Off the Wall: Geometric

Intern at Large Karli Hendrickson just wrote me about a fantastic book she’s reading: “Off the Wall, Wonderful Wall Coverings of the Twentieth Century”  by Lena Lencek and Gideon Bosker. In the second section of this book “Circles and Squares- Geometrics, Abstracts, Op Art, Minimalist Art” the book explains that geometric motifs were typical of the 1950’s. Post World War II, low-cost screen printing inspired the production of more experimental and avant-garde patterns. Also during this time, an upwelling of ranch homes in the growing suburbs inspired the wallpaper industry to create bold patterns wallpaper to accent and jazz up the simple, open, and modern design of these ranch houses. Textile designs at this time were also very bold and featured prisms, grids, doodles, and loops of geometric inspired design.

Blackbirds on Bravo

I just heard from Karli Hendrickson, Cavern Intern-at-Large, that Bravo’s “Bethany Getting Married?” recently had a scene in which Bethany went shopping for baby clothes.  She apparently went to YOYA, an adorable shop in the west village, that prominently features Cavern’s Blackbird wallpaper.  Here are some cute shots from the store:

Introducing the Cavern Gift Box Collection

Big News!  Cavern is thrilled to announce the launch of our new gift box collection.  The boxes are hand made in the USA with our hand-silk screened wallpaper.  They are intended to be sold in gift shops, so when you’re buying a present for someone, you buy the box as a beautiful (and simple) presentation package.

Cavern is very happy to be working with the exceptional rep group Aesthetic Movement to sell the collection.  All orders should go through A/M: orders@aestheticmovement.com.

A special thanks to all the Cavern interns, especially Pat Shiu, for making this collection possible.  We are so happy to move into a product that is still fabulously patterned and true to our “Cavern” roots but at the same time accessible to all Cavern lovers.  The gift boxes will arrive in stores this Fall.

New York Watertowers in LA

Just got these installation shots from Social Control, a very cool production company in LA, that installed Tom Slaughter’s ‘NYC Watertowers‘ last week.  I’d say the pattern holds up quite well on the West Coast.  Thanks for the photos Jessica!

Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham

What is it about Todd Oldham that makes him so inspiring? I see his work and my heart skips a beat. His books, his photographs, graphic design, products, and interiors all exude this organic, joyful quality.  His innocent, colorful quality translates perfectly to his ingenious Kids Made Modern project, an educational and crafty guide to design.  Maybe it’s Oldham’s ability to express his unique perspective in such a wide variety of different mediums that ultimately makes him so appealing.

In this blog, loosely dedicated to walls, patterns, and surface inspiration, I thought I would include a few images from his website of the interiors he has designed.  So cool:

Renegade Crafts Fair

Intern at Large Karli Hendrickson and I checked out the Renegade Crafts Fair in Brooklyn last weekend – it was an almost overwhelming display of hand-made crafts.  Karli took some pictures of some of her favorite artists:

Allison Cole

AMH

Bow & Arrow

Caitlin Keegan

Gold Teeth Brooklyn

Happy Owl Glassworks

KOM

Morris & Essex

Souldier

Survive Design

Tugboat Print Shop

Thanks for the photos, Karli!

Design Heroes: Josef Frank

This past weekend I stopped into Just Scandinavian, a design shop in TriBeCa, and I have been thinking about designer Joseph Frank ever since.  His wallpaper, textile, and furniture designs all exude the simplicity and vibrancy associated with Scandinavian design, but they also have a fanciful quality that is uniquely his own.  I love how it all looks so colorful and bold while still being refined and tasteful.  The shop keeper at Just Scandinavian described Frank as the “Swedish William Morris,” as both designers shared a passion for pattern and nature, and both came to define their respective national aesthetics.  I told her that walking into the store, I felt like I died and went to color heaven.

Check out Just Scandinavian- they have an online shop and sell home goods by Frank and other amazing designers!

Inspired Walls in Rihanna’s Latest Music Video

Rihanna’s latest music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, is one of the more original videos I’ve seen in a while.  My favorite sequence features some amazing sequences in a Keith Herring-inspired room.

Watch the video here.

Blackbird & Cupcakes

Just saw these installation shots of our Blackbird pattern on Jen Marsh’s charming website, Cattywompus.  This is a cupcake shop in Hoboken apparently.  Charm abounds!

Thanks for the pics Jen!

Wallpaper Projects on Etsy

Check out these fabulous Etsy stores offering objects made from wallpaper.(Click on the photo to go to the site where they are sold.) Inspiring stuff!

Thanks for the heads up Karli!