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Terraviva Tiles From Refin Ceramiche







The Terraviva project for DesignTaleStudio has been designed by Massimilano Adami and represents the next step in Refin Ceramiche's path of experimentation and ceramic research.



Terraviva is a throwback to the beginnings of ceramic tiles, that is to say, earth, an element to which man is unequivocally linked via a natural relationship and that the designer Massimiliano Adami has tried to re-establish: “the ceramic surface” as if “earth surface”, the cracks as the symbol of Nature itself are the distinctive characteristic of the collection.



The Terraviva project is born out of two considerations: the intrinsic geometry of the ceramic tile, that is to say the need, as a rule, for right angles, and the organic nature of porcelain stoneware, a very resistant material, almost eternal.




It is from these two considerations that the resulting shape and balance of the ceramic tile itself comes, an object that is made from earth, and which therefore leads to the need to combine the idea of residential floor to that of “terrestrial floor”; creating the most natural possible sign/decor that disrupts the geometry of shapes and that reveals a physical/aesthetic feature of the ceramic material itself, not as a mere replica of other natural materials.


A crack is a mark caused by nature, which manifests in distinct traces defined by the technical properties of the material itself; every single material breaks forming cracks that are always different, always varying. This natural feature, often considered a defect, is reappraised for its symbolic meaning. No material can escape from this destiny if linked to the expanse of time of terrestrial dimension.





A manifestation that must be accepted to balance the natural cycle of events linking man to earth and not vice-versa, a sign expressing the passing of time, as wrinkles that mark the passage of “human time” on our faces, in the same way cracks mark the passing of earth's time on our perfect floors.



all information, text and images, courtesy of
Refin Ceramiche

Chic Chinoserie Shoes. Carved Wood Wedge by Rodarte X Nicholas Kirkwood




Inspired by the diverse structure of Chinese woodcarvings, the latest collaborative installment from Rodarte & Nicholas Kirkwood brings a phenomenal collection of mixed-media, sculptor-made wedges reminiscent of the most ornate of fairytale forests. carved, glossed, printed, embossed, and gilded, each pair harnesses a chaos of texture that nonetheless unites in stunning harmony.





$2,870.00, available at Opening Ceremony



If Walls Could Talk. Timothy Goodman's Mural for the Ace Hotel, New York.





San Francisco multidisciplinary designer Timothy Goodman was among a small group of artists asked to contribute to the mural project for the Ace Hotels.

The uber trendy hotel chain (whose rooms, I personally feel, look like college dorms) has locations in New York, Seattle, Portland and Palm Springs. Known for their appeal to the young and hip, the chain of hotels incorporates plenty of art, design, music and culture in their utilitarian-esque rooms and lobbies. They also have an association with the popular and fun Rudy Barbershops. 
 
Timothy joined the ranks of other artists when he covered the walls of one smallish room in the latest Ace Hotel NYC location with 99 hand-drawn picture frames. Created with black paint markers and paint, he then filled them with images of facts, love, tidbits, items of interest and shout-outs to other folks to represent, in his own words, "the spontaneity and grit of the city."












above photographs by Mark Dye.

Below are examples of various wall murals by other artists in the Ace Hotel, New York:






Timothy Goodman:


Timothy's website
Timothy's blog


Jewelry That Grows On You. The Incredible Landscape Jewelry of Sarah Hood.




Artist and silversmith Sarah Hood combines miniature scale railroad materials like plastic trees, grasses, bushes and pebbles with sterling silver to culminate is one of a kind pieces that are nothing short of wearable art.



Her expert metal work and unique whimsical style is why several of the pieces from her Landscape Series reside in the Tacoma Art Museum's permanent collection.

Below are examples of one-of-a-kind sterling silver rings, necklaces and bracelets made with miniature plastic trees - some spray painted black-, tiny phony bushes, greenery and in some cases, gemstones. Beautiful detailing in the cast silver twigs and touches like bird toggles accentuate the craftsmanship in these unique pieces.

Many of the following fabulous pieces are available for purchase.





detail of above bracelet:



detail of above necklace:



detail of above necklace:




detail of above necklace:





Her 2001 Living Rings actually used live plants and succulents in tiny terracotta pots upon silver ring shanks:


She also crafts beautiful cherry wood bases to display her rings:



Silversmith and artist Sarah Hood at work:

Sarah's studio and furry friend:

all images ©Sarah Hood Jewelry

In the artist's own words:

"For years I’ve been working within the intersection of archetypal form and the natural world, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from organic materials. In Landscape, I’ve taken a break from the real natural materials--leaves, pods, seeds--which have compelled my work for many years to create miniature, artificial worlds within the context of jewelry. Working with model railroad landscape materials lets me create tiny snapshots of the natural world, scenes that can trick the eyes into believing they are seeing something much larger. In several pieces, this deceit is challenged by the combination of these small constructed natural forms with full scale, cast sterling branches, buds and leaves which, in material, are equally unreal and illusionary." -- Sarah Hood, Jewelry Artist




In addition to her inventive landscape jewelry/art, she creates what one might consider 'more wearable' pieces in gold, silver and enamel. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces are available in her etsy store.

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