Ron Arad Exhibit

This weekend I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the Ron Arad exhibit,

"No Discipline" at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City.

I don't claim to have any sort of photography skills but above you can find
"Even the Odd Balls?" (2008), "New Orleans" (1999), "Lolita" (2004), and "Narrow Papardelle" (1992).
And yes, you can text-message the chandelier, in case you were wondering
--her name is Lolita--
and your message will appear (and travel) down her
2,100 crystals and 1,050 white LEDs which are
wound into a corkscrew shape.

Arad's designs hang out somewhere between art, industrial design, architecture
and sculpture and are considered "design art" by many.
Critics have called them both self-indulgent and frivolous,
but I disagree.
At a time when designers are focused on social and environmental issues,
Arad manages to march to his own beat (though the exhibit
leaves you wondering what that beat was, exactly).

When art is condemned for being motivated by a desire for self expression
haven't we missed the point a little?

I thought the exhibit was shocking and aggressive
(in a good way)
and
personally, very inspiring.

EDIT: I became frustrated and traded my own pics
for professional ones. Thanks, Dezeen.

The "White" Idea

The power of white should never be underestimated.

White walls, flooring, and decor can be used to create

a feeling of brightness, lightness, openness or cleanliness

in an otherwise dark or cramped space.

That's a lot of versatility for one basic color!

When used artfully, white creates the most dramatic
interiors. With a crisp white background, the tiniest splash of color
is eye-grabbing and high-impact.

Does the mere thought of white walls make you snore?
Use texture

--vintage collectables, antiques, raised mill work, coffered ceilings, dramatic wainscoting, and ofcourse, textiles--
to make "middle-of-the-road" into "magnificent".

Don't forget that not all whites are created equal--

a slight tint can change the whole feeling of the space.

• Linen and Mediterranean Whites have a creamy tint and makes spaces feel warmer (sunnier). This type of yellow-white [generally] looks best paired with dark, antique, and natural woods and traditional interiors.
  
• Super or Ultra Whites are bright, pure whites. This white can act as a mirror and reflect light. These whites are best when used in a contemporary, minimalist interior.
  
• Cloud Whites have a cool, barely-noticeable blue or green tint. These whites are soothing but can be more difficult to use in practice.

In other words, white need not be sterile, boring, or predictable.
The options are limitless.

Thanks Tartanscot and Elle Decor for the exquisite example photos.

"I hate labels."

"I reject
pigeonholes and categories.
I'm more than that. I can be a
coffee table. A place to put your feet
up or to sit while you pull off your boots.
I can be a bench at the end of the bed.
I can be pure decoration or an impromptu picnic
table. I can be whatever works best with your life."

I am form and function.

Darryl Carter for Thomasville

Victoria's Best-Kept Secret

Just what I need; one more reason to love this store.

I was expecting to be dissappointed,

but, instead, I love the sumptous fabric and sleek design.

Very victoria-esque.

I could just fall into one of these beds... and then stay there for days--possibly weeks.

(Particularly enticing considering finals begin Friday.)

Don't the pillows and sheets look like they might just melt?

Victoria's Secret

Oscar the Grouch

Has anyone seen the article in the current issue of Vogue on

Oscar De La Rentas' home & gardens?

I haven't had a chance to read through it yet,

but I was disappointed by what I saw in the pictures of his house & home.

You would think someone with such

an eye for sleek and sophisticated fashion-design

wouldn't have such geriatric decorating tastes.

The rooms are dimly lit, and heavily/elaborately

(and might I even say incoherently?) adorned.

Instead of resembling the fresh face of the future

the look takes us back to the past -

the medieval past.

Parting the curtains, getting rid of some of the clutter,

and outlawing the use of floral prints would help a lot.

To be fair, I must say that there is something

quite lovely about the way this bedroom

is put together (above).

And I would even (shudder) keep the floral prints-

though I certainly can't explain why.

Would You Wear It?

I really don't know how to approach this post.

I guess I will preface it with saying that I often get frustrated as I flip

through design catalogs or books.

I want to ask "what were you THINKING?!"

This is not a matter of personal taste or whatnot, this is a matter

of decency.

Yes, decency.

Unfortunately, the one downfall of the blog-format is that I can not easily

post said pictures. So, I will improvise and pull one from a google search I did.

This was the best I could come up with, and it's actually much easier to take than

the rooms I was looking at in these supposed interior design books.

But still.. really? The lavender carpet is amazing... in a very bad way.

So here is the question.

If your room were an outfit, would you wear it?

Every day?
How about for the next five years?

If you can honestly say yes to both questions, with no hesitance whatsoever,

then take on the next one:
would anyone who uses said room enjoy wearing it?

(This includes friends and family for a living room, and husband for a bedroom, for instance).

If you wouldn't look forward to wearing nautical red and blue stripes daily,

with cutesy sailboats to boot,

then don't decorate a room that way.

(Of course, if it is a beach house, your guests might

like wearing red and blue stripes

every day they are there.. )

If pink, zebras, and polka dots are not a combination you would look forward

to wearing, then don't decorate a room that way - and certainly

don't subject your husband to a pink kitchen or bedroom.

Puke-green is not a color you would wear? Then why would you put it in your bedroom?

You wouldn't wear a patterned pant and a patterned shirt? Then...

Get it?

Got it?

Good.

I think this one simple rule can go a looooong way.

Obsession

They say that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

So let's just come clean, shall we?-

I am obsessed with contemporaryfurniture.com's coffee tables.

See, and that's not even the whole truth.

I am obsessed with their entire table collection.

But really, can you blame me?

Your thoughts are appreciated as I work through this...

(To satisfy your obsession, go here-)

Contemporary Furniture