Drew Barrymore’s Unexpected Art Display Is Off-the-Wall (Literally)

The 1970s design aesthetic is experiencing a significant resurgence, with various decor trends from the era making a comeback, including mirrored walls and tubular lighting. Adding to this revival, Herman Miller has reintroduced eight iconic artworks by Alexander Girard in poster form. Girard, a legendary mid-century designer, directed Herman Miller’s textile division for over two decades, where his work was known for its genre-defying nature, bold energy, experimental flair, and distinct disco vibes. These designs were originally part of Herman Miller's Environmental Enrichment Panels, first produced in 1972. The panels were conceived to introduce a sense of levity and playfulness into office environments through the use of daring geometric patterns and striking, unconventional color combinations. The reissued high-resolution wall hangings are carefully recreated on 100 percent cotton paper, offering an affordable way for individuals to incorporate Girard’s maximalist style into their homes. The collection features easily recognizable designs such as Bouquet and Double Heart, alongside other vibrant prints, available in various sizes. Customers can purchase these unframed, with prices starting at $195. For those desiring a more premium presentation, optional black, white, or natural maple frames are available to protect the archival pieces. The article offers styling suggestions for these poster arts. One recommendation is to create a graphic gallery wall by combining multiple Girard masterpieces with other colorful artworks. Alternatively, for a singular focal point, a long and narrow piece can be hung in an otherwise challenging wall space, such as the area between two windows. The reintroduction of these prints serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of 1970s design and Alexander Girard’s influential artistic vision. The availability of these posters allows design enthusiasts to bring a piece of this iconic era into contemporary living spaces, emphasizing the lasting impact of the decade's aesthetic on modern home decor. #HermanMiller #AlexanderGirard #1970sDesign #PosterArt #MidCenturyModern #HomeDecor #RetroRevival #WallArt #InteriorDesignTrends

This article explores the immersive and unconventional art installations of New York-born, Los Angeles-based artist Tita Cicognani, focusing on her use of hot tubs as central elements in her multimedia works. The artist’s practice, which largely involves sculpture and assemblage, took a unique turn with the integration of hot tubs, driven by a desire for physical interaction and shared experiences, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Her works contrast with the trend of “dematerializing practice” in the art world, instead embracing the tactile and communal. The piece begins by describing Cicognani’s current installation, "Heart Tub" (2022), at the Hammer Museum, where visitors can reserve 45-minute slots to soak in a heart-shaped, red crocodile-skin vinyl hot tub. This installation is designed to evoke a sense of "tackiness" and "religious frenzy," adorned with embedded video screens displaying floating holograms of flying saucers and bubbly hearts. The artist explains that this first tub was created during the initial COVID-19 lockdown, stemming from feelings of isolation and a craving for physical connection. The article then details Cicognani's earlier hot tub installations. "Mothership" (2021) was an inflatable pool designed as a "tiny wet fun house," featuring mirrors, LED lights, and a disco ball, reminiscent of a Gravitron ride. This work explored the convergence of religious and corporeal ecstasy. Another significant piece, "Prayer Cards" (2019), involved devotional cards featuring the artist's image in poses suggesting stigmata or submission, printed with the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, challenging conventional notions of piety with pop culture aesthetics. Her second tub installation, "Grotto Tub" (2022), presented a more visceral experience. Located in an artist-run space in Chinatown, it encouraged a more uninhibited, almost chaotic interaction, with PVC pipes emitting a brown goo and accompanying videos of mud wrestling. This installation, playfully dubbed “art student soup” by a Hammer Museum curator, highlighted a deliberate embrace of the earthy and raw aspects of human interaction. The transition to the Hammer Museum for "Heart Tub" introduced new logistical challenges, including safety protocols, scheduled time slots, and ADA compliance, leading to elements like a chrome heart-shaped handrail. The article also delves into the video component of "Heart Tub," titled "I Still Believe" (2022). This 40-minute looping video, viewed from within the tub, features a green-skinned CGI avatar of the artist navigating a cheap motel with a heart-shaped tub, encountering UFOs, and immaculately conceiving an alien progeny. The narrative explores themes of desire, beauty, and love, drawing heavily from pop music and shiny aesthetics, elements Cicognani previously resisted but has now embraced. The work also has intellectual underpinnings, drawing parallels to other water-based art installations like Hélio Oiticica and Neville D’Almeida’s “CC4 Nocagions” (1973). Finally, the artist discusses the socio-economic implications of embracing "tacky" aesthetics and the interplay between high art theory and pop culture references, such as the film "Hot Tub Time Machine." The experience concludes with the writer reflecting on the custom-made pea-green towels, embroidered with an alien baby and the words "I still believe," which serve as a tangible takeaway from the immersive art experience. This installation, and Cicognani's broader body of work, actively seeks to engage the body and challenge traditional art consumption by bringing viewers directly into the art. #ArtInstallation #MultimediaArt #ContemporaryArt #HammerMuseum #ImmersiveExperience #Sculpture #PopCulture #ConceptualArt

New York designer Bec Brittain, known for her sculptural and ethereal lighting creations made from brass and colored glass, recently unveiled her latest exhibition, ‘Strange Days,’ showcasing a return to more tactile materials. The exhibition, a collaborative effort with Alex P White and design duo Material Lust, features Brittain’s ‘Mercury’ installation as its centerpiece. Originally debuted at Design Miami two years prior, ‘Mercury’ has since been in storage and is now being presented in Brittain's newly relocated studio in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. ‘Mercury’ (2015) is an all-black design consisting of 35 strands of LED lights intricately woven with obsidian, jasper, and agate beads, culminating in a cascade of leather and suede tassels. Brittain describes this piece as revealing her “dark, moody side.” The installation is configured in a monumental, triangular arrangement, extending from floor to ceiling, creating a captivating and immersive experience within the exhibition space. Brittain personally crafted, knotted, and braided each leather tassel strand, a technique reminiscent of her earlier jewelry collections that featured large knotted rope necklaces and body harnesses, which she playfully termed ‘daytime bondage.’ To complement the atmospheric 'Mercury' installation, Brittain invited friends to contribute works that harmonized with its dark aesthetic. The exhibition includes armchairs by Alex P White, a former lead collaborator with Kelly Behun, and velvet furnishings along with Wicca chic seating from Material Lust. These additions collectively create a mood that is described as decidedly dark and elegant, evoking a sense of pagan spirituality and celebrating forms in dark hues. The overall ambiance is designed to be spellbinding, drawing visitors into a uniquely curated experience. The exhibition, ‘Strange Days,’ provides a platform for Brittain to explore different material palettes and artistic expressions beyond her usual lighting designs. Her decision to feature ‘Mercury’ after a period of storage highlights the piece's significance to her creative journey and her desire to share it in a setting that allows for its full artistic impact. The collaboration with White and Material Lust further enriches the exhibition, offering a cohesive yet diverse collection of works that collectively embody the desired dark and mystical theme. The show is on view until October 14th at Bec Brittain's studio, located at 27 West 20th Street, New York, inviting the public to experience this unique blend of design and art. #BecBrittain #StrangeDays #FurnitureExhibition #LightingDesign #InteriorDesign #AlexPWhite #MaterialLust #NewYorkDesign #ArtInstallation

