THE SHOP: Design Bar
December 30th, 2011 § 3 Comments
On Friday, December 16th, one of my favorite design boutiques in town had a relaunching party: Design Box became Design Bar.
This shop has vintage and handmade objects for the home from all over the world. From old polaroid cameras to handmade cards, stitched fencing masks and delicious French incense, Design Bar is a gem. In a place like Miami where glam and glitter abounds, it’s refreshing to meander through their collection of unique objects. Each item seems to have a story to be told, a home left behind, a previous life.
It also helps that Design Bar is located in one of the most charming parts of town. Next time you’re in Coconut Grove, stop by to meet the lovely shop owner, Leslie, and pick up some beautiful unique treasure for yourself or a close friend. Prices are incredibly reasonable so there’s no reason to be shy.
They also constantly change out the collection of items so it’s always worth a re-visit. I find something new and extravagant every time I do.
THE SHOP: Filthy Home
May 28th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Designed and made in Brooklyn, NY Filthy Home’s goods are certainly not for the faint of heart.
Inspired by vintage design and “modern sensuality” this brand embraces taboos and plans to arouse your senses. This edgy shop caught my attention with their unique subjects and artistic approach to wallpaper design oh and not to mention their risque descriptions!
So I got together with the artist/founder behind Filthy Home, Ryan Cox, and asked him to share with us some insider information behind his creations, inspirations and the story behind them. Here is what he had to say:
So Ryan are you the designer/artist of these pieces or do you curate the store?
I am both. All the designs are my own.
Do you collaborate with others?
I have been talking with a few other artists to do collaborations, such as limited prints for Filthy Home in the future.
What is the guiding concept or view behind Filthy Home and the pieces you showcase?
My ultimate goal is having a whole home collection. I love wallpaper and felt it was a perfect place to start since that’s where the idea began. I have designs for (super dirty) stain-glass windows, porcelain china, throw-pillows, rugs, bedding and even bread boxes in my bag of tricks. I want to do them all now, but I want the designs perfect before moving forward!
Is there anything in particular about the pieces featured that I should mention ( inspirations, methods, materials, etc).
I personally work on all the designs from beginning to end. I’m up late most nights printing/working/painting on my designs making sure they are prefect. All wallpapers, prints and accessories are /design produced in Brooklyn. With my background in print design/printmaking the papers, inks and printing methods are only the finest.
Tell me a bit about the story behind Filthy Home and yourself.
The idea for wallpaper actually came about as an idea while I was fixing up my new (to me) 150-year-old apartment. I was stripping my metal front door to the apartment, and was planning on using chalkboard paint on the inset panel as a “to-do” list area. I was staring at the door and thought, if I wrote a to-do list down it would probably be the only one I’d ever write… so I thought I should do something more interesting.
I thought I should write really awful words (you fill in your own examples) in beautiful handwriting. That night I had an ex-Playboy employee get-together (we were a close bunch at the NYC office and have a monthly event since the office closed). I was telling a few of these friends about the idea and they loved it! My friend Lisa and I had a few meetings about getting it going. We came up with the name over quesadillas and I bought the domain name that night!
Favorites from Filthy Home:
Vintage Intimacy Bowl $70
Tiffani High Gloss Antlers $135
Victorian Dome with Skunk Skull $155
The Post Valentine’s List
February 15th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Just because Valentine’s Day has come and gone doesn’t mean you need to wait another year to be romantic! The following is my Valentine’s list of simple and sweet romantic finds to enjoy throughout the year:
1) Send lovie dovie Greeting Cards from Papyrus.
2) Give Glass Magnets from Ben’s Garden, Inc. for $28.
I found these charming glass magnets at Anthropologie. Located in Oyster Bay, New York, Ben’s Garden offers an array of other handmade articles such as coasters, paper weights, and decoupage. Visit the Ben’s Garden site to view these delicate creations!
3) Read “Valentines”, a vintage V-Day graphics book from Taschen for $9.99
Just for a little cheesy romantic fun.
4) Make your own vintage-style flower arrangements.
Mix soft flowers with twigs, wild specimens and buds in rustic containers such as mason jars and wooden boxes. Here are some images for inspiration:
5) Indulge in delicious chocolates treats from The Chocolate Lounge in North Miami.
An amazing box of chocolates and toffee from Amelie Peche came my way through a generous client that brought them to my job. I was sad to discover these amazing treats are sold only South of the border (Mexico to be exact).
I have, however, tried to find comparable gourmet chocolates locally and have been very pleased with my discovery of The Chocolate Lounge. The Lounge features a full menu of sweets from petit gateaus, to authentic thick hot chocolate (made using real chocolate) and an assortment of macaroons (the cookies and cream is my favorite) amongst numerous other mouth-watering treats.
