An amazing image of Miky Fabrega, one of the artists in Cavern’s Artist Edition Series, with a window display he designed for Life furniture store in Panama. Stunning!
Just got this installation shot from Auckland, New Zealand. (Those blackbirds are really quite international.) I really like how wallpaper functions at the top of a staircase, expanding the space and revealing itself as you walk closer to it. Thanks for the photo Natasha!
Eye candy from my favorite design source, the Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Books from 1961 and 1975. There’s something about these images that really grabs me. Whether the room is spot on perfect, hilariously dated or even flat-out hideous, I can’t help but enjoy their unique visual attitude and charming vintage quality. For better or worse, they always make me think, “I can’t believe people actually lived like this.” Enjoy!
1961:
1975:
Some of my favorite installation shots from the Cavern gallery…
From Intern at Large Karli Hendrickson:
The New London County Historical Society, located in the Shaw Mansion, is renovating the old servants quarters into an educational space. During these renovations, cool old wallpapers are being revealed. As they work on the walls, they are discovering layers of papers ranging from an original 1850’s paper to many reproduction papers from the 1930’s to the 1970’s. Executive Director Edward Baker gave me a tour of the rooms with the best wallpaper examples.
Awesome. Thanks Karli!
Watching the State of the Union last night, my eye kept going to the wallpaper! I sent a research inquiry to the art and history division of the Capital — they have lots of information online about the stuatues, friezes, and paintings in the building, but I didn’t see anything about this pattern. Will let you know what I find out.
[photos from nytimes.com]
I am pretty much obsessed with the New York design team Diamond and Baratta. Their bold style, whimsical exuberance, and use of pattern are remarkable, whether they are working on a Miami apartment, a Hamptons cottage, or a Western ranch. From rugs to wallpaper, pillows to fabrics, their spaces incorporate so many geometric patterns, stripes, and other repeats. Most of the design elements are designed by the duo and custom made by artisans for each of projects, so you can’t really buy this stuff anywhere (unless you hire Diamond and Baratta!) but if you are interested in patterns and how to use them in a space, look these guys up — their portfolio is the best lesson book in how to do it. A few photos from their website are below, but check more out here. Truly inspirational!
Last month I posted about Damien Hirst’s work, and I just realized (via one of my favorite blogs, The Year in Pictures) that he has done wallpaper! I don’t know how I missed it when I was at the Gagosian gallery shop; maybe it’s relatively recent. In any case, talk about graphic wallpaper- wowzer. The pattern seems perfect for a retail or public space; I can’t really imagine it in most home environments. But it’s nice to see digitally printed wallpaper in a high-end context. Well done Mr. Hirst! (And thanks for taking the on-the-sly pictures, James!)
If you aren’t aware of Muriel Brandolini, put her on your radar — her fabric, wallpaper and interior designs are all marvelous. With vibrant colors, graphic shapes, and international influence from around the world, her patterns exude a sophisticated, elegant energy. So beautiful!
