interiors

You are currently browsing the archive for the interiors category.

Post Painterly Abstraction

02/14/2011 in artists, inspiration, interiors | No comments

I’m in the process of two big projects that involve large scale painting, installations, and collage. It’s great, all that prop styling and interior decorating has lead me to create large scale work for environments.

The first project is a mural for the waiting area / entryway of Nylon magazine. I’ll be doing an install of some panels that feature my paintings and collage.
The second project is painting parts of a very cool (soon to open) Parisian taqueria that David and Cheri are working on. I’ll be going out there in late February to work on the install. And then to hit up Paris fashion week.

I’ve been gathering reference for the paintings and it lead me to Clement Greenberg and a group of artists he termed “Post Painterly Abstraction.” They included Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, Jack Bush, Kenneth Noland, Al Held etc. Here are some images I’m channeling for the taqueria paintings. Of course I’m sourcing vintage baja jackets, deco wallpaper, Rockaway Taco, and oaxaca textiles but 60s colors and shapes are definitely in the mix.

Jack Bush

also by Jack Bush, from 1964

By Friedel Dzubas

Frank Stella

Kenneth Noland


Moris Louis

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Home, Hearth

01/07/2011 in inspiration, interiors | No comments

I moved into a new apartment on November first. I’ve spent some time thinking about how this new space should look and feel and traveled upstate to salvage yards and fleas for the right pieces.

In the process I’ve been looking through World of Interiors and shelter blogs, gathering various images of primitive benches, California Bungalos with their Craftsmen interiors, rough hewn beams, thread bare Persian and Navajo rugs, chimayo textiles, succulents, and whatever is my jam these days. Oh, and reading up on the designers behind Peels and Moto (Taavo Somer and John McCormick).

It seems so long ago that my apartment was totally red, orange, yellow and plastic with super graphics.
I suppose people in the mod mod mod sixties moved into a more “earthy” comfortable and “natural” palate a few years down the line. 1966 looked nothing like 1972. Maybe my timeframe of interior design crushes has followed a similiar trajectory, just, you know, 40 some-odd years later.

Rope, yarn, weaving, epic necklaces, knots. Love it.

I like the lived-in feel of this interior photo.
Also the special divider for plates and the visible hindges on those cabinets.


I think I’ll have my friend make me benches like these. Simple, sorta perfect.



I love exposed shelving with reclaimed lumber and cast iron brackets.


The Restaurant Peels, on the Bowery. My sister’s best friend is the chef there.
I like that it feels rustic but not overly masculine; a marriage between the Victorian oldie-timey thing and shabby chic.
The two cancel out the overdone qualities of either.

picture source

Tolix and French bistro stools. Sundance Catalog has them.
I’m just going to find some 20$ used industrial stools that give off the same vibe.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Intergalactic Planetary

09/14/2010 in inspiration, interiors | No comments

I’m putting on an event by the end of the month.

One that requires me to think on a very large scale, prop styling meets party planning.
This entails imagining how to make a location look like an astral alternate dimension.
Think: sixties “happenings” and 1990′s house parties, complete with glitter, dayglo, and toilet paper streamers.




Tags: , ,

Days of Heaven

04/26/2010 in fashion, interiors, propstyling | No comments

Been alternating my time between prop styling fashion editorials and lookbooks and working on freelance illustration. I don’t need to decide which “I do” so I’m doing both! Artists who work across disciplines and utilize various methods are my favorite. Playing around in both fields keeps me on my toes and when I’m in doubt I just think: Andy Warhol.

Currently, I’m prop styling a fashion editorial with Turner and Erica Blumenthal and the photographer Nicholas Routzen. Turner actually styled the very first Blood is the New Black lookbook in 2004, when I was art directing. That’s how we met oddly enough. In preparation I’ve visited numerous home-goods stores and local prop shops like Prophaus, Elephant Props, and Props for Today. Once inside a prop house it’s as if you’ve arrived at the best vintage store on the planet! Everything is perfectly organized with and rows upon rows of dishwares and decorative collectables organized by color and shape. Really magical even if you’re only looking.

I’ve also hit up fabric stores like The City Quilter and Mood in hopes of finding 1920′s inspired fabrics. All I have left to do is get my hands on the amazing (and expensive) textiles by John Robshaw and Madeline Weinrib (from ABC Carpet and Home) without spending my own money and I’ll be all set!

Here are some iphone pixxxx




Tags: , , ,

Ok, Here We Go: Weekend Upstate at Grace & Kenyan’s

09/25/2009 in funtimes, inspiration, interiors | 2 comments

Kenyan and I first met about six years ago when he was working at The Apartment, in Soho. I had my first exhibition of my artwork in their store windows and he hung the whole thing. Flash forward, and he is now the go-to guy for rustic prop styling- notable for the amazing aesthetic of Earnest Sewn and The Smile.

