Visual Resource of the Moment: Wovenplay

Source: wovenplay.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Theme of the moment: get inspired by Wovenplay. I'm in love with the stunning photographs featured on this children's clothiers' website, despite the fact that it is not abundantly clear what this retailer is even selling from its online "store." Perhaps the utter mystery is what drew me in after all but, regardless, Wovenplay's site is loaded with great photos of kids playing dress-up and pretending. I highly suggest that you have a look.

Wovenplay's online photos evidence a very smart method of branding akin to that of Anthropologie, another retailer that focuses its advertising less upon product than upon lifestyle. Year after year, Anthro has crafted an image that speaks to consumers through ethos and aesthetic. The ethereal, artistic quality of its magazine photos make viewers want to buy into the brand. Even its stores are decorated with care and are highly stylized and individualistic, a stark contrast to the traditional department store approach.

The editorial nature of Wovenplay's digital archives has me itching for more and likewise just itching to work on some of my own creative work. I love that in viewing a photo on this website I am transported to another place, a place of the child's imagination. This place is one often captured by the lens of one of my favorite photographers, Helen Levitt. Now deceased, Levitt's work has spoken to me for quite a few years and each time I reflect back upon it i'm reminded of a quiet stillness and excitement about childhood that I often long to recapture. Likewise, the photos from Wovenplay stir up a sense of restlessness for the times in which all things seemed possible and the weight of responsibilities carried little consequence. There's something good about responsibilities and accountability, but there is also something wonderful about the sense of freedom and wonder so often exuded in a child's demeanor. Most adults, I think, could stand to learn something from the likes of Wovenplay's subjects. A sample of Wovenplay's work is provided above, but you'll have to visit the site to get the full experience.

Some Snippets

For those of you wondering why I have not been posting much lately, it is because I have been taking design courses for the past 5 months. The summer kicked off with a failed attempt at attending RISD (apparently my program didn't have enough enrollees to commence?), which was followed shortly thereafter by my enrollment at a local community college to take my first true design course.

I spent the summer exploring various art-making techniques, such as a hand-gridding technique employed by the likes of Chuck Close (see my recent piece at Curator Magazine for more on his stunning work), color theory, and the principles of design. Since then, I have graduated on to learning Adobe CS5 and am now working on a collage project in my latest class through the Corcoran.

To say the least, the journey has been incredibly worthwhile. It has helped me bring together a set of disparate passions that now seem neatly tied. In the latest project, we've been given an incredible amount of freedom to explore the meaning of various words and develop a representational collage. I've chosen to focus my sights upon the notions of cities, authenticity, and spontaneity. These themes will likely surface in many of my outpourings over the next few months, but as for now some snippets from early on in the project:

A nice-looking vintage license plate ala Roma (flatworldsedge via flickr) 

When I think of cities, I almost immediately think of Rome and its once-global prowess as a hub for trade, as well as its prestigious and indelible cultural image. Just flipping through pictures from the photographer linked above is riling up my longing to travel.

A hint of Parisian charm, from rent a moose via flickr, as inspired by a read-through of Hausmann's renovation of Paris. 

Speaking of city planning, i'm also planning to check out Edmund Bacon's book "Design of Cities." Has anyone read it?

A lovely illustrator, genie espinosa (trouvezlelapin), whom I discovered while searching for source images. 

For one thing, I love bicycles, and for another, I really really really love hand-drawn illustrations. Can I say that enough? Probably not. In an age where so much has gone digital, I have such an appreciation for those capable of crafting visual splendors like this one.

Blending Business and Design to Extend the Bottom Line

Source Image: @boetter via flickr

If the mantra of the twentieth century business world was “getting things done,” then the mantra for the twenty-first may well be “building smarter businesses.” As the recent years’ recession has worn heavy on many a good business plan in the works, many executives have realized that business as usual just will not work anymore. Increasingly, these leaders are turning to creative problem-solvers to help them move into the future. And simultaneously, creative entrepreneurs are turning the wheels of business in new and different ways.

