Author: <span>Anne Collins Howard</span>

crepax

I was never a fan of comic books. With no brothers and six years of girls school, I didn’t give these graphics much notice–until I saw them on a console. Call it design tunnel vision, but now that Guido Crepax’s drawings are set within a furniture frame, I realize what beautiful patterns they make. Crepax was hugely influential in the development of European comic art in the second half of the 20th century, and this piece displays images of Valentina, a character from his most famous storyline. Unlike me, furniture designer Giuseppe Canevese was a follower of Crepaxs work, and when the Italian artist died in 2003, Canevese decided to pay homage to him with an extensive furniture collection. Admittedly, it is expensive, but when one piece can pick up this much slack in a room, its worth it. It will replace the art on your walls and destroy all those stereotypes about comics only belonging in the Sunday papers.

Crepax Valentina nel Metro Low Cabinet, $4285, MossOnline.com

Finds

moma orb

I miss the sound of my first jewelry box. Though the pink upholstery and the pirouetting Barbie may have been doomed to the yard sale long ago, I find I long to have the music back. This windup from MoMA’s Destination Berlin collection lets you be a kid again—in a totally sophisticated, grown-up kind of way. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is now Mozarts Voi Che Sapete, (click here to listen) and the sound is conducted by the turn of a classic key. Sitting on a bookshelf or desk, the perfectly smooth oak wood sphere looks like sculpture, but take it off its metal ring and its a stress reliever. Your niece is over dolls anyway, so make this her next gift. Shell never have to throw this one away.

Music Orb, $85; by Jrg Adam and Dominik Harborth; MomaStore.org

Finds

loisaronow-setting

Depending on her mood at the wheel, Lois Ruben Aronow’s work has the delicate look of egg shells or the roughness of a cantaloupe. This fabulous beaded texture is achieved by Aronow’s careful glaze formulation, application, and firing. But these nature-inspired designs aren’t just pretty little porcelain centerpieces; her new dinnerware line is made to weather the household storm of kids, in-laws, dishwashers, and microwaves. Her dishes will lighten up a dinner party of ten or liven up breakfast for one.

Functional Porcelain, prices on request; Lois Ruben Aronow: 917-561-2854;  loisaronow.com.

loisteacups

loisaranow

Finds

It is time I give my walls some dimension. I have a lot of paintings in my apartment (I am obsessed with my friend Roni Feldman’s art ), and as gorgeous as the oils are, walls need varied texture. Having this architectural bracket with a small sterling candlestick on top would be just the thing to freshen the view. I love its sharp thin lines, its Modern Gothic appeal. Its made of oak veneer in a natural finish, but if you’re feeling inspired, buy some paint it would look fabulous in red.

Gothic Wall Shelf, $97; GlobalViews.com.

Finds