This article details the journey of Amy and Bruce Paul in designing and decorating their 11,000-square-foot home in Rye, New York, focusing on integrating their extensive art collection into a cohesive interior design. Having previously lived in a post-modern home with traditional furnishings and a growing contemporary art collection, the Pauls sought to create a new residence where the exterior architecture and interior aesthetics were harmoniously aligned with their personal taste in design and art. Their objective was to construct a home that could comfortably accommodate their family of six while optimally showcasing their practiced and perfected collection of paintings and sculptures. The couple acquired a 13-acre estate in Rye before the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, subdividing it into seven lots and reserving a two-plus-acre parcel for their own home. They collaborated with builder Michael DiChiaro to construct a six-bedroom, seven-full-bath residence that offers views of a wooded yard, later enhanced with a pool and waterfall by Coral Sea Pools, and adorned with bronze sculptures by Mexican artist Bruno Luna. For the interior design, Amy Paul enlisted Joseph R. Stabile of J.R. Cattington, who had previously worked with them. Stabile and his team were involved from the ground up, providing input on architectural design, interior finishes, electrical layouts, and lighting selection. Stabile chose a palette of cream and gold to complement the Pauls' artwork and suggested structural modifications, such as adding a doorway to improve flow in the formal living room. Amy's primary design directive was for a "light and bright" home, which was achieved in the living room through buttery gold satin-striped fabric from Robert Allen for window treatments and crystal wall sconces by Crystorama. This room serves as a gallery for various notable paintings, including works by Janet Treby, Liane Abrieu, and Russian artists. The soft color scheme is accented by silk brocade wing chairs with colorful throw pillows and fuchsia and silk rugs from China. The family room continues the luminous theme with yellow walls, a toile pattern by Antonia Vella, Seabrook wallcoverings, and similarly colored fabrics in lemon, green, and persimmon for window treatments, pillows, and side chairs. Crystal chandeliers from Murano, imported by Castilian Imports, were chosen to coordinate with paintings by Isaac Maimon and Charles Levier. The coffered ceiling in a green apple shade with cream-colored woodwork further enhances the vibrant, garden-like atmosphere. Bruce Paul's personal space, a clubby card room, contrasts with Amy's preferences, featuring dark wood paneling, built-in bookcases, a bar, and masculine fabrics. This room, separated from the family room by a stone-front fireplace, includes Biedermeier chairs with leopard-print fabric and various personal artifacts. Stabile designed the fireplace with intricately carved mahogany lions and used a Serengeti Leopard carpet to connect Bruce’s adjoining office. The Pauls' children, Joanna, Ryan, Matt, and Jason, also contributed to the design of their respective bedrooms and bathrooms, incorporating elements such as Masland Carpets, Bernhardt furnishings, and Thibaut wallpapers. The master bedroom, with its vaulted ceiling, presented a challenge in scale, addressed by Stabile using Highland Court silk brocade for a cornice "headboard" that coordinates with custom curtains. The article highlights the Pauls' passion for art collection, which began with a French artist Charles Levier painting and expanded to include works from their travels to Europe, South America, Asia, and the Southwest. Despite concerns about diminishing wall space, their quest for art, driven by personal connection and memories from their travels, continues. #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #ArtCollection #LuxuryHome #RyeResidence #JosephStabile #CustomDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #PersonalStyle

Dolly Parton, the renowned country music icon, has unveiled an eight-piece wall art collection titled "Dolly Parton: From the HeART," inspired by her most cherished songs. This collection was launched in celebration of her 50-year membership in the Grand Ole Opry, a significant American country music stage in Nashville. Although Parton primarily identifies her artistic expertise with music, she collaborated with artist David Diskin, known for his work with the Beatles x Crate & Barrel collection, to translate her musical narratives into visual art. The collection is exclusively available at Kirkland's, with prices ranging from $99.99 to $129.99. Parton emphasized the personal significance of this collection, noting that a portion of the proceeds would benefit the Opry Trust Fund, an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to individuals within the country music industry during times of need. Her music, deeply influenced by her upbringing in the Smoky Mountains, with its vibrant skies, diverse flora, and the people she encountered, provided the core inspiration for the artwork. Diskin's role was crucial in visually interpreting these elements, as exemplified by "The Seeker," which captures the Smoky Mountain sky in the blues and pinks that were so influential to Parton as a child. The collaboration between Parton, a musician, and Diskin, a visual artist, offered a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of fine art and music. Parton described the experience as truly enjoyable, highlighting the diversity of interpretations her songs can evoke. She appreciated seeing her music brought to life on canvas through another artist's perspective, acknowledging that art, much like music, resonates differently with individuals based on their personal life experiences. While she considers herself a musician and not a painter, Parton expressed her admiration for Diskin's interpretations. She found it fascinating how each piece in the collection holds a special meaning for her, akin to each of her songs, making it impossible for her to select a single favorite. #DollyParton #WallArt #HomeDecor #MusicInspiredArt #DavidDiskin #KirklandsCollection #OpryTrustFund #CelebrityStyle

