Ideas Lit

Initially spotted on Interior Divine blog, these whimsical handmade light fixtures from French company Mathieu Challieres. I've been thinking about making some myself since numerous disheartening trips to lighting stores. I'm not particularly keen on birds, but some papier-mache and chicken wire spray-painted gold, and away we go. 

Unfortunately I don't recall where this pic is from but the chandeliers and colourful backdrops give the warehouse certain zing, don't you think?

Secretive Ladies & Travelling By Fish-Boat

When I visit the V&A site I'm always drawn to 

1) Intriguing portraits and 2) Chinoiserie. 

It's delightful to stumble upon similar threads in very contemporary design, in this case by English designer David Carter. 

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Pensive lady with secrets

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The potential living room of a man who gets to the shops on the back of a fish-creature

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Nature only slightly strange

Object images from V&A site. 

Interiors images from David Carter's portfolio 

Art Shopping, Paid For In Kind

More works by artist Simryn Gill I am considering buying, though it's all a pipe dream with the reality that is my severely wilted bank balance. I wonder if Breenspace gallery will accept Good Intentions as payment? 

These are from My Own Private Angkor series...

Or maybe from her Power Station series. (They come in pairs)

All works belong to the artist, images via from Breenspace

I Saw I Smiled

To make a crappy day brighter 

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I didn't know what to blog about, 

so here are some random images that made me smile.

If you've been following my blog you know I love all things Catherine Martin. These are the 4 covers of the Collector's Edition Vogue Living Australia she edited several months ago. The issue was simply lovely cover to cover, and between cover to cover. 

Image via Studio Pip and Co

Pretty anyone-can-do. Image via ish&chi, though I think the original image may be from Decor8. 

Black&Spiro interior that takes a weird alcove and makes it better. I found the image on VT Interiors Library

I like porcelain. And heads with things sprouting from 'em. "Behind Quiet Veils of The Blue Willow" 2001 by Red Weldon Sandlin. Picture: Newark Museum via NYTimes

Où Coco Est?

Eagerly anticipating English release of Coco Before Chanel into theatres in September (why does France get it a whole 6 months beforehand? No fair). Incorporates 3 of my favourite things: Audrey Tatou, the French language and France in general, and Madame Chanel - one of my 'when-I-grow-up' heros. 

Found on youtube, a rare glimpse into her home at 18 Place Vendome. Features a delicious close up of the wheatchaff-base table I mentioned last year.

All images via Filmofilia.com

Indoor Bugs that Don't Gross Me Out

Found on the lovely VT Interiors Library blog, these wallpaper designs by interior designer Brad Ford. Apparently they are from his site, though I couldn't find them when I went for a looksee. 

Slightly reminiscent of Timorous Beasties, sans overt subversiveness.

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These images vis VT Interiors Library

Simply Breakfast

Simply Breakfast blog reminds me

a) the most important things in life are the simplest

b) to celebrate the everyday. Everyday.

Lovely

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Jan Fyt's Dead and Beautiful

Not being a fan of still life paintings in general, I never really spend much time looking at them. But these by Jan Fyt (Flemish, 1611–1661) are captivating. I'm not sure exactly what it is I find fascinating, but the subject is as beautiful as a portrait. These images found on the Met Museum online collection database.

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Ah Xian: This is Chinese?

Ah Xian is a China-born Australian-based artist I greatly admire, and probably the only (semi-?)Chinese artist I have a real affinity for. Probably to do with the inherent identity themes that run through the course of his work. I find it interesting he doesn't physically make the work but leaves it to ceramic specialists in China - opening up a plethora of discussion about artistic ownership/ideas. A good write-up on him and more views of his work can be found on the Asia Society site. 

These 3 images from YIP2's photostream on flickr

These 2 images from TheCoolist

Richard Saja's Frankentoile

Found. Artist/genius Richard Saja who makes irreverent history-based objects, prints and general things I want in my vicinity. Here is his 'Frankentoile' concept, concentrating on adding context to a monochromatic Pierre Deux print. One of the simpler ideas amongst his depth of work. 

But I covet. COVET.

All images and work the property of the artist. Images via Richard Saja's blogspot

Book I Bought - Domestic Art

Purchased a couple of weeks ago on an expensive whim, and still ploughing through it. There is so much visual information and sheer fabulous-ness I can't cover more than a few pages at a time before my brain overloads.

I also managed to finally locate a copy of Cark Skoggard and Derry Moore's Rooms. I was short of breath at the beauty of it all.

Domestic Art can be purchased via Amazon

Bookshelf Splendour

The fascinating things people have on their bookshelves. Why haven't I thought of purposefully placing a taxidermied hamster on mine? Things to shop for next weekend.

From the home of Carey Maloney. Images from New York Social Diary