Itching for Etching

Heath Ceramics newest collaboration with Alabama Chanin textiles is one that is sure to fly off the shelves. The new collection of ceramics, organic tablecloths, napkins and placemats are so understated and beautiful—each piece fits in perfectly within the company’s aesthetic. What is perhaps more interesting is the unique “etching” technique that is used to create the pattern onto the ceramics themselves. Closely related to the  “sgraffito technique used to decorate walls since the Classical era” says the New York Times, a white glaze is sprayed over a colored base coat, an artist then scratches through the top layer with a metal point, exposing the color below. The result, a made in America artisanal product we can’t wait to get our hands on.

(Image courtesy of Spencer Higgins/NYT)

Frances Elkins

As a follow up to our last post on the amazing California Design exhibit at the LACMA it made us think about which California designers have influenced the contemporaries that we work with and respect today. Immediately Frances Elkins came to mind as a formidable female designer whose work is beautifully covered in the  book Frances Elkins: Interior Design by Stephen M. Salny. One of the first to promote artists such as Alberto Giacometti and Jean-Michel Frank in California, Elkins was also known for integrating many diverse styles in the homes she designed with her architect and brother David Adler. From decorating a French provincial manner in a monochrome palette to her famous Casa Amesti, perusing the works of Frances Elkins shows a woman who’s taste remains timeless and who’s work continues to inspire.

Image courtesy of Katherine and David Boyd

Living In A Modern Way

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is gaining much acclaim for their newest exhibition— “California Design, 1930-1965: Living In A Modern Way.” The show focuses on more than 350 objects, including furniture, fashion, film, graphic and industrial design, ceramics, jewelry, architectural drawings and photography of the period. The must-see exhibit highlights California’s rich design history and hits a high note with a full-scale re-creation of the Eames’ Case Study House #8, which was the couple’s own home in Pacific Palisades. The Eames Foundation lent hundreds of objects for the exhibition which offersn an extremely rare glimpse into the life of such profound tastemakers. The show runs through March 25th, 2012 and is said to be “the first major museum survey of California design” by the New York Times. All that being said, run don’t walk to see this truly inspirational exhibit.

Image courtesy of New York Times