Fantastic Plastic

uote: "Cheap is cheap." My favorite line from Woody Allen's hysterical comedy, Midnight in Paris. And I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. That said, I have an affinity for all things melamine. I don't know why this is except if I think back I do recall making a custom plate in grade school that I was quite proud of and coveted. Given the properties of this particular form of resin maybe my beloved dinnerware still exists somewhere out there? I'm sure many of my leanings towards the crafts of the 70's are just due to being a child of that era. Modern versions of melamine are becoming rampant and I've spotted their updated incarnations everywhere from Jonathan Adler to Target. These versions from the company Whitbread Wilkinson take my pal "Mel" to a sophisticated level and are embellished with portraits from the collection at The National Gallery. This is exactly the kind of snobbery I'd love to take to my next picnic in the park.

Dirty Pillows

arrie's evil mother (that crazy bitch from the Sissy Spacek movie) would have held a week long prayer-pollooza in that creepy closet if she had laid eyes on these "dirty pillows." In actuality they are pillows traditionally embroidered w/ music lyrics by Subversive Stitch and a bit risque. But, my irreverent ass LOVES them and I can never pass up a company that offers customization. Personally, when it comes to nasty songwriting skillz I'm more of a Lil Kim fan so perhaps an extra filthy line from her first album would adorn my pillow. She refers to p***y about 300 times per song so maybe a little sachet for my kittens to sleep on would be fly? Sorry, I'm gettin' all granny-gangsta already. Werd!

Finding Nemo

nimated films are a guilty (and to some, annoying) pleasure of mine. In truth, I watch one almost every night. Pixar, in my opinion, produce the best of this genre.  This posting really has little to do with animation except that one of my favorite animated features, Finding Nemo, shares a name with a chair design by Italian company Driade. There is a bit of a nod to Jaume Plensa me thinks and I hesitate to mention that there is a similarity to a mime face (as even displayed in their own advertising! ICK). Despite the latter, I still really love them.  Too large perhaps for a desk chair, I'm envisioning it as a modern, funky and surreal solution to a traditional Wingback chair. The 2011 Nemo version is in a deep blue color that invites me to dream of owning a indoor pool. You know, Hermes towels swept over the back mimicking an 80's side swept bang. Oh how different the Hearst Castle pools would have been decorated and adorned had I been in charge! 

Tragic

rpheus and Eurydice. Yes, a Greek tragedy of the hopeless variety. However, the REAL tragedy of last Friday was that I had to sit thru/waste an hour of my life listening to Mr. Ian Ricky Gordon's production of the greek love tragedy of O&E. I found myself wanting to scream at the male lead, "Turn around!!!" Let's just say it was not my cup of tea. There is one thing I did enjoy, aside from the company of my handsome date, and that was the program design.  Very simple, modern and humorously tied in the iconic image of the New York coffee cup - you know, the one with greek designs adorning the outer facade.  I'm a sucker for anything with a Greek key motif, to be sure. Which suddenly jolted my memory of a favorite little accessories company I've not blogged about. A lovely e-shop called "Greece is for Lovers". I lust after the Hermaphrodite candles and would strike a deal with Hades for the Zeus! lighting bolt letter opener. Silver plated, please.

Gettin' Jiti Wit It

here's nothing like a nicely made up bed.  Well, maybe a hot guy IN the bed, but I digress.  My obsession du jour happens to be sheets and pillows...really, ALL bedding has me nutso at the present.  Clarification: the mundane run-of-the-mill Bed Bath & Beyond bedding department has me sleeping. BORING! What I'm talking about is the kind of bedding that gives you "wet dreams." The Jiti Bedding 2010 Collection has some of the most sheet-staining examples of the simple modern aesthetic I love.  There's a touch of Japanese perspective yet it doesn't evoke the "Zen" that has been played out to the max over the years. I cringe nowadays whenever someone even mentions the word. Save that shit for the Yoga studio, people. Regardless, I'm expecting some insomnia to ensue related to waiting for what Jiti comes up with for their 2011 collections. 

Heeeeere kitty, kitty, kitty! NICE kitty!

heer heaven.  Actually, these pillows by Tempo Luxury Home are more like "shear" heaven.  I have never seen printed shearling and I'm totally beside myself over these designs.  Reminiscent of the carpets sold by the side of the road in certain spots of my home town back in the 80's (what the hell was that, anyway) these cats are just too Afro-chic! They have a certain YSL quality to them and I sense he would have been quite comfortable laying upon a pile of them back in his kaftan-wearing days. They are a fun and fresh take on "animal print" he would have definitely gotten off on - figuratively speaking of course. Me, just the thought of them resting on my bed have me feeling funny "down there". Meow!

Habit forming

 

eth Neuhaus should just consider herself my new "dealer."  Dealer of design inspiration, that is!  I recently had the pleasure of picking her brain and getting all giddy with her over our views on interior design.  For those of you who don't know, she is the creator and founder of Interior Connector, a website focused on resourcing and showcasing great designers of home furnishings and accessories. There are even interviews and articles by the designers themselves, giving the browser some insight and background into each company. What I love most about the site and Beth's philosophy is that she loves a mix of periods.  It isn't just one aesthetic and the platform is more "curated" than some other sites that just open their doors to anyone.  This has created a really great place to go for impeccable items with a high level of style. Prices aren't TOO bad either. And, Beth and I both agree that for a room to come together it is important to invest in quality and find those special pieces. It's even possible, once creating your own account, to move key items you love into folders for referencing later. LOVE IT!  I have nothing against stores like West Elm and Pottery Barn, but one should limit these purchases or you'll end up with a trendy showroom and not a home with individual style.  As YSL once said, "Fashions fade, style is eternal."  I love that.  And I'm loving Interior Connector.

Above are some of my favorite finds from I.C.