POP

I have always had a slight obsession with the work of famous American pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein.  His influence from popular advertising and comic style fascinates me.  He described Pop Art as, "not 'American' painting but actually industrial painting" (Coplans, John (1972). Roy Lichtenstein. Interviews, p55, 30, 31).  There is something about the composition and the colors he uses in his paintings, sculptures and prints that gets me.  Clearly, I am not the only one.  Last year, his 1964 painting "Ohhh . . . Alright . . ." was auctioned and sold for over $42million.  

His work is something I often look to for inspiration in the interiors I design.  I adore the clean distinct lines, his incorporation of text and the eye catching pops of color.  

I often look to works by my favorite artists for inspiration, particularly at the start of new projects.  Each time I revisit a piece, different things about it strike me and often spark new ideas/concepts that I can bring to my work.  I am including some items that I found/saw/photographed/created that make me think of Roy Lichtenstein's work for me at the moment...

A photo I took of a killer view of the sun setting on St. Mark's in East Village with that orange pop of the sun that I have enlarged and framed

Today when I was looking at Lichtenstein's work, I was particularly struck by the yellow.  He used bright yellow so beautifully in his art and I also think that this color can be so effective when incorporated into spaces.  Yellow is a color that when used in a formal space can add just the right amount of playfulness and always adds a great pop, especially amongst cool neutrals.  I love these bright yellow Chinese tea boxes  to be used together in front of  a sofa or pair of chairs as coffee tables.




 

I snapped this photo in a NYC outdoor parking lot.  So much I love about this sign...  the aged industrial look, the yellow, the cartoon caption-ish text font, and most of all how it oozes with New York attitude.  Having been born and raised in Manhattan, I think Roy, too, may have liked this. 

A painting I did for a dear friend of mine, who has an amazing apartment in Chelsea (NYC) where this paining fits in just perfectly. 

 

 Find your inspiration where you can get it!

C(&M)

Interior Designers in Film

I watched the new Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (corny sequel title, I know) this weekend on Netflix and then followed it up with the original Wall Street movie, which I had never seen.  After getting past the ridiculous, egotistical one-liners spewing out of both Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen's mouths (reminiscent of Charlie's recent quips, see: http://www.livethesheendream.com/) in the original, I couldn't help but get caught up by Darryl Hannah's character, Darien Taylor.  Caught up, not because of her acting or design prowess, those were both quite terrible, but because she played an interior designer and being one myself, I got to thinking how rarely interior designers are portreyed in major motion pictures.  In this particular movies she revamped Charlie Sheen's Manhattan apartment with all of the 80's flair that people have been ripping out of their residences ever since.  I must admit it was fun watching this movie just to gag and poke fun at the decor.  Sorry Darrien... I mean Darryl.

And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to... Sandra Bullock for playing (interior designer) Leigh Anne Tuohy in the 2009 semi-biographical sports drama, The Blind Side.  In the movie, Leigh Anne is portreyed as being the stereotypical overly decorated, traditional Southern (Tennessee) designer.  However, in a quote from the real Leigh Anne on Brent Wood Homepage, she said, “You think I would have drapes like that in my own house?  Those are the ugliest drapes I have ever seen.”  (Pictured below) I have to agree with you there, Leigh Ann...

Regardless of how I may criticize the set designs, I must admit that I enjoy watching on-screen portreyals of what I do for a living day in and day out.  I find it is often either glamorized (of course, this is Hollywood afterall) or trivialized as a perfect side job for the lady who lunches.  If only my job were that easy! Not really, though, I love it just the way it is...MOST days anyway ;)

C(&M)

Sailing Into Spring

For those of you who know me, you know that I have a penchant for most things nautical...anchors, stripes, navy blue, knots, I could go on.  That said, when it comes to where I live, you will only see tiny glimpses of this nautical passion of mine.  Rightfully so, I mean who wants to live in a room decorated to look like the inside of a boat?  I'll leave that for when I actually decorate the inside of a yacht...preferably my own.

We have been having such a wonderful preview of spring weather here in the Northern Virginia area and it got me craving those long hot summer afternoons sitting on the deck of a boat and thus the reason for this blog.  I am including some of my favorite things, be it housewares, furniture, jewelry, bags, etc.  It's just one big compilation of nautical things that strike my fancy...



Love the naval uniform inspiration on the leading edge of these curtain panels! Simply Gorgeous! (As seen in Elle Decor)

      

Antique metal painted set of drawers



Striped Chanel cuff bracelet that I would love to own and my vintage Chanel earrings, gold with navy blue leather woven through chain that I adore.  Does Chanel ever get it wrong?

 


Melamine plates with creatures of the sea.  Perfect for a mid-summer lobster bake on the beach




My husband's CG cover... this love for things nautical runs pretty deep




Tom Ford tanning goggles.  Pretty ridiculous and I love them. 





Louis Vuitton rope bracelets that are fabulous.  I want these clanking on my wrists right now!



I officially have spring fever and am praying this warm weather sticks around!  I have a feeling funky patterns and bright colors will be featured in my upcoming blogs...

C(&M)