10 Pieces Of Perfectly Patriotic Furniture For The Fourth of July.

Most American flag related home furnishings are either very country or cutesy in style. But here's a selection of nicely made, well designed furniture with the Stars and Stripes motif from various designers and companies, all of which are available for purchase.


Andrew Martin's Armstong leather distressed sofa with old American flag:

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Jonathan Adler's American Flag needlepoint stool:

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American Flag printed on a distressed leather pillow from Antek's:

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Buttoned (tufted) American Flag Pouffe or Coffee table from Athol Whitmore:

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American Flag Futon Sofabed by Gold Sparrow:

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Sitting Bull's Star and Stripes Bean Bag chair:

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Leather stars and stripes Ottoman by Champlain Leather:

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Baroque Louis XV "American Flag" Chair from The Royal Art Palace:

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American Flag Mid Century Console from the Jeremiah Collection:

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And lastly, one for the dogs. The Jefferson American Flag Pet Beds from Brookstone:

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Happy Fourth of July!

New Body Art From Emma Hack. Beautiful Women And A Look At Painting Them.

Body painter Emma Hack recently completed and launched a new series called "Beautiful Women." The "Housewife" and The "Oriental" were both created as a live installation in her Pop-Up Gallery in Adelaide.

"The Housewife" series has been inspired by the stereotypical American housewife depicted in many films of the 50's: her facade is polished and beautiful but, there is a hidden sadness to her posture and a yearning for a life of freedom and happiness.

"The Oriental" series clearly references the work of Vladimir Tretchikoff, in particular his “Chinese Girl” (1953). However in the hands of Hack, the subjects exude an inner strength, through their posture and demeanor. Again, the insertion of birds has been utilized to reference a yearning for freedom.


above: Vladimir Tretchikoff's Chinese Girl served as the inspiration for Emma's Oriental

She painted two canvas backgrounds and two models for these new works and debuted them at her Collectors Dinner last month. As is the case with all her work, Emma paints both the backgrounds and the clothes you see on the models' naked bodies.

The Housewife (3 versions):




The Oriental (4 versions):





Here's a look at the works in progress.

The backdrop for "Housewife" in progress:

The final backdrop for  "Housewife":

Detail:


Painting the "Housewife":





The backdrop for "Oriental" in progress:

The final backdrop for "Oriental":

Detail:


Painting the "Oriental":




The Catherine Asquith Gallery in Melbourne will be showing her Beautiful Women series in from July 9th through July 27th.


all images courtesy of the artist

Don't forget to see these great works by Emma:
•Taking Body Art To A New Level
• Car Wreck Made of 17 Painted Bodies
• POP Art Series


Emma Hack

The Star Spangled Spatula For Your All-American Burger-Flipping.

The Star Spangled BBQ Spatula is the perfect all-American tool for your backyard barbeques.




The whimsical spatula was conceived by RISD-educated designer Jacob Riley-Wasserman for Areaware, it comes in two versions. A $65 solid walnut and stainless steel version made by cutlery manufacturer Lamson and Goodnow at a Massachusetts mill that has operated on natural waterpower since the early 1800 and a $10 nylon resin version in one of four colors; black, blue, red or white.




Stainless steel spatula with a solid walnut handle and loop for hanging:
Material: Walnut Wood, Stainless Steel
dimensions: L 19.50” W 4” H 2”
$65, buy it here



Material: Nylon Resin
Dimensions: 12 x 3 x .25 inches
$10, buy it here

Designer: Jacob Riley-Wasserman
Care: Hand wash.
Brand: Areaware

Modern Squash by Christoph Niemann (And The Originals On Which they Were Based)

Here's a little eye candy...er, vegetable, for you. I came across this fun image created by illustrator Christoph Niemann for the New York Times and wanted to share it with you, along with the originals that it represents.

The image features mid century modern furniture classics, architecture - even a famous architect in his iconic eyewear - by well known designers crafted from squash and gourds.

In case you are unfamiliar with the originals that inspired them, I have culled them for you here.

1. Hang-it-All by Charles and Ray Eames, 1953


2. PH 4/3 Lamp by Poul Hennigsen, 1966


3. TWA Terminal in New York by Eero Saarinen, 1962


4. Philip Johnson (1906-2005)

above portrait by Luca Vignelli

5. La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames, 1948


6. The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, 1958


7. The Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen, 1958



Christoph is best known for his work for the New Yorker Magazine. You can see more of his wonderful work at his website here.