happy easter!

Wishing you a Happy Easter and a glorious spring day!

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
~ L.H. Bailey

Shapes of Spring ~ Milton Avery, 1952

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DIFFA’s dining by design, new york 2013

Art…whether it lifts us out of a dark mood or plunges us deep into a contemplative moment, art has the power to make us feel…at this year’s Dining by Design, I found myself reeling with divergent emotions…every installation, every collaboration, brought forth a unique and honest message…whether playful or edgy, I felt something extraordinary…and I couldn’t help but think, this art was created for such an incredible cause…countless numbers of volunteers, designers, architects, sponsors, board members, students, mentors, and the list goes on and on, all united in the fight against HIV/AIDS…of the 40 remarkable installations, I selected 17 to feature in today’s post…while some were designed by industry leaders, others were the tireless work, and vision, of student design teams…from Ralph Lauren to NYU, these designers brought thoughtful innovation and boundless energy to their craft…a seamless and fitting reflection of what DIFFA brings to their ongoing mission every day…I couldn’t be more proud and honored to share this post with you.

DIFFA = Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids

Rachel Laxer Interiors with Robert Kuo

The Marie Antoinette/Alice in Wonderful wall treatment is an enlarged reproduction of an original painting titled “Calamity” by artist Ray Cesar. The copper repousse root table and stools as well as the life size sheep sculptures are all designed by Robert Kuo.

Interior Design magazine, designed by Ali Tayar

Parsons The New School for Design, Mentor: 2Michaels

Inspiration Statement: ALL ENCOMPASSING: Creating an environment of transformation and change of topography, of connections, of life, translating an ebb and flow of material and light as memory in a space.

Arteriors, designed by Barry Dixon

Elizabeth Bolognino Interiors LLC

Ralph Lauren Home

Echo Design

Marc Blackwell New York

Fabricut, designed by Vern Yip

The New York Times, designed by Frette

Kravet, designed by Aerin Lauder

Gensler & Herman Miller ~ MANY HANDS (walls of hershey kisses morphed from purple to silver as the public participated in this interactive display)

It takes many hands to shape a life

The perfect hug

Those laughs with a best friend

That first kiss

It takes many hands to transform a community

That cup of sugar for a neighbor

The shoveled driveway for a friend

Those words of encouragement for a child

We invite you to take a kiss, and join the many

hands it takes to spark positive change.

Profiles, designed by James Magni

Federico Delrosso hosted by Corinthian Capital Groups, LLC

New York University, Mentor: David Rockwell & Barry Richards (over 1000 wire hangers were used to create this sculptural masterpiece)

Inspiration Statement: “Deconstructed Closet” draws its inspiration from subversive icons of solidarity and revolution. A closet is no longer a place of shame, but one of beautiful transformation.

EDG hosted by The Rodger Thomas Collection (LED lights gracefully morphed from purples to pinks and greens to yellows within this portable dining unit)

Benjamin Moore, designed by David Stark (the last photo is from the Cocktails by Design party on Saturday night!)

photography by danielle boudrot for a thoughtful eye

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a room with a view

Having just returned home from the 2013 AD Home Design Show, I have a multitude of photos to sort through and edit before posting, but until then, I thought you might enjoy this sun-soaked view of NYC! (Thanks Valerie!!!)

Till tomorrow…

NYC, 3/23/13 ~ photography by danielle boudrot for a thoughtful eye

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a look back & a look ahead

Last year, spring arrived with 74 degree temperatures, sunny daffodils and birds in song. Today, on spring’s eve, Mother Nature rocked our world with yet another fierce snowy blast, cold winds and maybe a bird or two in song. What a remarkable contrast to the March of 2012…

But when it comes to art and design, here’s hoping the NYC 2013 Architectural Digest Home Design Show remains true to form, delivering innovation, brilliance, and even a touch of fantasy. Last year’s show opened my eyes to a whole new world of creativity. I met inspiring artists from the MADE galleries, filed away thoughtful insights from the AD design seminars, and was blown away by the gorgeous and sustainable furniture made by companies like BDDW and Tucker Robbins, just to name a few…

To whet our appetites, I thought I’d share a sampling of my favorite installations from the NYC 2012 DIFFA’s Dining by Design event (held in conjunction with the AD Show). It was a magical place, uniting art & design all in an effort to provide direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and foster preventive education for those at risk.

 I can’t wait to experience this year’s magic! Hope to see you there!

