WEEK ENDNOTES: Pipe-Dreaming

Ran across some gorgeous items this week I’d be buying IF I had that kind of money, which I don’t. But maybe your circumstances are different. Regardless, there’s at least some joy to be gained from looking at pretty things.

#1: HERMES PARIS THEOREME “ROUND AND ROUND” BOX

Hermes.com

Something in me is always drawn to beautiful, unique boxes. This one is done in hand-lacquered wood, with a luscious citrine backdrop for the artwork, designed by Irish architect Nigel Peake, who’s known for his unique drawing style.

It’s clearly fascinating enough to look at again and again, from all angles, so here goes…

“Round and Round,” of course, refers not to the box shape but to the lid art. The box itself is just under 10.5 inches square and a bit over 3 inches deep. It’s also more than a little out of my price range at approximately $1,550 USD.

#2: HOTLINE MULTI FREIDA RUG BENCH, SOLD BY ANNIE SELKE

Annie Selke

This is, without a doubt, the PERFECT bench for my entryway. No wonder I adore it–the kilim upholstery is designed by one of my favorite designers, Kit Kemp. It’s handwoven with more than 20 colors. At $1,198, it’s cheaper than that Hermes box, but still out of my price range.

But if that doesn’t even make you blink an eye, you can also get it in a 40-inch square ($1,248) that would make the perfect coffee table paired with a sectional sofa.

Or just buy the rug itself to admire on your floors or as a wallhanging. Sizes run from 2-by-3 feet up to 10-by-14 feet, priced from $128 to $2,878.

My pocketbook could best handle the 24-by-18-inch swatch, priced at $15. I could get a decent lumbar pillow from that, I bet. Or, splurge for a 3-by-5-foot rug at $318 and find my own bench to upholster.

#3: LALI TORMA ART, AVAILABLE THROUGH SAATCHI ART

I’ve been looking on Saatchi for art to flank the television set in our great room and came across work by Canadian Lali Torma, who works out of Berlin.

There’s something so relaxing and engrossing about looking at these swirls of hers, done in vibrant, rushing ink on paper. I feel like I could fall right into them. There’s something almost erotic about them as well.

The first two are my favorites, but I like these others as well. All are good-sized–from 19.7 to 27.6 inches wide and 23.4 to 39.4 inches high.

These drawings appeal to me because they have a lot of movement and vibrancy without seeming busy. I already have a lot of pattern in my great room, and these would be a calming counterpoint and striking all at the same time.

I’m trying to invest in original art as my budget allows, which is to say not much. This expense would be hard for me to justify to myself, though, let alone explain to my husband. Even after spending around $1,300 to purchase, I’d have to have them custom matted and framed as well.

I just spent $85 for a framed, mass-produced print for the kitchen, which I’ll probably tire of in a few years and donate to Goodwill. In comparison, orignal artwork I really love seems the better investment. I’ll be thinking this one over and continue looking.

#4: PEACE FOR UKRAINE

San Francisco demonstration with mural basel on the work of Ukraine artist Maria Prymachenko

Peace for Ukraine is another pipe dream I’ve been having lately. Not much I can do except hold its people in my heart, hope, donate, and perhaps share a couple links I appreciated reading this week.

Designer Kit Kemp ran a post on her blog Design Thread entitled “The Art of Ukraine” and profiled five Ukrainian artists and their works. I also came across this spellbinding and amazingly costumed and staged music video by the Ukrainian electro-folk band ONUKA, entitled “Zenit” (zenith). Drawing on motifs from Ukrainian folklore and echoing traditional folk music, ONUKA sees itself as channeling the spirit of the country to the rest of the world…

It’s important to keep in mind what our world stands to lose if the Ukraines and other former satellites of the defunct USSR lose control of their homelands and culture.

I hope you’ll follow the links to both posts and take in the beauty of the art represented.

This weekend at home…

#1: HANG SLIDING GLASS DOOR WINDOW TREATMENT

Not my dining room, not my shades exactly. The woven wood drapery on the left is similar to what will soon adorn our sliding glass door. But instead of a wood cornice, ours will just have a simple matching, taped valance to match the other woven wood shades throughout the house.

I’m one of those people who HATES vertical blinds, which is why we toyed with the idea of cloth drapery panels for this slider. But we liked our other Bali shades so much more that we put in a separate order for this drapery, which gathers when it is pulled open and lays flat when closed. It can also be ordered with extra width added to gather even when closed.

Due to supply chain issues, we’ve been waiting for it for two-plus months. It finally arrived this past Wednesday, so Chris will install it today. Can’t wait for the sun to shine again so we can try it out on our west-facing great room.

#2: DUCTWORK DISGUISE FOR UTILITY/LAUNDRY ROOM

BoHoHome.com photo

This is currently the view from our kitchen into our combination utility/laundry room. An obvious after-thought by the builder. But I’ve got a plan, and if it works you’ll be seeing a post soon on all the work we’ve done in this room. Wish us luck!

#3: BATHROOM MIRROR FRAMES DECISON

We installed MirrorMate frames on our condo mirrors to cover water damage around the edges, and they looked beautiful. Of course, there’s no damage to the mirrors in our new home, but I thought dressing them up a bit with a frame couldn’t hurt.

Clockwise from top: Cherokee Mocha Walnut, Highline Slim Satin Nickel, Medterra Glazed Stone, Medterra Glazed Earth, Cherokee Espresso Walnut, and Broadway Brushed Chrome.

We had Broadway Brushed Chrome at the condo. The cabinets here are a dark umber-stained maple, and the wood tones don’t exactly hit it right–Espresso seems too dark and Mocha seems too light. Plus, if the wood over-the-toilet cabinet we ordered for the master bath ever ships, a wood mirror next to it might be too much wood.

Medterra Glazed Stone looks good with the beige countertops and shower tile, but I’m leaning toward Highline Slim Satin Nickel or Medterra Glazed Earth. Chris hasn’t weighed in yet (or even seen the samples). Been keeping him hopping with other stuff ;-> !!

Last Saturday was 75 degrees and sunny. Today it’s snow, with temps topping out at 28. BRRRRR!!!! Spring, where are you?

Stay warm,

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