Birds of a Feather Living Together

More is More in Hunt Slonem's world!  Best known as a Neo-Expressionist, Hunt's childhood spent in Hawaii and a year spent studying abroad in Nicaraqua had a profound effect on the direction this artist's career would take.  Hunt developed a passion for orchids and owned a menagerie of animals which became influential muses that informed his subject matter, but maybe none more than the rabbit; he having been born in The Year of the Rabbit.

With his aviary of 70 plus birds serving as his inspiration and living and working in his extraordinary New York Studio, (Hunt also has homes in Louisiana and Upstate New York) this man melds many worlds.

When I heard he was doing a fabric, wallpaper, and carpet collection for Groundworks thru Lee Jofa, I was intrigued.  How will all those birds, bunnies, and butterflies translate?  Apparently, beautifully!
Slomen, working with the team at Lee Jofa, experimented for two years to get the exacting color saturation, complexity, and depth of field required to have Hunt's menagerie translate as magnificently as it does.  It is not kitchy or childlike, as one might initially think.  It's quite sophisticated, and in the case of the Hutch Gold wallpaper (below) with its matte background, it is downright regal!

The Star of India fabric, in neutral linen with appliquéd velvet and embroidery, was inspired by a tortoise that was a former pet and a large sapphire jeweled tortoise that was said to have been carried around by a Maharani in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas for good luck.

Frittilery, in multi-colored layers of embroidery woven to mimic a cross hatch technique (which could  be interpreted as the cages these birds and animals might find themselves in), were collected and studied by Slonem as a youngster .

The collection translates beautifully from neutrals to energetic brights.
Monkey eyes and mouths are reduced to an interesting graphic design in the customizable carpet collection that was inspired by portraits of Frida Kahlo, where she often posed with monkeys.  They are also a symbol of protection.  The floor bunnies become more of an art installation.

There is a fluidity to his process.  Everything evolves, as opposed to "being designed."  He is a brilliant colorist with a strong need for a historical connection which led him to coin the term "collectorating."  He is an enthusiastic collector and decorator.  "He is energized by the act of creating settings with his collections which in turn fuel his work."  And I understand he hosts great parties in his studio.

"Bare walls scare me" says Slonem

Slonem's birds and butterflies symbolize the soul and spiritual liberation, as in a metamorphosis.  A fascination with these creatures as well as a menagerie of others captured Hunt's imagination and a spiritual life and visual life collided.  The repetitive imagery is like a mantra or meditative experience.  A stillness sets in.

Steven Gambrel

Jonathan Adler

For a little bit of happiness, check out Hunt's book, Where Art Meets Design showcasing his own homes and the magic that happens when art and design intersect colorfully.

The collection really reflects Hunt's joie de vivre attitude!  How do you want a room to make you feel?  Hunt thinks Happy!



Ph; CLI, Kravet/Lee Jofa, The Selby via NY magazine

I'm Lovin ~ Kravet's Painterly Fabric

I gravitated towards Kravet's Delacroix fabric the minute I saw it. The optimistic,impressionistic fabric drew me in.  I have been seeing painterly fabrics on the runways of late and it's colorful, unevenly dyed, broken lined pattern just speaks to me right now.

The fabric, like a blank canvas, holds the promise of being molded into something new, something unexpected, something dramatic.

This chair was featured on a One Kings Lane sale and I have to say it makes a pretty good mid century modern design shine ~

Not too shabby on a French  frame either ~

Kim Salmela is slightly obsessed, using it on several products in her line ~

Add solids, animal, stripe or geometrical prints and you've got a complete fabric story in any palette that strikes the right note.

One bright statement in a room wakes up everything around it.
(I am showing art, substitute the fabric, the theory is the same)

Or neutrals recede and brights POP

Then again, you could totally work it into a room full of jewel tones.

By no means is this the only option.  Love the look but the boldness doesn't bowl you over?   There are a plethora of painterly options available.  You can always paint your own if the artist in you is calling.

Wild Chairy

Then I saw this graceful watercolor beauty from the Kravet Couture line with it's Chinoiserie narrative and all bets were off.

Jonathan Adler's Mod Mod World

ph: Kravet

Jonathan Adler is at it again.  Expanding on his repertoire of pottery, bedding, furniture, rugs, lighting, accessories, and baby, now comes a line of fabrics in collaboration with Kravet.


I was at a talk recently by Jonathan's other half, Simon Doonan.  Simon was talking about Jonny saying, "It's easier to dish about somebody when they're not around."  And dish he did!  He told us how Jonny got started throwing pots, then found wonderful craftspeople in Peru who could create his pottery designs to his exact specifications.  That freed him up to expand into other areas.  He's been on a mission to MOD-IFY the world ever since.

The patterns have been described as flamboyant, trippy, moderne, and bohemian, but always sophisticated. "Better than Zoloft!" exclaims Simon.  The top and third (clockwise) pillows' inspirations came from the pottery collection that started the empire.  The colorful flame and geometric patterns, chevron prints, wave, and circle designs will gave any room a little lift.

ph:JA

The fabrics will be available in the beginning of October

* FYI... Jonny is coming out with handbags in the spring that Simon says, "Will make you want to blow your brains out."  Boy, that must be some bag!

Blogfest 2012

~ Everyone's sentiments as Blogfest 2012 ended with a BANG.  The activities and seminars were inspiring; the people even more so!  It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.  Everyone is always so lovely and gracious.

A BIG thank you to Kravet and company for making it all possible.  You can read a little more about them here and here.  They are as beautiful as the textiles they design and produce!

We were off and running ~ no time to dawdle; there was a lot of material to cover. 

Kravet and Hearst publications are a mighty force.  They each won a Circle of Excellence award in their respective fields; they are embracing social media, love bloggers, have shown growth in a challenging economy, and give back!

I was so thrilled that the clouds parted long enough for us to finally get a glimpse out of the 44th floor of The Hearst Building's windows to experience the view.  I wrote about the building last year because I was so blown away by it!

A few take aways:  A Hearst reader is not trendy.  He/she is a discerning luxury consumer, but wants authenticity.  Each magazine has a distinctive voice.  American designers have an "I can do anything attitude."  We (consumers as well as decorators) embrace a high/low sensibility, and there must be transparency in business.

 House Beautiful is the 1st magazine to have a print to pin ability.  With Pinterest exploding, every inspirational picture can be archived by anyone.  They also have the House Beautiful Connect app thru iTunes, that brings the pages of the magazine alive with video and more info.

There were shelter magazines in attendance and speakers galore.  We are all still trying to navigate social media and everybody's place in this fast paced, ever growing, ever changing medium.  It frankly makes my head spin!  There was definitely a "help me to help you" attitude because the business of design is changing, and changing quickly!

A true design darling, and one of the funniest speakers was Alexa Hampton, shown here with Anne Maine of Traditional Home discussing what traditional means to her.  Alexa and Kravet were unveiling a new fabric line.  She is quite the wordsmith as well.  AND she repeated words I say often ~ "Rules are meant to be broken."  Alexa, let's do lunch!

There were show houses to experience ~

and the Kravet studio tour to be taken, see my post here ~

There were contests ~

and cocktail parties ~

there were poignant moments ~ 

great food (the lobster rolls were a hit) ~

But most of all there was JOY!  Bloggers/designers just seem to be joyful people; wanting to help and be helped.  They are an inclusive bunch, happy to meet, mingle, learn, and educate.

Hip hip hooray.  Thank you EVERYONE for making it such a wonderful experience. 

ph: CLI and Blogfest