sogni d'oro: pattern

Showing posts with label pattern. Show all posts

Please know how much I love these pants (gorman x monika forsberg) and how close I came to purchasing them, but they are just too expensive (then factor in international shipping). I simply could not justify that expense on a frivolous purchase.

In lieu of a frivolous purchase, let's just admire together how darling these are and acknowledge the fact that at 8 years old when I was starting French horn lessons, I would have died over these.

If Boden made their kids clothes in adult sizes, we'd all be in trouble (and by we, I mean me) because it would mean we could live out all of our Ms. Frizzle/Pushing Daisies-costume-designer dreams. How darling are all of these things?! (plus their delightfully British names, like 'wellies' and 'pinnie'). So many amazing prints and darling silhouettes (these first two in particular, I would wear in a heartbeat)—love love love.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Danielle Kroll's State Shapes.

She totally nailed my childhood mental image of NJ!

. . . .

I discovered this awesome hashtag: #roointhesky

I've heard of Australian photographer Tim Coulson, but looking through his gorgeous feed again, I am definitely a fan.

. . . .

Memphis design always feels very dated to me (ahem), but who knew that the crazy, funky, whimsical patterns and colors would work so well in party supplies! I spotted these on the Oh Happy Day party shop and they are kind of amazing. Taken out of the context of 80s furniture, I'm a fan.

P.S. This article about the resurgence of Memphis design is interesting, and they nailed it with this description: "a veritable 'shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price.'" YES.

le Tour Eiffel – Paris

I loved this pattern before, and I loved it this time around by night.

This is perhaps the greatest wallpaper pattern I have ever seen. but really.

[New York, New York]

and more circles.

the Embarcadero [the financial district], San Francisco, CA

I was talking to my sister on the phone recently and she told me that she and our art teacher got the photography club at our high school started back up! I was really involved in art and photography in high school and hearing this made me so happy! I decided I want to participate long-distance. The theme for October is "zoom zoom zoom" (macro shots).

The next two themes are "old history" (something historic in your town/city) and "aesthetic ugly" (finding beauty in something that is not always considered beautiful). Consider yourself invited if you'd like to join!

[source]

I love Target for so many reasons, but most of all because they make good design affordable. I ran into Target today to get a dish drainer and handsoap for my new apartment, and imagine my delight when the soap selection included a collaboration with one of my favorite designers, Orla Kiely.

I generally buy a large bottle of soap to refill a dispenser (as it's much more cost-effective!), but for now, I love the pear ginger scent with the lovely coordinating pear pattern on the bottle.

I go through various phases of notebook usage where I use one notebook for everything, and other times when I have several, each with a distinct purpose. Right now is one of those latter phases (fueled by a love of browsing the stationery aisle).

[Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho]

[Piazza del campo]

I love Islamic architecture and especially details such as the colors and patterns of the tile work on such buildings. This is one of the primary reasons why I would [someday] like to go to Morocco.

top photo taken here.

bottom photo taken here.

And on this note, I think this is so great.

"And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement." –Helaman 3:7

This verse reminds me of the Pantheon, because the dome of the Pantheon is made of concrete and has stood for hundreds of years with no damage. The aggregate (small pebbles, sand, etc.) added to make the concrete becomes increasingly fine the closer to the oculus it gets, so as to not weigh down the very top. If that isn't expert, I don't know what is. And so it seems very fitting that visuals of the Pantheon came to mind when I read that verse.

Often I am drawn to structured linear patterns [see these recent examples], but there's something so enchanting to me about the lovely lines of these peony flowers and their seemingly random, yet graceful petaled edges.

[photo taken this past spring in a flower shop in Siena]

currently loving the sight of sunlight filtering through the yellow aspen leaves and the sound of the wind dancing through these trees.

Pocatello, Idaho

There have been two rolls of film sitting on my desk which I've been waiting to develop. I finally caved, though, and dropped off one roll. My oh my! I was in for a surprise when all of the photos that I got back turned out so well. It's arbitrary, really, what with it being a plastic camera.

This double exposure! Ah! This was such a joy to find in with the other photos. Most of the time, I wind the camera after taking a photo, but every once in a while, I don't wind it, which sets it up for a double exposure. I usually don't remember that I've done that, so when it happens, it's always exciting to see how it turns out.

I think this one is particularly lovely with the pattern of the base of the Eiffel Tower intersecting with a hint of some Parisian buildings.

It's interesting to look at these, as they have a grey tone to them. Holga cameras work better in bright sunlight, but these just reflect the grey, rainy weather that was present when I was.

Initially it was the title of this article that caught my eye in my email inbox—I saw the words Florence and New York in the same phrase and there was no need to look further. Then I clicked through the slideshow.

Oh my.

There are so many reasons why I love this:
• the use of white—I think this should be an intentional design choice, as white changes the effect of light and influences other colors used with it. When used thoughtfully, white completely transforms a space. Otherwise, it just becomes a backdrop for the rest of the things happening in the space (which is also fine—I just particularly love when it is intentional and well-done).

I guess what is so great about its use here is that the walls and ceilings are not completely flat surfaces. Rather, they are made up of several planes, so the shadows break up the otherwise flat surfaces and give visual dimension.

• the use of line—the high ceiling doesn't feel so high due to the use of line. The horizontal lines elongate the space and the vertical lines connect the ceiling so it doesn't feel so distant.

• the way black and white are used here—rather than having lots of/only black and white patterns in the same space, there is a lot of black and white, but also subtle neutrals and some deep purple. I love this because I think the use of only black and white can strain one's eyes, as there is no relief in the change of hues and intensity. By introducing these other neutrals and little bit of color, the black and white stand out without being so bold as to give one a headache.

• patterns—I absolutely love the patterns in this space, and I love even more that they were influenced by the heritage of the people who live in the space. Not only are they beautiful, but I love when objects or artwork in a space tell a personal story and have this element of real life.

Articulating why I love a particular design helps me to better understand good design and what makes it good. I think it also helps me identify my own tastes and will allow me to make small and intentional design choices more effortlessly.

also: this song has been on repeat ever since I found out about it (thank you Layne!). I love Zooey Deschanel, both her style and her music.

photographs: from the New York Times slideshow