Hunters & Gatherers at Home

Our Winter Whites

2012-02-09T07:41:00.001-05:00

1. Hugh Ramsay, Self Portrait

2. John Singer Sargent, Sylvia Harrison

3. Hugh Ramsay, The Sisters at The National Portrait Gallery Cranberra

4. John Singer Sargent, Portrait of Major George Conrad Roller

5. John Singer Sargent, Two Girls in White Dresses

6. Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida, Portrait of Jose Luis Belliure

7. Alice Schille, detail of The Party Dress at The Horseman Collection

Ornament

2012-02-08T07:26:00.000-05:00

A walk down 81st Street on the Upper West Side reminds us that there was an age of craftsmanship and artistry in construction- decorative reliefs and architectural details decorate its turn of the century brownstones and have us trying to imagine what life may have been like then.

Hammershoi & the 19th Century

2012-02-07T09:20:00.007-05:00

1, 3, 5. Paintings by Vilhelm Hammershoi, (1864-1916)

2. Meissen porcelain tureen, available here

4. Oak artist's easel belonging to Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847-1917), sold for $1,600

6. George II mahogany drop leaf table, sold for £9,799

Beauty

2012-02-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

The paintings are some of our all time favorites, the photographs are from a magnificently curated blog...a new favorite:

1. 3. 5. 7. 9. Via Brown Dress White Dots

2. Albrecht Durer, Wing of a Roller

4. Winslow Homer, Fox Hunt

6. Rockwell Kent, Mount Equinox, Winter

8. Albrecht Durer, Dead Roller

A Fine Gentleman

2012-02-03T07:24:00.001-05:00

George Washington Lambert, Self Portrait with Gladioli at The National Portrait Gallery, Cranberra

Gentleman's Canes at Jackson's

18ct Ring at Fellows & Sons

George Washington Lambert, The Black Cravat via Artnet

English Gentleman's Reading Chair at Dallas Auction Gallery

George Washington Lambert, Equestrian Portrait of a Boy

Gentleman's Waistcoat at Schmidt's

Tartanware Card Case at Bonham's

A Portrait of a young man by George Washington Lambert

Mirror at Copake

George Washington Lambert, Hugh Ramsay

Wightwick Manor

2012-02-02T00:04:00.001-05:00

Pamona Tapestry at Wightwick with background by William Morris and figure by Edward Burne-Jones

We stumbled upon Treasure Hunt, Collections of the National Trust. With photos of Wightwick Manor and the works of Morris, the De Morgans and other notable Arts & Crafts figures, we were once again entranced by the peaceful beauty and palette of the movement.

Drawing Room, Wightwick

Lustreware plate by William De Morgan

View into the Great Parlour

Great Parlour

William De Morgan Vase

Pomegranate Passage

Pomegranate Wallpaper by William Morris

Billiards Room

Early Moorcroft Vase

The Oak Room

Cats & Dogs

2012-02-01T08:25:00.001-05:00

1. 19th c. American School oil on artist board, sold for $7,000

2. 19th c. American School pastel, sold for $950

3. 5. 19th c. American School oil on artist board, sold for $750

4. 19th c. American School oil on canvas, sold for $450

5. 19th c. American School oil on wood, sold for $2,700

6. 19th c. American School oil on canvas, sold for $60

Boys & Girls

2012-01-31T09:41:00.002-05:00

1. Jacob Kramer portrait of a girl via Liveauctioneers

2. Red, white & blue doll umbrella via Liveauctioneers

3. Bedroom via The Hidden List

4. Henry Scott Tuke portrait of a boy via Liveauctioneers

5. Vintage Hardy brothers fishing bag via Liveauctioneers

6. Bedroom via Pinterest

Ulrika Kestere

2012-01-30T07:14:00.004-05:00

From Ulrika Kestere's Girl With Seven Horses series:

Once upon a time there was a girl who had 7 invisible horses. People thought she was crazy and that she in fact had 7imaginary horses, but this was not the case. When autumn came the girl spent a whole day washing all her clothes. She hung them on a string in her garden to let the gentle autumn sun dry them. Out of nowhere, a terrible storm came and its fiercefull winds grabbed a hold of all her clothes and all seven horses (authors note: since they are invisible they obviously didn't weigh much). The girl was devestated and spent all autumn looking for each horse spread around the country, wrapped in her clothes.