Martha Stewart has unveiled a new paint collection in collaboration with Fine Paints of Europe, featuring 40 nature-inspired wall paint colors. This partnership marks a return to the brands' previous collaborations, which began in 1994 and became highly regarded among design enthusiasts and DIYers. The new collection offers four finishes—flat, matte, satin, and brilliant—and is available for purchase on the Martha Stewart storefront on Amazon. The line includes reissues of popular shades from Stewart's original collections, such as Araucana Blue, which was inspired by the eggshells of her favorite chicken breed, the Araucana. Other returning favorites include Glass of Milk, a warm, pink-tinted white, and Sharkey Gray, a versatile greige named after Stewart’s associate, Kevin Sharkey. These reissued colors aim to bring back the beloved aesthetic of her past paint offerings. The collection is organized into three distinct color categories: warm, cool, and neutral. The warm palette is designed to evoke a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making spaces feel more comfortable and welcoming. The cool colors are intended to impart a sense of sophistication and calm, contributing to a serene and refined interior. The neutral range focuses on creating balance and subtle elegance, serving as foundational elements that can complement various design schemes. Martha Stewart emphasized that the collection was curated to be both functional and appealing, reflecting her philosophy that a home should cater to both practical needs and aesthetic desires. Stewart expressed her hope that this new collection will inspire consumers' next home projects, highlighting that paint serves as the fundamental element in a well-designed space. She noted that choosing the perfect core design elements, with paint being the foundation, brings the entire interior together harmoniously. Although the paints are priced at $125 for less than a gallon, the article suggests that the rich pigmentation and luxurious finishes may justify the cost. The original Fine Paints of Europe collections were renowned for their silky texture and high quality, setting a precedent for the current offering. This launch signifies Stewart's continued influence in home design and her commitment to providing high-quality products that enable individuals to transform their living spaces. The collaboration leverages the established reputation of Fine Paints of Europe for premium paint formulations and Stewart’s discerning eye for color and design. The collection's nature-inspired theme underscores a timeless approach to interior aesthetics, encouraging the creation of environments that feel organic and harmonious. The availability of these paints across various finishes allows for versatility in application, catering to different design preferences and functional requirements within a home. The article also mentions ongoing plans to test the paints and provide further feedback, indicating an interest in evaluating their performance and confirming the quality associated with both Martha Stewart and Fine Paints of Europe. The high price point suggests that these paints are positioned as a premium product, targeting consumers who prioritize durability, richness of color, and a sophisticated finish. The reintroduction of classic shades from Stewart’s past collections aims to appeal to a loyal fan base while also attracting new customers seeking trusted and aesthetically pleasing paint solutions for their homes. Ultimately, the collection is presented as an opportunity for homeowners to elevate their interiors with colors that are thoughtfully curated and inspired by the natural world. #MarthaStewart #PaintCollection #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #FinePaintsOfEurope #HomeMakeover #DesignInspiration #WallPaintColors #DIYHome

The article explores the emerging trend of displaying artwork by leaning it against walls or surfaces rather than hanging it. This approach is described as effortless, casual, and relaxed, contrasting with traditional art hanging methods that often involve concerns about size, proportion, and positioning. The author, Emma Breislin, suggests that overly structured gallery walls can sometimes appear contrived, leading to a shift towards more individualized and flexible ways of showcasing art. Architect Georgina Wilson and principal of Smac Studio, Shona McElroy, support this trend, noting a move away from perfect symmetry towards more personality in art display. Leaning artwork, whether small pieces on shelves and countertops or larger ones on the floor, avoids the need for nails and offers a dynamic alternative to traditional hanging. This method can off-center a piece, making it a more interesting focal point and contributing to the room's narrative. The key to successful leaning art is to ensure it looks intentional rather than accidental or unfinished. Experts advise against placing a single leaning piece in an obvious space where it might appear to be waiting for installation. Instead, the art should be surrounded by other elements that balance the eye and integrate it into the overall design. Georgina Wilson emphasizes that even a relaxed placement must feel purposeful, considering balance, scale, and the art's relationship to surrounding furniture and architecture. Going big with artwork is recommended for this trend, as larger, oversized pieces tend to make a stronger impact when leaned. This approach allows for greater flexibility, enabling homeowners to easily move pieces around to suit changing moods or seasons, thereby altering a room's tone without significant effort. This adaptability contributes to a continuously evolving space and style. The concept aligns with the 'One Amazing Thing' theory in design, which posits that an unexpected or out-of-place element can enhance a space's impact. By subverting conventional art display, leaning art encourages a different interaction with the pieces, elevating the entire room's aesthetic. It creates a more personal and lived-in feel, breaking the traditional eye-level rule and adding a 'cool factor' that makes the experience more intimate. The casualness of leaning art contributes to a relaxed, considered, and quietly confident ambiance, suggesting that the room is not trying too hard to impress. The article also provides product suggestions, such as picture frames, rubber grip tape, and double-sided adhesive dots, to aid in securely and aesthetically leaning artwork while preventing slips or damage. #ArtDisplay #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LeaningArt #StylingTips #EffortlessDesign #ModernInteriors #HomeStyling #ArtPlacement

