Liberty of London for Target

Fabulous intern-at-large Karli Hendrickson just stopped by Target to see the new Liberty of London for Target line.  Sounds like the collection is as amazing in person as it looks online.

Liberty of London has been around since 1875 and is famous for their high quality floral prints. They have even printed patterns by my wallpaper hero William Morris.  I love how the brand applies their style to such a wide range of objects: anything from lamp shades to bikes to Nike sneakers.  Karli also points out how cool it is that such a high-end luxury brand would work with Target.  Design to the people!

Patterns at the New York Armory

Intern-at-Large Karli Hendrickson visited the New York Armory show last week and took these pictures of some fantastic patterns there.  Thanks Karli and congrats on your new job!

Kusama, ‘Fires, Acryic,’ 1987. ( Love her! )

Steven and Billy Blaise Dufala, ‘Fog, Watercolor on Paper,’ 2010.

Rachel Hounanian, ‘Memory of the Narcissus # 12,’ 2008

Frost Work, March 15, 2004 by Emily Feather (Bruce Conner) Ink on Paper

Frost Work, February 8, 2004 by Emily Feather (Bruce Conner) Ink on Paper

Wallpaper in Saratoga Springs

Intern at large Karli Hendrickson just sent me these photos from her jaunt to Saratoga Springs, NY.  First, in a women’s bathroom at restaurant Max London’s, we see lipstick on the walls — real lipstick.  Karli says, ‘the idea is for every woman who goes in to leave a kiss to add to the decor, but the walls are getting pretty full!’  (I hope the walls are clean!)

And then next store to the restaurant is Mrs. London’s bakery, where the wallpaper is as intricate as the fresh baked desserts.  Very Marie Antoinette.  YUM.

Thanks Karli!

Shaw Mansion Wallpaper

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!

New Year, Old Wallpapers

Happy new year! To kick off 2010, here are some photos taken by the always fabulous Karli Hendrickson, Cavern intern at large, on her latest trip to the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic Connecticut.  These are from the Buckingham-Hall House, recreated to look like it might have in the 19th Century.

Karli points out (and I very much agree) that what makes the rooms so visually appealing is the combination of patterns: the delicate, even ornate wallpaper patterns mixed with the bold stripes in the rug or couch.

The patterns create a vibrant energy, a visual business for the eye to explore.  But through conservative color choice, framed pictures, and simple wood furniture, the rooms maintain a cohesive, balanced serenity.  All the elements fit together.

I can’t imagine designing my own apartment to look like a 19th Century coastal town house, but I find the mixing and matching very inspiring. Thanks Karli!

Wes Andersons’ Wallpapers

Intern at large Karli Hendrickson just e-mailed me about a fabulous zebra wallpaper pattern by Scalamandre.  She and I both know the pattern from Gino’s restaurant (at 780 Lexington Ave.)  And we’re both huge fans.

It reminded Karli of the Cavern zebra pattern for Anthropologie.

And she realized it was used in Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums.”

I just saw “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and loved the entire visual package, especially the wallpaper.  Wes Anderson uses patterns well!

MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA is showing an incredible, highly praised Sol LeWitt wall drawing retrospective.  Intern at large Karli Hendrickson snapped these photos a few summers ago when she worked on the projects: she and a a team of artists installed the drawings.

Dramatic walls such as these make me wonder: how can you incorporate such crazy, OFF the wall patterns in your living space?  Wall art can look so incredibly cool in the museum, but can it translate to the home?  Would anyone be so bold — or so foolish?  It seems like you’d be setting yourself up for amazing success or total failure.

1967 McCalls

Intern at large Karli Hendrickson just found a 1967 McCalls Magazine as she was tidying up.  Love love loving the patterns here. Thanks Karli!

Day in the Life of Cavern

Marianna and I hard at work yesterday.  (I’m so into the Shake-It app for iPhone- can’t get enough.)

Exciting new wallpaper patterns coming very soon!

Loving Old Wallpaper

Just got these photos from intern Karli Hendrickson of her grandmother’s house in Cape Cod.  I love old wallpaper patterns and vintage design looks.  And I love seeing rooms with walls and ceiling covered in bold patterns.  Thanks Karli!