Inspiring Palettes

2012-01-27T10:13:00.002-05:00

1. James Huniford in Elle Decor

2. The Farm in Winter, Arthur Meltzer

3. James Huniford interior

4. Rain Spring, Arthur Meltzer

5. Country bedroom via Windlost

6. The Gossip, Arthur Meltzer

Weathered

2012-01-25T09:03:00.002-05:00

1. Country bathroom

2. Bamboo-turned windsor side chairs via Liveauctioneers

3. Antique interior via Seen and Said

4. Eat Tennessee painter long table via Liveauctioneers

5. Olson Homestead, Maine via Flickr

Kate MccGwire

2012-01-24T09:00:00.004-05:00

Kate MccGwire's installations and sculptures are nothing short of astounding- aesthetically beautiful and eerily biomorphic.

Evacuate

Wrest

Stigma Series

Corvid

Slick

Stigma Series (I-V)

Stifle

Stigma Series (I-V)

Sluice

Vex

Godwin and Richmond: Aesthetically Speaking

2012-01-22T23:47:00.005-05:00

While most of us associate the Victorians with heavy, overly ornamental furnishings and art, there are a few exceptions that give us pause. Allow us to introduce the elegant designs and artwork of Edward William Godwin and George Richmond, respectively.

1. George Richmond, Self Portrait

2. Godwin Textile design

3. Godwin Display Cabinet

4. Godwin Settee via The Victoria & Albert Museum

5. Godwin Table via Christie's

6. George Richmond graphite portrait

7. Godwin Wallpaper Design via Phaidon

8. George Richmond, Self Portrait at age 21, at The National Portrait Gallery

9. Godwin Table at MOMA

10. Godwin Chair via The Victoria and Albert Museum

Colorful, Classic Relief

2012-01-20T10:08:00.002-05:00

1, 4, 7. Relief at Central Park West & Broadway

2. 19th c. hand carved shell cameo

3. Interior by Ron Marvin via Lonny

5. Leather covered cameo by Natalia Brill

6. Interior via Desire to Inspire

8. Early 20th c. brass framed shell cameo

9. Interior by Lisa Fine via Lonny

Vintage Inspirations, Kids

2012-01-19T10:22:00.003-05:00

Trico Field is one of our favorite stores in Soho...period. A children's clothing store with gorgeous product and some of the best styling in the city, it makes adults envious! We passed by and were captivated by a little vintage boyswear inspired suite for girls:

1. Vintage photograph via We Heart It

2. 4. 6. Trico Field

3. 5. Via Horses Think

7. Lewis Hine, Boy Studying, 1924

Art is Life

2012-01-17T23:06:00.005-05:00

1. 4. 6. 8. Magnus Lundgren furniture collection via Skona Hem

2. Vilhelm Hammershoi, Interior with Woman Reading a Letter

3. Vilhelm Hammershoi, Young Girl Pouring Tea- The Artist's Sister sold at Christie's

5. Vilhelm Hammershoi's palette via the wonderful blog, The Blue Lantern

7. Vilhelm Hammrshoi, Interior, the Dining Room of Hammershoi's Childhood Home, Fredericksburg Alle

Yipes!

2012-01-17T14:57:00.002-05:00

1. Daniel Sanwald

2. 6. 7. Apartment Therapy

3. 5. 8. Kate Spade Window, Chelsea

4. Paolo Rizzatto Romeo Bench

9. Interior Design

Something Old, Something New

2012-01-16T00:46:00.001-05:00

As we hunted for some interior design inspiration last night, we stumbled upon an amazing installation in the south of France--an old, derelict mine town given new life by Les Pas Perdus, a group of artisans and artists, and the locals. It was too great not to share...