The article reviews "Every Wall is a Door," Superblue Miami’s inaugural exhibition, which features large-scale, immersive artworks by teamLab, James Turrell, and Es Devlin. The exhibition builds upon the visionary ideas of new media pioneer Stan VanDerBeek, who in 1966 envisioned "intermedia experience machines" that would help people process the rapid changes brought by technological innovation. VanDerBeek believed in the importance of artistically cultivated experiences to foster a new, shared vocabulary, incorporating concepts from ecology and cybernetics alongside immersive and collective audience participation. teamLab, a Tokyo-based collective of over 400 "ultra-technologists," is presented as a modern-day realization of VanDerBeek's vision. Their interactive digital installations, such as _Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together - Transcending Boundaries, A Whole Year per Hour_ and _Universe of Water Particles, Transcending Boundaries_ (both 2017), are central to the exhibition. These works utilize darkened rooms, large-scale projections, and intricate visual effects to create immersive environments where visitor participation directly influences the artwork. Flower petals and water particles respond to movement, and luminous flora and swirling streams contribute to a sensuous, expansive illusion accompanied by a dreamy soundtrack. The collective's populist approach encourages audience engagement, ranging from taking selfies to observing the evolving scenery, effectively transforming the gallery into a technologically enhanced "black-box" where art is "democratized." In contrast to teamLab’s vibrant sensory overload, James Turrell’s _AKHU_ (2021) offers a more subdued, perceptual experience. This installation is an iteration of his "Ganzfeld" series, featuring a white chamber that uses high-chroma light to manipulate visual perception. The LED-halo color-cycling is so gradual that it creates an illusion of stillness and ambiguity in space and time. Viewers experience shifts in tonality that are products of their own minds, highlighting the role of perceptual agency in art. This piece emphasizes that the lack of conscious control over perception is not a flaw but a core element of the artwork itself. Es Devlin’s _Forest of Us_ (2021), a London-based stage designer's contribution, concludes the exhibition. Visitors first watch a video montage that draws parallels between fractal branching in nature, such as air movement in bronchial passages, and the interconnectedness of humanity with nature. Following this, they enter a recursive, curvilinear mirror-maze with winding corridors, stairwells, and bright white lights that create infinite reflections. The accompanying cinematic sci-fi synths and slow breathing sounds contribute to an ethereal atmosphere. While the thematic link between the video and the maze might become less apparent during the experience, Devlin’s meticulous execution and background in theatrical design are evident in the installation’s visual impact and spatial choreography. Superblue Miami aims to be a next-generation art space dedicated to large-scale, immersive art, seeking to challenge and transform visitors' understanding of themselves and their relationship with the world. The curated route of "Every Wall is a Door" guides guests through a diverse array of experiential poetics, balancing high-tech spectacle with analog immersion. The installations explore themes of illusion, reality, memory, forgetting, and human agency. The ultimate success of Superblue is presented as residing not just in the artworks themselves, but in their capacity to elevate the viewer's aesthetic sensitivity, leading them to recognize the immersive potential of art and everyday life beyond the confines of a traditional museum setting. Steven Pestana, a visual artist and writer, contributed this review, drawing on his background in digital media and art history. #ImmersiveArt #DigitalArt #NewMediaArt #ArtExhibition #InteractiveInstallation #StanVanDerBeek #teamLab #JamesTurrell #EsDevlin #SuperblueMiami

Ilan Cohen, a finance professional and avid art collector, transformed his Manhattan Chelsea apartment into a museum-worthy space designed by the architecture and interiors studio BoND. Cohen's collecting journey began in 2009, evolving from buying any contemporary work to cultivating a distinct personal taste, influenced by artists like TM Davy. His collection, which includes over 45 pieces on the main salon wall and approximately 100 artworks throughout the apartment, features works by artists such as Nash Glynn, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, Louis Fratino, and Mark McNight. BoND, founded by Noam Dvir and Daniel Rauchwerger, had previously collaborated with Cohen on his modernist beach house in Fire Island. For the Chelsea loft, the challenge was to create a space that not only reflected Cohen's personal history and extensive art collection but also provided room for its continued growth and appreciation. Cohen was already familiar with the building's structure, having lived in another unit there in the early 2000s, and recognized the apartment's potential upon his initial viewing with Dvir and Rauchwerger. The project, which commenced in late 2021, involved reorienting the apartment's simple rectangular main living area to maximize natural light and integrate functional elements without compromising wall space dedicated to art. Inspired by Donald Judd's minimalist aesthetic, the designers implemented built-in furniture pieces and maintained a restrained material and color palette. A key design principle was to keep all furniture 36 inches tall or under, a deliberate choice by Rauchwerger to ensure that the eye level remained completely open, allowing unobstructed views of the artworks. The dining area, for instance, features a custom square dining table fabricated by Bill Zuerlein, complemented by Room & Board chairs, with artworks by Johnathan Lyndon Chase, Salman Toor, and Alex Olson adorning the walls. Cohen himself plays an active role in arranging his collection, often experimenting with multiple layouts before settling on a final display, stating that the fourth or fifth iteration typically sticks. This apartment serves as a testament to living with art, where the design thoughtfully supports and enhances a significant personal collection, transforming a residence into a dynamic gallery space. #ArtCollector #NewYorkLoft #BoNDArchitects #InteriorDesign #ArtCollectionDisplay #DonaldJuddInfluence #ChelseaApartment #ModernLiving #SpaceOptimization

Mickalene Thomas's exhibition series, 'Beyond the Pleasure Principle,' is a four-part, multi-site presentation across Lévy Gorvy galleries in New York, London, Paris, and Hong Kong. This international exhibition features interconnected bodies of work, including paintings, illustrations, and video pieces, expanding on Thomas’s extensive study of the Black female body as a symbol of power, eroticism, agency, and inspiration. The timing and scale of this exhibition necessitated Thomas to work on multiple bodies of work simultaneously, tailored to the cultural audience and socio-political context of each city. The exhibition’s design is specifically adapted for each of its four locations. The series began in New York in early September, where Thomas unveiled her latest large-scale _Jet_ paintings. These works draw inspiration from vintage pin-ups found in _Jet_ magazine, a publication central to Black American life since 1952. Thomas recontextualizes these anonymous pin-ups through diverse material techniques, including silkscreen, oil, acrylic, and rhinestones, to celebrate their beauty, strength, and individuality. In these pieces, Thomas employs the formal language of 19th and 20th-century avant-garde movements to express freedom, fluidity, and experimentation. Furthermore, she integrates and highlights the political paradigm of Black liberation, positioning the works as a vanguard of American culture. The narrative continues in London, where the second part of the series delves deeper into the historical context of the source material. Seven new _Jet Blue_ paintings feature archival imagery from _Jet_ magazine, initiating a refreshed dialogue about beauty and identity in contrast to outdated cultural perceptions. These historical images carry significant personal weight for Thomas, as she typically works with subjects she knows intimately, and her adolescence in the 1970s profoundly influenced her artistic output. Additionally, this segment of the exhibition includes the debut of _Je T’aime Trois_ (2018), a film created in collaboration with her life partner and muse, Raquel Chevremont. Thomas’s artistic practice is dedicated to portraying Black beauty, femininity, and power in a manner that liberates these concepts from cultural oppression and marginalization. Her engagement with a touchstone of Black American culture like _Jet_ magazine underscores her commitment to making both historical and contemporary celebrations of Black identity, femininity, queerness, and transgressiveness more visible. The sequential presentation of the shows is critical for establishing a comprehensive narrative, allowing viewers to experience a cohesive journey. While the shows are distinct, each possessing unique aesthetic formalisms and references, collectively they form a thematically consistent thread concerning the Black female body, connecting the various cities and countries. The third and fourth chapters of the exhibition, opening concurrently in Paris and Hong Kong in October, offer audiences the opportunity to experience the full scope of Thomas’s vision both in person and virtually through installation videos, extending the artistic journey to a global audience. #MickaleneThomas #BeyondThePleasurePrinciple #BlackArt #FemaleArtists #ContemporaryArt #Exhibition #LévyGorvy #JetMagazine #BlackBeauty

