AMAAAAAZING

FINDINGS FROM THE DESK OF MELINDA GRAY

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The Trouble with Rainbows

My daughter quickly responded ‘rainbow’ when asked what color she wanted her new room to be. Rainbow has it’s challenges–how to be tasteful about it, how to be ready for her hating rainbow 2 years from now, how to make it the bright and lively room she had in mind while still feeling like it belongs in our muted minimalist home.

Daniel Mercadante’s Rainbow Road is a magical series of double exposure photographs. This 20x30 print is going on the wall above her bed. We are all a little jealous. 

There’s a great home design store in our neighborhood called Nannie Inez that carries a few Hay items. That’s where I bought this tray which now holds her odds and ends. Last time I checked she had all her crystals on it and it looked very awesome.

If it weren’t for a fallen mirror fiasco in our NYC apartment a few years ago, I wouldn’t be so afraid of large heavy mirrors and I would have bought one of these cool rainbow wall mirrors from Bride & Wolfe. 

I always wanted a reason to buy these classic Missoni towels. 

Does the textile on this bolster count as rainbow? Not really but it’s perfectly multicolored and I love it. From Little Design Co.

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Floor Art

Rugs have taken such a fun turn lately. Having just moved into a new home, we’ve been deep-diving into all things home-related. Here’s a round-up of a few pieces I’ve come across that are so incredible it would hurt a little to step on them.

Patricia Urquola’s designs (insert drool emoji)...they break the boxed-in mold, allowing an openness to a space. The colors! So inspiring.

Nanimarquina makes a few of my favorites as well. The Shade range by Begüm Cana Özgür look really neutral from a distance, but up close the color is vibrant and rich. We bought one for the living room. I really wanted it for the bedroom but couldn’t reckon with a big bed covering up all the magical moments the weave creates as the changing colors overlap each other.

Nanimarquina also manufactures the elegantly playful Rabari collection by London-based design office Doshi Levien.

I’ll never tire of Paul Smith’s Swirl rug. It comes in the signature multicolor option or the quieter Pale colorway and brings the perfect amount of movement to a space.

Alexander McQueen’s Monarch Smoke would go well in any style space and in any room. 

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Anti-Lampshade

For years we had a floor lamp with a massively large lampshade. When we first brought it home, we thought it was quirky and beautiful. By the end it had created in me such a disgust for lampshades that I fear there is not one lampshade on the planet that can bring me back. On my quest for shade-less lamps I have discovered they are sorely outnumbered by the shaded variety, but they are out there. 

Lindsey Adelman creates works of art with all sorts of materials - brass, handblown glass, porcelain, even rope. They are beyond anything I’ve ever seen in lighting. Her porcelain Branching series are particular gorgeous.

The Counterweight Floor Lamp by Fort Standard for Roll & Hill combines steam-bent wood, brass and marble. Clean, minimal, stunning.

Bec Brittain uses LED tubes to create her Helix and Shy lighting. Those Shy Beams. Brilliant.

I’ve already sung Lee Broom’s praises in a previous post. He has a couple new pieces that don’t disappoint. Just as he remade the humble lightbulb in crystal, he is now recreating a fluorescent tube using Carrara marble. The marble Tube diffuses the light into a warm glow. 

The great thing about String Lights by Michael Anastassiades for Flos is that it allows you to install a pendant anywhere. The strings bring some fun geometry to a room.

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Look Up!

We live in a historic building that was built in 1922. Very charming but not without it's challenges. Doing anything to the place always reveals some crazy layer of 1922 realness that we don't know what to do with. Long story short, I am now searching for a way to hide the gap around our new bedroom pendant lamp. Maybe a sensible ceiling medallion? I am finding we need more ceiling medallion designers out there. There are plenty of choices if you want something historic, which I do love. But not too much outside of that. But if you are up for getting creative and a lil DIY... 

The Fundamental Shop in Berlin created this Rhombus System, a set of polystyrene tiles you can install pretty much anywhere. They look particularly great when arranged on the ceiling around a lighting fixture. 

Clouds are fabric tiles designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, in collaboration with contemporary textile manufacturer Kvadrat. You create your own designs by attaching the tiles with special bands. They come in 2 fabric options and 11 colors. This looks so fun, and probably relatively easy to install since they are fabric and lightweight. Ceiling medallion family project! 