Rubberized

2012-01-13T12:03:00.004-05:00

JC Smith, Blue

Take a look at the artwork of JC Smith and Evan Blackwell- "upcycled" found objects in plastic and rubber that have an incredible energy when repeated, stretched and manipulated into works of art.

Evan Blackwell, Armymandala

JC Smith, Patches

Evan Blackwell, Vessel of Mass Destruction

[1]

[2]

JC Smith, Orange

Evan Blackwell, Frozen State

JC Smith, Exposed

Charles Webster Hawthorne

2012-01-12T08:01:00.000-05:00

The Trousseau

The Family

The Coral Necklace

Youth

Three Women of Provincetown

Waiting

Portrait of Mrs. Woodruff

His First Voyage

Miss Willis

Mother and Child

At Home, Peter Beard

2012-01-11T07:21:00.000-05:00

1, 3, 5. Peter Beard photography

2. Peter Beard in his bedroom tent, HogRanch, Kenya circa 1990

4, 6. Peter Bear's Montauk home circa 2009

7. Peter Beard at home circa 2009

A Hint of Green...

2012-01-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

1. Modernist painting via Liveauctioneers

2. Interior via Katy Elliot

3. Modernist portrait, Paul Koetchl via Liveauctioneers

4. Vinatge danish chairs via No. 19

5. Trompe l'oiel, Hanging Game, Richard LaBarre Goodwin via Liveauctioneers

6. Interior via Katy Elliot

The Animal Instincts of Barbara Keal

2012-01-09T20:34:00.004-05:00

We love felt and were astonished at Barbara Keal's mastery of it when we stumbled across her website. Ms. Keal's sculptural, wearable art is beautifully crafted from natural, luxurious fibers and, our guess is, a warm sense of humor.

Black Forest Style

2012-01-06T07:46:00.001-05:00

Country house in the Adirondacks by Peter Pennoyer Architects via cococozy

[1]

Black Forest carved deer head via Liveauctioneers

Interior via Country Living

Black Forest Cuckoo Clock via Liveauctioneers

[2]

Black Forest hanging wall rack via Liveauctioneers

American Antiques

2012-01-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

Sharon Platt, American Antiques of Portsmouth, NH is a website we frequently visit to find inspiration and information. Stocked with unusually intimate 18th and 19th century antiques, Platt's offerings offer a glimpse into the day to day life of early Americans. Not only are they interesting, but they are beautiful.

A collection of items in Ms. Platt's Period Scenes

1812 Canteen

18th century Fire Bag

A collection of items in Ms. Platt's Period Scenes

Candle Drier, late 1700's

18th-19th century Crusty Tallow Candles

19th century Cloth Covered Books

The Art of Scandinavian Color

2012-01-04T07:33:00.002-05:00

We love how the Scandinavian's use a blank white canvas to paint their homes with dashes and dabs of vibrant color and black...the home styling from the great Heyhome, the paintings from the wonderful Anne Tholstrup.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-26T21:34:00.004-05:00

WE WISH YOU PEACE & HAPPINESS IN THE NEW YEAR

(we'll be back then)

Jean Moral, photogravure circa 1931

Brushed

2011-12-23T07:13:00.002-05:00

We've always loved vintage and antique brushes- the Shaker's , in particular, we regard as works of art. Then we discovered the puppets of British artist Jo Lawrence and...