The FOG Design + Art fair, held annually in late January at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, showcased its 11th edition with a diverse array of contemporary art and design objects. This event, known for bridging the local San Francisco Bay Area community with international talent, featured 59 exhibitors from global cities like Paris, Hong Kong, and South Africa, alongside those from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. The fair, which spanned two piers, allowed attendees to explore a wide range of artistic expressions and innovative designs. FOG FOCUS, an extended section on a neighboring pier, highlighted emerging designers and galleries. New York’s Superhouse presented an installation by Belgian-Congolese designer Kim Mupangilaï, whose three-piece seating set drew inspiration from the cross-cultural connections between Art Nouveau and the Congo. Accompanying Mupangilaï’s furniture was a fiber artwork by Maris Van Vlack, reminiscent of stained-glass windows, characterized by its unraveling and transparent qualities. Municipal Bonds, one of San Francisco’s representatives at FOG FOCUS, featured a solo exhibition by Oakland artist and designer Yvonne Mouser. Mouser’s work explored the intersection of function and artistic expression through wall-hangings and furniture pieces. Her designs often balanced delicacy with sturdiness, incorporating solid forms with moments of fragility, as seen in her Janus Spiritus cabinet with its sumi ink-painted oak flaps. From OCHI, a gallery with outposts in Los Angeles and Ketchum, Idaho, artist Sam Shoemaker captivated visitors with fungi-inspired ceramic sculptures. A mycologist himself, Shoemaker's works were derived from actual mushrooms he cultivated in his studio, featuring organic outgrowths that evoked natural formations like sea anemones. The FOG MRKT, a new addition to the fair, offered artisan-made products and crafts. Blunk Space, a Bay Area gallery influenced by craft legend JB Blunk, stood out with pieces by Mexico City artist Alana Burns. Burns showcased shell-inspired jewelry and tableware, emphasizing whimsical designs that often began with shells. London’s Sarah Myerscough Gallery presented an exhibition titled "Raw Edges," focusing on wood in its various forms, textures, and colors. The gallery showcased works by international designers including Nic Webb, Eleanor Lakelin, and Julian Watts, exploring wood’s potential as a sustainable material and celebrating its inherent beauty. Galerie Maria Wettergren, a Paris-based gallery established 15 years ago to champion contemporary Scandinavian artists, made its West Coast debut. The exhibit featured colorful works that blurred the lines between art and design, such as a digitally-composed woven wall hanging by Danish textile artist Grethe Sørensen and an ombre mirrored bench by Boris Berlin and Germans Ermics. AGO Projects, a Mexico City studio, created an inviting and vibrant booth displaying furniture, textiles, lamps, and mirrors, primarily by Latin American artists. Their presentation included monumental mahogany pieces with wax and bronze inlays by Brazilian furniture maker Rafael Triboli and a full-length mirror by Guatemala’s Agnes Studio, adorned with ceramic figurines. Hostler Burrows featured Danish artist Ane Lykke’s see-through light box, which functioned as a screen with contrasting views through its grid. This gallery, representing an international set of artists, showcased a range of designs that captured attention. Casemore Gallery highlighted local Bay Area artists like Lindsey White, Raymond Saunders, and Sonya Rapoport, alongside Finnish artist Henna Vainio’s ceramic word sculptures, which conveyed profound aphorisms through their 'smooshed' forms. Sean McFarland’s cyanotype "Cloud Book," created without a camera, prompted reflections on photography and representation. Tina Kim Gallery presented textile works by Korean artist Lee ShinJa, dating from the 1960s to the 1990s. Lee ShinJa was among the first artists to introduce textiles into fine art in Korea, and her intricate, abstract wall-hangings, often inspired by her childhood landscapes, were a significant highlight. #FOGDesignArtFair #ContemporaryArt #DesignExhibition #SanFrancisco #EmergingDesigners #TextileArt #FurnitureDesign #CeramicSculpture #WoodArt #InternationalArtists

Drew Barrymore has launched her first-ever home collection, named Drew Barrymore Flower Home, following a trend of celebrities branching into entrepreneurial ventures. The collection is described as "free-spirited" and "joyful," characterized by its vibrant colors and eclectic designs. It encompasses a wide array of home décor items and furniture, available for purchase on Walmart.com, Jet.com, and Hayneedle.com. The product range includes pastel-hued vases, various decorative tchotchkes, rugs, and unique wall art. Furniture pieces feature plush, romantic love seats, matching throw pillows, elegant chaise lounges, and velvet tufted headboards. Barrymore, who expressed her long-standing passion for lifestyle and design, emphasized her love for creating spaces where diverse prints, patterns, shapes, styles, colors, and textures harmoniously converge. The collection comprises over 200 "artfully matched" items, with prices spanning from $18 for ceramic decorative vases to $899 for mid-century sofas. Barrymore collaborated closely with the Walmart.com design team to bring her vision to life. The resulting collection aligns with contemporary home décor trends, incorporating blush and Neo mint color palettes, along with eclectic, bungalow, and "perfectly imperfect" aesthetics. The article highlights four key looks from the collection: "Sun-soaked bedroom," "Bungalow vibes," "Blushing boho," and "Bedroom in bloom." Despite the extensive variety, Barrymore stated that it was difficult to pick a single favorite item, noting the meticulous attention to detail given to each piece, down to the style and shape of furniture legs. Specific examples of items from the collection include a vintage accent chair priced at $499, velvet headboards ranging from $349 to $499, a purple pendant lamp for $69, a round wood shelf at $69, and an abstract vase set for $39. The launch of Drew Barrymore Flower Home positions her among other celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Jessica Parker, who have successfully ventured into consumer brands. The collection aims to inspire and empower individuals through its accessible and stylish home offerings. #DrewBarrymore #HomeDecor #FlowerHome #CelebrityBrand #Walmart #InteriorDesign #EclecticStyle #Furniture #HomeAccents