His and Grace’s house in Upstate NY, has been featured on The Selby. And for good reason. It is NEXT LEVEL. Straight out of a movie. There are like six bedrooms, each with its own array of curiosities and antiques. There is even a stable and barn. It’d be an amazing place to have a wedding, do a catalog or editorial photo shoot, or they could start their own bed and breakfast. Obviously, I like that idea.

While we were upstate, our gang of merry pranksters also made it up to the Renaissance Faire in nearby Tuxedo, NY. Lots of fat alterna-goths and families. It felt less magical than the one in Novato, CA. I guess 20 years of awareness will do that to you. Regardless, it was still fun dressing up in my 1905 lace wedding dress.

The weekend was amazing. At night we roasted s’mores, each meal was delicious: pancakes and barbecue and grilled burgers, flashlight tag, racing scooters and bikes in the field, photo shoots, dance parties in the barn, dueling in vintage medieval costume and handmade swords, karaoke.

These photos are a mix of ones I took and ones James took:

CLICK FOR MORE AMAZINGGGGG PHOTOS!!!!

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,

Masked Friends

05/05/2009 in funtimes, interiors | 1 comment

As we all know, I love sneaks. Sneaks often wear masks. Thus, I am christening these my new friends.

Here is their theme song:

“Sneaky Sue” by Patty Lace and The Petticoats.

Not the post-punk Petticoats, not the twee pop Petticoats. A band of a much much older provenance.








Sorry, I don’t remember where exactly these images came from. If you know, comment with a link and I will give credit!

Tags: , , ,

Home

02/09/2009 in interiors, me | 3 comments

James took some photos of my place this afternoon. His photographs really put my previous attempts to shame, so even though this is a tad redundant, I’m posting them. Plus, we finally bought some plants and a rug for the bedroom. Looks much more… healthy with some green.

I used some old rope to tie back my curtains. I like how they play against my straw hat.

In my last apartment all the picture frames were painted to match my bedroom’s super graphic stripe and filled with sixties photographs and advertisements. I am not sure if it’s laziness, but I like them “open.” You can call it “After Hang Up” by Eva Hesse.

The print is by Igor Pantuhoff. The little bowl I saved from Morocco.

The chalk portrait of the boy matches his sister. I found both upstate for a song. They remind me of Don and Betty’s kids in Mad Men. I have that show on the brain lately. Did you see Hamm on 30 Rock? “I want to go to there.” Best. Moment. Ever.

Oh, and this little owl is a 60′s transistor Radio. Very Clash of The Titans, no?

The pastel portrait we also found upstate. I wouldn’t have put him there, but he hides an ugly converter box. Theodore’s quite a patriot; enjoys staring at our flag all day.

My wall of necklaces. Having them displayed encourages me to change them up.
The dream catcher I don’t wear, but he’s cute.

My kitchen’s floors are all distressed, but I like that.
We use the magnetic letters to create impromptu menus when we have friends over.

Metal Peacock feathers, James’ copy of Nirvana’s Bleach

I never sit here and read, because mostly I just internet. 2009 goal: books.

more photos of my place on le blog de james.

Tags: ,

Triangle Banners

01/09/2009 in inspiration, interiors | 2 comments

I think I have a new project that, if I complete in a timely fashion, will find its way into my bedroom. Since my apartment walls lack flair (I so wish I had wainscoting, chair rails, or molding like a Fort Green brownstone) I have to come up with ways to decorate and add to the space.

My bedroom is the most boring of all the rooms in the apartment. It doesn’t have wood floors, but instead low pile gray carpet out of a dull office building. Eventually I’ll find a threadbare Oriental or Navajo rug to hide it. For now… I am thinking it might be nice to hang something from the ceiling. Perhaps white linen scraps or fabric streamers or something like these triangle banners (in pale colors and faded fabrics).

the selby
door sixteen
christine
dédé au château

Tags:

I live here

01/05/2009 in interiors, me, nyc | 14 comments

My apartment projects never feel “done.” After all, I am still in need of a rug to cover the ugly gray carpet, a coat rack, curtains in the kitchen, and to wire the school house pendant lamp that hangs over the dining room table. My bed is on the floor all bohemian style. I like it but a headboard is probably in order.

You can’t tell what’s missing in these photos because I’m only showing you bits and pieces. And maybe you wouldn’t notice anyway.

What you can see however is the great plank floors, my metal peacock feathers, some of my CT and PA flea market finds, and the cheap couch I cleaned and repainted. Enjoy!

