Damien Hirst Wallpaper

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!)

Designers We Love: Muriel Brandolini

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!

Wallpaper Heroes: William Morris

William Morris is perhaps the single most important figure in the history of wallpaper.  A writer, artist, and political activist, Morris was truly a renaissance man, but his achievements in fabric and wallpaper design stand above the rest.  Championing the British arts and crafts movement, Morris merged his interest in patterning with his lifelong fascination with nature.  The results are timeless patterns, rich in color, elegant in design.

It’s striking to me how relevant Morris’ work and philosophies are to wallpaper today.  His fundamental belief that surface design depends upon intentional lines and silhouettes is undeniably true; Cavern’s “Blackbird” pattern is a great example.  And his interest in hand-made art and abstracting the natural world all seem very modern, very “now.”  I’ll post more eye-candy from Morris in the upcoming weeks – his patterns are truly exquisite.

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!

Richard Wright

Richard Wright just won this year’s Turner Prize, awarded by the Tate to a contemporary artist under fifty who has shown outstanding work in the last year.  Wright’s work exists somewhere on the border between installation art, painting, and wallpaper.  His style is sometimes bold, sometimes subtle- always intriguing.   Check out more of his work here.  Very cool.

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!

Inspiration from ‘75

More inspiration from the 1975 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book.  Love the graphic patterns!

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.

Antique Wallpaper at Second Hand Rose

If you’re in the market for vintage wallpaper, check out Second Hand Rose.  Based in New York, the shop carries the world’s largest collection of antique papers in original rolls.  The styles range from Victorian to 1970’s modern and everything in between.  Below are some of my favorite patterns from mid-century through the 70’s.  So graphic and fun.