Drew Barrymore's 'Beautiful' home decor line at Walmart has recently undergone an expansion, introducing 38 new products designed to offer an affordable yet stylish upgrade for any home. The collection maintains Barrymore's signature homey and contemporary aesthetic, featuring neutral tones and thoughtful designs that cater to a variety of tastes. The expanded range includes diverse items such as couch pillows, wall art, lamps, vases, and shelves, with prices starting as low as $6 for a vase and going up to $75 for a shelf, with the majority of items priced under $30. This makes the collection highly accessible for those looking to refresh their living spaces without a significant financial outlay. Among the standout pieces in the new collection is the Beautiful Ornate Frame Mirror, priced at $70. This 24-inch diameter mirror boasts an ornate gold frame that exudes a 'quiet luxury' aesthetic, making it suitable for a living room or hallway. Its 3.5-pound weight ensures it is substantial yet manageable to hang. Another notable item is the Beautiful Ribbed Lamp, available for $35. Unlike many affordable lamps, this piece features a wooden ribbed vase base, giving it a high-quality appearance. Its dimensions of 10.25 inches by 14 inches make it a versatile addition to side tables, console tables, or nightstands. The Beautiful Tubular Vase, priced at $10, offers a unique design with a ribbed style and an oyster gray shade, providing an edgy yet sophisticated touch to any space, even when empty. For those seeking wall embellishments, the Beautiful Vintage Floral Wall Art, at $25, presents a gentle floral splash. With a light wood frame and a faded, neutral print, this 15-inch by 20-inch piece can complement various decor styles and fits well within a gallery wall or a narrow wall area. Adding texture and warmth to floors, the Beautiful Boucle Rug costs $30. This 27-inch by 45-inch rug features a boucle weave in neutral colors, ideal for lower-traffic areas due to its care instructions, which recommend spot cleaning. It is advisable to use a rug pad or carpet tape to prevent slipping, as it is unlined. Lastly, the Beautiful Houndstooth Pillow, priced at $20, introduces a classic houndstooth print with contrasting orange hues and tassels, making it a stylish transitional piece for fall. The cotton pillow can be spot-treated to maintain its appearance. While not explicitly detailed, the article also mentions a Beautiful Chenille Throw for $30, described as cozy, textured, and machine washable, serving as both a decorative accent and a comfortable covering. #DrewBarrymore #WalmartHome #HomeDecor #AffordableDecor #InteriorDesign #HomeGoods #DecorExpansion #HomeStyling

This article features an interview with artist Kylie Daniel, who discusses her life as a creative, her artistic journey, and her unique approach to art. At 53, Daniel expresses contentment and reflects on a diverse creative past that includes radio announcing, festival MCing, feature writing, and co-owning a guitar teaching clinic, all while consistently painting. She has been actively developing her distinct artistic style for many years. Kylie Daniel draws her primary inspiration from the Australian outback, particularly its vast, unforested landscapes. She finds solace and a sense of simplicity in these regions, viewing them as opportunities to disconnect from modern technology. Her art is characterized as unconventional, moving beyond typical pretty landscapes to focus on the geological formations of the land itself. She aims to capture the earth's surface changes resulting from events like fire, drought, and flood. Daniel incorporates various finishes to emphasize the textures and sheens of the landscape, inviting viewers to engage with her work not just visually but also tactilely, experiencing the physical sensation of the Australian Outback. Her artwork has gained significant recognition through its feature on "The Block," an Australian reality television series focused on house renovations. Following a successful placement last year with contestants Steph & Gian, Daniel's art was again selected for the show this year, with three pieces chosen by Kristian & Mimi. She views this exposure as a validation of her hard work and dedication. Her art was strategically placed in prominent areas within the homes, such as the entry and a hallway, and received positive commentary from judges, including Neale Whittaker. Daniel attributes the ongoing success to the support from The Block, The Block Shop, Artist Lane, and the contestants. Being a Block Shop artist is profoundly meaningful to Daniel, offering validation for her unique artistic style and chosen color palette, which she believes resonates with the public. When asked about her favorite Block couple, she playfully names Kristian & Mimi but also acknowledges the authenticity of Haydn & Ricky. Among artists, she expresses admiration for Jackson Pollock, valuing artists who break traditional molds and pioneer distinctive styles. Daniel finds inspiration in the idea of creating something entirely new and recognizable as her own. Her creative process often takes place outdoors, where she feels most inspired by nature, surrounded by wildlife. While working, she enjoys listening to country rock music, finding that its themes of land and country life align with the imagery she aims to convey in her art. A typical day involves managing her online presence, including social media and website interactions, before heading to her studio. She often works on multiple pieces simultaneously, as her heavy-textured works require several drying applications. Daniel can spend entire days and nights immersed in her art, describing it as her dream job. For holidays, she consistently chooses the Outback, specifically mentioning places like Cobar, Broken Hill, and Dubbo, where the landscape takes center stage. If she were to shop at The Block Shop, her obsession with Manchester would lead her to purchase sheet sets and quilt covers. Her favorite house decorating trend is "Japandi" due to its earthy, warm aesthetic and ease of pairing with furnishings, a style she believes has lasting appeal. Finally, her most cherished artwork is an original piece by Grace Brown, a respected Indigenous artist. #KylieDaniel #ArtistSpotlight #AustralianOutbackArt #TheBlock #HomeDecor #JapandiStyle #ArtisticProcess #InteriorDesign #TexturedArt

