HI + LOW

SOFA

I just happened upon this striped, adjustable arm sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller over at reform-modern. The upholstery is vintage Alexander Girard fabric and "the adjustable arm feature is good for reading or napping." *[Sounds so nice.]

CZECH IT

About two years ago, JP invited me to attend a lecture at the NYPL on Czech avant-garde design. It was great. And the mini exhibit afterwards was incredibly inspiring. *[Here are a few magazines from JP's own Czech design collection.]

BOXING DAY

We're moving today. All of the boxes filling up our apartment remind me of Andy Warhol's Time Capsule Project. Spanning a thirty-year period (1960s through the 1980s), it consists of 610 standard sized cardboard boxes Warhol filled, sealed and sent to storage. A wonderful catalogue of his daily ephemera. *[View some of their contents here.]

 

 

 

WHITE GLOVE

Two 8.5 x 11 handwritten sheets of paper: One from the Pan Am in-flight duty free shop with a note written with black ink and the other featuring partial lyrics to the song "Bad" written with black permanent pen. Both in the hand of Michael Jackson. *[More from the collection of David Gest.]

TRAIL 90

From age 10 on, I spent many summer days on the Honda Trail 90s that were kept at our family's Bucks Lake cabin. We were allowed to drive them as soon as we could set the kick-stand and had strength enough to place the bike upright from a lying position. It was great fun. *[Image from "My Freedamn Vol. 8" available at Colette.]

NICE DEAL

These were found by my friend Brooke while walking around her neighborhood in Brooklyn with her kids (I LOVE the patterns). Most likely the cards were discards from the many Italian social clubs that dot the Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn area. *[For more of Brooke's collections go here.]

PAUL + JAN

This is from an incredible type specimen book that JP once showed me. He inherited it from his professor and friend Paul Rand. The book's previous owner, Jan Tschichold, one of the most influential typographers of the 20th century, left his ex libris inside the front cover. An incredible history. *[See and read more at AmassBlog.]

WITH CHILD

I'm having a baby B-O-Y! (Due in October.) My husband and I are beyond happy. Now I need to wrap my head around all things "boy" (I grew up with mostly sisters). I can't wait. Fall really couldn't come sooner. *[Child t-shirt from Mike Mills' HUMANS project.]

TYPOESIE

Typoésie by Jérome Peignot is a wonderful book full of typographic explorations. My friend, Anisa, shared her copy with me when we worked together at M/W. I tracked down my own copy from Paris in the days before extensive, online book shopping existed. Published in Paris, 1993, 461 pages. *[Get your own copy here or here.]

AMASS BLOG

The Ephemera Society of America lists JP Williams as a “collector of collections.” His collections include: stamps, staplers, old philatelic covers, and gloves that have been run over by trucks. Now he has a blog to document them all: AmassBlog. Take a look. *[Thank you, JP.]

 

A LADY

Published in 1974, after prolonged litigation, "Jacqueline" is a stunning black and white book full of candid photos of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her children as taken by the notorious photographer Ron Galella. I purchased this used copy a few years ago. *[Get your own copy here.]

MOM,

My mom gave me these two notes a few weeks ago: one from my little sister and me and another from our older sister. We were fighting. And, according to Amelia, I started it. My mom, single at the time, remarried a few years later and suddenly had 5 more kids, all teenagers, no less. *[Here's to an incredible and patient woman. I love you mom.]

 

HAIR CUT

I stumbled upon these hand painted barber shop signs while perusing the internet. They seem to be done by the same hand as these posted over at Reference Library. Small world. *[Reference Library opened a shop in Milan -- nice work.]

 

PEANUTS II

In 1962, Charles Schulz wrote a little book and titled it "Happiness Is A Warm Puppy" (top right). He filled the book with colorful cartoons and captions about "happiness". From 1962-67 it had already sold 2 million copies (published by Determined Productions, S.F.). More of the series below: *[Get your own copies here or here.]

MIFFY

Miffy was created in 1955 by Dick Bruna who had been telling his one-year-old son stories about a little rabbit they had seen while on holiday. Miffy became a girl because Bruna decided he wanted to draw a dress and not trousers for his rabbit. *[JP gave me some of his daughter's Miffy book collection for my future kids. They are wonderful books.]

A NICE PAIR

Swiss publisher Nieves has collaborated with Printed Matter in an exhibit featuring a full retrospective of Nieves' zine program since 2004, and will include a selection of their books published since their founding. These guys are great. *[Opening: Sat, April 4, 5-7pm at Printed Matter, NYC.]

YARD SALE

This well-used yard sale sign was hand-painted by my Grandma Clawson. I found it when we were getting my grandparents' house ready to sell. Grandma said she learned to write in cursive in grammar school "back when students would practice by copying their teacher's handwriting."

