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!

Pamela Pecchio

Photographer Pamela Pecchio captures some interesting wallpapers in these images from her “Habitations” exhibit, shown at the Daniel Cooney gallery. I’m not sure I totally understand what Pecchio is going for, but there’s something uniquely bizarre about the combination of patterns and objects that keeps me engaged.

Thanks for the heads up 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!

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!

Grateful for Interns

In the spirit of giving thanks, I just wanted to say a bit about how grateful I am for the Cavern Interns.  I am so lucky to work with this talented, dedicated, creative group.  Seriously, I could not do this without them.  Thank you Marianna Bender, Nick Peters, Hayeon Jang, Karli Hendrickson, Karen Dana, Zach Hewitt and Katie Armstrong for your time and inspiration.  You guys are all truly outstanding, and I am so grateful for all your hard work.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Edward Gorey

Cavern intern Karli Hendrickson is back from her road trip- but still traveling!  She just went to Cape Cod, where she spent some time at the Edward Gorey House.

Karli writes:

“Edward Gorey was an illustrator famous for his breadth of work from children’s books, to the animated introduction of Mystery on Masterpiece Theater, to the set design for the Broadway play Edward Gorey’s Dracula. Hanging in the Edward Gorey House Museum in Yarmouth, Cape Cod is a sample of wall covering he created.

The wallpaper features the silhouette of a lady standing on the back of a bat over a silver metallic moiré background. A moiré pattern is formed when two grids are overlaid at an angle, which makes the appearance of rippling water.

There is an illusion in this paper, which makes it particularly captivating. Because the paper has a complex metallic base and matte ink print, it appears differently depending on the lighting and angle at which it is viewed. When the lights are out and you look straight on at the paper the bats come forward in the pattern and the white lady silhouettes almost disappear. When you flip the lights back on or walk to a 45-degree angle the ladies are visible once again. It is a dramatic illusion in a 3 foot sample of the pattern. I can only imagine the effect in an entire room.”

Thanks for the write-up Karli! And for these Gorey illustrations, which I love.