Inspired by our recent trip to Maine, I ordered a new doormat from the Maine Float Rope Company. Each mat is handwoven in Maine using reclaimed lobster trap float rope. A serious threat to the endangered northern right whale due to entanglement, and ultimately a serious threat to the environment at large, float rope was replaced with sink rope in the state five years ago. Since then literally millions of pounds of float rope have been recovered from the ocean, and it still continues to wash to shore. Banned from landfills, but perfect for its new function, it is seemingly indestructible. Although I chose a stock pattern and color scheme (black with aqua stripes — love!), they do make custom mats. Most importantly, Maine Float Rope Company is a wonderfully ethical business from using recycled packing materials to providing off-season employment to local fisherman and year-round employment to retired citizens of their great state.
www.mainefloatrope.com
We always feel inspired to paint, re-paint, and touch-up the interior of our home each fall. The process has already begun — two doors down and the living room to go! The only paint we use is Mythic. It is non-toxic, VOC free and virtually odor-free. We love the quality and the color range. And, if you have a favorite color from another brand, they can match that too. Most importantly, it is the safest and healthiest paint we have found for ourselves, for our children and for this earth. Check it out.
www.mythicpaint.com
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| Vintage-inspired postcard from Daytrip Society, Kennebunkport, Maine |
Last week we spent several glorious days in Maine, certainly one of our most favorite places. Still thinking about our time there, we feel compelled this week to share some of the spots that we tend to visit again and again. Of course at the top of our list are the magnificent rocky beaches — so unique to this great state, and quite indescribable, we feel, in words alone. You must experience those for yourself. When we’re not at the beach, however, we find we eat incredibly well (we have already posted on some exceptional Maine food here and here), we try to see some art, and we always manage to do a bit of shopping. Daytrip Society in Kennebunkport is one of the best curated and stylishly-arranged shops we know. Owned by two native Mainers who after a stint in New York City in the music industry were drawn back home, Daytrip Society features special items made in Maine, and those inspired by and for the woods, the sea, and nature at large. They also have a lovely collection of vintage books and pennants scattered about. But we’re really just skimming the surface here. A perfect balance of whimsy and really good design has definitely been achieved in this establishment. And they have a store for kids, Daytrip Jr., right around the corner! Best of all, Daytrip supports local nature conservation organizations including the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge.
In desperate need of a new wallet, I paid a visit to the Freitag store a couple of weeks ago on Bowery. If you don’t know it, Freitag is a fantastic Swiss company that has been making bags and “successories” from upcycled truck tarpaulins, seat belts, airbags and bicycle inner tubes since 1993. It was founded by the brothers Freitag, both graphic designers, out of the need for a messenger bag to keep their drawings safe and dry whilst traveling by bicycle throughout Zurich. Each piece is handcrafted in Switzerland and completely unique. I did find the wallet of my dreams, the Samantha — intelligently designed, responsibly made, and the most incredible shade of blue.
Freitag, corner of Prince Street and Bowery, NYC, www.freitag.ch
YOU STARTED OUT AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DESIGN HAIR ACCESSORIES SPECIFICALLY AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN DESIGNING INTERIORS AND ACCESSORIES?
I suppose my daughter, Nadia’s hair was the biggest inspiration in the beginning. And yes, I think there is a strong connection. Design is design, no matter what is being created. And it has always come as second nature to me. Design is not work…it’s fun!
YOU DESIGN FOR BOTH WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND OFTEN USE RECYCLED OR SALVAGED MATERIALS. DO YOU CREATE DESIGNS FOR PARTICULAR FOUND MATERIALS OR DO YOU DESIGN FIRST AND LATER IDENTIFY THE MATERIALS?
I work both ways. It all depends on the circumstances. Sometimes, I have the design ready and am just waiting for the perfect textiles or hardware to create it. Sometimes, I find materials that inspire me first, and then I figure out exactly what to do with them.
YOUR WOMEN’S LINE WAS RECENTLY PICKED UP BY HENRI BENDEL. CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT’S NEXT?
Thank you! Working with Henri Bendel has been such an amazing experience for our brand, and we hope this is just the beginning! Even though all our items are available for purchase online at our website, we are also working hard to get our pieces in more retail locations…so keep your fingers crossed for us.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Having my daughter tell me how much she loves me is the best feeling (particularly when I’m feeling stressed out!). It’s a beautiful reminder that everything is going to be just fine, no matter how hectic my day was. That is my joy.
