Gypsymade

Aimée Wilder

2010-07-30T13:47:00.002-04:00

I have found that one of the major benefits of having a dog in the city is that you meet so many interesting people (and their dogs). The other day at my local coffee place I ran into Aimée Wilder and her Italian Greyhound, Bella. It turns out Aimée designs her own line of quirky graphic prints for home and fashion. She also recently collaborated with Vans on some rad shoes and accessories. Check out her site here and see some of her work below.

Robots wallpaper

 
Robots sneaker
Analog Nights pillow
Clouds wallpaper featured in a Stockholm kitchen

Mondrian Chair

2010-07-26T12:18:00.001-04:00

My second piece is finished. It started as my Orange Plush Crush with a rusty frame and shabby orange velveteen, but transformed into a sleek geometric combo of Nubuck and chrome. Available for purchase at the Gypsymade store.

From The Hood

2010-07-26T11:44:00.000-04:00

Drum Roll Please...

2010-07-22T18:14:00.000-04:00

This Sunday I will be photographing my latest creation - a one-of-a-kind (obvz) ultra-cool super supple suede and chrome chair. Oh, and it's for sale so you might want to check back.

Apartamento

2010-07-21T11:16:00.000-04:00

I just ordered my first issue of Apartamento magazine. Much like The Selby, Apartamento is a self-described "everyday life interiors magazine" and kinda the antithesis of the pristine rooms from the usual decor mags. Below are some images from past issues...

Today I Like... Vertical Gardens

2010-07-19T14:03:00.000-04:00

Especially Patrick Blanc’s living walls.

The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris

The CaixaForum Museum in Madrid

Pershing Hall Hotel in Paris

Chroma Chameleon

2010-07-18T23:39:00.001-04:00

 These lovely images are from Jen Cheema.

Missed Connections NY

2010-07-18T11:22:00.001-04:00

Most of you have probably perused the Missed Connections on Craigslist. I will admit that my once single-self used to browse the postings in hopes that some romantic fella had seen me on the F train and couldn't shake the feeling of butterflies in his chest.

Artist Sophie Blackall depicts these passing moments with whimsical illustrations on her blog Missed Connections NY.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
-m4w -19 (2 or 5 train)
You were the gorgeous  brunette sleeping on the train. I was the guy sitting next to you. I  just wanted to apologize for my repeated lack of consciousness onto your  shoulder, we both got off at flatbush. Hit me back up if you think this  is you. 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

-w4m - 28 (Chelsea)
You: tall, brown hair, incredibly voluminous moustache, blue/green checkered shirt
Me: tall, blonde, wearing all black and Burberry rain boots
I boarded the uptown C train at 14th Street at around 10:50 on Tuesday morning. You got off at 23rd. You were staring at me. Hard. You're really really really ridiculously good-looking.

Friday, March 26, 2010
-m4w - 28 (Dumbo)
Saw you sailing up Jay  Street around 4pm on the most glorious golden bike.
I think I'm in  love. 

The Future

2010-07-09T11:33:00.001-04:00

A very sophisticated woman with a Brussels Griffon.

This is me in the future.

I am torn. Please help. (UPDATED)

2010-07-07T17:06:00.002-04:00

I upholstered these chairs in traditional fabric so I want to throw everything off with some super flashy color. Which hue is more exciting/lovely/perfect for my treasured chairs?
(THE NEON YELLOW, DUHHH.)

Urban Axes

2010-07-07T09:57:00.001-04:00

I really like these colorful painted axes handmade by Tribeca-based designer Peter Buchanan-Smith. I wish I needed an ax... perhaps I do... Oh and I really like his studio too. It is decorated just so. I am moving studios tomorrow, and I am excited to soon have a little nook with a window that I can make my own.

Such a wonderful combination of cheerful hues and the 

variegated stripes add more interest.

A handmade leather ax holder for a handmade ax. 

 If you have good eyes like me you will notice that ax has polkadots.

Buchanan-Smith also made the ladder to the left. Pretty nifty.

It is nice to have a curated studio. The framed coffee lids are just great. 

(all photos taken from www.nytimes.com)

In Memory Of Tobias Wong

2010-07-01T10:42:00.003-04:00

The tattoo on Wong's arm reads, "Protect me from what I want."

"NYC Story (a small book)", 2004

"Coke Spoon #1", 2005

"Rubber Chandelier"

Click here for NY Times article about Tobias Wong, his work and the mystery

surrounding his sudden death.

Eleven Heavy Things

2010-07-01T09:47:00.001-04:00

Eleven Heavy Things is a public art installation by Miranda July (my fave) consisting of 11 sculptures which encourage viewer  interaction. I went to Union Square Park yesterday and photographed the "things". Unfortunately nobody was interacting with the sculptures, but I managed to find some nice images online of people enjoying themselves with the weighty pieces.