Last time I was at the Met, I walked through the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas collection and saw this gold piece from Ghana. It's an emblem worn by 'Soul Washers' who are young, beautiful men and women born on the same day of the week as the king who have been chosen to purify and replenish the king's vital powers. But it would also look awesome on my ceiling. Someone make a replica please.

Or maybe I just stick with a classic. So many options! 

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sparsely vast and intricately bare

Backlash to the intricate pattern kick I've clearly been on…recently came across David Ryle's photography and fell in love with his images that feel like the most beautiful blank canvas.

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Tech for the soul

Leonardo Ulian's Technological Mandalas are made mostly of electronic components that have been painstakingly arranged into very detailed mandalas. Breathtaking. 

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aggressively psycho pattern design

It's so inspiring to see patterns created with such marvelous detail that one must assume the artist either has a few screws loose or else is in a state of permanent and utter zen. Perhaps a bit of both? Psycho amazing work by Andy Gilmore, Christian Zander and Hansje Van Halem.

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If crack were diamond rings, they would look like this

Something about these rings are addictive. They are gorgeous. Simple at first glance but with so many yummy details. The delicate working of the perfectly hued 18K champagne gold, the beautifully cut stones, works of brilliance by Japanese artist Yoshinobu Kataoka.

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PLANT OIL DU JOUR: PETITGRAIN

Petitgrain is my official essential oil du jour. I have made a special edition single note GrayFlores oil blend that celebrates it. The oil is distilled from the leaves of the Bitter Orange, an evergreen of which Neroli is also distilled from the blossoms. Neroli will always and forever be my most beloved essential oil. But lately Petitgrain is holding my attention.

It is softly orange, freshly green, with a hint of clean citrusy blossom and a woody undertone. It is at once relaxing and uplifting. There's a gentle liveliness about it that I find absolutely optimistic. It is said to activate the intellect and bring clarity, which all comes in very handy for those who get lost in dark clouds with the change in season.

Petitgrain (when used in safe dilutions) is beautifully tonic for your skin. It helps balance out oiliness and clear blemishes without drying. 

We've been dousing ourselves in the new oil blend from head to toe and adding a couple dashes of straight Petitgrain to the burner. This house is all smiles. Productive and happy!

Rare stipple copper plate engraving from Joseph Risso & Pierre Poiteau's Histoire Naturelle des Orangers (Natural History of Oranges) available for purchase at Panteek.

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TYPECRUSH OF THE MOMENT

Hubert Jocham's ability to create distinctive personality within a typeface is impressive. He is a master with scripts. Take a look at Jocham, his namesake typeface - a bold, legible, friendly, flowing upright script (available with a slanted italic). 

I also love his Narziss collection. Available in text which is legible at smaller sizes as well as a large-size-only display with the most gracefully fine join. The swirly swashes and decorative drops offer an endless supply of excitement to an incredible neoclassic design.

NewJune is another beauty. I love when font families cover both sans and serif. It's a rare thing for both versions to be so appealing and unique yet still feel like part of the same family. Both feel simultaneously ultra-modern and classic. 

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HOLY WOW GORGEOUS SHELVING

Incredibly stunningly elegant Romboidale bookshelf/divider by Italian designer Pietro Russo. I mean. Wow. Every detail on every square inch is immaculate and thoughtful and absolutely beautiful. The mixture of brass and blackened metal is timeless. Finding pieces worthy of being placed on this would be a challenge.

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THE FRENCH BLONDE

I'm a red wine and whisky on the rocks kind of gal, unless there's something seriously special on the cocktail menu. Here's one that I just have to share. It's sophisticated, complex and delicious. Not too sweet, not too tart, perfect for all seasons and for any occasion. Ladies and dudes alike think it's a winner. The ingredient list is long and the ratios hard to remember but that's what google is for. Next time you are having a dinner or cocktail party, greet your guests with one of these and all will be right in the world. 

MAKES ONE COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

½ oz. elderflower liqueur, like St. Germain 1 oz. dry gin 2 oz. White Lillet 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice A few dashes lemon bitters

INSTRUCTIONS

Vigorously shake together all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass.

Thank you Saveur!

