The Maturity of Creatures of the Wind Includes an Eames Reference

Scene setting: Creatures of the Wind’s graphic, mid-century-inspired collection found the perfect home within the sumptuous Masonic Hall of the Grand Lodge of Masons New York. Set against the hall’s crimson coloured carpet and gilded columns, the label’s herringbone gilets, boldly striped coats and dresses, and clingy ribbed knits took on a lady-like softness within their elongated silhouettes.

Sound bite: Singling out the work of Charles and Ray Eames, Carl Aubock and Ikko Tanaka as inspiration, Creatures of the Wind co-founder Chris Peters explained, ‘There’s always a stillness and a softness to all of their respective work, but there’s also this really nice energy and that was what we tried to do – making these quieter moments that had these references to natural materials. There is such a functionality to their work and we wanted to have things feel really considered.’

Finishing touches: Shoes were a strong suit this season. Although options ranged from mid-height heels decorated with horn buckles to ponyskin ankle boots hand-painted with a delicate star print, it was a series of wearable calfskin loafers boasting contrasting stitching and carved wooden heels that truly took the cake.

Read more at http://www.wallpaper.com/fashion/fashionweeks/womenswear-aw-2016/new-york/creatures-of-the-wind-aw-2016#1ucQAIQkoOplSs61.99

Ph. courtesy Wallpaper.com and Getty Images

Modern Pastoral: Bring the tranquility of nature into your home, by Niki Brantmark

Discover contemporary interiors inspired by natural landscapes. Modern pastoral interiors are about embracing the pared-back lifestyle of living in the country, taking nature as the main point of inspiration. Use colors, textures, and details to create a home in which to unwind--a retreat from the rest of the world. 
Niki Brantmark (a famous blogger, see: myscandinavianhome.com) explores various takes on this simple, informal style. 

In chapter 1, "Forest", the interiors are filled with exposed wood throughout, combined with traditional patterns and features, such as log burners and woven rugs. 

Chapter 2 "Graphical", explores a look that is striking, reminiscent of weather-beaten landscapes: think whitewashed ceilings, rugged stone surfaces, and striking black features, softened by cozy soft furnishings and fresh plants and flowers--while Homestead style in chapter 3 introduces warmer hues, featuring painted wood and creamy, light browns in textiles, furniture, and collectibles. 

The final chapter, "Waterside", brings to mind calm lakes and babbling streams, where rooms are filled with light, and gentle blue and gray shades pervade. Photographed in homes across Scandinavia and the United States, all evoke an ideal, rural life, adapted to modern living.

Availabe at: http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Pastoral-Bring-tranquility-nature/dp/1782493085

Five things that Charles & Ray teach us about play (5/5)

5) PLAY CAN LEAD TO INNOVATION
Charles often implored us to “Innovate as a last resort.” It may be true that “More horrors are done in the name of innovation than any other,” but focused play can lead to innovations that positively impact society as a whole.

In 1957, the Eameses accepted a commission to help the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) with a new marketing initiative. They decided to create what they called the Solar Do Nothing Machine—a deceptive name, given that this colorful, whimsical kinetic toy was powered by solar cells. The husband-and-wife team tried making the machine with everything from steam and flash boilers to turbines and air motors before determining what would work best.

Charles noted that, “A demonstration of solar energy as a practical source of power appeared to be a not uninteresting way of promoting resource conservation.”

And he was right. Through play, Charles and Ray engineered something remarkably forward-thinking for their time—something that we continue to apply to our world today.

Five things that Charles & Ray teach us about play (4/5)

4) PLAY IS FOUND IN THE CONNECTIONS
Charles said, “Eventually everything connects–people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.”

Charles and Ray knew that learning and play often intersect. Through their Eames House of Cards, we gain associations from various arrangements; we see that building something is an ongoing and often collaborative process; and we begin to appreciate the “uncommon beauty of common things.” In creating the Eames House of Cards, Charles explained:

…we began to take photographs of objects which we, ourselves, cared for very much. And soon, the objects began to build up a pattern. And as Ray put it, before we get through, we’ll have a set of cards that will be great fun for anyone from eight to 115 years old. And they include things like spools of thread, a metronome, and a bunch of old buttons and things.

Now this seems innocuous enough, in itself, but the fact is again you have relationships. I mean, whether it’s a child or an adult looking at a series of these images in relationship to each other, why the meanings change.

Via hermanmiller.com 

(see: www.hermanmiller.com/why/serious-fun.html)

Five things that Charles & Ray teach us about play (3/5)

3) IT PAYS TO PRACTICE “PREPARED SPONTANEITY”
Charles and Ray had an immense love for the circus. One might think of the circus as the ultimate space for play, but what most intrigued the Eameses about it was the prepared spontaneity of the show. They knew that it takes extreme rigor and diligence to put on an engaging circus act. For this kind of play to be successful and look effortless, everyone involved must be nimble—and that only comes with hard work. In a speech Charles presented to The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he said:

In the actions of circus people waiting or rehearsing or preparing to perform, there is a quality of beauty, which comes from appropriateness to a given situation. There is a recognized mission for everyone involved. In a crisis there can be no question as to what needs to be done. The circus may look like the epitome of pleasure, but the person flying on a high wire, or executing a balancing act, or being shot from a cannon must take his pleasure very, very seriously.

Charles and Ray applied these ideas to their own work, and they believed that everyone else could too.

Via hermanmiller.com 

(see: www.hermanmiller.com/why/serious-fun.html)