Jo Lawrence Brushes via shelleysdavies.com

Shaker Brush Lot Sold at William J. Jenack Auctioneers

[1]

Jo Lawrence Brushes via shelleysdavies.com

[2]

Jo Lawrence via Flow Gallery

[3]

Jo Lawrence via V&A

[4]

via The Art Room Plant

Tim Wilson & James Plumb

2011-12-22T00:03:00.001-05:00

1. Tim Wilson, Edith at Corey Daniels Gallery

2. James Plumb, From This Day Forward

from The Concrete Stitches Collection

3. Tim Wilson, Sketch for Pagan at Corey Daniels Gallery

4. Tim Wilson, Leigh at Corey Daniels Gallery

5. James Plumb, From For Better For Worse

from The Concrete Stitches Collection

6.Tim Wilson, Mutiny (detail) at Corey Daniels Gallery

7. James Plumb, Love Chair from The Concrete Stitches Collection

8. Tim Wilson, Head In The Clouds at Corey Daniels Gallery

A Little Christmas

2011-12-21T08:57:00.006-05:00

Christmas windows go BIG this time of year in NYC, but we found that those went small this year intrigued us most. Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

1. & 4. Kleinfeld Bridal, Chelsea

2. & 3. Paul Smith, 5th Avenue

5. & 6. Jackson Square Pharmacy, West Village

Subtle Hues and Warm Spaces

2011-12-20T16:11:00.002-05:00

1. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

2. Via From the Right Bank

3. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

4. Via Katy Elliott

5. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

Cute for Kids

2011-12-19T11:38:00.000-05:00

Wormy Apple Hat from Morehouse Farm

We stumbled across an article about Morehouse Farm of Red Hook, NY in an old VictoriaMagazine (January 2002). A quick web look up and we were pleased that, not only are they still in business, they are thriving with interesting and whimsical patterns (not to mention their gorgeous home grown yarns.) Here's a look at some of their magical kids patterns.

School of Fish Scarf

Play Room via Desire to Inspire

Gator Scarves at Morehouse

... and Gator Mittens

Critters in the Bathroom via Desire to Inspire

Loon Backpack at Morehouse

Critter Scarves

Hedgehog Mittens

Desire to Inspire Kid's Room

Baby Owl Purse at Morehouse

Pretty Trashy, Trashy Pretty

2011-12-16T10:14:00.002-05:00

1. Andy Warhol, Jane Fonda via Bloomsbury

2. Yves St. Laurent China Pantsuit via Augusta Auctions

3. Costume Jewelry lot via Liveauctioneers

4. Andy Warhol, Baroness Thyssen via Sothebys

5. Yves St. Laurent Yucatan Espadrilles via Liveauctioneers

6. Andy Warhol, Iranian Princess Portrait via Sothebys

7. Costume Jewelry Lot via Liveauctioneers

8. Yves St. Laurent One Shoulder Dress via Doyle

9. Andy Warhol, Pia Zadora via Sothebys

Avocado

2011-12-15T10:54:00.002-05:00

Inspired by some vintage Danish candlesticks we recently found, we've been exploring some modern uses of the '70's classic...

Avocado interiors from Pinterest

Winter House

2011-12-14T09:27:00.003-05:00

While browsing ornaments at the pop-up Christmas shop on 6th Ave and Spring Street, we were remind of the beauty of a white Christmas. Although, we opted to make all of our tree decorations, the "snow" covered pinecones got us so excited to see our house is a sea of white. Here are some other beauties...

Ski Chalet via Camille Styles

From Kevin Baumann's series, 100 Abandoned Houses via Katy Elliott

Paul Costello log cabine via via Oliver Yaphe

Stone home in the Belgium countryside updated by architect Bruno Erpicum via Dana McClure

A modern take via Oliver Yaphe

Recall

2011-12-13T07:58:00.002-05:00

There are few works that inspire an immediate visual empathy- recollection of a surface brushed against the blush of light in an afternoon.

Kako Kazumi bowl

[1]

Terri Brooks, Half Black

Meatpacking, NYC

[2]

Terri Brooks, White Shape

Painted building, West Village

[3]

A Pop of NY

2011-12-12T00:27:00.005-05:00

As we walk the streets of NYC, her textures and colors amaze us. Armed with a camera and a sense of awe, here's what we see and shoot:

Graffiti, Soho

Andy Warhol Memorial, Union Square

Blue skies in Soho

Fishs Eddy Window, Flatiron

Can in Blacktop

Chair on High Line

"Chelsea Dry Clean"

Flaming Cactus

2011-12-09T10:49:00.006-05:00

An early appointment today brought us near Hudson Park where we bumped into the "Flaming Cactus" installation--a whimsical piece made of 52,000+ zip-ties wrapped around lamp and street poles. The idea is to turn something otherwise cold and utilitarian into something colorful and artistic. Check.

