Friday Finds: BDDW

Hello gorgeous.  Those are the chosen words when describing BDDW’s Crosby Street store.  With materials like Claro walnut, cast-bronze, and nixie tubes, the results are nothing short of breathless.

THE COMPANY.  “A small American furniture company dedicated to the creation of well crafted timeless designs.  Tyler Hays, a painter and sculptor, is the company founder and head designer…BDDW has created dozens of classics and is constantly producing new and innovative work.†”

THAT COUCH.  In my dream home I’d be sure to include The Edmund Sofa with its blush pink tufted velvet.  I enjoy the musical note shaped legs.  The couch comes in various sizes including a custom option and features a solid wood frame with cast-bronze ball feet.  The upholstery can be BDDW’s own fabric or customer provided material or leather.

Photo Courtesy of BDDW

THAT CLOCK.  My very favorite item, this clock caught my attention the first time I ever entered the store well over five years ago.  The Nixie Wall Clock is a stunner.  It features a bronze or wood finish; I personally prefer the blackened bronze or silver-plated options that look a little time-weathered.  The nixie tubes are what makes the piece.  The neon numbers in their designated glass bubbles are set beautifully against the industrial base and combine to create a simple yet electrifying wall or bedside table accessory.

Photo Courtesy of BDDW

THAT TABLE.  The Chall Side Table is friggin’ adorable.  It’s a little stout and a little noodle-y, like a chubby bistro table.  It’s base comes in four colors: natural, silver-plated, blackened (below), or dirty bronze, with several solid wood options for the top, either in 23″ or 26″ diameters.

Photo Courtesy of BDDW

A giant loom used to sit at the store’s entrance, but the last time I visited, patrons were welcomed by a vintage Ducati custom.  Be still my heart.  Even their modes of transport are the stuff of designers’ dreams.

If you ever find yourself with loads of spare cash or think furniture is worth saving up for (join the club), set your sights on these interior goodies and create a beautiful home that won’t disappoint.

†BDDW.com

Pattern + Color from Three Thousand Years Past

I’ve always been fascinated by early humans and what life on this planet might have been like thousands if not tens of thousands of years ago.  There is an interesting article in The Wall Street Journal today about the brief period of time early humans and neanderthals walked the earth together – click here to check it out.  After a little online research, I came across this eye-catching image:

Seti I Fresco by Minutoli (5)

This lovely drawing depicts a relief from the tomb of pharoah Seti I, also known as Tomb KV17.  The tomb itself is considered one of the most beautifully decorated tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, and was discovered by Giovanni Batista Belzoni in October, 1817 (1).  Though the exact dates of the reign of Seti I are unknown, 1294 to 1279 BC are the most commonly accepted by scholars today (2).

What is so interesting about this piece is not only its sheer beauty, but also the collection of different people.  The drawing, from 1820, is credited to Heinrich Menu von Minutoli (1772-1846), who apparently copied the piece from an unknown artist (3) — my suspicions are on Alessandro Ricci, who created a very similar drawing around this time and is known to have visited the tomb and the region between 1817-1820 (4).  Both images are often referenced in discussion of the demographics of Ancient Egypt during the reign of Seti I, which included Lybians, Nubians, Syrians, and Egyptians, as can be seen above.  Some say the artist took creative liberties, but both the drawing and the original cave reliefs are stunning, with alluring choices of color, pattern, clothing, and hair style.  I love the details in the outfits, along with the accessories and headpieces.

To think the original relief was painted well over three thousand years ago, it’s simply awe-inspiring.

Credits:

(1) Dunn, Jimmy. The Tomb of Seti I. August 21 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV17

(2)  Michael Rice (1999). Who’s Who in Ancient Egypt. Routledge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seti_I#cite_note-4

(3) Wikimedia Commons. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seti1a.jpg

(4) Salvoldi, Daniele. Early Explorers in Egypt and Nubia. May 31 2013. http://earlyexplorersegypt.blogspot.com/2013/05/pharaoh-reborn-exhibition-in-bristol.html

(5) African History. Les Egyptiens De L’Antiquite Etaient-Ils Noir? August 21 2014. http://africanhistory-histoireafricaine.com/blog/2013/08/20/les-egyptiens-de-lantiquite-etaient-ils-noirs/

Adore A Door: 10 Whitby Street, London

Just brilliant!  World, I am back from across the pond and after a month of traveling, some medical woes, and some major post-design job decompression, I have returned to you.

Whitby Street, London

To make up for my absence, I thought I would post a double dose of Adore A Door – two doors in one!  I spotted these while wandering around my new favorite neighborhood in East London, Shoreditch.  The area is filled with beautiful street art and Whitby Street is no exception.

This entry caught my eye immediately.  What can I say, I’ve always been drawn to geometric graphics.  The lines and triangles are great on their own, but the combination of colors really stood out to me.  I love the use of primaries with pastels and the black and white striping mimicking the iron gate.

I am not sure who or what resides here, but I took the message to heart: “LAUGH MORE.”  That’s a prescription we could all use.

Style with a Conscience: The Reformation

Living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle is tricky. There are reusable water bottles and coffee cups to consider, trading in your car for an electric, or better yet, a bicycle. “Green” products are popping up more and more in grocery stores, and locavores take pleasure in the increasing number of farmers’ markets.  We can insulate our homes, decrease electricity and water use, compost our garbage, and STOP using plastic bags.  But what about our wardrobe?  Who’s trumpeting the cause for stylish clothing?

Photo Courtesy of The Reformation

The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors of waste.  And though there are a few eco-friendly labels out there, most high fashion remains to miss the mark (perhaps with Stella McCartney as a notable exception).  No longer do eco-fashionistas need to make sacrifices, The Reformation has heard our plea.

