MODern Lighting

I haven't posted in a quite a few days. This week I will introduce you to some really cool MOD lighting choices that will knock your socks off. I am all about some drama and this piece is a perfect example of just that. The Murano chandliers are hand made in Italy and come in a plethora of colors (red (shown below), black (shown below), turqoise (shown below), amber, green (shown below). They can add a level of sophistication to a room as well as provide a pop of color to your pad.

Modern Take on School House Lighting

Isn't this just way too cool? This  modern take on a school house pendant is right up the modern props alley. Comes in powder coated white or antique black and the cord length can be adjusted up to 45".

Jean Paul Gaultier and Roche Bobois Team Up

It's been a few days since I posted so I thought I would start the week off with a bit of a fashion bang. These pieces are fabulous! Fashion Icon Jean Paul Gaultier teamed up with Roche Bobois to design this fun and functional seating. When pushed together they make one big beautiful conversation piece. It's Couture Fashioin meets Rock N' Roll Design. After all Fashion follows design and vice versa. These would be great for a media room. More room ideas to come in my next post so check back tomorow.

A Hidden Gem in Raleigh- "Dress" Boutique

Mostly recently I stumbled upon "Dress" boutique(http://www.dressraleigh.com/) in Raleigh. It was like opening a fabulous present and I was very pleased when I opened the box. Having moved here from Atlanta where there is a plethora of shopping and design, I am always in search of local boutiques that offer designer one of a kind pieces. I believe I have found one such venue. The owner, Pam Mullaney, is delightful and quite the fashionista. Located in The Carter Building, 18 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC in Glenwood South a hip restaurant and nightclub scene, "Dress" is a must stop on any fashion conscience girl's A list. Check it out! You will not be disappointed. I will be a regular shopper @ Dress.After all fashion and interior design follow each other. And, you will look so much better sitting in your Louis Chair (pictured below) in a fabulous ensemble.  

Fascinating - Fascination Shoes

These are way too cool for school! Made of fed express paper, these sneakers are the brainchild of Civic Duty (http://www.civicdutyshoes.com/).  They come in high tops and low tops (which are more like converse), loafers and low tops (similar to keds). And the colors, well see for yourself. Great gifts and great for the environment too! Retail for $59/pr. You can't beat it. There are five collections which are fascination, sensation, exhileration, dedication and illumination. And they can all be worn with or without laces.  I love the fact that they are made from recyclable materials.

The Story Behind Civic Duty:
Civic Duty is more than just a brand. It is a movement that aims to inspire others. In 2009, Steven Weinreb, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, lost his job due to the massive economic downturn. Like many Americans, he was concerned about his prospects for a new job when so many were unemployed. He was infuriated watching the Government bail out big corporations who were largely responsible for creating our country's bleak economic climate while everyday folk were left to fend for themselves. His frustration soon became his motivation to start a company that cares. He was determined to prove that we can be successful and still be socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible. And so, Civic Duty was born to bring people together through fashion that is fresh, innovative and with a conscience.

Each year an exclusive shoe will be uniquely designed with 100% of the profits donated to a social cause benefiting those in the United States Now that's a really cool sneaker!

Artist Victoria Steinberg

This beautiful engaging work is by Manhattan artist Victoria Steinberg.  Victoria presents a captivating perspective of still life, portrait and landscape subjects, through a dedication to the mastery of realism, executed in oil painting. Her work embodies light form and color with skillful strokes suggestive of Dutch masters. Ms. Steinberg carries forward the refined tradition of “chiaroscuro” or direct light.

Years of study at the world renowned Art Students League in New York City with such Twentieth Century masters as Robert Brackman, David Leffel, Gary Fagen, Daniel Greene, Robert Johnson, Peter Cox and Greg Kreutz have empowered her to produce elegant compositions such as the works shown above. These compositions embrace concepts of cast shadows, definitive and lost edges, all transmitted in reflected light and full-bodied colors. You can find her other work at http://www.victoriasteinberg.com/.  The work leaves one thinking, what is her connection to the subject matter? Does she know her subjects?  I am all about realism being a confessed realist! It doesn't get more real than this and I am certain that her work reflects not only what she sees, but an untold story. I am curious!

Gold Rings Tree Mirror

The "Gold Rings Tree" Mirror reflects images in 110 individual laser-cut pieces of mirror. Since it is made to order, you can get it any almost any conceiveable finish in addition to the gold leaf pictured below. Dimensions are 53" wide x 86" high. Imagine a whole wall of these. It would be like a gold tree forest.