Tags:

Moonshine Jugs

12/12/2008 in interiors, lust | 2 comments

One of the things I’ve been into recently, besides old beat up mirrors, blanc de chine and various white ceramics, is glassware. Glass water bottles, old vases in various sizes and colors, seltzer and milk bottles. And as of today, moonshine jugs.

I stumbled into Michelle Varian in Soho this afternoon. Amid all the tempting gift items were a selection of different sized, probably handmade, jugs. They started at $70 so I looked up equivalents on Ebay.

I need more excuses to display hydrangeas in my apartment. No, seriously! This is all Gossip Girl’s fault. “Hydrangeas!” And I think they’d look cool in one of these huge jugs. Also, I like saying how I need some “huge jugs.” Ok maybe not.

I also love these water bottles remixed in glass. I have really no use for one, but I like. They sell them at MV, Moon River Chattel, and Urban Outfitters.

Tags: , ,

Light and Reflections

12/03/2008 in inspiration, interiors | No comments




stairs

Tags:

Take a Seat

10/07/2008 in interiors | No comments

My apartment desperately needs seating for future Gossip Girl nights. I was hoping to buy something used, but I’m afraid of bedbugs lest I opt for Craigslist. Ebay isn’t an option because most are for pick up only or have insane shipping charges. Which leaves brick and mortar stores in Brooklyn and the city.

But oh how expensive new couches are! I had no idea the cheap ones clock in at a grand. I want something Deco, Hollywood Regency, or early sixties. Soft, cream colored, sort of feminine, maybe velvet.

These sofas from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams are what I’m talking about. There is no price on their website, so I can only assume they are serious coin.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams

Crate and Barrel

Tags: , ,

Animal Doorstops

09/18/2008 in interiors, lust | 1 comment

I found these 1930′s metal animal doorstops on Ebay. I’m sort of obsessed with the idea of getting some animal (in particular, that bunny) to keep me company.

Tags:

Decorating

09/16/2008 in interiors, lust | No comments

New apartment means new furniture. I’m subletting my current place and keeping it furnished. The new place is hopefully going to have a feel that’s part Great Gatsby and Lyell lookbook (faded floral wallpaper, silk camisoles) (would that constitute Hollywood Regency?) meets London 1968 + some knotty wood and some of Charley Harper’s color palate. In my mind it all makes sense. I just don’t want it to see too precious (or in need of dried flowers and twenty cats)

I’m looking into installing wainscotting and beadboard, scouring ebay for vintage wallpaper, old cuppboards, and loveseats. Last night I painted half the rooms pale yellow and petal pink. Today it’s finishing up the rest.

I want these

Tags: ,

Wallpaper Hunt

09/03/2008 in interiors, lust | No comments

The new apartment has closets in the bedroom and dining room each covered by flimsy white sliding doors. They desperately need some flair, but there are so many options I’m stumped.

1. Painting the doors an interesting color
2. Hand painting or stenciling patterns
3. Creating a mural
4. Covering them with my own wallpaper design via Wall Collection
5. Buying some of the pre-made stuff




From Walnut Wallpaper, Jonathan Adler, Graham and Brown, Geoff Mcfetridge’s line Pottok, Flavor Paper and Places and Spaces. Other cool brands I discovered but don’t think are for me: Louise Body and Palace Papers. The window films (image 2 and 3) might be great idea for the bedroom and bathroom window.

Tags: ,

Hello, Stefan

08/19/2008 in interiors | No comments

My carpenter and I met through mutual friends sometime last year. Stefan has since built us shelves, a desk, a storage system for my paintings, and most recently, a fancytime lightbox for my impending plexiglass pattern series.

He recently proposed a commission; I’m to create a painting memorializing his soon-to-be-vacated apartment.

James and I visited his live/work loft a few days ago and documented all the details. The walls are haphazardly painted blue, a giant jagged red stained glass partition separates his work area, and custom built-ins assembled from a crumbled watertower, house African figurines, a lofted bed, and dozens of art books and small artifacts. It’s quite a unique space, ripe with character and detail. After I figure out a composition, I’ll start drawing creepy tigers, quirky vignettes, and outsider art. Quite a fun trade.

Tags: ,

My bedroom

08/05/2008 in interiors, me | 2 comments

In September I’m hopefully moving out of Stuyvesant Town and into a pre-war apartment. I’ll sublet my brightly colored sixties bedroom so I don’t have to worry about my furniture and can start relatively fresh. I felt inspired by Todd Selby’s series of photographed interiors and figured I should document where I’ve been for the last few years before I leave it all behind.

Tags: ,