A growing number of sources are recommending that businesses bring creatives into the boardroom, not to build marketing strategies or media mobilization plans, but to help re-envision business models and craft innovative problem-solving strategies. Companies like game-changing design firm IDEO are redefining the conceptions of what artsy-types can offer the business world. Simultaneously, business schools are developing DesignMBA programs and design schools are offering emphases in fields such as design management. The business world is changing, and many are taking note.

This growing movement is picking up speed in a variety of realms, and believe me, it’s one to watch. London’s Royal College of Art and the Imperial College of London have launched the DesignLondon program, aimed at bringing together MBAers, engineers, and design students for collaborative learning and doing opportunities. A continent away, Hong Kong's government has developed the DesignSmart Initiative, which is intended to fuel innovation by partnering businesses with designers. And here in the US, renowned US design schools such as Pratt and SCAD now offer programs in design management, a field that equips professionals for work on things like branding schemes, organizational planning, and strategy discussions.

Whilst some companies have solicited the thoughts of creative directors and their comrades for years, the idea of including designers in business development has only recently become trendy and is still by no means mainstream. Amidst the seasoned business crowd there remains a lingering skepticism about the kinds of ideas that designers might bring to the table. Some worry that an over-emphasis on creativity might lead companies to overlook the basics of business administration. Others doubt designers’ abilities to develop scalable, sustainable solutions to everyday business problems.

Meanwhile, numerous sources suggest that creatives have something unique to offer the business world, and perhaps also vice versa. Consider, for example, a simple search for “design thinking” on the Harvard Business Review website. Or take it down a tier and start searching for the terms “organizational design” or “employer branding” amongst the business world. The linkages are interesting and growing rapidly.

Truth be told, both the business and the design realms still have a lot to learn about one another. And, perhaps it should be said that the learning may very well begin with realizing that neither artmaking nor business development are easy. If there’s one thing that “The Great Recession”(as it’s now being called) has taught us, it is that there are no easy answers. The work that is needed is challenging, perplexing, and at times unwelcomed. But, the need for a rebranding of the notion of business as usual in today’s economic, social, and cultural landscapes is unmistakable.

As I navigate my own way in these murky waters, I’ve been encouraged by the words of Wendell Berry in his recent book Imagination in Place, which I’m currently reading. In one of the earlier chapters, Berry talks about the importance of both knowing and imagination for thoughtful living. His words suggest that to thoughtfully live into the world we must be able to simultaneously know some corner of it and its problems intimately and possess the capacity to re-imagine that corner of the world as something more than what it is now. For me, this is part of the appeal of bringing design to the business world, and just as much bringing the principles of good business to the likes of artists and designers. The two realms are not, and should not, be considered separate-for truly good design thinkers are also good business thinkers, and truly good business thinkers know how to operate a bit like designers. Both are capable of dreaming of a better world and translating that envisioned reality into something that lives in the present moment-whether it’s a strategy, a work of art, or a physical commitment to a people and place. As they find their way into our lives in one form or another, their dreams-turned-reality have the ability to change us and give us the courage to live into our own dreams even when it feels like we’re stuck in slow motion. 

For an excellent read on this topic, check out Tim Brown's 2008 piece for the Harvard Business Review entitled "Design Thinking."

Designing Homes a Few Kids at a Time

If you love design and haven't heard of the Novogratz family, you need to listen up.

This week, the first season of this family fun series wraps on Bravo and it has been one wild ride. With a brood of kids in tow, seven and counting, the Novogratz are a couple who turn subpar, and often once commercial, spaces into stunning homes, working mostly in downtown New York City.

Image: Sixx Design

I love this show for a variety of reasons. For one thing, I love interior design and this show packs a lot of it into a 45-minute weekly dose. For another, the Novogratz have a bustling family life. With seven little ones bouncing around, they make time for things like basketball fundraisers, birthday parties, and playdates while also juggling the responsibilities of a growing design business. Notably, however, you don't see this couple hacking off their kids to their nanny 24/7, although they do have one. The children are a big part of the parents' lives and its evident in the way that the children are portrayed. When the husband and wife team go to London, for instance, they bring along their older children and take time out of their promotional touring to play tourist with their children. This show also features a happy marriage. Contrary to most family reality shows, the Novogratz aren't getting screentime for HD-quality fights. Instead, they seem to play off of one another's personalities in a mostly encouraging way, bringing out the best in each other and suggesting that they work better as a team than as two distinct parts. And yet, the Novogratz don't claim to have it all together, and readily admit that they make mistakes and have to roll with the punches. When you have lots of kids, that's pretty much a necessity, especially if you live in Manhattan.

