The Accidental Curator

Poketo

I love these vibrant and whimsical prints from Poketo. They have this sort of beautiful yet chaotic feeling about them…sort of like life.

http://poketo.com/shop/archives/category/shop/prints

Wind-lit: Solar

Imagine lounging outside some hazy warm summer night with some friends when all of a sudden your ultra green lanterns, powered solely from the wind and sun, illuminate as dusk approaches. These lanterns are but one of the many projects Developed by cutting edge design and technology group Living World. Living World attempts to actualize an idea called “senseware”, loosely translated senseware is a concept that strives to detach production from creativity, by realizing this detachment one attains a heightened awareness or sympathy for sensing the beauty of the living world that surrounds us. Senseware literally means “tools for sensing the living world”.

http://www.livingworld.net/

Motivate

Inspire your co-workers and plaster your dreary cubical with these “alternative motivational posters” by RBT, now available at uber design and housewares online store Vitamin D(esign). All the posters are  printed on 100% post-consumer recycled papers that are FSC certified and certified processed chlorine free (CPCF). They will only print with vegetable based inks, such as soy, the tubes that ship all of these posters are made from 70% to 100% post consumer recycled content, and at about $15 bucks a pop you can be green and bag some great art at the same time.

http://vitamindesignshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=46

It’s a Small World

Ok not that small, this illuminated glass globe stands at around 2 feet and is supported by an iron frame and ribs that mark the degrees of the planets circumference. The contents and other embellishments, like mermaids and sea creatures, are cast in brass and mounted on the iron ribs. Mounted on the top is a brass star standing in for the real North Star. When switched off, the glass globe is white, but the original blue bulb creates blue oceans when lighted. This Murano piece is Italian and dates back to the 1950’s and you can take it home for $8,500.

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=199300

 

Mobile Art

 

The “Chanel Contemporary Art Container”, a touring space age pavilion, has recently anchored a spot in Hong Kong. The pavilion is an all encompassing environment that uses architecture, technology and the senses to transport the participant into a different space and provide a new space for people to interact.

The exterior of the exhibit looks like a futuristic weather cloud, deflated and superimposed onto our own, more mundane, cityscape. The cold and mysterious gives way to an interior that remains plush and organic, the space invites the public on a journey through luxurious wonderment, its easy to see Chanel’s stamp of approval on such a project.

The “Art Container” is one of 20 artworks commissioned by Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld for the Mobile Art exhibition, all artworks are inspired by the iconic Chanel bag. The pavilion is open to the public until the fifth of April.

http://www.dezeen.com/2008/03/13/chanel-contemporary-art-container-by-zaha-hadid/

Rose and Radish

Rose and Radish is a true gem in the Bay Area, this hip yet elegant boutique in San Francisco offers a well edited collection of flowers and unusual housewares. the owner Cate Kellison and store manager Jill Pilotte are very active the arts community and offer an outlet for smaller designers and artisans to display their works,and because the inventory changes every three months it allows the store to always remain fresh and of the moment. http://www.roseandradish.com/

Dragonfly kites by Petit Pan crafted in Paris $33

 

 

 

 

Mushroom Lamp by Heico crafted in Germany $110

Blown Up Frosted Sheep Light
by Thelermont Hupton crafted in the United Kingdom $385

 

French Dot Wallpaper created by world

renowned artist Nama Rococo
$220 for a 38"h x 24.5"w piece

 

 

Watering Can by Zack crafted in Germany $123

Eggling Herb Garden by Noted crafted in Japan $11

Psychadelic Flashback

No its not the sixties, just a unique way to brighten up a simple staircase and bring color to the space. I love the flowing quality of all the colors rushing down the stairs. Definitely a painstaking art project, but the end result is really amazing and it can work in small and dingy spaces, I could see this really working on cement stairs, especially those leading to basements.
http://designersblock.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-long-would-this-take.html

Art Star

Art Star is a boutique based out of Philly that showcases products made by independent artisans, sort of like a microcosm of etsy.  So show your support and buy indie!

http://www.artstarphilly.com/index.shtml

I Dream of Hedi

 

No, not

Klum, Hedi Slimane! Celebrity photographer, fashion designer and all around tastemaker has a stunning online picture diary and blog. See what life looks like through Hedi's delightfully troubled eyes.

http://www.hedislimane.com/

Etsy Bitsy

There are few things in the world that I’m more obsessed about than the social shopping site Etsy. Because everything is handmade or vintage it’s a good way to show support for Indie artisans and ensures that anything you buy will be a one of a kind. So, to get you started with your every own Etsy fixation I put together a small guide of my favorite sellers;  just sit back, relax, fire up your pay pal accounts and let the Etsy madness begin.

Yellena creates beautiful drawings and paintings that have an abstract yet graceful underwater feel about them http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5066099 http://www.yellena.com/

Channel from Junkprints is a fashionista extraordinaire based out of Brooklyn. Part vintage curator and part seamstress channel combines unusual fabrics with found materials to create brilliant hoodies, tops and accessories. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5170554&section_id=5107178  http://junkprints.com/
 

Jewelry designer Ragtrader creates all types of affordable and attractive wears, from rings to hair accessories, but it’s really her necklaces that stand out. I like this winged tiger necklace…very rock ‘n roll. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5099826 

 

Jef designs is a one man company based out of Portland, Oregon that creates these beautiful paintings on wood, paper and lightboxes. This internationally recognized artist strives to create a space that “evokes balance, purpose, order and harmony”. His work reminds me of the fluidity of the ocean (sense a theme). http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=105671 

 

 

Mad hatter, Boring Sydney, creates custom made hats that have a flair for the dramatic. Each hat comes in a hand stitched storage bag with a retro closure. So if you’re planning a trip to the races or just need to keep your noggin warm, check out this indie millinery. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5007565

 

RKM Studios, based out of Chicago, designs these beautiful hanging glass art pieces. His collection is largely abstract, mostly referencing nature or planetary movements. His work runs anywhere from $50 to $1,000, so there is something for everybody. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5074043

 

 

Vintage online super store, blue bell bazaar, is the perfect stop for designer Chachkes. Adorable stuff at great prices adds a retro flair to anyone’s home without having to shell out the big bucks. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5034485

 

Take off your clothes, no really… that’s the name of this avant-garde clothing company based out of Austin, Texas. Half eighties revival and half krump- alicious this group of designers create fashionable stuff that’s actually good enough to wear…somewhere. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=55025