If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

EICHLERS: A Modern Vision. New paintings by Danny Heller Opens Today

As a huge fan of both artist Danny Heller and architect Joseph Eichler, the exhibit opening today at Terrence Rogers Fine Art, Eichlers: A Modern Vision, it's no wonder I feel that this exhibit is a must see. The show consists of paintings of Eichler's mid century modern architecture as they appear today.

EICHLERS: A Modern Vision
NEW PAINTINGS by DANNY HELLER
Sunday, June 22 – July 31

Above : artist Danny Heller at work

In his first show, Los Angeles painter Danny Heller captured views of suburbia. This new exhibition features the homes popularized by the California developer Joseph Eichler.

To learn about Joseph Eichler and his home designs, click here.

Danny Heller focuses on Eichler houses in his native San Fernando Valley. Avoiding any sense of nostalgia or artificial atmosphere, Heller paints “now” – as the houses exist today – bringing a sense of wonderment and delight that is both original to the houses and displays a modernity that is very much alive.

Rather than a portrait of the overall house, Danny Heller’s eye finds a path to a door, a façade’s strict geometry of right angles, or the wonderful triangles of a carport. The atriums become vehicles for catching light as well as an invitation to living.

In Heller’s vision, a light in a garage or the glimpse of forms seen through translucent glass become as magical as dusk behind Italian cypresses.

Looking at elements to frame and sculpt, Danny Heller’s paintings hint at the complexity of the designs and offer ideas of symmetry, poise and beauty, all in the context of Southern California, that make Eichlers special.

Above are only some of the pieces in the show, to see them all, click here.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to five. p.m.

Opening Reception
Sunday, June 22, 1 to 4 p.m.
Artist talk 2 p.m.

TERRENCE ROGERS FINE ART
1231 Fifth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310 394 4999

Terrence Rogers Fine Art is located at 1231 Fifth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 (between Wilshire and Arizona). For a map, click here . Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, Noon - 5pm. Eichlers: A Modern Vision show runs from June 22nd through July 31st.

Five Fun New Finds To Hip Up Your Home

Five fun new finds!

From top:

1. Anna Carin Dahl's Deer vases. Ceramic, 6" tall by 2.5" in diameter. Orange, Pink or Green with colored interior glaze.

2. Chris Collicott's Toy Soldier candleholder. Heavy enough to be a bookend too! Size: 9"h x7"w

3. Pig Cooking Lid by Marna, Inc. Made of soft silicone with a pig face in the center, this multipurpose lid can be placed directly over ingredients in a pot to help them cook evenly, releasing steam through the pig's snout. It can also be used to cover food in the microwave, and as a grip to open lids. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Size: 1h x 7"diam.

4. Crystal Cloud by Yumiko Yoshimoto, 1979
Water in this cloud-shaped glass sculpture creates repeating natural phenomena such as forming water drops, becoming cloudy based on temperature, and shining when the water sways. Created by glass sculptor Yumiko Yoshimoto, each Crystal Cloud is mouth blown and shaped by hand. Made of borosilicate glass filled with distilled water and a polished chromium-plated brass stand. Hand-wash only. Size: 2.75h x 3l x 1.5"diam.

5. The Matwalk has slippers integrated into the bath mat so you can wipe up the wet floor with ease. Designed by Paolo Ulian for Droog.

Buy any of the above items by clicking on their picture to be taken to a link to purchase.

See more cool things to buy on my If It's Hip,It's Here. list. Art, accessories, appliances. A list of items that celebrate design, functionality and art. Items to appreciate and admire.

Funky Find Of The Week: Phil Cuttance's Trophy Hangers

Designed by Phil Cuttance of new Zealand, these wall hooks are sets of animals' butts and heads, mounted like trophies.

Available as a Giraffe, Moose or Hippo, each comes in a set of 2 - the rear and head. They are made out of poly resin and are 7 cm wide and 11 cm high (2.75" x 3.5") and extend out roughly 3" or 8 cm.

$50.00 a set.
Buy them here.

Wedding Dishes They Didn't Register For But Won't Return

Okay, so your friends have already chosen their china pattern. And it's gorgeous. But you really wanted to get them something unique and original in addition. I say 'in addition' because buying a couple a version of a product for which they registered, but not the actual one they chose, is just plain rude.

Unfortunately, so many personalizable or customizable wedding gifts are either too cutesy (like those god-awful cartoon like drawings of faces and swirly script on pottery) or too corporate (gold embossed monogrammed leather stuff). So, what can you get them that is special and won't end up on ebay or in the back of a closet?

Below are three romantic, original wedding dishes/platters that newlyweds will be sure to covet.

1. Jessica Rust designs makes several different sets of platters and dishes for weddings and anniversaries. She has many worth looking at but my favorite is the Birch collections. The Birch collection features the couple's initials carved into a birch tree drawn in a sweet tasteful style. Harkening back to childhood crushes but retaining a sophisticated style:

Also available in special gold glazed edition:

Above: Personalized platters, mugs, dishes and plates from Jessica Rust.

Other great pieces of Jessica's available for customization:

The Birch collection shown above, Lovebirds collection, Family Tree and more wonderful collections to choose from.
Buy them all here.

2. The "You Know It Makes Sense" Dishes Set by Bailey Doesn't Bark. A romantic reminder that sometimes you just 'know'.

Buy it here

3. And lastly, the funky and hip custom wedding platter with inscription on the back, by cul de sac design:

buy it here.

Looking for other romantic gifts and ideas? Then check out my 'seriously good valentine's gifts' list

Jemal Wright Bath Designs: For Those Who Like A Bold or Blingy Bathroom

Jemal Wright Bath Designs is unlikely to be mentioned in the same sentence as the words neutral, monochrome or tradition. Far from it. Jemal Wright Bath Designs are bright, bold and blingy. The kind of toilets you'd refer to as a commode rather than a crapper.

Above: photographer Catherine Ledner and friend

I love animals and I love wallpaper, so it stands to reason that I'd be a fan of Catherine Ledner's photos and prints of animals in front of wallpaper. I first discovered her work on NOTCOT when they featured her book, Animal House and the NY Times slideshow that accompanied it. Now her fab photos are for sale as chromogenic prints.

With a keen eye for color and composition, she sells a limited series of the prints in various sizes (100 of 11"x14" at $250, 20 of 16"x20" at $500, 20 of 20"x24" at $750, and 10 of 32"x40" at $1700) that feature domestic and farm animals, birds and wildlife posed in front of fabulous contemporary wall coverings.

Here are a few of my favorites (she has many more!):

The photographer's bio (from her site):

Catherine Ledner was born in New Orleans. After graduating from NYU with a degree in film, she worked in television for a year and a half. She then worked as a studio manager for a photographer in New York, which led to her eventual move to Pasadena to study photography at Art Center College of Design.

She graduated from Art Center in 1994 and since then has built a great base of clients who hire her for her innovative style and ability to work well with subjects. She loves photographing all types of people and revels in the experience of working in different environments.

Some of her clients include Visa, HP, Arco, Microsoft, IBM, Graco, Kodak, Nissan, Alliance, Adobe, CDW, McAfee, Hyatt, Sharp, Allsteel, Entertainment Weekly, Travel and Leisure, W, Bazaar, New York Times Magazine, The London Observer, Newsweek, Dwell, and Premiere.

She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband Kyle, her son Winston and their dogs, Dodger and Little Bear.