FREE STORE

In the 1960s, a group called the Diggers opened numerous Free Stores in SF's Haight-Ashbury and NYC's East 10th Street in which all items were free for the taking or giving. Today, in NYC's Financial District we have the recently opened Free Store, started by two artists, where goods can be had by bartering. [*Check it out here.]

 

CREDIT CARDS

Found on Ebay is this deck of 1970s vintage playing cards advertising the NAC Charge Plan. NAC was originally a regional credit card in Baltimore purchased by Citibank in 1977 and turned into their "Choice" card. Deck is complete with 2 jokers and instructions for bridge. *[For $9.99, these are cards you can afford to have].

QUARTER BACK

My good friends, Mary & Matt, posted this on their blog and titled it "Business in the front, party in the back." NICE! They happened upon it digging for change while doing their laundry. More painted coins here, here, and here -- but not the same. *[Anyone know the story behind these coins?]

GREENBACK

During WWII, with fears that Japan would overrun Hawaii, the US decided to issue the $1, $5, $10 and $20 Emergency Federal Reserve Notes with the word "HAWAII" overprinted on the front and back to make each note distinctive enough so that they would know if large amounts were being used to fund the enemy war effort. *[I love the contrast of type.] I'm off to jury duty -- wish me *LUCK*.

SCULPTURE SET

I bought these 5 editions of the Universe Books Sculpture Series in Montreal (which has the BEST used book stores). The original set has 14 volumes including: Picasso, Arp, Lipchitz, Richier, and Moore. Design by Otto Treumann. *[Printed in the Netherlands, 1961.]

SHOP + GALLERY

Last night was the opening of the new Partners & Spade space/gallery/store at 40 Great Jones Street. They invited gallery owners, designers, artists, and creatives to share their work and collections. These include Mike Mills, Maira Kalman, JP Williams, Jason Polan, Mary&Matt, Mister Mort, and me. *[Go and take a look.] Photos via The Scout.

SCOPE

This 1954 issue of the science journal SCOPE was a wedding gift from JP. Designed and art directed by Will Burtin, he believed that "beauty is not necessarily a matter of form or style, but the result of order achieved." Burtin is most credited for his work for The Upjohn Company from the 1940s to the 1960s. *[He's a true design hero.]

 

SCIENCE + INVENTION

I received this set of The New Illustrated Library of Science and Invention for my birthday. Designed and produced by Erik Nitsche, the design, inside and out, is incredible. Assemble your own set here. *[Thank you Ace Jet 170 and Daniel Neville.]

IN MOTION

I was so happy when I found these 3 leaflets tucked within the Classics of Transportation slipcase. Each (originally there were four) introduces a form of transportation covered by each book. *[A great use of a stencil face.]

TRANSPORTATION

I bought this great little set of books (w/slipcase) at the P.S. 321 Flea Market here in Brooklyn. Each book, in this 4-volume series of the Classics of Transportation, is about 5" square. *[Published in 1968 by Enjay Chemical Company.]

EXCERPTS

"Excerpts" paper promo for Champion Paper was designed by Design MW in 1998 (the summer of my internship). I learned a lot at Design MW and often refer back to that time in my design career. Tasked with comping this piece taught me the importance of good craftsmanship. *[Thank you JP & Allison.]

ART OF SEWING

This 12-volume Art of Sewing series from Time Life Books includes: Boutique Attire, The Custom Look, Delicate Wear, Exotic Styling, Separates that Travel, Creative Design, The Classic Technique, The Sporting Scene, The Personal Touch, Traditional Favorites, Basic Tailoring, and Shortcuts to Elegance. *[Complete set for sale on Ebay.]

S-T-E-N-C-I-L

JP Williams gave this brass stencil set to me many years ago. He ALWAYS has something interesting to show or share and has given me several of his unique finds. Thanks JP. *[See a similar set for sale here.]

PRIMA FACIE

by John Baldessari, is a series of photographic images placed alongside adjectives such as “noble”, “kind”, “troubled”, or "jolly" -- which establishes the various possibilities of image and language as two forms of communication. *[2005]. I like it.

 

PEANUTS 1969

Below are pages from a vintage 1969 Peanuts Date Book I won on Ebay. It is filled with scenes from Peanuts including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Lucy. Colorful & classic. *[Pick-up a 1964 version OR a 1966 one online.]

NICE, SISTER

Damn Everything but the Circus by Corita Kent is an alphabet using various quotes she found inspirational and relevant at the time. Corita was a nun and artist during the '60s and taught at the Immaculate Heart College in L.A. *[Buckminster Fuller described a visit to her classroom as "among the most fundamentally inspiring experiences" of his life.] Nice!

