ECCENTRIC DISCOVERIES: Oriel Harwood

How would you specify the furniture and objects created by Oriel Harwood? Art furniture, designer furniture, functional art? No matter how you are going to name it her creations are inspirational and definitely eccentric and beautiful eyecatchers.

"Oriel Harwood's audacious pieces - neither furniture nor ornamentation, but something in between - are not made for meek persons or clinically Noughties interiors. They are heroic, flamboyant, unashamedly ostentatious outpourings from the creative mind..." (from her website)

What struck me most at first sight were Oriel's chandeliers which reminded me of those wonderful decorations you can find in the backdrops of films featuring fairly tales and other phantasy epics. The more I was astonished when I found out that these art furnishings were meant to be in a "normal" home.
The  art pieces are reminiscent of nature's eccentric formations as you can find them especially in winter time, when the ice is forming incredible sculptures. 

 

Being a great fan of fairy tales since my childhood I started to do some research and what I found were these wonderfully eccentric pieces:

(all images courtesy of Oriel Harwood)

Finally I found this marvellous mirrored paravent on the website of 1stdibs under furniture. Whether it is still available there I don't know:

(image source: http://www.1stdibs.com)

The New York Times wrote 1989 :

"Most people have a limited view of pottery, says Oriel Harwood, a ceramics artist. ''They think you either make things like mugs and ashtrays or you do sculpture.'' Ms. Harwood, 28 years old, makes large freestanding pottery pieces that are designed to be decorative. If they prove functional or sculptural, it is just a happy coincidence...."

"Ms. Harwood has incorporated extravagant baroque and mannerist elements into her ceramics since her days at Middlesex Polytechnic, where she graduated in 1982. Ms. Harwood's objects have been shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Orangery in Holland Park here, the Chelsea Flower Show, the National Garden Festival at Stoke-on-Trent and in exhibitions sponsored by England's Crafts Council."

''If you have a very straightforward interior, I think you need some quirky objects breaking it,'' she said. ''My work will probably become even weirder in the future.'' (from the New York Times)

Best you view this little video with Oriel made by the Media Center of the Deutsche Welle in November 2010. Oriel is talking about her art and how she feels about making her art. In Britain she is called the Queen of the Baroque which says it all...



Oriel's work is currently represented exclusively by the David Gill Galleries in London.

~

LUXURY FANTASIES: Ornaments which make you drool

I was not quite sure whether I should put this really under LUXURY FANTASIES because normally the objects I describe here, are hardly accessible for "normal people" with an average income - but this time I use it in a different sense, the LUXURY of FANTASY. I am talking about the work of Melanie Royals from  the Royal Design Studio and her crew and some ways to turn your home into a luxury accomodation.

Melanie is the highly talented artist who makes this luxury accessible to anyone who has a bit of artistic talent and - if not - at least supplies you with the necessary resources i.e. materials and potentially the professionally trained artisan in your area to fulfill your dreams of a luxury home.

I can show you only a very small collection of images from her work and I recommend you to check her official website of the Royal Design Studio and scroll though hundreds of images and let your fantasy go bonkers.

For example there are
Allover Production Stencils: "Production pattern stencils allow you to complete allover wall stencil patterns quickly. Each Production stencil pattern contains multiple repeats of the allover pattern, meaning that you will not have to reposition your allover wall stencil as frequently" 

Ceiling Motif Stencils: "These ceiling stencils are the perfect way to add stenciled color and pattern to the "fifth wall"."

Nature Harvest Stencils:  "This stencil collection features classic fruit and foliage stencils that are ideal for adding stenciled accents to kichen and dining room walls, as well as stenciling on fabric and furniture."

And various ethnic collections - which I love specifically - such as the
Moroccan Stencils: "This collection of Moroccan stencils was created for, and inspired by, three painting trips to Marrakech, Morocco."

But this is not all. There are stencils you could use for slipcovers - imagine how to give your old chairs a complete renovation with just a stenciled slipcover.

And what about stenciling some simple boxes - they could be turned into some precious vessels for your little secrets...pretty little Christmas presents that do not cost you a fortune but are handmade with love.

(all images with courtesy and copyright of Melanie Royals)

But this is still not all: Melanie also offers various books and videos, on-line workshops as well as DVD's where you can train and explore your own artistic talents including several free How-To's about the basic techniques.