Photo Courtesy of The Reformation

This label isn’t your typical granola munching brand.  Reformation is “an environmentally sustainable fashion brand that repurposes vintage and surplus materials to create a chic, limited edition collection.”  All products are comprised of over 80% reclaimed materials, and this gear has got some serious swagger.

Photo Courtesy of The Reformation

On a recent trip to their NYC location, I snagged a burnt velvet crop top and ogled their gorgeous red carpet-worthy “Citrine” dress (which is in such high demand, there is currently a 30 person wait list).

Photo Courtesy of The Reformation

Duds are produced locally in their NY and LA studio locations, so put a check through the domestic job creation box. Feel overwhelmed by a trip to the corner thrift store?  The brand also offers a “curated” approach to vintage, removing the stress and guess work, and bringing fabulous pieces directly to their stores.

Photo Courtesy of The Reformation

Their tagline says it all: “we are inspired by, and committed to, finding ways to make our fashion addiction guilt-free.”  That is something I think we can all get behind.  If you suffer from the occasional fashion overdose, try The Reformation and join the movement.

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Curious about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment?  Check out this interesting article, Waste Couture, by Luz Claudio, and join the conversation at Ethical Fashion Forum.

Adore A Door: Grace Church

Funny the things that go unseen until we take notice. Of course, this statement seems rather obvious, but lately I’ve been making a concerted effort to be more mindful and appreciative of my surroundings.

Grace Church School

I’ve passed this door many times throughout my life. Today I felt it deserved a shout out. This beautiful orange door is the entrance to the Grace Church school, located on Fourth Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets in New York City.

This stunning Episcopal church was designed in the French Gothic style by James Renwick Jr., a nephew of Henry Brevoort (of the New York social elite connected to the Astor family through marriage, and who owned the property at the time). The church was consecrated in 1846 and has been deemed one of New York City’s greatest treasures, obtaining National Historic Landmark status in 1974.

Obsession of the week: Glove Molds

As much as I love beautiful objects, I am not a fan of clutter or excess.  Having recently moved into my new apartment (finally!), I am trying to keep my space organized, yet simultaneously attractive and inviting.  I’ve found the best way to do this is to opt for multipurpose pieces.

A few years back, my mother gave me a mini glove mold from Fish’s Eddy (a fantastic kitchenware store near Union Square in New York City).  Not only does this little guy look adorable on my console, it also makes a great display for my many rings.

Now in my new digs, I need a place to keep my jewelry.  Since my space is limited and I want to add visual interest, I’ve decided to look for larger glove molds to sit next to my mini version.  I was thrilled to find this one on Etsy from Haven Vintage.

Glove molds, or even just simple ceramic hands, can hold plenty of stuff beyond your jewelry stash.  Try using with business cards, photographs, envelopes, or car keys.  This one is currently available at Second Shout Out, but a quick Google or Etsy search will garner plenty of results.

If you find yourself in need of a hand, a vintage glove mold should sure do the trick.

The Beauty of Solar Flares

With all of our modern technologies, hectic schedules, and never ending To Do lists, it is always humbling to remember how truly small we all are.  Let us never ignore how awesomely gorgeous nature can be.

“Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life…When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality.” – Henry David Thoreau

Watch and be inspired:

Structure in Many Forms

Last year, Cité de la Mode et du Design displayed WHITE DRAMA, the spring/summer 2012 collection by Comme Des Garcons.  This video features clips from the exhibit and some beautiful shots of the building, located at Les Dock in Paris.

http://vimeo.com/41047828

The building itself demonstrates a lovely example of parasitic architecture. In this instance, the architects call the form a Plug-Over: “a structure that wraps over the top of the building, appearing as a warped and faceted protuberance of green-fritted glass that snakes across its river-facing facade.¹”

Designed by Jakob + MacFarlane, the glass addition emerges out of an old, concrete warehouse. A grassy terrace allows walkers to stroll just above the La Seine.

The addition is used for events and is home to the French Institute of Fashion (IFM).

Dogon Masks of Mali

“Hidden in the mysterious Bandiagara Cliffs of southern Mali, West Africa, live a people who claim to be the conduit between heaven and Earth: the people of the Dogon.º” Their ornate masks reflect the devastating beauty that surrounds them.

Dogon Masks – Photo Courtesy of Anthony Pappone

Carved and colorful, these pieces are used for tribal ritual. Each has a name and a designated pattern that represent animals, mythical beings, or other natural forms.

Dogon Sirige Mask – Photo Courtesy of National Geographic

The masks are typically comprised of wood, fibers, and paint. Other materials, such as feathers, seeds, quills, and bone, are sometimes incorporated.

Dogon Mask – Photo Courtesy of Native Line

“Dogon masks rank among the most respected within the world of tribal art collections and have influenced such Western 20th-century artists as Picasso and Braque, even the Cubist movement.°” The masks are truly are something to marvel at, as is how the Dogon have managed to preserve their culture against the changing world that surrounds them.

ºRainier, Chris. “Unique Dogon Culture Survies in West Africa,” National Geographic News. 29 May 2003.

Obsession of the week: Native Line

Justine Ashbee explores “new forms in woven precious metals, golds, and silver” through her gorgeous woven textiles.

Woven Textiles by Justine Ashbee – Photo Courtesy of LittleGemBlog.blogspot.com

“Inspired by the timeless motifs of indigenous woven craft work, Justine combines geometric lines with shimmering metals, to create luminary pieces of woven art, whether for your wall, or to wear as every day statement pieces.”

Native Line Woven Textiles – Photo Courtesy of NativeLine.com

“Native Line consists of one off woven pieces, wearable jewelry, hanging light sculptures, & wall hangings, all of which stem from her early explorations in weaving metal sculptures.”

Check out her beautiful work at NativeLine.