As both a textile designer and a contemporary craftsman, Jack Lenor Larsen started his own fabric and home design business in 1952, and continued to develop his natural style over the following five decades. Larsen only uses natural materials and design ideas. After his many travels as a young man, he uncovered inspiration from different countries and cultures around the world. The inspiration for his designs originates from Native American West Coast tribes, Pre-Columbian Peru, Brazil, Japan and China.  Recently  we found images of his home in a library book. Check out his amazing interiors….

We’ve always been obsessed with Memphis, and now we’re obsessed with Memphis teapots.  After Memphis Design extended its reaches to furniture and architecture, the obvious next step was teapots! Designers such as Matteo Thun, Masanori Umeda, and Marco Zanini got into it deep. These designers, all with a previous background in either architecture or fashion, used their creative time to explode the previous known structures of the teapot. Pretty beautiful. I’ll be searching for them on eBay. 

Colorado Teapot. Marco Zanini for Memphis. 1983

Chad Teapot. Matteo Thun for Memphis. 1982

Nefertiti Teapot. Matteo Thun for Memphis. 1983

Matteo Thun. Ceramic Teapots. 1982

Attention Millennials…Nose rings were not just invented in the 90s; their history actually traces back to 1000AD amongst the Pre-Columbian cultures of Peru and Columbia. Nose rings in the 10^th Century were made of Gold, which back then was not only rare and valuable, but also held many spiritual qualities. Pre-Columbian Cultures used the casting method to create these simplistic and geometric nose ornament designs, which allowed those who wore them to be given a status of wealth and spirituality. Check out how beautiful these nose ornaments are.  I love their simplicity and their size. Let’s bring these back!!! 

Nose Ornament. Colombia. 1500 A.D. Hammered gold alloy, (4.3 x 5.3 cm)

39. Nose Ornament. Colombia: Tolima style. 1600 A.D. Gold, 4 ½” high.

40. Nose Ornament. Colombia: Quimbaya style. 1600 A.D. Gold, 2” high.

After taking a day trip to the LA public library and spending hours looking through different Interior design books, I came across The New Furniture, and now I’m obsessed with 1980’s furniture. The book is supposed to be about 20th century furniture, but since it was published in the 80’s, EVERYTHING IS 80’s. I love it when that happens. 

 1980's furniture design is not only functional, with new technologies and materials, but it also looks good, and takes on a very minimal yet eccentric appearance. The pieces are an extension of the 1970’s blend between directness of form, and a decorative sense which can only be described as “flair” in furniture talk.  Many of these 80’s designs have a simplistic beauty to them. We’re so happy to be children of the 80’s. 

Wendy Ramshaw has been given Commander of the British Empire status by The Queen for her service to the Arts, and is recognised as one of the world’s finest jewellers. She’s particularly wellknown for her trademark invention: the multiple ring set, often set with multi-coloured stones, mounted on a sculptural stand. Her work is so beautiful. Kind of the queen of eccentric art lady jewelry. 

Arcosanti is an environmental utopia created in 1970 by architect Paolo Soleri. It’s located about 70 miles north of Phoenix. If you google image this place you will go wild. Stange things exist in the desert. This is the next Vena Cava road trip destination.

Penny Slinger

“I Hear What You Say”

1973

Eileen Agar

“Angel of Anarchy”

1936-40

Eileen Agar

“Precious Stones”

1936

Claude Cahun

“Self Portrait (kneeling with quilt)”

1928

Claude Cahun

“Self-Portrait”

1927

Leonor Fini

“Head of a Woman”

1935

Leonor Fini

“Le Bout du Monde (The Ends of the Earth)”

1948

Jane Graverol

“L'Esprit Saint (The Holy Spirit)”

1965

Penny Slinger

“Read My Lips”

1973

Unknown

“Cast of Lee Miller’s Torso”

1942

Don’t forget extra cord…..

Photos via My Sandcastles Flickr

The bathroom might be the best room in a house. It’s utilitarian yet sexy.  

And its where all of our products live. 

Terrence Conran’s bathrooms below are pretty timeless and remind us to take the time to hang a painting or a hammock in our own commode.

All images via the 1978 Edition of The Bed and Bath book

Margaret De Patta, "Portrait of Margaret De Patta", 1955

I just got this amazing book

“Space-Light-Structure: The Jewelry of Margaret De Patta”

in the mail today from the

Oakland Museum of California.

As I have said, 

I have been thinking about Northern California

a lot lately,

and all the amazing women artists out there,

past and present!

De Patta has always been a favorite of mine,

since almost day one, 

when I got the book,

“Craft in the Machine Age”.

That book kinda started me on this 

decorative arts journey.

(Well, 

“The Machine Age in America” 

was really the first….)

Despite knowing about her early on,

a piece of hers has always eluded me.

But there is always tomorrow….

Margaret De Patta, Production jewelry, 1947

 

Margaret De Patta, "Ring", 1954

Margaret De Patta, "Pin", 1959

Margaret De Patta, Production rings, c. 1947

Margaret De Patta, "Installation of Margaret De Patta'retrospective’ exhibition at Pacific Shop in San Francisco", 1950

Margaret De Patta in her studio, 1939

Margaret De Patta, "Pin", c. 1947-50

This was the pin I was always looking for….

Got close a few times,

major stuff by

Sam Kramer, Ed Weiner, but no De Patta….

YET!

Margaret De Patta, "Pin", c.1949

Margaret De Patta, "Pendant", 1953

Buy this beautiful book

about a beautiful and very talented artist

here.