Drew Barrymore, a notable figure in interior design through her product lines Flower Home and Beautiful, and her 'Designed by Drew' talk show segment, offers a glimpse into her personal style. Her bathroom features a distinctive, eclectic gallery wall, an unconventional design choice that she executes successfully. This particular design aspect was revealed in a TikTok video where Barrymore showcased her tattoos, inadvertently providing snippets of her bathroom's interior. Her bathroom design incorporates retro checkered tiles and small-scale mid-century diamond-patterned wallpaper, contributing to a charming and lived-in atmosphere. The focal point, however, is a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall. This wall is curated with a variety of items including art, personal memorabilia, and a kitschy animal wall mount, all contributing to a cohesive nostalgic aesthetic. The combination of these elements creates a unique and personalized space that reflects Barrymore's individual taste. To replicate Drew Barrymore's gallery wall style, a key strategy is to collect pieces over time that hold personal significance, rather than buying items all at once. This approach ensures a curated and authentic look. The first step in creating such a gallery wall involves deciding on a theme that complements the existing aesthetic of the bathroom. Barrymore's style leans towards maximalist decor, which is evident in her asymmetrical arrangement of art, cards, and other pieces, combined with a mix of sleek black, white, and vintage-inspired metal frames of various sizes. This eclectic mix contributes to her unique vibe. To achieve a similar maximalist look, individuals can incorporate frames of different shapes and textures, filled with art and photos that possess sentimental value. Adding quirky wall mounts or sculptures, along with other decor pieces, can further enhance the depth and variety of the wall. This layered approach helps to build a rich and interesting visual narrative. Conversely, for those preferring a more polished or minimalist aesthetic, the recommendation is to stick to a cohesive set of photo frames that are similar in size. These frames should be arranged symmetrically to maintain a sense of order and calm. In this minimalist context, it's crucial to exercise restraint, avoiding an excessive number of pieces like wall mounts or decor fillers that could overwhelm the display. The principle of 'less is more' guides this approach, aiming for simplicity and elegance in the gallery wall design. #DrewBarrymore #BathroomDecor #GalleryWall #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #MaximalistDecor #EclecticStyle #DesignHacks

Bru Textiles, an international fabric supplier founded in 1995, has established itself by prioritizing quality, service, and strategic investment in technological advancement. Recognizing the increasing adoption of augmented and virtual reality in design and manufacturing, and the growing consumer trend of online purchasing, Bru Textiles launched Bru Digital in 2017. This dedicated digital research and development arm, comprising developers, CG artists, designers, and stylists across offices in Belgium and Ukraine, aims to bridge the 'imagination gap' between digital visualizations and physical products. The team's innovative venture, TwinBru, provides a service that offers photorealistic digital twins of Bru's extensive fabric library, rendered onto a diverse range of interior furnishing models. By leveraging the scalable computing power of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Bru has successfully generated hundreds of thousands of high-quality rendered images, solidifying its position as a digital leader within the industry. TwinBru's services extend beyond pre-configured content to include model creation, scene configuration, and rendering. This allows Bru's broad customer base, including manufacturers, designers, architects, wholesalers, and retailers, to apply digital materials from Bru’s fabric library to any model and integrate them into various 3D scenes. The resulting photorealistic images are nearly indistinguishable from professional catalog layouts and can be utilized in both online and offline applications. These applications encompass printed collateral, digital furniture configurators, and virtual reality environments. Ben Brabant, Bru Innovation Consultant, highlighted that TwinBru is setting a new industry standard for digital fabrics. He noted that the ability to quickly render realistic visuals on AWS significantly reduces the decision-making timeline for consumers, particularly for high-value purchases, as projects can be conceptualized without requiring physical fabric samples. Beyond sales, these high-caliber visuals are also valuable for marketing, customer validation, and rapid prototyping, enhancing efficiency for brands. To date, Bru has digitized over 10,000 distinct fabrics through a high-resolution scanning process and offers approximately 40 customizable pre-built assets. Customers also have the option to provide their own models, which TwinBru artists rebuild and optimize for the bespoke digital fabric application process. For each TwinBru render, models and scenes are typically created using Autodesk Maya on local Linux-based workstations. The rendering itself is performed using Chaos Group’s V-Ray on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) Spot Instances, with render management handled by Deadline, an AWS Thinkbox software. Assets are managed via a proprietary internal system and stored on Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3). Koen Verwimp, Bru Lead Software Engineer, emphasized the suitability of AWS for their batch rendering needs, enabling easy scaling without the burden of maintaining physical compute infrastructure. He noted that they have peaked at 400 simultaneous instances on AWS, a significant increase from their five local machines, illustrating the newfound functionality and efficiency gained since migrating from solely on-premises resources. Jurgen Goris, Bru Senior Software Engineer, further elaborated on the increased experimental capacity provided by AWS. He explained that new approaches can be tested by firing up an EC2 instance with minimal cost, eliminating the need for hardware investment and allowing continuous fine-tuning of their AWS usage and workflow integration. #DigitalTextiles #AWSCloud #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #3DRendering #FabricInnovation #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #ScalableComputing