Most of all, I love what the Novogratz' work proudly stands for: a sprinkling of design can bring hope and beauty to even the darkest places and serve as a catalyst for enriching homes and communities. The home is front and center in this show, and the Novogratz proudly display their knack for design by entertaining, helping friends decorate their homes and offices, and offering their home and their creative skills towards raising money for noteworthy causes.

To see more of the Novogratz' work, visit their website Sixx Design or check out their book Downtown Chic.

Sewing Hope Through Kenyan Fabric

Image: Suno, Fall 2010 Collection

On a recent trip to Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across the designs of one Max Osterweiss and found myself intrigued. In 2008, Osterweis launched a line known as Suno, which draws from Osterweis' experience gathering textiles from Kenya and working with Kenyan tailors. One of the things that immediately captivated me about Osterweis' line was his use of color and pattern to tell a story in his designs. Another more subtle tone, although still apparent, was Osterweis' commitment to the Kenyan culture. Osterweis' designs have a consistent bold feel to them that celebrates Kenya's heritage and traditions, while making them accessible to the Western consumer. I really love the richness of this brand and what it represents. Here's a quick excerpt from a 2009 interview Osterweis did with HandeyeMagazine:

H/E: Can you summarize the vision behind Suno for us?

MO: I’d like to create a visible and sustainable brand that produces high quality clothing out of Kenya while using and developing local talent. I was motivated to do something in Kenya after last year’s post-election violence, something that would help Kenya psychologically, economically, and cosmetically - in the sense that people from the outside would be able to appreciate and be introduced to a different side of Kenya. 

Osterweis' designs blend whimsy with elegance to create looks that make a statement. The styling on the Suno site reflects this approach, as many of the outfits mix patterns and palettes and pair already bold looks with vibrant accessories. Yet, the aesthetic feels approachable and fun. For a more everyday look, I imagine one of Osterweis' colorful skirts paired with a plain white tee and boots for a Friday night concert or one of his bright and cheery dresses with a simple ponytail and flats for a Saturday brunch with family friends. Regardless, i'm sold on Osterweis' intricate and interesting mix of colors and fabrics as well as his commitment to fostering Kenya's culture and economy.

Image: Suno, Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

A Taste from Down South

Image: Southern Flourish, Spring 2010 Issue

I've been following a blog called "Everyday Musings" by Olivia Rae, who is based in Charleston, SC for several months now. Through a visit to the blog earlier this year, I learned about an up-and-coming online magazine called Southern Flourish to which Rae is a contributor.

The spring issue of Southern Flourish just launched and i'm super-excited. As a girl who grew up in the Carolinas and fondly recalls her Southern upbringing, this magazine speaks to some of my own story and the wonderment that is life in the South. One of my favorite aspects of growing up Southern is the appreciation that I have gained for bringing touches of beauty to everyday life. The South embraces elegance, finery, and decorum. Rather than stifle them, Southern men pride themselves on their lady-folk's ability to pull together classy dinners on the lawn complete with fancy flowers, ornate fabrics, and carefully-chosen place settings. While 'ere a Northerner might scoff at a woman who takes "too long" to get dressed, a good Southern man knows how important just-the-right-look can be for a woman who is making a social appearance and realizes that a cake that takes 24 hours to prepare is probably better than one that can be whipped up from a box. And this is what makes Southern Flourish wonderful; it embraces the good life that is life in the South.

While there is certainly both good and bad to being Southern, there are many things about the South that are very good and this magazine celebrates them: freshly-picked bouquets of spring flowers to brighten a room, a smartly-calculated sportcoat and bowtie combination ala shaggy Southern gent, the incredible culinary offerings and climes of Southern beaches, ahh I could go on and on. This magazine, though, is not just about a culture of over-accessorization. It includes discussions on topics such as organic agriculture, sustainable fashion, and buying local. All around, a good read if you're hoping to brush up on Southern culture or just looking for a little something to whet your visual palate. Not a fan of the South? Have a read; I think you might find yourself surprised at all it has to offer.