Pop of Red

2011-12-08T09:38:00.002-05:00

Pretty

2011-12-07T08:10:00.001-05:00

Jalouse, June 2011

via de.smitten

From Country Living

via de.smitten

From A Gift Wrapped Life

via de.smitten

Fancy Deco

2011-12-05T22:48:00.006-05:00

1920's Ceiling Lamp via Liveauctioneers

Felix Vallotton, Le Liseuse

1930's Fringed Chairs sold at Peachtree & Bennett

Felix Vallotton, Le Chevelure Blonde via Art Knowledge News

1920's Evening Dress sold at Doyle's

Making History

2011-12-05T07:24:00.002-05:00

A stroll through the old cemetery in town last weekend ended up being a study in typography--capitals and italics mixed with initial caps and bold weights with serifs and sans serifs. While the beauty of each stone harkened to a time past, it was also so current. We explore some vintage typography below (tombstones aside) paired with Louise Despont's architectural stencils on the pages of antique ledger books.

1. Ad for Letterpress Text font, 2003

2. Louise Despont The Bodhi Tree, 2011

3. Early French stamp via Graphics Fairy

4. Louise Despont Amphoras, 2010

5. German alphabet from Modern Alphabets, 1906 via Jane Maday's Art Blog

6. Louise Despont As you are, we once were. As you are, so will you be, 2011

7. Antique French invoice via Graphics Fairy

8. Louise Despont King and Queen Day, 2010

Tiny Homes, Tiny People

2011-12-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

1. May Foster's House, 1800 at the Victoria & Albert museum

2. 19th c. European church creche figure doll

3. English dollhouse, 1783 via Natalie's Skectchbook

4. German wooden Grodnertal doll, 1880 via Liveauctioneers

5. Antique dollhouse via Dioramas and Things

6. German porcelain shoulder doll, 1870 via Liveauctioneers

7. Antique dollhouse via Man Make Home

8. Antique chine head doll, 1860 via Vialin

Art Mirroring Life

2011-11-30T20:47:00.005-05:00

Library twist via decorpad2

Charmion von Wiegand, #112 at Treadway via Liveauctioneers

We're not sure which comes first, if one is the inspiration for the other, but we love both the art and the design.

Kenneth Noland, Untitled

Vintage Dart Boards via Remodelista

Kenneth Noland, Quid

Stillness

2011-11-28T21:56:00.010-05:00

1., 3., 5., 7. Masato Sekiya Osaka house via Dezeen

2., 4., 6. Terry Evans from the Field Museum Series

New England Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T14:09:00.005-05:00

We had a lovely weekend with family and friends (although some very specials ones were missed) to celebrate Thanksgiving. Mother Nature provided a perfectly white layer of snow and we all pitched in to make our Thanksgiving feast. Our antique house seemed like it was made to celebrate the holiday in, accented with evergreens from the yard and left over apples that didn't make it into the pie...

Snow

2011-11-25T10:30:00.004-05:00

There's snow here in New Hampshire. We left NYC with drizzly greys and arrived here to glistening whites and dramatic silhouettes. Vintage palettes and ski pix (via Flickr) remind us that the fun has just begun!

Cuno Amiet via The Blue Lantern

Ken Perry, The Hunter's House (we lost on Liveauctioneers)

Cuno Amiet at Musee d'Orsay

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T12:11:00.007-05:00

NYC has been a bit gloomy this week and the only lively colors seem to be the subway seats as we shuttle from one neighborhood to the next. So, this Thanksgiving we're heading to NH. We leave you with a photo of what we've seen and what we're leaving for the next few days. A bit grey, but still beautiful!

