Friday Feature: Comfort Food Indulgences

Why not indulge in the kind of foods that make you warm from the inside out, when the cold persists? Let's all take a gluttonous minute to embrace some new and classic dishes that pair so well with the season!

Gnocchi in Tomato Broth | Smitten Kitchen

Queso Fundid with Chorizo | A Cozy Kitchen 

Lentil Soup with Sausage, Chard and Garlic | Smitten Kitchen 

5 Cheese Baked Macaroni | Spoon Fork Bacon 

Banana, Walnut & Chocolate Cookie Cake - Joy the Baker 

Featured Artist: Alexander Girards

Inspired by Girards effortless use of color and pattern, we wanted to highlight some of his textile and graphic work that is still sold today in a variety of mediums and products.

Girard was born in New York City, but was raised and studied architecture in Italy.  

In 1952, Girard was hired as head of the Herman Miller Company's fabric and textile division where he produced many prints inspired by basic geometric shapes and folk art.

Girard created a series of wooden dolls for his home in 1963. This collection is now held by the Vitra Design Museum where they were able to reproduce this collection. 

EPiC Pop Up Shop Launch!

We would like to thank everyone who came out and took part in EPiC's first ever Pop Up Shop event last week! The night was filled with festive surprises throughout every corner including fine art, custom furniture, vintage treasures, and gifts handpicked from around the globe! We were also extremely delighted to debut a product line of our very own!

More photos will be posted soon, as well as more information about our current and upcoming products! Contact us with any of your inquires!

Soak It Up: Well-Packaged Products for Bath & Body

There's nothing like a well packaged product. Ask yourself how many times you've purchased something you may not have really needed, but just couldn't resist leaving behind simply for it's perfectly packaged exterior. Call it trivial, but a well-crafted product deserves some appreciation.

In particular, bath and body products (in addition to food products, but that's a whole other post) are a great example of how versatile and creative a basic box or cylinder shape can be.  Each package shines with it's own personality.

Vintage Luxury | K.Hall Designs - Barr-Co. collection/sold at Anthropologie

Squeaky-Clean Mod | Swedish Dream - sold at various stores: Urban Outfitters, Amazon

Artfully Sharp | Blithe and Bonny - sold at Nordstrom, William Sonoma

Playful Ease | Meow Meow Tweet

Sweet Elegance | Printed and Folded - sold at Anthropologie

Tough and Rugged | Sam's Natural

P is for Patterns

There's no doubt that Peyton has an eye for catching great patterns. From her many travels around the world to her regular days in Manhattan, Peyton will find art in every corner. Take a look through her personal viewfinder and see if it changes the way you view the world...

DECOdent Finds...

Happy Monday!

Today we are especially lucky to have these hand illustrated images by Peyton's Great Aunt, Elisabeth Cates Collins, during her studies in Parson's through the mid 1920's to early 30's.

We are particularly smitten by these illustrated portraits that reflect all of the visual nods to Art Deco. There is great richness in their simplistic geometric shapes and use of color.

In addition to portraits, we are also in awe of Mizz. Collin's (as I imagine I would call her) collection of pattern work. It's very interesting to see artistic talent continue on through the generations, as we already know of Peyton's love for patterns.

Clearly long before the age of the computer, these patterns were repeated by hand with such exquisite craftsmanship and accuracy. It would be a great exercise to return to this method of practice from time to time!

Smoking Lounge for the Senses

 While this post may serve as great design inspiration for any designer or any "hospitality business," you won't find what's on the menu around here anytime soon.  

Hi/Lo, designed by Workshop of Wonders in Utrecht, Netherlands, is a smoking club influenced by heaven and hell. The concept was meant to correspond with different stages of getting stoned and evoke a stay of comfort and ease. Many elements commonly used in Arabic and Moroccan design were brought into the lounge to achieve an effect of luxurious seclusion and escape.

 This high-end business offers many surprises at every turn designed to enhance the guest's experience. The overall graphic identity was put together by Dietwee to further emphasize the atmosphere and visual provocation. No matter what the service or product, designing for a client's overall experience generally results in successful solutions! 

To read the full article check out Retail Design Blog.

“I am not for the notion of ‘artistic’ or ‘creative’ meaning making a pretty picture." John Maeda

“I am not for the notion of ‘artistic’ or ‘creative’ meaning making a pretty picture. Every entrepreneur I have ever met is an artist. They are all forced to become comfortable with failure. And for entrepreneurs, their canvas is their company.”

-John Maeda, president of the Rhode Island School of Design used in:
Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky
 

Art Currency

…no, not how much is art worth. (Well, in this case, it could be fun to try and figure out.) Today, we’re giving you a sneak peak into Peyton’s process in the development of a commissioned art piece for one of our clients created by the talented artist,  James Verbicky.

When designing for a client, it's more than just selecting art, or furniture, or even a color palette. It's about knowing your client, yet staying true to your gut instinct as a designer. It's also about persistence and devotion to an idea, which can inevitably spark beautiful collaborations. Peyton gives us insight into how she approached this particular project: 

"I encouraged the client to buy artwork in his travels or perhaps consider creating something custom for their space. The client wanted to incorporate either elements of technology or currency to reflect the primary focus of their business. So I hit the ground running scouting a variety of different artists who could build the piece without being overly obvious or too abstract that viewer lost focus of the media.

Knowing my style and love for simplified, sculptural and contemporary art, I have to thank Craig Page for (literally) dragging me away from my desk to see Verbicky's work in person."

"Up until that magical afternoon I had only seen photographs and a postcard tacked on my bulletin board.  I was immediately sold that Verbicky was the perfect fit. I looked at Craig and Cheryl and asked if we could take two of the pieces over to the client's house so I could pitch my idea. With a little hesitation they obliged.  I ran home printed out photos of the currency, grabbed scissors and a glue stick and met Craig at the client's home. It was there that I assembled a quick mock up to sell my case."

"My client was sold--- and immediately handed me a zip lock baggy filled with currency from all over the world. Thus began our collaborative commission!"

...and the final outcome of James Verbicky's piece!