Weaving It All Together
Today's issue is sponsored by Ruggable. Their new collab with Architectural Digest features Industrial, Art Deco, and Archaic inspired styles.
Here are three things I've been thinking about this week.
long low shelving
I have written about this before but I think it's important to reiterate. One of the best "hacks" in design is low shelving or cabinetry.
Do you have a relatively plain room that needs some life? A wall to wall span of cabinetry, built in shelving, or maybe a long console/credenza would do a variety of things.
An advertising shoot for the Fris 80 Light by Marset.
It introduces architecture into the room. It breaks up the large 2D expanse of a wall. It usually adds color and contrast, certainly once you style it. It's a wonderful surface for displaying a mid size plant, sculpture, a lamp, housing your book collection. Or a great spot to put a stereo if that's your thing.
It makes art look better because it grounds it, like adding an ocean or mountain range underneath a setting sun.
Designer: Mesura
Photography: Salva Lopez
So many ways you can do this. You could make shelving into a bench. You want to read next to a window and don't have anywhere for a book shelf? Boom.
weaving it all together
Ever since we moved into our home, I've been trying to find the right art for our living room wall. It's a space that badly needed something, but what? 10 foot ceilings, next to the original fireplace. What an opportunity.
We commissioned artist Caitlin Shirock for an incredible large custom piece that came out so beautifully.
Caitlin had made a small woven piece that caught our attention. We asked her if she could make a large one, and she was thrilled with the idea.
The process is to paint canvas, rip into strips, fold, add some more paint and weave together. You can easily edit it by repositioning different strips. I love grid patterns and think they always work in design, this is such an organic way of achieving it.
My wife and I were present for the final tweaking and weaving. The acrylic shadow box was the move here, to protect the fabric and we also just liked the look.
Maybe you need some custom art - life is too short for another print. See her work and get in touch here.
tiling everything
Most of you probably do not live in the Mediterranean or Mexico or Central America. If you do, maybe this is not applicable.
There are some great opportunities in design, both on the hospitality side and residential, to do a lot more with tile.
Whether that is entrance ways, door casing, fireplaces, floor to ceiling tile spa style bathrooms, kitchen islands, or maybe even small outbuildings.
Otto Tiles White Arch Zellige Tiles
This seems to be a winning idea right now on the internet, definitely in hospitality and my suspicion is it will make its way into more homes.
From the pages of the current issue of AD - Paloma Elsesser's home / Design: Gregory Rockwell Interiors / Photo: Frank Frances
If I was doing anything large scale with tile, I would go straight to Art Deco/Vienna Secession. Would work in a new or old home. There are many simple patterns that have stood the test of time using square or rectangular tile. One wow moment with tile could change the vibe of an entire house.
