A $600 dollar tax rebate is about to hit your bank account. How will you use it? You could invest it, but frivolous spending is the obvious choice. Now for the tough decision, does it go towards your living room or your wardrobe?
Cast your vote:
The Hollywood Pillow by Fred Red New York for $585 or the Lainy Shoulder Bag by Kooba $535.
When New York furniture designer Richard Wrightman told me he outsourced all of his chair production to the Amish of Lancaster County, I couldn’t believe it. But Richard, I asked, they don’t use electricity. This didn’t seem to bother him. It actually enticed him to use the Amish. He says their history of woodworking, strong work ethic, and integrity swayed him away from some of the more economical factories abroad and they do use some electricity.
In the community Wrightman is working with, the bishop draws the line of what’s in violation of Amish custom and to help their economy, he’s loosened up the rules a bit. They still can’t use the electrical grid, but they can use power tools. To make this work, they convert power tools electric motors to hydraulic motors and thus keep their self-sufficient energy system. And for the big projects that require some extra voltage, they can ask their Mennonite neighbors to help finish the job.
This insight into contemporary Amish practices is a bit surprising, but their occasional use of electricity doesn’t take away from their craftsmanship–their trained hands, mind, and eyes are what sets them apart from other manufacturers. And for smaller companies like Richard Wrightman Design, who need help with their production but want a supremely high level of quality, the Amish are apparently a great resource.
Covering anything with ivy is a set equation for charm. You could take a shack or tract house, cover it in a blanket of English Ivy and suddenly it’s got architectural appeal. This has always been true of housing facades but now it’s creeping into in home decor and, especially, lighting.
(Above) In Gallery 91’s Foresti ceiling lamp, the crystals of a traditional chandelier have been replaced with little imitation leaves–the effect is way more whimsical than Swarovski.
I have been noticing naked mannequins in every store I go to—and these aren’t clothing stores. Small wooden or wire mannequins are being sold as decorative objects through all the home decor manufacturers and I don’t really know how I feel about it. The bare and sometimes faceless dolls are kind of charming yet creepy at the same time. I suppose one or two could be sweet in a dressing area or funky fabulous in vintage-style living room—you think?
These figurines are truly by some of my favorite home design companies, that’s what makes me ponder.