“A culture is made-or destroyed-by its articulate voices.”-Ayn Rand

Time to Flex Your Design Muscles

I've been thinking about a little notion i'd like to call "play for profit" lately. Somewhat in that capacity, I ran across the video below and it got my design muscles pumping. Have a gander.

Escape from IDEO on Vimeo.

Barry's Beauts

"Style has nothing to do with money and everything to do with discipline and restraint. Quality speaks for itself, and I think we should build our interiors over time incorporating quality. A dark, polished wood floor will look great even with sparse furnishings." -Barbara Barry, Style at Home interview

A few weeks ago, I ran across the lovely work of designer Barbara Barry at Barnes and Noble in a book called Inspired Styles. The book provides work samples and biographies from several different interior designers and I was immediately struck by the design choices and philosophy of Barry. Her less is more approach to interior design, even in high-end spaces, allows room for viewers to appreciate the elegance of choice pieces, be they a bold wallpaper, or a stunning mantel. This design approach allows viewers to feel restful and at home in her spaces as their eyes are not overwhelmed by competing elements. Barry's look reads Hollywood Regency with a softer edge and has a kind of timeless transcendence to it. In the Inspired Styles book, Barry describes her sense of design as one that "emerges from a philosophy rather than a style...based on principles of balance, proportion and symmetry. This sensibility shows in her work, as Barry's postmark involves making a room work functionally-less as a gallery space, and more as a livable space-while dressing it up with a few striking touches of glamour.

Barry's designs for the Brentwood Residence, Image: Barbara Barry Company

Barry creates spaces where residents, shoppers, travelers, diners, etc. can relax and be comfortable while also enjoying some of the finer things in life. What makes her distinctive is a strong, but tastefully editing, eye for details-she masterfully paints the fine lines that make a picture pop without impeding a viewer's appreciation of the overall aesthetic. Barry has an excellent sensibility for finding pieces that work well in a given space and work well together, blending new and old to create spaces that feel homey and down-to-earth but also chic and high fashion. This knack has enabled Barry to work for a varied clientele, including restaurants, hotels, homes, retail boutiques, and more, both domestically and abroad. In addition to space design, Barry has also tried her hand at product design, creating lighting, linens, and tablescapes that leave viewers gasping. 

A sample of Barry's offerings through Wedgwood

A true treat for the meandering artsy types who like to find inspiration from high-end designers and make it their own, Barry's work offers just the right blend of luxe and hand-me-down antique. To read/see more about Barry's work visit her website.

A Burst of Flavor for Your Walls

Imagine a pack of fruit-striped gum morphed into a wall hanging; what comes to mind? Well the folks at Flavor Paper have gone there, creating colorful, juicy wallpapers that pack a real punch. One of my favorites is their Fruits of Design brocade-patterned paper in gold and blue (see below).

               Image: Flavor Paper

Envision an elaborate dinner party with a large dark wood table, gold rimmed white china, and beautiful touches of peacock blue in a room outfitted with this flavorful creation! Crisp linen napkins, beautiful glass goblets (my choice peacock again), and a loose arrangement of white gladiolas could add the perfect touches for such an elegant occasion.

Thinking of something with a softer edge? Try on the Iris paper in fushia for size:


               Image: Flavor Paper

This paper would look lovely in a guest bathroom paired with some crisp white towels (I happen to love the options at Designers Guild, although I can't quite afford them), soft lavender-scented soaps piled high in a silver bowl, and a few cotton blossom votives adorning the countertop.

I simply love how wallpaper can make a room feel complete. Furthermore, I love the notion of framed patterns and prints. Say, for instance, you live in an apartment where you aren't allowed to paint or simply don't have the budget for walls laden with paper. A few large framed strips of wallpaper arranged beside one another could add loads of visual interest to a wall without breaking the bank or the irking the landlord.

Rubie Green Turned Magazine

Image: Lonny, Fall 2009 Premiere Issue, p. 79

So, I don't know that any of you actually ever click the links to the right of these posts, but the designer of Rubie Green, one of my favorite visual inspirations, is now the proud editor of an up-and-coming design mag. The magazine, which hit no newsstands but rather computer screens around the country, as an online-only publication, is something to look into if you're even the slightest connoisseur of design.