MEET BOB

Forget All The Rules You Ever Learned About Graphic Design by Bob Gill is a brilliant book. Independent, unorthodox and outspoken, Bob has designed for Apple Corps records, Rainbow Theater, Pirelli, Nestlé, CBS, Universal Pictures, and the United Nations. *[Pick-up a copy here.]

 

BLACK + WHITE

Some of these 1-color business cards have been sitting in a jar on a shelf for many years. A few of these businesses are no longer in NYC (AD HOC + Ordning & Reda). My favorite card, St. Luke's Thrift Shop, was passed along to me by my friend Erik. *[Thanks!]

P-L-A-Y

Songs I've had on heavy rotation in 2008: [1] New Schools: The Sea and Cake, [2] Official: Q-Tip, [3] Athene: Hercules and Love Affair, [4] I'm Still Waiting: Bob Marley, [5] Wait for the Summer: Yeasayer, [6] Baltimore: Nina Simone, [7] Onde Eu Nasci Passa Um Rio: Caetano Veloso, [8] Shake It Off: Kelly Makeda, [9] Move: CSS, [10] Tropical Island: Melpo Mene, [11] Do For The Others: Crosby, Stills & Nash, [12] Into Brooklyn, Early in the Morning: The Innocence Mission. *ENJOY!

PEACE

I found several of these in my grandparents' home which was previously the home of the late artist Florence E. Ware [1891-1971]. These were her 1967 holiday cards -- 3" x 5" Kodacolor prints of one of her paintings with super-imposed Futura type. *[Nice peace pipe.]

THE SIXTH

At the 2005 kate spade holiday party, Dan Hurley wrote this 60-second novel for me. This December 28th marked our sixth wedding anniversary. After the loss of our daughter this summer, I can't think of anyone I would rather have by my side than my husband. He really is the best gift.

CHRISTMAS POST

These are my favorite U.S.P.S Christmas stamps. Both are perforated and gummed and have excellent colorways. Merry Christmas Eve! *[Hopefully everyone's packages were wrapped and mailed in time.]

HOLIDAY MATTER

From 1946 to 1966, Herbert Matter was a design consultant for Knoll where he designed the Knoll logo, numerous advertisements, posters, and catalogs. *[For Knoll's 60th birthday, NB:Studio came up with this version of the original logo for the 1998 Knoll Christmas card.]

SEASON'S GREETINGS

President Calvin Coolidge hand wrote and issued the first official Christmas message from the White House to the American people in 1927. It was published in newspapers across the U.S. *[White House holiday greetings from the Kennedys and the Eisenhowers below.]

 

NEON GREETINGS

Neon signs were developed by Georges Claude. The first public display of a neon sign was in December 1910 at the Paris Expo. In 1912, the first commercial sign was sold by Claude’s associate to a Paris barber. *Pick up a copy of the book "Let There Be Neon" [1980] or these holiday cards.

 

LINKED

The paper chain's history began in England during the reign Queen Victoria from 1837-1901. Victorian children made ornaments, such as stars and doves, from paper or foil and festive colored chains from strips of paper as their contribution to the family's Christmas decorating. *[More paper art ideas here.]

HOLIDAY STRIPES

This Marimekko striped textile was designed by Maija & Kristina Isola from the Winter 2008/2009 fabric collection. Pattern: Aino (1979). Material: 100% cotton velvet [Stripes do not repeat]. Priced and sold by the yard @ $68/yd.

HE'S OK

My Grandfather is awesome. He is 86 years old and this past week he golfed, played tennis, swam, went clay pigeon shooting, and ate a raw onion. *[This is the back of a campaign postcard from when he was running for the State Senate -- where he served for 42 years].

MINI SHOP

Andy Beach of REF­ER­ENCE LIBRARY will bring his blog into the 3rd dimen­sion with a 10-day-long shop at KIOSK that opens on Friday. *[A few booklets of patriotic, vintage stamps I put together will be available in the shop.]

SUN + SNOW

Today we are headed to Sun Valley, ID. The census of 2000 cites there were 1427 people, 594 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density was 144.6 people per square mile. [*A nice change from NYC for a few days, at least.]

WE ARE

I have a B-I-G family. There are 12 siblings (step, half, etc.): Lorinda, Ted Jr., Rebecca, Anne, Amelia, Abigail, Jennifer, Greta, Christopher, Madison, Caitlin, Conner -- which make every holiday very entertaining. *["Families" logotype designed by Herb Lubalin.]

2-IN-1

Dancer Sylvia Whitman and painter Susan Weil collaborated on this large format artist's book [bought at Printed Matter, $7] that starts from both ends and ends in the middle. Even the spine is split diagonally black to white. Brilliant.

DIAGRAMS

I bought this Graphis/Diagrams, edited by Walter Herdeg [1974], on Ebay a few years ago. Selected with the graphic designer in mind... this international review will serve as an abundant source of inspiration. Indeed it has.