Iconography

2011-11-22T22:32:00.006-05:00

Romeo Castellucci

Regardless of your belief (one of us is Jewish, the other Christian), you cannot deny the impact of religious iconography-emotional and beautiful.

Alstead, NH cemetary

Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns, circa 1510

Alstead, NH

Romeo Castellucci via Utopia Parkway

We Have Our Eye on You

2011-11-21T07:24:00.006-05:00

As we prepare for the holiday weekend, we have other things on our mind besides turkey and stuffing. Thanksgiving weekend is notorious for big auctions and we've been previewing the offerings at all of our favorite auction houses. Here are some favorites that we hope to come home with...

1. 19th C carousel horse in original paint

2. 18th C footed blanket box in old green paint

3. Curly maple Queen Anne tea table

4. Portrait, lady w/single drapery, in good grain painted frame

5. Chippendale maple wing chair w/adjustable back, old red

6. Fine 18th C American School Queen Anne walnut wall mirror

Take Away

2011-11-18T06:34:00.002-05:00

This is the latest photo of our house (from the side) after the bushes and trees have been cleared, shutters removed, grass planted and ground strawed for the winter. The more we clear, the more beautiful it becomes (or the more apparent it's beauty). It's a lesson we are taught daily by observing masters like the two below:

James Bishop, Untitled via The Heavenly

Andrew Wyeth, Weatherside

James Bishop, Untitled at MOMA

Andrew Wyeth, Brinton's Mill, Study for Night Sleeper

James Bishop, Untitled at MOMA

Making Faces

2011-11-17T06:44:00.002-05:00

There has always been something fun, yet sinister, about the imagery of carnivals, the circus and side shows. That macabre element informs the work of Fred Stonehouse as well. Beautifully rendered, his work captures the "something" that repels us, but draws us in....into the tent to see the two-headed pony or a masterful painting.

1. Fred Stonehouse, Race for the Sun

2. Early Sheet Metal Carnival Toss sold at Copake Auctions

3. Fred Stonehouse, Song of Sinaloa via Flickr

4. Carnival Target at Brunk Auctions via Liveauctioneers

5. Fred Stonehouse, The Immigrant

6. Carnival Toss at Copake Auctions

7. Fred Stonehouse, Vox via The Rock River Times

Botanical Inspirations

2011-11-16T09:01:00.002-05:00

Polished

2011-11-15T07:36:00.005-05:00

While researching polished concrete for potential application as a hearth in our New Hampshire home, we found some amazing examples of other interior uses. Bringing the outside in, so to speak...

For these and other examples of polished concrete applications, search Pinterest

Still Life

2011-11-14T06:36:00.004-05:00

We found the furniture of Slow Wood while surfing around, looking for inspiration. We not only like the furniture, but thought the photo styling was fantastic- very Jonas Wood. Very now, very clean....

1., 3., & 5. Tables via Slow Wood

2. Jonas Wood, Yellow Dot at Saatchi

4. Jonas Wood, Full Orange Vase

6. Jonas Wood still life via Paper & Ink

Recreating a Scene

2011-11-11T07:13:00.004-05:00

Something just struck us about the Georg Nerlich painting below. We're not sure if it's the palette, brush stroke, subject matter or some combination there-of, but we kept looking it. Eventually we broke down the elements of the composition: sofa, painting in gold frame, unframed oil on canvas and a table...

