30 Jan 2011

The World According to Julie Heffernan

Is it a microcosm or rather a macrocosm of self, delightfully interpreted by Surrealist artist Julie Heffernan on canvas, her symbolic vision of the world with nuances, light touches of colour, and admirably rich detailing, that invite spectators to explore and lose themselves in this total immersion experience, in this extrapolated imaginary world...


Pict 1-3: Respectively (1) 'Self -Portrait as Big World' (oil on canvas, 2008), (2) 'Self-Portrait as Sky-Scraper', and (3) 'Self-Portrait as Big House'. All sourced from Escape into Life: Julie Heffernan's Contructions of Self.

27 Jan 2011

Grandeur & Decadence: Detroit's Michigan Central Station

The flipside of grandeur is decadence of dizzy-high proportions; nonetheless from the tragedy, from the combined obsolescence and degenerescence of the once-bustling station emanates solemn beauty at its most pared-down form, bathed in visual silence.


Pict 1-4: Michigan Central Station is one of Detroit USA's iconic derelict constructions. Built in 1913 it was sadly doomed as a white elephant, never achieving its full potential despite its credentials. Later in the 1970s, the motor town's changing fortunes further accelerated its demise. The station's future has been hanging in the balance since closing down in 1988 and demolition is now on the cards as the only viable option. That will be yet another Detroit symbol biting the dust. Photographic footage featured by Kevin Bauman on Behance

21 Jan 2011

Celia Birtwell: Textile Designer Extraordinaire

Celia needs no introduction as one half of the Ossie Clark duo who revolutionised fashion design in the course of the Swinging 60s and 70s, with accent on body-flattering floaty florals, ruffles, crêpe de Chine and chiffon which graced the limbs of royalty and rock royalty alike; the fruit of Celia's talent can still be enjoyed today, exemplified by her partnerships with British retailers Top Shop, Boots, Millet and John Lewis, or as shown here through her soft furnishings collections.


Pict 1-3: Bird Song fabric design by Celia Birtwell, available in French Blue on natural linen, French Blue on crisp linen, and Ivory on natural linen. Pict 4-8 (clockwise from top left): Jacobean at Night Charcoal on natural linen, Mystic Daisy Dusky Violet on oyster linen, Jacobean Rose Red on natural linen, and Little Animals Blotch Aqua on beige linen. All by Celia Birtwell.

14 Jan 2011

The American Dream Deluxe

Smooth, nipped, tucked, streamlined, aerodynamic, available in lipgloss pink with a flawless satin finish as standard; ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back a flavour of the American Dream Deluxe, best viewed in Cinemascope for splendid appreciation...


Source: Original advertisement feature of the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, available as a reproduction print from Plan59. Find out more about this classic supercar's breathtaking credentials from Supercars and Cartype.

7 Jan 2011

Forever Floral Florilège

Now that the apotheosis of Winter has died down in a flurry of pine needles and discarded wrapping paper, and a brand new year is slowly unfolding to us with the promise of yet unbroken resolutions, what we seem to be resolute about is for a ray of sunshine to beam across our path, with floral enchantment breaking down the inclement weather all-around, so we may bask in the ephemeral reminiscence of Spring and the joys it comforts us in...

Pict 1-5: Respectively (1) Spray Flowers, (2) Briar Rose, (3) Rose, (4) Provence Rose, and (5) Candy Flowers, all by Cath Kidston, a lady of vision whose kitsch floral fabric designs have never been so popular than right now, thanks to the vintage revival scene. The company has even rescuscitated the word 'chintz' for one of its patterns, yes the once-doomed little word back at the height of the naughty noughties - and Ikea's bête noire - that conjured up ideas of fuddy-duddy style, tea-cosies and general old-fashioned grannytude! Pict 6: Crochet double-sided gift wrap, by Smock (set of 2 USD$8.00). Pict 7: Blossoms on Green letterpress calendar handbound book, by Brooklyn-based Campbell Raw Press, also available via Felt & Wire (USD$35.00).

    3 Jan 2011

    Heart of Glass

    Tucked away in the Montecito hills of Southern California is a delightful bijou box that playfully reinterprets spatial awareness, revealing to the outside world its inner self and ulterior desires/ motives while inviting the lush outdoors in for an architectural stone and glass-fest where the thin boundary line between inside and out gets blurred; geometrical purity, timeless modernism, quality materials (walnut wall cladding etc.), attention to detail beyond expectation, all packaged up in uncompromising couture luxury, and all yours for a cool price tag.


    Source: The Glass Pavillion, Santa Barbara CA, is publicised for sale by Sotheby's International Realty. Property stats:
    • Set within approx. 3.5-acre oak grove estate
    • Interior: approx. 1,289sq.m. (13,875sq. ft.)
    • 5 bedrooms 
    • 5 + 1/2 bathrooms
    • Vast art gallery space/ display showroom
    • Property ID: 0113311
    • Sale price: USD$28,500,000
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