Great, great coverage. Almost no odor (which is a little sad, actually, as I love the smell of paint.) Blandings Seal of Approval.
Two (messy) Thumbs Up
Tag Archives: Product
Bead of My Heart
T.S. Eliot had it all wrong. February is the cruelest month by far. Even with our occasional glimpses of the sun, the winter has not kept me warm, though I am hopeful for the lilacs. I’m weary of the cold and gray.
Casting about for inspiration and distraction, I enjoyed Town & Country’s profile of Diane von Furstenberg. It reminded me of the House & Garden feature of her Paris apartment in September of ’05. (Yes, that is the kind of nonsense I retain, while I had to remind myself that Eliot deemed April the cruelest month. April, even in the waste land of the modern world, is a piece of cake compared to February.)
von Furstenberg’s apartment is that tireless and timeless mix of old and new and this and that. Oh, and the Warhol, of course. But when I looked it up, what I couldn’t resist was the African beaded chairs.
Right? Then, on the hunt for something else, I ran across the image of Charlene de Ganay’s vacation home, second from top, which features a beaded chair as well. 
This is just the kind of folly that would lift my spirits. Imagine how much fun those boys would have pick, pick, picking until the cascade began. I cannot begin to imagine if these are comfortable or not, though if I were a guest of von Furstenberg or Ganay I am pretty sure I would neither notice nor care.
Several beaded chairs, stools and tables can be found at 1st dibs and other spots on-line. In addition, Christopher Filley sometimes has a piece of beaded cloth or such that holds the same graphic appeal.
Looking over the budget it appears that Mr. Blandings has left off the “African Beaded Chair” line item, so perhaps I will make my way back to the Nelson to enjoy the African beaded throne that sits just outside the Homer Page exhibit. Where I will stand tapping my beaded slipper, impatiently waiting for Spring.
Image, top, photography by Francois Halard, next, Ganay’s home, Elle Decor, October 2007, photography by Simon Upton, chairs and stool, 1st dibs, image, last, courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins.
NYGF Robshaw
John Robshaw is dreamy. If you want to think I’m referring to his bedding and rugs and furniture and journals, you may.
The journals are a fun addition to the line. This way you can carry around a little bit of hand blocked heaven every where you go. Blue Stars, the turquoise with white, is a personal favorite.
Regardless of the prediction that this is the year of yellow, I did not see a preponderance of offerings in this color. Robshaw’s Fern pattern offers a great way to work yellow into your color scheme with a white background and bright green leaves with yellow flowers. The Maharani bolster, above, is a similar scheme.
Swoon.
The new Lucknow pillows are a great combination of color and pattern.
But this red quilt completely captured my heart. 
Is there nothing better than a jumble of pattern? I say no.
But if you don’t care to live your life in a riot of hues, these metallics certainly offer a way to enjoy Robshaw’s designs with a neutral sensibility.
NYGF Brights
Yep, Mr. Adler, the king of pop himself. I have always loved his lacquer and these octagonal trays are on my hit parade.
But my favorite product from his booth was the place card holders. Forgive the quality of the image, but I thought you needed to see the clever display. Hope he has two more designs in production.
I’m mad about the finish.
I have a handy card case like this one and it has lighten my load. The color combinations from mywalit are fresh and cheery.
Show off a little national pride with their coin cases and covers.
Colorful glasses cases mean never hunting through the abyss of your bag again.
Again, my images are not so clear, so do visit Megan Auman’s blog to see better pictures of her terrific powder coated creations.
Wall panels, cubes, storage and lighting all of this creative cut out design were particularly appealing. The pendant lighting looks terrific in singles or in groups.
And if you think I was thinking of the boys, I was not. I’d like to create a little cityscape right here on my desk. Wouldn’t these be charming gifts for grown-ups, too? A taxi for your friend moving to the big city? A rocket for your co-worker starting a new endeavor? A sailboat for your sister who is peacefully drifting?
Present Time lured me in with their bright colors as well.
These banks are terrific. I think I need the duck on my kitchen counter. Every day I could drop in my saved coffee money for my next trip to New York.
NYGF Dog Love
I missed the boys while I was in New York, of course, but I was also missing my lollipup. Rosie and I actually spend more time together than I spend with the rest of my family. And she’s always happy to see me. And she never rolls her eyes.
So I was doubly delighted to come across Pillow Pillow Pillow.
Designed by Aaron Stewart, who graduated with honors from Parsons with a degree in illustration and animation, these creatures charm and enchant. The original collection was based on dogs Stewart has known, but now Pillow Pillow Pillow encourages you to submit a picture of your dog to serve as a potential muse.
The dogs are a product of Hornet, Inc., which produces the work of directors who toil in a variety of media. Hornet Toys gives these guys and gals an outlet for their creativity beyond their regular jobs. All the dogs and doggie bags are made in Brooklyn. And (you didn’t see this coming did you) Stewart is from Wichita, Kansas. Product of the Heartland.