Melanie Royals is a self-taught artist and entrepreneur who re-discovered and updated decorative arts stenciling beginning in 1984 and founded Royal Design Studio in San Diego, California in 1991. The first catalogue of pre-cut designer stencils was released in 1994. In it, the studio introduced an entirely new concept, "free-form" stenciling, which is now a much-copied, industry staple. Melanie and her crew continue to create new looks and inspirational techniques.

And if you would like to know more about Melanie's personal views and experiences - she also writes a wonderful blog: Designamour that says it all...

~

Stenciling and Painting - a happy Serendipity

Lately I am experimenting again - with ancient Indian wooden block prints. But sometimes things do not work as they should as in this example. I did a faux marble painting and wanted to use one of my block prints which I have collected the past 20 years or so but then I realized to my horror that after heavy glazing the surface of the painting would not take the paints from the prints - I had to look for a different solution.

As I knew I could paint on the glazing but not print - the idea of stenciling on the painting came into my mind. I have always admired the work of Melanie Royals from the Royal Design Studio. Melanie is not only the company's president and creative director but also one of the most innovative and creative people of the decorative arts, what I have seen from her work.

This said I finally draw and cut some stencils for the painting and could in fact add the graphical element I wanted. Framed virtually in a nice frame I found out that this would be the perfect complement for wall and sofa in the following room vignette:

Below is the image with the original art piece on the wall:

 original image source and with courtesy of 

http://www.livingetc.com

I must admit that the original art piece on the wall looks quite interesting on that textured wall and the colours are a great match but still I find it a bit gloomy. The Grey Marble painting is a more friendly alternative and its patterns complement those of the wall.

And here is the painting itself framed virtually in a nice frame:

"Grey Marble"
(from the Patterns series)
25" x 15", acrylic on paper
©Petra Voegtle

~

GUEST POST: Wreaths for the Holidays

Wreaths can be a beautiful decor for your home. You don't need to water them regularly as you would have to do with a bouquet and you don't need an extra vessel to put them in - you just can hang them on your door or on the wall, place them on a table or on a planter  etc.
I love to have a wreath for the holidays, one made from pine twigs or fir because I love the scent of the needles - this always reminds me of childhood days. The downside of these is though that they lose the needles eventually and you have all that mess on your table and home.

Yesterday I received  a letter from Home Infatuation about unusual wreaths for the holidays and I found  them very beautiful so that I did not want to withhold to show you these.

"The foliage is fresh magnolia leaves and the company is The Magnolia Company. The foliage is grown on a family-owned farm. Over 70 years ago the original founders of The Magnolia Company grew and sold fresh fern foliage to florists across the US. In the 1990s they began receiving requests for fresh magnolia leaves, and soon afterwards they began planting acres of magnolia.

Now they ship thousands of fresh and dried wreaths and lacquer painted wreaths which were selected last year by the White House.
The wreaths can be purchased at Home Infatuation, which offers everything required for distinctive outdoor living. For more information, call 877-224-8925, or visit www.homeinfatuation.com. Check out our blog at http://www.homeinfatuationblog.com."
(with courtesy by homeinfatuation.com)

"How to Use Holiday Wreaths

From open houses to family get-togethers, the holiday season is an ideal time to express yourself through creative home décor, and wreaths offer a great starting point. "Fresh and dried wreaths come in different styles and add a rich look to any space," says Mike Voyles of www.homeinfatuation.com. "Themed wreaths using flowers, leaves and dried vegetables can add whimsy to Halloween or create a warm and elegant look for end-of-year celebrations."

Depending on how you use it, the wreath can be the center of attention. It can adorn the big double doors of a custom home or hang above a fireplace, adding to the coziness of a living room. Add candles, and it also can serve as an elegant centerpiece for your holiday table.

The use of natural colors, textures and materials continues to be an increasingly popular trend. Fresh wreaths reflect the growth of green-friendly design, using magnolia leaves adorned with elements au naturel, from holiday gourds, pomegranates and natural pods to lemons, artichokes and berries. "They also add a sense of serenity to an unadorned space," says Voyles. "One of our favorites is the Magnolia Leaf Wreath, creating attention with its eye-catching luminous look."

According to Voyles, dried wreaths are a practical option. “To infuse color into a neutral-shade area and welcome in the fall or holiday season, try wreaths made of dried green and copper colored magnolia leaves adorned with dried autumn oak leaves, setaria, magnolia pods, yarrow and fall gourds. Presented as an accent or an integral part of your décor, it can define the landscape of your living space.”