Says the introduction to the magazine, "We believe that good design and affordable design can coexist and that true inspiration can be found in the teeniest of homes or in the grandest of spaces." This mantra is translated into the pages that follow. Lonny invites readers into the wonderful world of reupholstered antiques, bold patterns, and unique fashionable finds. It is a place where 800 dollar sweaters co-exist alongside fifteen dollar knickknacks, expressing a true appreciation for good design at any price point. Meanwhile, Lonny also encourages readers to find ways to turn old into new-with a fresh coat of paint, a new fabric, or a few choice trend accessories. Readers can make good design their own, even on a shoestring budget, making this mag much more than a lust-driver for bigger, better, fancier.

Image: Lonny, Fall 2009 Premiere Issue, p. 134

This online glossy with a punch takes the concept of design and looks at it more holistically than most niche design mags, some of which are admittedly personal faves. On one page you may find an eco-friendly bicycling solution and information about the burlap dutzi rescue bag, a creation meant to help people in the Yucatan; and on another you may tumble across the eye-catching frocks of Doucette Duvall. The idea is to incorporate all types of design (with a particular emphasis on shelter) that can add vibrance, meaning, and utility to people's daily lives.

A few mouse clicks later, and i'm totally hooked. This magazine fills a void created by recently-demised Domino Mag, a place where readers could find high style decorating ideas that wouldn't break the bank, and visual stimulation aplenty. But Lonny definitely has its own viewpoint, and its own edge, boasting selections and ideas that express the creativity and interests of its contributors, such as newly-cast editor Michelle Adams. Formerly market editor at Domino, Adams has a penchant for showcasing interesting details and unique finds. Her first Lonny issue definitely brings it with a bang, not only hosting an array of uniquities, but also reminding readers that design is for both sexes, not just the ladies. For example, pages 83-102 provide a tour of a neutral-toned modern style New York bachelor pad with steel blue and orange accents. This at-times androgynous angle might very well seem like a gaffe to the Anthropologie wearing femmes of the planet, and from a profit perspective it might make sense to just cater to overzealous shopaholic females (pardon the bitterness), but that's not what this magazine is about.

Get ready, because this is just the sort of thing designers and the consumer market need to kick-start things after well over a year of treacherous markets, cautioned spending, and fearful financial outlooks. The idea is simple: don't go blow the bank to get something you love; find your style at the high-brow spots and then make it your own. Good style takes time, it takes cultivation, just like a good relationship does. Sure most of us can't afford an interior designer or stylist, but that doesn't mean we can't dress in clothes that flatter, and outfit our homes in pieces we love that express who we are. We can all afford to take the time to create beauty in the world around us and present ourselves in a thoughtfully crafted sort of way. It just takes a bit of patience, research and planning. Cheers to Lonny, you've captured my attention.

To see more, check out Lonny's premiere issue for free online at http://www.lonnymag.com/

Latest Intrigues

• cherry blossoms
• black and white photography of people in cities, especially kids
• Mixing old fashioned pieces with modern decor items (think hollywood regency style)
• damask prints
• the color turquoise
• oven-baked pastas
• parisian interior decorating magazines
• dinner at 10 PM
• saturday afternoons on my back porch
• the meade park wednesday farmers market (you'd have to live in charlottesville to understand)
• coming up with an art installation with materials from lowes (an idea i conceived while walking through the piping aisle last week, not yet a reality)
• eating local food every day
• intentionally slowing down to appreciate the people, environment, and places around me
• everything written by robert coles
• refinishing/reupholstering/repurposing old furniture
• eppies restaurant on the downtown mall
• etsy.com
• design management
• silver or mirrored trays
• high thread count sheets (they really do make all the difference)
• high-waisted skirts
• solid neutrals with a burst of color or dash of floral pattern
• old fashioned kitchen canisters
• chalkboard spray as a decorative touch on household items
• Shenandoah Valley sunsets
• learning to be grateful for the underappreciated abundant blessings in my life

Pictures would really enhance this list. Perhaps soon.