The exercise of recent days: pressing into more of Him, so that I might truly see out.
The Weekend Design
The Beautiful and the Curious.
Couch Breaking
Breaking the back of the couch…its a real thing. Click here. Love it.
Happy and Homemade
I saw the idea for this homemade “happy” on Design Sponge. It was the perfect sewing challenge and an appropriately sentimental “happy” for a friend of mine who is getting married and insisted on no gifts. The typewriter provides a vintage touch, while one can indulge on a small swatch of fabulous fabric. This opens up a world of of possibilities; typing on fabric, my mind is churning.
Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
Simply roasted with fresh ingredients–couldn’t be better. Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower from Bon Appetit.
A Step Among Many
I have been learning a great deal in my life about simply doing the next thing. Unsure of the journey ahead, I can often retreat into stagnation–as if the inability to plan 10 steps negates the right-ness of the next, single step. The garden table was such a first step; the steps that followed (the copious purchasing of plants each weekend) followed with graceful fluidity. A peak at what’s blooming…
Local and Not So Local Favorites
I was recently introduced to “donkey ears,” a member of the kalanchoe family. I was instantly smitten; the garden shop was unsure whether it had been propagated in shade or sun and recommended I ease it into a sunny spot, after a warm-up period in the shade. Mine has almost doubled in sized; clearly happy. New plants are easily started with the ‘babies’ at ear’s end. I have started a few–one for a dear man, practically a second father to me, with whom I get lost learning about what is blooming in his garden.
Ran across these wonderful photographs by Laurent Chehere–a strong artistic flair to beautiful photographs. Only too sad one can’t scoop up a copy. I think they would be wonderful on an art wall with a bit of both the traditional and avant-garde.
Patrick Blanc
Patrick Blanc’s work truly astounds me–vertical gardens provide such a showcase. It is so interesting how the eye travels across the wall noticing the fluent intricacy, then doubling back to notice the separate varieties of plants installed. What an art.
Saipua and the Worlds End
So enchanted by these designers’ work and ingenuity. Sarah Ryhanen and Eric Famisen co-own Saipua, a flower shop in Brooklyn, New York. The shop is known for it free form designs and finesse in using that which is rare and perhaps imperfect. Saipua seems at the front of the trend in this regard. I adore the asymmetrical designs, which permit the eye to rest as it enjoys the loveliness.
In conjunction with their beautiful shop, Ryhanen and Famisen have purchased a farm, “World’s End Farm,” and have begun cultivating their own personal source for favorite varieties. Ryhanen’s honesty seems to make the venture that much more romantic–her blog is full of the reality of the tremendous task of owning a farm. I dream of having such a courageous story with a creative venture. I had a hard time picking my favorite designs, so…
Photos courtesy of Saipua.com
For Love of Pendants
Rudi Double Loop – Roll and Hill; Bluff City 14-Inch – Roll and Hill; Spiral Pendant – Serena & Lily; Marmont Pendant – Serena & Lily; Orange Murano Glass Disc Chandelier – House of Honey – 1st Dibs; Sputnik-like, Round Brass Chandelier with Crystal Glass Adornments by Emil Stejnar – Galerie D Epoca – 1st Dibs; Blake Pendant – Jayson Home; Muriel Chandelier – Jayson Home; Interiors courtesy of Elle Decor and House Beautiful.
Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann
Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann was mentioned in one of Elle Decor’s luxury issues in November 2012–admittedly a favorite issue. He was appropriately included in such an issue as the epitome of luxury, in an era steeped on its precipice (the 1920’s–quite literally). Ruhlmann is widely regarded as one of the finest furniture makers of the 20th century–he employed dozens of artisans, who labored endlessly to create his envisioned designs. He held the art of furniture-making more esteemed than profit or pragmatism. His words are quite telling:
A clientele of artists, intellectuals and connoisseurs of modest means is very congenial, but they are not in a position to pay for all the research, the experimentation, the testing that is needed to develop a new design. Only the very rich can pay for what is new and they alone can make it fashionable. Fashions don’t start among the common people. Along with satisfying a desire for change, fashion’s real purpose is to display wealth.
Whether you want it or not, a style is just a craze. And fashion does not come up from humble backgrounds.
His is the imprint of the art deco period. His pieces employ exotic materials, such as rare burled woods and ivory. His last wishes were quite direct, with full instruction to finish those pieces previously ordered prior to his passing and to wind-down the business thereafter–perhaps he understood succession planning better than many business owners. His pieces are now auctioned at Sotheby’s and Christie’s for quite luxurious prices–a pair of table lamps selling for $500,000.00 in December 2012. This story in the AP is fascinating. Love the early photographs below.
Photos Courtesy of http://www.ruhlmann.info
The Weekend Design 