Acquiring art for one's home can be a deeply personal endeavor, expressing the homeowner's personality and the unique story of their living space. While traditional art acquisition was often limited to local stores or art galleries, the digital age has ushered in a plethora of online platforms, democratizing access to a vast array of art. This expansion of choice, however, can also lead to decision paralysis, making it challenging to navigate the extensive online art market. This guide curates seven distinguished online art retailers, each catering to specific preferences and needs, simplifying the process of discovering and purchasing wall art. Minted, for instance, stands out for its customizable prints by independent artists. Operating as a community-first marketplace since 2008, Minted hosts monthly challenges where design enthusiasts vote on submissions, ensuring that the curated collection resonates with popular taste. While this model guarantees a wide selection of decor-worthy art, it can also lead to the prevalence of certain trends. Minted offers extensive customization options for size, orientation, and color, alongside practical features like an augmented reality tool to visualize art on one's wall and free styling advice from experts. Its prints are numbered limited editions by artists from over 100 countries, though standard shipping can take up to ten days. For those new to art collecting, Uprise Art provides an accessible entry point to original contemporary art. It aims to demystify the traditional gallery experience by presenting artworks online, categorized by medium, curated collections, or artist profiles. The platform also offers free art advisors to guide new collectors. Chairish is highlighted as the premier destination for secondhand and vintage art, boasting an immense collection that is easily searchable by various criteria, including style, color, and even proximity for local pickup. This platform fosters direct negotiation between buyers and sellers and continuously updates its inventory. Tappan Collective is recommended for individuals seeking modern art that makes a striking statement. It showcases original and limited-edition works from artists across diverse mediums, with a focus on pieces that can serve as focal points for an entire room's design. The platform offers curated collections and guest curations by renowned tastemakers, along with personal art consultations. While its offerings are generally higher-priced due to their original and limited-edition nature, they represent an investment in the artists' careers. 20x200 operates under the motto "Art for everyone," specializing in museum-quality, limited-edition prints made with archival inks on cotton rag paper, each accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. It presents a broad spectrum of artists, from emerging talents to legendary figures, and features a unique "Browse by Mood" tool to help customers find art that aligns with their desired room ambiance. Artfully Walls is distinguished by its affordable prints and robust interactive tools designed for wall planning. It offers an extensive range of prints and provides inspiration for gallery walls, along with a "Wall Designer" feature that allows users to mock up art arrangements in a virtual room. Lastly, Everything But the House (EBTH) brings the excitement of estate sales online, offering a dynamic auction-based platform for unique vintage art finds, along with other collectibles. When choosing art, factors such as whether the artist is emerging or established, the medium of the art (painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), and whether the piece is an original, limited-edition reproduction, or general print run significantly impact price and value. Many online shops provide framing options, but custom framing services are also available. Proper styling involves experimenting with placement, considering eye-level hanging, and maintaining appropriate spacing above furniture. For renters, options like Command Strips or monkey hooks offer solutions for hanging art without extensive wall damage. Creating a gallery wall benefits from pre-planning by laying out pieces on the floor to finalize arrangements before hanging. Affordable art can also be sourced from thrift stores, antique shops, or by repurposing art books and engaging in DIY projects. Ultimately, the best art for any space is one that brings joy and enhances the home's aesthetic, with numerous online avenues available to suit diverse tastes and budgets. #WallArt #OnlineArt #HomeDecor #ArtCollecting #InteriorDesign #CustomizablePrints #VintageArt #ModernArt #LimitedEditionPrints

Affordable art website Desenio is currently holding its "Big Art Sale" until August 12, offering significant discounts across its entire collection. Prints are 40% off, canvas prints are 35% off, and all frames are 10% off. This sale provides an opportunity for individuals to acquire art pieces, including framed and canvas options, at a reduced cost. The sale prominently features the new collection by interior designer Dani Klaric, known for her distinctive approach to art placement. Klaric, who has experience hanging art in various spaces, including a miniature gallery wall for her cats, has collaborated with Desenio to create a line of prints that reflect her whimsical and personal style. Her collection includes playful imagery such as dice, sardines, and a crocodile print, which she considers a personal favorite. Klaric emphasizes the joy her art brings, noting that the 'Have a Seat' piece is a tribute to her love for chairs, a recurring motif in her design philosophy. Several pieces from Klaric's collection are highlighted as recommendations for building a gallery wall. These include the 'Bold Chair Print,' priced at $18, featuring a green chair on a pink background. The 'Table Lamp Print,' also $18, depicts a blue table lamp on a green background. The 'Crocodile Crush Print' is available for $13, and the 'Have a Seat Print,' which celebrates chairs, is priced at $13. Other notable prints from the collection include the 'Sardine Trio Print' ($18), the 'Cool People Print' ($18) featuring a poodle on a sofa with the phrase "Cool People Live Here," the 'Throw the Dice Print' ($13), and the 'Masterpiece Print' ($18), which showcases colorful abstract shapes. The article also mentions the potential for earning revenue from product links and participation in affiliate programs, indicating that the content may contain sponsored elements or affiliate marketing. Readers are invited to sign up for Domino’s newsletter for daily home tours, design news, and style inspiration. The author, Julie Vadnal, is the Deputy Editor of Domino, focusing on home decor, product reviews, and creative home tours. #ArtSale #Desenio #DaniKlaric #HomeDecor #AffordableArt #InteriorDesign #GalleryWall #HomeStyling #ArtPrints

Martha Stewart's Westport kitchen studio presented two common design challenges: how to effectively fill an awkward, empty wall adjacent to a hot stove and how to display her expanding collection of antique rolling pins without creating clutter. Stewart devised an elegant and practical solution to address these issues, transforming practical kitchen storage into an artistic display. This striking rolling pin arrangement serves as a masterclass in personalized, functional kitchen wall decor, demonstrating that thoughtful design maintains its relevance over time. Stewart's rolling pin collection, a Christmas gift from friends Pat and Richard at Consignment in Westport, prompted her to seek expert advice. She consulted Terry Zeidel, a specialist in kitchen collectibles, for an expert opinion on each antique pin and its historical use. Subsequently, Tom from her style department constructed a custom shadow box to house the collection. This box, made from three-quarter-inch pine with a beadboard backing, was painted 'Twine,' matching the kitchen walls to achieve a seamless, built-in appearance. Small notched dowels were installed to securely hold the rolling pins, with additional support pieces used for particularly fragile items to prevent them from rolling off. The display is meticulously organized, blending utility with a curatorial approach. Each rolling pin is cataloged, with a corresponding card detailing its information. The arrangement was carefully planned, with different configurations tested before settling on a layout that positions the pins from smallest to largest. Each pin is numbered according to its placement, adding to the organized and systematic presentation. This systematic approach appeals to those who appreciate order and precise organization. Stewart expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that both design dilemmas were successfully resolved. The rolling pin collection found an appropriate home, and the wall above her Aga cooker was elegantly adorned. The display's enduring appeal lies in its ability to marry personal sentiment with practical storage solutions, turning everyday kitchen items into a decorative focal point. This approach is replicable for homeowners looking to add character and organization to their kitchens. Recreating Stewart's display involves sourcing suitable rolling pins and display fixtures. While her collection consists of cherished antiques, similar aesthetic effects can be achieved with contemporary or carefully selected vintage rolling pins from online retailers or antique shops. Examples include the Embossed Rolling Pin from Amazon for adding a festive touch and a Rolling Pin Holder for an elegant display reminiscent of Stewart’s style. The concept is also adaptable for smaller kitchens, where a curated selection of a few rolling pins can introduce a unique, Martha-inspired charm and serve as a conversation starter. #MarthaStewart #KitchenDesign #WallDecor #RollingPinDisplay #KitchenStorage #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #AntiqueCollection #CustomCabinetry