Architectural Digest Home Design Show ~ March 21 – 24, 2013

Pier 94, 55th Street at Twelfth Avenue, New York City

Resource Furniture

New York School of Interior Design

Herman Miller

Benjamin Moore

Neiman Marcus

David Ling

Slade Architecture

Ali Tayar with Jones Falls Furniture Company, Custom Digital Printing by Wolf-Gordon

New York Times

Kravet

photography by danielle boudrot for a thoughtful eye

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zorn palette

 Today’s post focuses on the humble yet sublime palette from In Wikström’s Studio painted by Anders Zorn in 1889. Layered earth tones of stone, clay and putty provide a subtle backdrop for his female subject’s luminous gold skin and vibrant red hair. To some, this palette may appear quite neutral, void of “color” if you will, but for me, this highly sophisticated canvas speaks to all that I love about color and texture. It has opened my eyes to an infinite number of artistic possibilities…

Feau & Cie

Mariann Johansen Ellis

photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Elephant Seal Mother and Pup ~ Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott

photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Anne Packard

Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Silk Road, Kyrgystan ~ Vincent Bonnin

Antique egg print

Feau & Cie

Winter ~ Arkhip Kuindzhi, 1895

Nicole Franzen via the gifts of life

Provins, France ~ Jules Gervais Courtellemont

hybridlava.com

Feau & Cie

Snow and Mist ~ John Atkinson Grimshaw

Jac for Valentino Fall/Winter 2012

Antique egg print

Libeco

Lioness, Kenya ~ Ramesh Ratwatte

via the gifts of life

pashtundukhtaree.tumblr via the gifts of life

Pamela Pierce

Dior Homme “Shadow” Fall/Winter 2012

Darryl Carter

Artists, Dordogne River ~ Jules Gervais Courtellemont

Haynes-Roberts

Pagoda Steps, Nepal ~ Bas Uterwijk

Charles Spada

African Spurred Tortoise ~ Glenn Nagel

Andy Newcom

Death Valley National Park ~ William Lee

Belstaff Spring/Summer 2013

Antique egg print

Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Cheetah Cubs, South Africa ~Dumith Fernando

Bobby McAlpine

photography by danielle boudrot

Anders Zorn’s studio in Mora

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anders zorn at the gardner museum ~ a trio of firsts

“Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America” is a remarkable trio of firsts. It is the first historic exhibition to be shown in the new Renzo Piano designed wing (The Hostetter Gallery) of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, it is the first show organized and realized by Oliver Tostmann, the museum’s new curator, and it is the first time in 25 years that an international loan exhibition of Zorn’s work is on display in the States.

“Too young to be an Impressionist, too old to be a Modernist,” declares Tostmann, this intimate collection highlights Zorn’s influential place in the history of modern art. Bold brushstrokes, along with a masterful understanding of light, bring his subjects to life in a way that feels uniquely timeless and far from the academic portraits of the time. Take for example his painting of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Adorned in a luminous white dress with arms widespread, her youthful zest for life pops off the canvas, as if she is saying, I love life, I love art, I love beauty!

Showing now through May 13, 2013 ~ for more information, click here

Self-Portrait, 1889, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi, Soprintendenza Speciale Per Il Polo Museale Fiorentino

Portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner in Venice, 1894, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Omnibus (study) – oil sketch, 1892, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Zorn Museum, Mora, Photo: Lars Bergland

The Omnibus, second version, 1892, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

In Wikström’s Studio, 1889, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Zorn Museum, Mora, Photo: Patric Evinger

Opal, 1891, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts

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white done right

Happily, my 2013 March/April Veranda arrived the other day! This romantic spring issue, accompanied by the slow but steady snow melt outside my window, reminds me that greener grass and tulips are just around the corner. One of my favorite interiors is the Houston home of designer Pamela Pierce. Re-imagined with cleaner lines and a more edited mix of modern & antique pieces, she has successfully composed a stunning new space to reflect her newfound aesthetic. Ruffled hems are updated with sleek white linen slipcovers creating sculptural forms that appear to float atop her 19th century rustic wood floors. Thoughtful juxtapositions include Frank Gehry’s iconic cardboard Wiggle Chair perched next to a 19th century elm table and antique rolled-arm English sofa. Her impeccable eye for color and texture allows each piece its own breathing room yet they work effortlessly together, as if to tell us one cohesive story. The photos in today’s post are from the Veranda spread along with some beauties from her design portfolio. Click here to learn more about this amazing transformation!

Photography by Lauren Resen for Veranda

Photographs from Pamela Pierce Designs

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