Dali Jewelry

Jewelry designed by Surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Amazing collection that bends the mind! A book of the collection is available through Amazon:

Also when doing research for this post I came across this photo: 

Yes! That is Michael Kors's real belly button and yes my skin crawls every time I look at it. 

- Grace

Twin Teepees

There's something about these vintage birch bark teepees, hand-stitched to sweet perfection, that I just love. From Oh, Albatross.  

- Cathleen 

Superman Symbol

Last semester I took a class called Symbolism. The final assignment was to pick a logo, brand, or symbol that each student believed to be an iconic symbol of the 20th/21st century and that would be recognizable 100 years from now. We were then to write a 10+ page paper on our pick. I chose the recycle symbol by Gary Anderson and learned some absolutely fascinating things about the design and its designer. However if I had to do the paper all over again today I would do the S on Superman's chest. 

We see the S shield so often and used in so many different ways I really believe in 100 years this simple yet iconic symbol will be recognizable if not still in use. 

What would you pick? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

- Grace

In Defense of Rococo

Rococo (or the correct term Rocaille) gets a bad rap. It's important to understand Rocaille in context. Before Louis XVI introduced Rocaille this type of furniture was the style: 

Heavy, symmetrical and squared off. 

When Louis XVI took the throne he was a man who enjoyed his hobbies, women, and frivolity. The art he ushered in followed suit. 

Charles Cressent

Cartel

1745

Paris

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

Sevres

Vessel

1760

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

Francois-Thomas Germain

Pair of Fire-dogs with Perfume Burner

1757

Paris

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

The goal of Rocaille art and decorative arts was to celebrate frivolity and light-hearted themes. Pastel colors were the order of the day as well as asymmetry and any element to the art that added surprise. Bureaus had storied themes encrusted on them with asymmetrical bronze-work. Handles and keyholes were hidden within the design. The piece of furniture was no longer just a piece of furniture but instead a delightful conversation piece. 

Entire rooms were designed in the Rocaille style with meandering gild work climbing the walls. Lit candles flashed off the gold work and added an effect that was unknown before. 

Rocaille is a tricky design concept because today it is so opposite the post-shaker style we have adopted in America but Rocaille must be understood in its context. It must also be noted that the amount of craftsmanship that went into Rocaille was extraordinary and something only the very wealthy could have. 

Would I chose Rocaille furnishings and decorative arts for my own home- probably not, but if I lived in 1750 France it would be a style I coveted and lusted after. 

What are your thoughts on Rocaille? I'd love to hear them.

- Grace

Artist of the Week: Elisa Werbler

I spied these prints pinned up in the hallowed halls of school last week and they literally stopped me in my tracks. Yes, I mean quite literally. I passed them, stopped, double-backed and took a good long look. I really wished I had my phone with me to take a picture. It would have lasted longer. But I committed the name posted next to the cluster of colorful images to memory and looked it up as soon as I got back to my desk: Elisa Werbler. The layered translucent colors and sharp edges of her prints are what really impressed me most—all effects rather difficult for any novice printmaker to achieve. Turns out Elisa also makes paintings, sculpture, furniture and—wait for it—Anthropologie window installations!! Her window displays are the stuff of repurposed material dreams! And her constructions have definitely made me stop to admire her handiwork on my walks around the city. You can see more of what she does on her website www.elisawerbler.com

Materials used: coffee filters, Cling Wrap, Q-tips, 

plastic spoons, cotton candy cones, wax, dye

- Cathleen 

What do Louis XIV and Paul Revere Have in Common: Part II

What do Louis XIV and Paul Revere have in common? 

The Edict of Nantes. 

Issued in 1598 by Henry IV of France this edict allowed Calvinist Protestants aka Huguenots  of France to stay and work in Catholic France. 

Louis XIV revoked this edict in 1685 causing the Huguenots to flee France and spread throughout Europe and some as far as the French colonies in America. 

Paul Revere's father- Apollos Rivoire fled France at age 13 and apprenticed for famed Boston silversmith John Coney. 

Paul Revere

Gilbert Stuart 

1813

Many other Huguenots sought refuge in Protestant England and it was soon after that that English silver took a giant leap forward in innovation and style. The Huguenots brought with them their sophisticated silver techniques and the most current stylistic trends. 

Tankard

Paul Revere Jr. 

1795

MET

Amazing the ramifications an edict can have and its far reaching effects. 

- Grace

Just Dessert: Peach Basil Pie

Peach Basil Pie is not exactly an autumn staple. My grocer's paltry produce section was completely devoid of any sign of white peaches, yellow peaches, and even nectarines, naturally. So I headed over to the freezer section and snagged a bag of the frozen variety. Picked at the height of ripeness and then made very, very cold; yes, these will do just fine. I pinned this recipe long ago, but made a few modifications that I think justify a posting of my own. 

Ingredients

One box of Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust

2 cups diced peaches (about 2 peaches) [or 1 16oz bag of frozen peaches, defrosted]

2 tbsp packed thinly chopped fresh basil

pinch of sea salt

1/4 cup of honey

2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp cinnamon 

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 egg, beaten for wash

Vanilla sugar for sprinkling (raw, sanding, or regular all work)

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Mix peaches, basil, sea salt, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a bowl. Let sit 15 minutes to allow flavors to marinate.

Pour a tablespoon of the accumulated liquid from the bottom of the peach mixture into a small bowl and mix with the cornstarch. Once blended into a milky glaze, stir back into the peach mixture.

Allow refrigerated pie crusts to come to room temperature, then unroll one crust out flat and position into lightly greased pie pan. Pour peach mixture into prepared pie crusted pan. 

Unroll the other crust flat onto countertop and prepare to top the pie any way you see fit. I used the pointed end of a sharp knife to cut out cute heart shapes for venting purposes. You could also do some sweet lattice work. Whatever you want! Go crazy! 

Once the top pie crust is in place and the edges are pinched together with the bottom pie crust edges, brush the top crust with the egg wash, then sprinkle with the vanilla sugar.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425° F with a pie crust shield placed on the edges (this can also be achieved with some tin foil torn into strips and crumpled around the pie's edges), then remove pie crust shield and continue cooking an additional 15 minutes until crust is golden brown and pie filling is bubbling up nicely through the hearted vents.

Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla or coconut macaroon ice cream like I did!

- Cathleen