Pedestals for Guilty Ones, 2009

The artist and two friends interact with the sculptures.

 Three Hole Tablet, 2009

Two Faced Tablet, 2009

This is my Favorite one.

 These, I am guessing, are for inserting one's head into the negative space.

 This one is lovely. Like a lace headdress. 

I might have to go back and get my photo with this one.

Flavorpill interviewed July about the sculptures and here is what she said: “I kind of appreciate that they’re coming off almost like play equipment  or something. For kids they totally are; that’s all they are. I mean,  there’s so much, however you’re approaching them. They’re definitely  sculptures too — they were made for the Biennial — they’re that. You  know my background. I think when I was invited to be in that show I took  it very literally. ‘Now I’m going to make some ART.’ Almost  like in a cartoon, what art would be. And yeah, of course I had to  figure out how to do that in my own way. The fact that I had to make  heavy objects that had to be shipped — it’s like, I can’t believe I did  that, with all the other options I had.”

Tiki Twins

2010-06-25T11:46:00.001-04:00

I have been working on the original Tiki Mirror FOREVER so I am not sure what possessed
me to purchase two more of the same mirror today. I am curious about these mirrors now that
I have found them at two different places.

Exciting Upholstery Developments

2010-06-18T16:52:00.002-04:00

I have two things upholstery-related to show you.

I applied contrast piping to Grandma's Chairs. I am also priming them for cerulean blue enamel.

This ethically sourced kangaroo skin is for the seat of the Ladder Chair.
The stained finish is still in process.

Cuteness Overload

2010-06-18T16:37:00.001-04:00

There is a reason I have been very bad at blogging lately...

His name is Bee Gee and he is 9 weeks old.

Ladder Chair Progress

2010-06-14T19:25:00.001-04:00

I have been painting the Ladder Chair and trying to achieve an ombré wash effect. It is going so-so.

I fear it is starting to look like Cherry Wood.
That would not be a good thing.

In its stripped stage.

The very beginning. Blech.

Knit Bicycle

2010-06-04T18:30:00.000-04:00

Hallelujah it's a knit bicycle on Essex St!

Lia, have you seen this?!?!?!

The London Chair Collective

2010-06-03T12:34:00.003-04:00

The London Chair Collective is a group of talented female upholsterers based in and around London, united by a common goal to make chairs beautiful again. Most of the seating on this site is a bit more traditional than I prefer, but here are my favorites of the designs featured.

Hare Chair by Pia St John

AMAZING, right!?

Heidi Rocking Chair

with detachable sheepskin by Jude Dennis

Turkish Saddle Bag + Mohair Chair

by Debbie Lowndes

You can follow the London Chair Collective blog here.

The Best Day Of My Entire Life

2010-05-31T14:54:00.002-04:00

My brother-in-law saw this window in LA. I think it is so sweet.

Second-Hand

2010-05-31T12:50:00.002-04:00

Check out this bizarre-o bookshelf Second-Hand (2006) by my designer crush Maartin Baas and Franck Bragigand. I stumbled upon it at Droog of course. The concept is pretty cool - discarded objects stacked and painted in tonal hues function as shelves.

 Edition #3/8 shown with books above.

Edition #7/8 shot by me at the Droog store in Soho.

New Furniture

2010-05-31T12:27:00.002-04:00

Here are a few of the new pieces I acquired over the past few weeks. I couldn't photograph everything because one item is already buried in crap at the studio and another item wouldn't fit through the door so it is turned on its side and waiting in the hall.

Mid-century Heywood-Wakefield rocking chair

Love those arms!

These kinda look like creepy twins in this pic.

The ideas are flowing...

A Whole Lot Going On

2010-05-28T15:52:00.002-04:00

So, I fractured my foot and now I am really behind on Gypsymade posts AND I have to wear an ugly moon shoe to walk around. Don't get the wrong idea though because there has been a WHOLE lot going on... new furniture, new fabrics, new jobs, new help, a few semi-finished projects... just give me until Sunday and I will provide you with some glorious images.

Amnesia Roses

2010-05-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

Wait, I can't remember what this post is supposed to be about.... oh right, Amnesia roses. I am obsessed with these dusty looking lavender flowers. Paired with purple Kangaroo Paw the bouquet has a haunting quality.

More Amnesia roses with velvety Primrose leaves.

The leaves are as soft as a kitten's ear.

Tiki Cups

2010-05-17T20:31:00.000-04:00

I guess it's fair to say I have been on a Tiki bender recently. It all started with the Tiki mirror... which led to the Tiki chair... which led to the Tiki desk (that you haven't seen yet)... which led to these really ugly Tiki cups that will soon be painted in delightful colors.