Photos By Gail
In mid-century America, molded Box Handbags like this one (circa 1955) were fabricated by the New York City accessory firm Wilardy aka Wilardy Originals, which embraced the increasingly experimental postwar design trend towards ‘scientific’ materials such as Lucite.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Lucite Box Handbag By Wilardy Originals
All Photos By Gail
The likenesses of all four members of The Beatles — from left to right: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — were created by artist David Hollier on these vintage Royal typewriters.
Paul’s face is made up of the lyrics from the songs “I’ve Just Seen a Face” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”
John’s facial features were formed from the lyrics of the songs “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Please, Please Me.”
On the face of George (my favorite Beatle) you can read the lyrics from two songs he penned, “I Need You” and “You Like Me Too Much.”
Ringo sang lead on the songs “Boys” and “I Wanna Be Your Man,” so it makes sense that Hollier would have used these songs to recreate his unique visage.
I wish I had been able to get a close up shot of some of the lyrics, but the plexiglass vitrine protecting this artwork from curious hands at the Scope Art Fare also created a pretty gnarly glare. This piece is priced at $10,500 for all four typewriters and the pages wrapped around their rollers! David Hollier is represented by New Apostle Gallery located in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo By Gail
This vintage metal cocktail tray is absolute perfection and a dream to own for any fan of mid-century modern design! Embellished with a design of assorted Pink Cocktail Glasses and a boarder of prancing Pink Elephants, this 5 x 7-inch tray, officially known as a “tip tray,” was originally sold in sets of four. Currently, lucky collectors can find them in stores that specialize in vintage pop culture collectibles, and on eBay and other auction sites.
All Photos By Gail
Designs inspired by nature form the largest group of more than 10,000 wallpapers in the collection of the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum. Often, a wallpaper theme would tie-in with the room’s use: designs of food were popular for dining rooms and water motifs dominated in bathrooms. The modern bathroom. with a designated space indoors, running water and flush toilets, had been developed by the late nineteenth century. Given the concerns for hygiene and running water, ceramic tiles were the preferred wall-covering because of their durability and sanitary nature. For those on a budget, early wallpapers imitated this look with varnished tile patterns.
Around 1910, bathrooms shifted away from this sterile, hygienic look to become a more pleasant, decorative room that was harmonious with the home’s decor. Some moisture-resistant coverings were introduced in the early 1900‘s, but general-use wallpapers at this time were printed with water-soluble pigments and thus were unsuitable for use in bathrooms.
By 1934, the development of washable wallpapers coincided with a new array of decorative papers that had no hint of their sanitary past; rather, scenic designs featuring more panoramic views, as seen here, became popular, appealing to decorators and homeowners who wanted to bring the outdoors inside.
Sea Beauties Scenic Wallpaper (1920 – 35, Ideal Wall Decoration) seen here in this three-panel set, contains a lively underwater view of fish, shells, coral and plant life in their natural habitat. Multiple sets could be used to wrap around the bathroom, creating an immersive environment.
This early water-resistant design is printed in oil colors, so it could withstand the moisture and occasional splash from the tub, giving the wallpaper both a practical and decorative purpose.
Photographed in the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in Upper Manhattan.
Photos By Gail
It has been said that an ‘it bag’ is only an ‘it bag’ if you’re unlikely to ever own one. Characterised by exclusivity, celebrity and exorbitant price tags, ‘it bags’ were first introduced in the mid 1980s, and by the early 1990s small bags emblazoned with corporate designer logos were the accessories in fashion-conscious circles. Glossy advertising campaigns, glamorous brand ambassadors and celebrity style icons, including Lady Diana, encouraged power-dressing executives with high disposable incomes to snap up these luxury wares.
Continue reading Eye On Design: Moschino Vintage Steam Iron-Shaped Handbag