CasaSugar

Nice and New: Brocade Home Brushed Metal Vase

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:00:22 -0700

We discussed last week how Brocade Home is back, but with little fanfare and no new Fall collections to show for all the time it spent on its grand vacance this Summer. But, I did notice something nice, new, and appropriate for Fall in the shop. The oversized Brocade Home Brushed Metal Vases ($129) in high-gloss bronze have a warmth that faces off with the rapidly decreasing temperatures these days. At 22 to 30 inches high, they're also statement pieces that will demand attention whether or not you fill them with fresh flowers. If bronze isn't for you, though, they're also available in silver. What do you think?

Artist of the Day: David Wiseman

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:30:48 -0700

David Wiseman works in a variety of mediums including wood, porcelain, crystal, and bronze, and is inspired by the subtleties in nature, like the texture of bark or the pattern of moss growing on a rock. His designs, which can be found on a tabletop, wrapped around a fireplace, or dangling from the ceiling, highlight these organic details, and bring a romantic, Sleeping Beauty-esque woodland quality indoors. His bronze branches, which sprout porcelain blossoms, are kindred spirits of midcentury bronze wall sculptures, but have a timeless sophistication that supersedes them. His deer head-shaped hat hangers bear the childlike playfulness of Rudolph, white still maintaining a distinct maturity. To continue your introduction and see some of his work, read more.

It's no wonder New York magazine said he'd be "Famous by 2010" — the work of the 2003 RISD grad suggests he's a man wise beyond his years. At the young age of 26, his work has already been acquired by notable collections, has appeared in numerous publications, and most recently, been selected for the Design Triennial at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

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Love It or Hate It? Michael Anastassiades Bronze Ball Vase

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:56:43 -0700

I am a pretty terrible bowler, but this Michael Anastassiades Bronze Ball Vase ($2,500) is a bowling ball I can get behind. The sculptural piece is made from weighty bronze and offers a very dramatic way to display a single flower. What do you think?

Cool Idea: Invest in Art and Save Desert Habitat

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:23 -0700

Artist, sculptor, and furniture maker Alma Allen, who I've featured in a designer spotlight post, has partnered with the Mojave Desert Land Trust to celebrate art and conservation. Allen has created two bronze sculptures in editions of 50, each exclusively for the Mojave Desert Land Trust. The sculptures, a tortoise and a rabbit, are two of the animals that depend on this land for their survival. Seventy percent of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Land Trust's campaign to support The Quail Mountain Project.

To find out about how you can help, and to see more photos, read more.

The Quail Mountain Project encompasses 955 acres of pristine wildlife habitat in Joshua Tree, CA, just adjacent to the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park. Saving this land would help support its diverse population of bighorn sheep, bobcat, desert tortoise, coyote, and dozens of bird species, to name just a few of the creatures that depend on this land for habitat.

This project is immensely personal to Allen, as he and his partner live on the edge of the park in a green home they built themselves. Order one of Allen's charming sculptures (priced at $150 each) to help support this project. Allen also has a show at Heath Ceramics in LA on Nov. 5, and you can check out more of his work here.

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Scenes From the 20th Century Modernism Show

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:05 -0700

This weekend I attended the 20th Century Modernism Show and Sale at Fort Mason in San Francisco, which featured 50 national and international exhibitors (many local) of decorative and fine arts from all design movements of the 20th century. I was excited to see up close some works by artists I follow, like David Wiseman's porcelain blossom and bronze branches (and I even caught a glimpse of the artist himself) and a large collection of original works by the late great American Modernist Charley Harper from the Charley Harper Art Studio.
A few of my other favorite exhibitors were Battersea, R 20th Century, Peter Fetterman, 20th Century Interiors, Antik NYC, Off the Wall, and Eric Firestone Gallery. Peter Fetterman sells a range of black and white photographs, including many well-known pieces such as this image of Andy Warhol with Edie Sedgwick and Chuck Wein by Burt Glinn, which was fun to see. See more scenes from the show when you read more.

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Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne's Sculptures to Graze on Park Avenue

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:30:19 -0700

In conjunction with the Paul Kasmin Gallery, the New York City Parks Public Art Program will debut the first ever, large-scale outdoor exhibition in the US of Claude & François-Xavier
Lalanne’s sculptures along Park Avenue from Sept. 13 to Nov. 20.

The exhibit, on multiple sites along Park, will include more than eight monumental works by the influential couple, including François-Xavier’s famed "Moutons," which I've featured on CasaSugar before. The epoxy and bronze woolly animals will be featured in a life-size flock of 12 sheep and lambs.

Hear about other works in the exhibit when you read more.

Some of the exhibit's other best-known works will be featured, including Claude's "Pomme de New York," a large-scale bronze sculpture of an apple, epitomizing the city’s iconic image; François-Xavier’s "Singe Avisé," a pensive, cross-legged monkey; and Claude's "Choupatte," an anthropomorphized cabbage with bird’s feet.

If you happen to be in Manhattan during the exhibition, you simply must stop by. Not only is it the first major outdoor show of the Lalannes’ work, but it's also a very rare treat to see the pieces in person. That is, unless you are Marc Jacobs, who owns his very own Lalanne sheep.

Photo courtesy of Paul Kasmin Gallery

Casa Quickie: Use Ornaments For a Chic Centerpiece

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:30:01 -0800

Su Casa member Aimeesbell suggests this trick for creating an on-the-fly centerpiece for parties during the holiday season and beyond. She says, "I had extra bronze ornaments from the tree and placed them in this oversized brandy glass to make an easy and chic centerpiece!" Since the ornaments are a neutral color, you can easily use this centerpiece well into the New Year.

Roundup: Hanukkah Cards

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:30:06 -0800

You still have a few more weeks to get your Hanukkah cards in the mail, which means that you also have time to find the prettiest cards available. I love these handprinted Hanukkah cards ($14.50 for a set of six), with their icy blue background and abstract geometric design. They're both modern and celebratory. The cards are all Gocco printed on deep blue stock with bronze and white inks, and will be a hit with your friends and family.

Looking for some other designs? Check out the rest of my picks when you read more.

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Nice and New: Michael Aram Pomegranate Menorah

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:30:55 -0800

Açai berries may be the latest power fruit to hit Whole Foods shelves, but that's no reason not to delight in the adorable puckered tops and bulbous shapes of last season’s trendy grocery, the pomegranate. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah this year, you can enjoy the "pom" when you pick up the Michael Aram Pomegranate Menorah ($150), a stunning bronze luminary with a leafy, branch base. You can also check out Aram's collection of other pomegranate-festooned items. Didn’t you hear? “Deck the halls with boughs of pommy,” is the latest power ditty.

Crave Worthy: Pyrite Napkin Rings

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:46 -0800

I recently rounded up Fall napkin rings for you, with a seasonal palette of warm tones. While I'm certainly a fan of all of those choices, I can't help but say I'd kill to have a set of the Thad Cline Pyrite Napkins Rings ($140). The stunning, handmade pieces are made from bronze wire wrapped around a natural Pyrite stone. The smashing sparkling rocks would make any dinner table glamorous this holiday. Do you like them?