1. Seated Young Woman of Sofa, Georg Nerlich

2. Victorian green sofa

3. Archie Palmer Wigle oil on canvas

4. Victorian Walnut occasional table

5. Alpine Valley painting, singed M. Fischer

Veiled

2011-11-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

1. Herb Ritts, Tatjana Veiled

2. Store Window on University Avenue NYC

3. John Gutmann, Face

4. Midtown Deco Building through Blind

5. Steichen's Gloria Swanson

Curve Appeal; Alice Neel & Design in the 20's and 30's

2011-11-09T08:06:00.002-05:00

1. Oak Deco Dining Chairs at Miles Griffiths Antiques Ltd.

2. Alice Neel, Elenka

3. Heifitz Lamps at Rago

4. Alice Neel, Mr. Green

5. European Serving Set via Liveauctioneers

6. French Cerused Oak Dining Table at Bardin Palomo

7. Alice Neel, Ethel Ashton

8. Deco Pottery Vase by Pierre & Joseph Mougin at Millea Brothers

Scandinavian Inspiration

2011-11-08T07:49:00.004-05:00

Our recent acquisition of a continental folk painted armoire had us researching design from abroad last night. When we stumbled into Sweden (so to speak) we got got caught up in the beautiful pale hues and ornate simplicity...

1770's Swedish dining room via Eleish Van Breems

19th c. Swedish mora clock via 1stdibs

18th century Swedish living room via Eleish Van Breems

Swedish commode in blue paint circa 1910 via Cupboards & Roses

Hand-painted barn in Norway via Eleish Van Breems

Swedish wedding chest with domed top dated 1809 via Liveauctioneers

Newly Acquired

2011-11-07T06:38:00.002-05:00

Although we got tons of things accomplished up at the house this weekend, the highlight was the proverbial hunt during our break-time. Here are some of our newly acquired finds...

Empire Mahogany parlor table; available here

Early 19th century Persian rug

19th century Pennsylvania blanket chest in old red paint; available here

Turn of the century handsewn quilt

19th century paint decorated continental armoire; available here

Watercolor & gouache portrait by Vermont artist, George Timothy Tobin; available here

19th century New England country secretary in red paint

{1}

{2}

Black and Blue (and Gray)

2011-11-04T06:42:00.002-04:00

1. Fritz Hansen 1930's

2. Ringl & Pit, Composition, 1934, at Ashe Auctioneers

3. Unidentified Abstract

4. Christian Dell Lamp for Kaiser and Co., 1932/1934

5. Adolf Lazi, Interior Views 11, 1932

6. Herbert Bayer, Jason Tapestry at Cowan's (woops, 1961)

7. Adolf Lazi, Details of Weissenhof Siedlung, Stuttgart, 1932

Adorable

2011-11-03T09:50:00.002-04:00

We stumbled across Sharon Montrose's work last night while looking for art for a client's nursery. The images on her site, The Animal Print Shop, are so playfully simple and fun that we had to share some of our favorites with you today...

20/20

2011-11-02T07:37:00.002-04:00

It's incredible how chic the 1920's were- the art, the fashion, the industrial and product design. Jean Dupas is an all-time favorite for his stylized, hyper-dimensional figures that are simply elegant. As for the coats- the shapes and textiles are amazing and we see how fashion, the arts and graphic design were closely, closely linked.

1., 3., 5. Jean Dupas

2., 4., 6. From a Doyle, NY Auction in 2006

Surreal Pairings

2011-11-01T07:52:00.005-04:00

Salvador Dali, Les Elephants

Paint or Die But Love Me table by John Nouanesing

Salvador Dali, Person at the Window

Melting chair by Philipp Aduatz

Yves Tanguy, Indefinite Divisibility

Clay Furniture via Moss

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:22:00.002-04:00

1. McCall's 1930 Costume Hat Sewing Patterns

2. 1930's Halloween Chic via Helium magazine

3., 4., 6., & 7. Halloween cards & bridge tallys via Finsbry's Photostream at Flickr

5. & 8. 1940s' Pin-up gals

Askew

2011-10-28T09:58:00.004-04:00

We've always been drawn to asymmetrical, counter-intuiative, seemingly imperfect perfection. And the ability to deconstruct and reconstruct elements can create a beautiful chaos out of order that fuels innovation and creativity...

