage ...... reflecting the same "old and new" aesthetic as the interior.

For "the accessorator", the most important element is the composition of the store and the artist's works that have been selected by Maryam and Udsay. The stunning oversized necklace wall-hanging, in neutral yarns and ropes of ivory, grey and peach tones with silver, is by a collective known as Confetti Systems. There are divine handmade bows and arrows by Fredricks & Mae, that would be wonderful color accents for any room. Sitting next to the arrows is a black felt sculpture by artist A'Detache. Hanging over the back counter is a wonderful Calder-like mobile, that includes a stack of paper plates, by artist and jewelry designer Samma. In addition, there are several black rubber sculptures on the floor that are made from bicycle tires by Italian artist Paolo Bertocchi. Not to be missed in the back corner are several long beaded pieces hanging from the ceiling by jewelry designer Lauren Manoogian. This eclectic, fresh mix of art is a wonderful accent to the apparel and is all for sale. 

"We wanted to express our aesthetic in a very personal way. It's not about the labels but more about the mix of unusual things coming together." Maryam Zadeh

There is no question that Maryam and Udsay have achieved their goal ..... the spirit and energy that surrounds this store is what real "merchandising" is about. If we want to give our customers a reason to shop we should take a look at the environment that has been created here, as well as the wonderful off-beat mix of innovative and interesting merchandise!!!!

AND YOU CAN CALL ME FOR GOOD DIRECTIONS!!!!!!

Isaac Mizrahi is a divine designer, extraordinary entertainer, celebrated chef (he makes the best, best, best mint chocolate chip ice cream in the world!!!), and brilliant bridge player!!!! And, he is now revitalizing retail in New York City!!! Last month Isaac opened his first "shop", a 1500-square-foot- space at 23 East 67th Street, and as usual Isaac knew exactly what he wanted!!!! He made a decision "to keep it really simple....all things that are functional and neutral and lend a sense of ease and even a bit of luxury." His distinctive style drew him to an eclectic array of furniture, in a variety of textures and surfaces. There is a mix of vintage & modern, soft & hard, mirror & matte.....but he says that everything is background for the clothes, which always "shine"!!!! In addition to the furniture, the design elements in the store continue the same theme that Isaac uses everywhere.....in his studio, his apartment, and his house in Bridgehampton. These elements include plywood shelves between layers of lucite, wallpaper tables for display, skinny aluminum handrails. and lots of white "lacquer." The final compliment to the simple, yet luxurious design of the store is a charming collection of Isaac's sketches that cover one wall. 

"The whole thing is meant as a place to house the collection so that it look it's best and so it shows the creative hand at work. It's not just merchandise, it's my babies." 

Isaac Mizrahi website 

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!!!