One of the vendors I always make sure to visit at the twice-yearly NY Now gift show is Steve Parkes Wholesale. Steve travels extensively — mostly throughout African countries — where he sources local crafts to bring back to the States. Among his suppliers is a workshop in Madagascar that creates miniature cars and ornaments from discarded tin cans, and let me tell you, they are fabulous. Continue reading Pink Thing of The Day: Crescent Moon-Shaped Tin Ornament with Pink Roses→
On a recent stroll through the Rosie The Riveter Memorial Rose Garden in San Diego’s gorgeous Balboa Park, I came across a flower that screamed to be given a spotlight: the Rock N Roll Rose. With its bold red-and-white striped blooms and dramatic flair, this flower’s streaked petals recall a whimsical moment from Alice in Wonderland, when the Queen’s playing card gardeners frantically paint the white roses red to please Her Majesty. Yes, they exist! Continue reading Yes, It Exists: The Rock N Roll Rose!→
Named after Blanche Dubois, the self-deluded protagonist of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play A Streetcar Named Desire, Shiro Kumata‘s Miss Blanche Chair (1988) is an icon of postmodern design. Kamata originally experimented with embedding natural roses in the chair, but the flowers burned in the acrylic resin, so he instead used artificial flowers. Continue reading Eye On Design: Miss Blanche Chair By Shiro Kuramata→
London is the only city where I’ve seen rose bushes grow as tall as houses. During a visit to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, I didn’t even need to crouch to capture this trio of pink roses against a perfect summer sky. If you were in London during the first half of August 2024, you’ll remember the freakish heat wave, with temperatures soaring above 90°F. Just looking at this photo brings back that sweltering glow! Continue reading A Summer Memory: Ten Favorite Flower Photos From Kew Gardens, London→
American artist Karon Davis (b. 1977) brings to life historical and allegorical figures in her signature white, wrapped plaster sculptures. Immersed in her parents’ worlds of theater and ballet as a child, Davis’ installations merge memory and scenes from the stage with historical events, mythology, and ongoing socio-political concerns. For her High Line, commission Davis created Curtain Call a larger-than-life bronze portrait of a ballerina taking her final bow after a performance. Continue reading Karon Davis Curtain Call on The High Line→