Pablo Picasso, Nue Au Faubourg St, Honore 1970

Poul Kjaerholm Suspended sofa via 1st Dibs

Georges Braque, Still Life: Le Jour

Tejo Remy chest of drawers

Georges Braque, The Musician's Table

Fractal Table.MGX via Moss

Hockney Got Style

2011-10-27T08:35:00.002-04:00

We're not sure if we were aware of David Hockney's style before his artwork or the reverse, but we know one informs the other and we love them both. Saturated color, bold pattern and a brilliant sense of scale...fashion or art or both- GENIUS.

Model with Unfinished Self -Portrait at The LA Louvre

Henry & Eugene, LA Louvre

Ipad drawing for The New Yorker

Dr. Leon Banks, LA Louvre

Goodnight Moon

2011-10-26T00:00:00.004-04:00

There is something glorious about the moon- the beacon of light that seems to smile at us through the night. Whether it is vintage paper moon photographs (via Liveauctioneers) or the Personal Moon Project of artists Leonid Tishkov and Boris Bendlkov, we love the moon, the art it inspires and it's distant familiarity.

Mix & Match

2011-10-25T09:06:00.009-04:00

We're always on the lookout for interior inspiration. And while everyone has their own brand of style, some seem to gravitate toward similar areas of a spectrum. Today we mix & match a few designers into a little imaginary home that balances rustic and refined, bathroom included...

Office by Deborah Needleman

Living room by Celerie Kemble

Dining room by Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar

Bedroom by Lulu Powers

Bathroom by Adam Braum Strauss

Prior- Hamblin (and School of)

2011-10-24T09:11:00.005-04:00

There is a lyrical quality that we love about the portraits of the Prior / Hamblin School- rich, dark clothing create graceful counterpoints to bright, rosy faces rendered in an almost abstract economy- lyrical and simple, these portraits prove "les is more".

1. Sturtevant J Hamblin family via It's About Time

2. Prior / Hamblin School via Skinner

3. Portrait attributed to WM Prior via Old Hope Antiques

4. Prior / Hamblin School via Skinner

5. Attributed to William W. Kennedy, sold at Skinner

Gone Fishin'

2011-10-21T07:49:00.001-04:00

JF Kernan print via Darvill's Rare Prints

Early floats via Lang's Auctions

Via Remodelista

Arthur Sarnoff via Retrogoddess

Six factory floats at Lang's

Vintage camp blankets at Three Potato Four

Lucky Fisherman print at Darvill's

20's and 30's bobbers at Lang's

Vintage camping stool via Etsy

Florals! Tartans! Colors!

2011-10-19T20:26:00.010-04:00

We've fallen in love with the very modern florals of Charleston artist Lulie Wallace- her fresh, energetic renderings and very modern palettes wink at 60's modernism, but are very today. In the same sense, the tartans of E15 and the rooms of Das Kransbach by the brilliant Ilse Crawford satisfy both our passion for vintage and our love of color saturation. Together, they just bring a smile to our faces. See for yourself:

10.

11.

Lulie Wallace- 1.4.6.8 & 11

Ilse Crawford rooms from Das Kranzbach- 3.5

E15- 2.7.9 & 10

The New Victorian

2011-10-19T07:54:00.001-04:00

We probably wouldn't have started thinking about Victorian style and design if we didn't attend auctions. Prices for the style are sadly low, so it almost always makes us turn to each other and say "what a shame, that's actually a very pretty piece." The problem is, it's very hard to view Victorian style as relevant today...most is fussy and hyper-designed, but there is hope. Adjacencies are important (probably not a great idea to have a roomful) and palettes should be approached carefully, but here are a few chic examples of The New Victorian:

The gorgeous Claire Bigby house in San Francisco via Desire to Inspire

Kilims on Victorian stairs via The Marion House Book

Pretty Victorian portrait

Eastlake Setee project at Gypsymade

Ebonized Eastlake table at Kamelot Auctions

The Breslin at the Ace Hotel

Eastlake wall shelf sold at Skinner

Victorian portrait

Pier mirror cabinet at Factory 20

Lovely table via Liveauctioneers

It's a Jungle Out There

2011-10-18T07:12:00.001-04:00

Union Square, NYC (from behind the brush)