I'M HOOKED: WOVEN TEXTILES TELL THE STORY IN ST. FRANK'S ARTISAN ART

Smart,  eye-opening  quotes like this that resonate with the brand's philosophy can be read on the St. Frank Saintly Truth Pinterest page.

Photos courtesy of St. Frank

Blue Tenango, featuring a Mexican Otomi

Founder and CEO Christina Bryant (center) with her team

Textiles,  depending on how you use them, can really  make a statement. Try them framed on your wall, not only will they add a unique look, you will  start to see them in an entirely new way. St. Frank, a new digitally-savvy company, features framed artisan-woven textiles as wall decor. The founder, San Francisco-based Christina Bryant named her company after her home base and the Italian St. Francis of Assisi, patron Saint of animals and the environment, who provided for the poor and was the son of a wealthy silk merchant. With full passports and wanderlust, they seek out beautiful textiles around the globe and further transform them into art. Calling on a select group of boutique artisan workshops and textile partners in developing countries, their collective approach benefits artisan workshops.  St. Frank's two pronged social mission includes eventual economic empowerment for the weavers, and elevates their craft by bringing it to an entirely new audience as a celebrated art form.  Every textile, tagged with a small gold plate denoting the St. Frank name, be it one of a kind, limited edition, or print, is framed to best-suit the subject, with black or white wood, silver, maple or shadowbox options. One of the best parts of the St. Frank  approach, aside from the easy peasy process and  free shipping, is the story each  heritage textile tells. Each fabric's origin and meaning is explained in-depth, adding inspiration and allure to the piece. 

I think you will become hooked on St. Frank too.

Organic Indigo with Japanese and French influences features a wavy wash of blue indigo and white from West Africa. If a piece is one of a kind, it comes framed as is, and if it is available as a multiple, you can choose from their tailored options.

Biddew Noir, a Senegalese textile with a graphic geo punch

The Rose Pomegranate Suzani in a beautiful setting

Crowned Tree of Life Suzani from Uzbekistan

What a statement the black ground makes in this vintage silk Tree of Life Suzani

Spring Pomegranate Suzani, a vintage piece

 Ikat Floral Suzani from Uzbekistan

Vintage Lakai Suzani with silk embroidery

MARISA'S MEMO: INSIDE THE JUST REVEALED FIRST-EVER SOTHEBY'S DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE

So, what's it like to get carte blanche inside the halls of Sotheby's? Lets find out, checking out the six designer vignettes created for the first-ever Sotheby's Designer Showhouse. A design takeover is happening on 6th floor at 1334 York Avenue. Having free reign over spring auction items, the diverse mix of designers got to work, creating inspired spaces around their selections. Mixing in fine antiques (a George III Chimney Piece), stellar art (a Francis Bacon) and precious decorative accessories, Ann Pyne, Max Sinsteden and Catherine Olasky, Ryan Korban, Daun Curry, Rush Jenkins and Shaler Ladd integrated the goods on offer into their living spaces. Take a look at the fully realized results below, sponsored by Sotheby's International Realty, Town and Country and Bespoke Global.  The featured pieces are included in upcoming spring auctions at Sotheby's, and are on view until Sunday March 30th. Go, get inspired!

Photos courtesy of Sothebys

Ann Pyne, McMillen Inc.

"A dining room featuring formal neoclassical style with Chinoiserie whimsy and modern design."

Daun Curry of Modern Declaration embraced pastels and unique upholstery with mass. 

 "Le fauteuil vert by Jean-Pierre Cassigneul is the centerpiece behind Daun’s drawing room, inspired by the vibrant green and soft pinks. She used innovative materials and had an artist cover the walls with four pounds of commercial grade eye shadow, which created a subtle sparkle on the walls and married beautifully with the painting's hues. The room is “old meets new” featuring the Cassigneul, a Lalanne money table and works by Warhol, Picasso and Miró."

A wide angle of the space, where you can get a better look at the gorgeous eyeshadow-infused pale mint walls.

The Lalanne table set up as a bar.

Max Sinsteden and Catherine Olasky created  a yellow-walled enclave of elegance.

"A drawing room anchored by a George III marble chimney piece and the modern Title Unknown 2: Past and Present by Françoise Gilot blends living in the present with antiques and combines numerous periods, styles and textures in furniture, carpets, art and accessories."

Vivid yellow walls a la Sybil Colefax very 39 Brook Street, London.

Rush Jenkins, WRJ Design Associates

"This luxurious and handsome living room is a sophisticated blend of exquisite Belgian upholstered furniture, sensual textures, exotic woods and some of the world’s finest textiles.  The room has been inspired by the brilliant work of Picasso’s, L’ Homme au Baton, juxtaposed to the arresting console by Albert Paley and the Art Deco Masterpiece of Walter von Nessen, blended with dramatic African wood sculptures, all reflecting subtle complexities of tonality, line and textures."

The intricate Albert Paley piece anchors the wall.

Shaler Ladd, Shaler Ladd Design Corporation

"A library housed in a tent called "Library for Travel Through Time and Space" featuring a color lithograph by Francis Bacon, Etude Pour Une Corrida and a ceiling light by Angelo Lelli. The library is enclosed in silk panels and the floor laid with a sisal matt and altogether these elements create the experience of nomadic travel. "

The lush mix of gilt finishes and rich woods at play.

TIGER FLOWER STUDIO: A VIRTUAL GALLERY OF ARTISTS INTERIOR WATERCOLORS ONLINE

When my favorite watercolor artists get together and offer their prints all in one place, I get excited about it. Harrison Howard, Mita Corsini Bland and Caitlin McGauley, among other talented artists featuring interiors and fashion, are selling their prints in an online shop called The Tiger Flower Studio.  As a reflection on the finer things in life-- captured though elegant interiors, flowers and Chinoiserie scenes-- the artists limited edition giclée prints, available framed or unframed, are done using archival pigment inks on archival paper. They are wonderful additions to round out any interior aficionado's collection.

MITA CORSINI BLAND 

Known for her stunning interior illustrations, she creates beautiful watercolors of well-known interior designers rooms. You may recall her work in the Sister Parish book that came out in 2009.  I could frame every single image in there and cover a wall in it.

Brooke Astor's library done by Parish Hadley

A Tom Scheerer designed living room

Albert Hadley interior

Albert Hadley's bedroom

A Bar on Desk

A Bunny Williams great room

Miles Redd's First Apartment

A New York City Sitting Room

A Paul Wiseman interior

A Peter Dunham living room

 

A Sister Parish Living Room

Sister Parish's Maine Porch

Todd Romano's desk

CAITLIN MCGAULEY

The go-to gal for fashion-forward charming and bold watercolors and illustrations, Caitlin's work has legions of followers.

Flora

Two Chairs

Still life

HARRISON HOWARD

I have long been in awe of Harrison's fantastical, whimsical Chinoiserie scenes. I am so pleased he has this outlet for his work, where he can gain new admirers.  He has been busy, for he has recently collaborated on some fun entertaining accessories which I will share soon.

A Look at The Moon 

Before The Concert 

Finger Sponge and Angria

 

Garden Plans 

La Belle Mer

Red Coral and Top Shell 

Rococo Fantasy

Sea of Poppies

The Blue and White Pavilion

The Chaise Lounge

The Coral Grove

The Courtship

The Shell Collector

The Topiary Lady

Turtle With Urn

Watching and Waiting