COMB OR BRUSH?
Brush, because I always wanted to have curly hair!
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I do now. It’s short and simple. I didn’t always, though. When I was younger, I wanted to have a long, beautiful named like Cinderella or Aurora. Now my daughter wishes that she had a name like that too. It runs in the family I guess…
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
Only a number. It’s all in your style and spirit.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
mmm…my favorite comfort food — rice, eggs and soy sauce.
WHAT LED YOU TO BECOME AN ILLUSTRATOR AND PAINTER AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
If I had the type of mind that was really shrewd and clever about money or real estate or whatever, I would have been a banker or some kind of baller entrepreneur. As it is, I’m good with people and aesthetics, and I just needed to satisfy my curiosity, make a living, and burn off a sort of puritan work ethic I’ve always had in me. I just hustled toward the thing I felt best at, and it’s this. And I’m a pleaser, so it’s nice to make things for people and have them respond so graciously. Kind of like being a chef, but less essential.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS AND WHOSE WORK ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED AND INFLUENCED BY?
I love portraits — Manet, Sargent, Whistler. I guess those guys would all be classified as ‘post-impressionists’. Hockney, for being such a wit and a workhorse. I have a weakness for bright pastels, Florida / California colors. I really loved the Cecily Brown show that was just at Gagosian uptown. But my favorite art, really, is TV. Comedy. I’m having a renaissance with the Simpsons, new episodes. It’s still incredible.
CUSTOM HERALDRY IS SUCH A LOVELY CONCEPT. WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS OF DEVELOPING SUCH A SPECIAL PIECE WITH A CLIENT?
Usually it’s a phone interview, but if they’re in New York I’ll meet with the couple, which I love. It’s just sweet to talk to people at this moment in their lives when they’re so in love and have a sense of beginning. I try my best to diffuse some of the stress and silliness of wedding planning and get at something pure.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
All the different faces, body types, ways of saying things. The goodness and funniness of people. Dogs. Laughing and talking trash with my husband and my friends. Walking around the city. Clothes.
COMB OR BRUSH?
Brush! Vigorously but not that often.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
Yeah, I like it. I wonder sometimes what my life would be like if my name was, like, Jennifer Weintraub or something. I’m not one of those people who feels I was meant to be born in another era, on another continent. It all feels about right to me.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
33
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Probably rice and beans and avocado and tomato. I eat like I’m heading off to build a pyramid right after.
Daily ritual for me includes at least eight hours of sleep and several cups of the most perfect tea from Harney & Sons — Green Tea with Thai Flavors, also called Bangkok. A family owned business for three generations, Harney & Sons blends the most exquisite teas and creates quite gorgeous packaging as well. If you find yourself in Soho this summer check out their tasting room for some of the best tea in the city and far, far beyond.
Harney & Sons, 433 Broome Street, New York City, www.harney.com
We first discovered the work of Wanda Barcelona when walking past the W Hotel Union Square last month. In the window was an indescribably magnificent, huge paper and wood fan. Wanda Barcelona, the genius creator of the installation, is a Barcelona-based design firm that uses paper and cardboard, and the best of both traditional and new techniques, in all of their projects. Their work can be found all over the world and their client list is truly enviable. The W Hotel piece celebrated Spanish design, hence the fan, in conjunction with the 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). The feathery part was composed of 6,000 tiny pieces of furniture, all paper, all assembled by hand. The artistry was sublime and certainly lived up to its name: FANtastico!
www.wandabarcelona.com
A brilliant installation is happening right now at one of my favorite shops in Paris — Merci. The Dutch design collective Droog is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the transformation of the boulevard Beaumarchais store into Hôtel Droog — a very cool, modern living space. The most ingenious part of this idea is the fact that three lucky winners got to spend the night at Hôtel Droog with a guest and have all of Merci to themselves. I can’t even imagine…
Hôtel Droog at Merci, 111 boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris through June 15, 2013
www.merci-merci.com, www.droog.com
We have a weakness for all things letterpress and can’t wait to be among the first to see the new designs from SMOCK on Wednesday! Hope to see you there!