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GILDED FINGERS

I seem to have in my head that rings are gift items that one receives from someone else. It's untrue. And I'm excited to gift myself one of these beauties one day. But (ahem) if anybody wants to consider this post a wishlist, feel free.

Every time I go into Ten Thousand Things, I try on some combination of this collection of goodness. Gorgeous stacked, dainty and perfect on their own.

How have I never heard of Morganite till now? A clear, pink variety of Beryl, it's the same tone as rose gold and when used together is a monochromatic dream. I love this one, it feels antique yet new. To be honest, Sam n Sue have so many stunners it's hard to decide which should be edited down for a wishlist. The other beautiful thing about morganite - it's a whole lot cheaper than diamonds.

I don't even know if there's anything that needs to be said for this Jennifer Meyer emerald cigar band. Drool.

Helen Ficalora's floral bands are so feminine and sweet. The millgrain bands look really opulent when stacked, especially when you mix golds. And the dogwood with diamonds is wedding band worthy.

How fun are these?? Duepunti makes these genius rubber rings with tiny little diamonds. Perfect beach jewelry. They are under $100 each, so if you lose it in the waves, it won't ruin your life.

I want this X ring very badly. Full stop.

Laurent Gandini's extraordinary pieces feel simultaneously flowery and badass. 

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If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.

Lao Tzu

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a sucker for a good memo pad

One can really never have enough memo pads. One for the desk, a lil guy for the bag, an extra slim one for travels, 10 more at the ready because I just couldn't help myself…

I really love a good memo pad. What makes it good? I do judge a book by its cover, so that's where I start. When Serge and I were in Japan a few years ago, we went nuts buying up as many Life Co. notepads as we could fit in our luggage. They are so beautiful. Who is their graphic designer I'd like to know. Luckily you can now find them in the states. Notemaker, an Australian company that ships internationally, has the biggest selection I've seen outside of Japan. Check out their site to see what I mean. LOVE! I was in McNally Jackson Books the other day and they had a great selection too. I bought this one, couldn't resist.

The paper itself is also a big deal. I like the feel of a super smooth sheet, which this one has with extra large lines.

Every so often a nice graph paper shakes things up a bit and makes for cute gift notes when you're in a bind. This Postalco pad has my favorite graph paper print - 1 mm pin-graph in the perfect shade of aqua blue on white paper. And the cover is a gorgeous pressed cotton that has been treated to be water resistent.

I've always thought Rhodia pads are super cute with their bright neon orange covers and rustic-cool evergreen tree/bold typography logo. I find it hard to pass them up when I see them in a store. They have great size options. I think it's worth mentioning that they are the only brand that has successfully accomplished using a black/orange color combo without screaming halloween. Applause!

In 2006, in my efforts to grow up and get organized in the pre-iPhone era, I came across The Per Annum Manhattan Diary. I've been buying them ever since. I have kept them and will keep all of them as I continue to buy them for the rest of my life. iPhone or not, I like to write down my plans on paper. Does this make me old fashioned? I don't care. 

They are really amazing little diaries. They have just the right amount of space for each day, but that's just the beginning. What made me tell anyone who would listen about this beyond-amazing gem of a discovery of a product was the fact that it has maps in the back - a subway map, maps for all the trains, a map of Manhattan and 'vicinity'. I use that MTA map more than I use the diary to be honest. Subway users in NYC, I'm sure you understand. Phones don't work IN the subway, except maybe around West 4th Street. It happens now and then that I completely blank on where I'm getting off the train. Rather than lose my seat to go peek behind someone's greezy head at the in-car maps, I simply pull out my little diary friend and get all the info I need. I have made many a subway friend thanks to my handy Per Annum Manhattan diaries.

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FOR REAL MOWGLI

Tippi Degre was pretty much brought up with wild animals in Africa til she was ten. Not to mislead - she had human parents, wildlife photographers Sylvie Robert and Alain Degre, who travelled extensively throughout Africa during Tippi's childhood. I secretly wish Paloma could grow up like this, riding her elephant friends and whatnot. But I could never hack it in a tent for ten years.

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The only lighting I have ever fallen in love with

This Lee Broom chap, brilliant! I came across his One Light Only collection a few years ago and never got over it. His most recent Crystal Bulb lighting collection is no less incredible.