Keith Haring

If I had to pick a favorite artist of all time, I’d have to choose Keith Haring.  I remember growing up in New York in the 80’s and seeing his murals, iconic people and animals all over the place.  I didn’t know where they came from, but I knew they were somehow connected; they were all so engaging, so recognizable and so different from everything else in my visual field.  With my adult perspective and interest in patterns, it’s Haring’s surface work I admire most: his ability to take any surface, any wall, ceiling or canvas, and completely cover it with his art.  A lot of the challenge in wallpaper design lies in balance and composition- making the pattern interesting and busy, but not to crowded or dense, giving it room to ‘breathe.’  Haring was a master at striking this balance.  His surfaces radiate energy with active lines, but somehow it all works together with a calm, balanced restraint.  I know I’m not the first to say it, but let’s give credit where credit is due: the man was a genius.

William Morris

More eye candy from William Morris, wallpaper innovator for the ages.

Eric Nyquist for NASA

Eric Nyquist is an illustrator/designer who was commissioned to work on the walls of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory- the Pasadena branch of NASA.  I’m surprised and impressed that NASA would take a leap with his colorful, graphic, humorous visions.  How cool!

Check out more of Eric’s work here.  Thanks for the tip, Kathryn!

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!

Fabulous Fabrega

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!

A Good Taste in the Mouth

Just got these installation shots from the most styling dentist’s office I’ve ever seen.  Well done Dr. Tanz!

Blackbird in New Zealand

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!

Vintage Wallpapers from Better Homes and Gardens

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:

Installation Inspiration

Some of my favorite installation shots from the Cavern gallery…

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!