Home Infatuation features fresh and dried magnolia wreaths that are made from foliage grown on a family-owned farm. The company offers everything required for distinctive outdoor living. Home Infatuation -- which now offers international shipping -- chooses products from around the world, delivering a high level of customer service and a quality experience. For more information, call 877-224-8925, or visit www.homeinfatuation.com. Check out our blog at http://www.homeinfatuationblog.com."

~

LUXURY FANTASIES: the Bed you sleep in

~~~

"Luxury are items which provide extra pleasure 

by flattering all senses at once" 

(Wikipedia) 

 ~~~

Many people do not pay attention much to the fact that they spend a third of their lives in bed. Beds are often neglected when it comes to design or renewal. And the bedroom especially is often the stepchild of decorating and/or interior design because it is generally not accessible to the "public" as a dining room or a living room.

Now imagine you have a budget without the common limits - what would you be craving for? For a canopy bed such as this one by Irish designer Joseph Walsh ?

original image source luxury-insider

This marvellous bed is "built from wood which is sliced into thin layers, Walsh used free form bending to give the wood its elegant curves. It is a one of a kind piece." (read more luxury-insider.com)

Or would it rather be this type of bed?  

"Liechtenstein based Lomme  presents a new sleeping experience designed to focus on inducing quality sleep, the Lomme Bed.
This egg-shaped bed combines simple, minimalist design with sophisticated, cutting-edge technology to create a protected, relaxing space ideal for rest and rejuvenation." (read more luxury-insider.com)

original image source luxury-insider

Or would you prefer to sleep in a rather traditional bed but designed with exquisite types of wood, created by Parnian, a family business that specializes on luxury furniture. 

"Parnian has gained a world-wide reputation is in its exquisite hand-painted finishes. At first glance, furniture done in the custom mixed and painted finishes seem to resemble delicate porcelain, or marble. In reality, the Parnian Porcelain Signature Collection of furniture is created out of wood and wood products which are then finished in a thirty-five step lacquer/urethane resin finishing system." (from their website)

 original image source luxury-insider

And here is another option for your precious sleep from a company Vi-Spring located in Great Britain which apparently produces beds for unspeakable 84.000 $!!! But they are eco-friendly! I am sure you are paying this from your pocket money just as David Beckham....

original image source trend-hunter

I think if you belong to those people who just don't make such a fuss about headboard, foot part, inbuilt night tables etc. the following may be the right dream for you. A bed that is "hanging" free, to be placed wherever you want, a "suspended bridge bed" by Max Longin.  

 "This design was inspired after Max Longin, mathematician and designer, had been sitting on a suspension bridge and noticed the nice, calming movement the bridge produced-a perfect sensation to fall asleep to. Float is held in place by four stainless steel cords that are connected to a frame of wooden rods and steel bows which can support a weight of up to 2645 lbs." (from yanko-design)"

original image source yanko-design

or would you rather go with the Fluttua Bed for the optical illusionist???  

"Fluttua is an innovative bed design with no legs visible so it appears to be floating. It’s actually very simple, with support from the wall and one leg under the center of the bed. It gives a great visual effect, specially with the underbed lighting - look - no monsters!" (see more here)

 The bed has been designed by Daniele Lago, 2004

 original image source trend-hunter

You like stained glass - then be sure to check out this for an unusual bed:

"Xander Blue fuses the mythical glow of old-world stained glass and the sleek style of high-tech construction; creating unique glass furniture for residential and business use. Each piece is custom made by designer, Andrew Ramsgard." (from website)

 original image source trend-hunter

~~~

FINDS: More than just Pottery from Etsy....

Here is another find from Etsy:  works from the Clay Studio by Heather Knight. 
Heather creates tiles - tiles which are beautiful little sculptures, inspired by the flora and fauna of the oceans, by creatures which live in an area that might never be seen by you but are so beautiful in their forms and patterns that they became the inspirations of a ceramic artist.

These tiles are not just meant to cover the wall of your bathroom or kitchen, these tiles are unique artworks, very fragile and delicate. But Heather does not only create tiles but also bowls, vases and more, equally inspired by the creatures of our planet...

In an interview she said: "...my inspiration comes mainly from textures and forms I find on my visits to the beach, or walks in the woods, and sometimes I find really cool stuff on city sidewalks..."

And now visit her studio on Etsy:

all images with courtesy of Heather Knight

~