Category: <span>Finds</span>

Published July 25, 2007 by

Fringe Frames

fringeframes_5x7_

It’s good to have a stash of presents handy. You never know when you may get that invite to a friends beach house or to a catered dinner party—but you want to be ready when you do. These frames from Fringe Studio are like the “break glass in case of emergency” of gift giving. They come wrapped in a chocolate linen box so you can grab one and go; the placeholder picture is so gorgeous the recipient doesn’t even have to add photography; and the border is so original, your good taste will ensure oft-repeated invites. The flora-and-fauna decoration is captured under beveled glass and adorned by an antique copper beaded edge. An easel back means that it can be displayed vertically or horizontally. This frame is made to impress, so buy in bulk and be the ever-ready, ever-fabulous guest.

Fringe Frames, 4×6 frame, $32 and 5×7 frame, $35: at VonMaur; 877-866-6287; VonMaur.com

Finds

accessories picture frames

Published July 23, 2007 by

The Ultimate Bedspread Compromise

Florence-HH.jpg
Florence duvet from Haute Home

Im not married yet, but I can only imagine the battle of the sexes that must ensue when couples decorate their first bedroom. She wants Shabby Chic floral and he wants Boy Scout khaki. My future Mr. Wonderful will obviously know I wear the design pants in the family, but I know better than to subject him to pink toile. The compromise? Haute Home’s new bedspreads. The Tracey pattern in green bamboo is gender-neutral but style-strong. And if you catch him in moment of weakness, run the Florence duvet by him, it is a bit more feminine but so gorgeous he’ll learn to love it.

Tracey_HH.jpg

Finds

bedding soft goods

Published July 18, 2007 by

Comic Console

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

Published July 12, 2007 by

MoMA Music Orb

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

accessories decorative objects