math is easy; design is hard

Off the Wall: Geometric

Posted: 08.02.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General, Wallpaper History | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

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.

cover 1024x894 Off the Wall: Geometric Designer Wallpaper

geometric01 208x300 Off the Wall: Geometric Designer Wallpaper

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geometric03 Off the Wall: Geometric Designer Wallpaper

geometric04 Off the Wall: Geometric Designer Wallpaper

geometric05 752x1024 Off the Wall: Geometric Designer Wallpaper


Blackbirds on Bravo

Posted: 07.23.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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:

dante 3 Blackbirds on Bravo Designer Wallpaper

nyyoya2.jpg Blackbirds on Bravo Designer Wallpaper

yoya Blackbirds on Bravo Designer Wallpaper


Introducing the Cavern Gift Box Collection

Posted: 07.21.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

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.

Picture 616 Introducing the Cavern Gift Box Collection  Designer Wallpaper

Picture 713 Introducing the Cavern Gift Box Collection  Designer Wallpaper


New York Watertowers in LA

Posted: 07.06.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: Beautiful Homes Wallpaper | Tags: , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

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

21 New York Watertowers in LA Designer Wallpaper

3 New York Watertowers in LA Designer Wallpaper



Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham

Posted: 06.29.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , , , , , | No Comments »

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:

Picture 911 Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham Designer Wallpaper

Picture 401 Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham Designer Wallpaper

Picture 173 Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham Designer Wallpaper

Picture 419 Respecting Our Elders: Todd Oldham Designer Wallpaper


Renegade Crafts Fair

Posted: 06.18.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

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

AllisonCole Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
AMH

AMH Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Bow & Arrow

BowArrow 1024x768 Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper


Caitlin Keegan

CaitlinKeegan Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Gold Teeth Brooklyn

GoldTeeth Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Happy Owl Glassworks

HappyOwl Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
KOM

KOM Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Morris & Essex

Morris Essex Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Souldier

Souldier Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Survive Design

SurviveDesign Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper
Tugboat Print Shop

Tugboat Renegade Crafts Fair Designer Wallpaper

Thanks for the photos, Karli!


Design Heroes: Josef Frank

Posted: 06.16.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General, Wallpaper History | Tags: , , , , , , , | No Comments »

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.

Picture 1111 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

Picture 1210 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

Picture 615 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

Picture 910 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

Picture 418 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

Picture 89 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer WallpaperPicture 140 Design Heroes: Josef Frank Designer Wallpaper

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

Posted: 06.14.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , | No Comments »

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.

Picture 282 Inspired Walls in Rihannas Latest Music Video Designer Wallpaper

Picture 324 Inspired Walls in Rihannas Latest Music Video Designer Wallpaper

Picture 273 Inspired Walls in Rihannas Latest Music Video Designer WallpaperPicture 342 Inspired Walls in Rihannas Latest Music Video Designer Wallpaper

Watch the video here.


Blackbird & Cupcakes

Posted: 05.23.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: Restaurant Wallpaper | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

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!

Picture 417 Blackbird & Cupcakes Designer Wallpaper


Picture 515 Blackbird & Cupcakes Designer Wallpaper

Picture 614 Blackbird & Cupcakes Designer Wallpaper

Thanks for the pics Jen!


Wallpaper Projects on Etsy

Posted: 05.17.2010 | Author: Cavern | Filed under: General | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

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!

il 430xN.135867025 Wallpaper Projects on Etsy Designer Wallpaper

il 430xN.143818138 Wallpaper Projects on Etsy Designer Wallpaper


il 430xN.116798779 Wallpaper Projects on Etsy Designer Wallpaper

il 430xN.66649312 Wallpaper Projects on Etsy Designer Wallpaper

il 430xN.112449051 Wallpaper Projects on Etsy Designer Wallpaper

Thanks for the heads up Karli!