in the paint.

One of my favorite painters, Jackson Pollock, once said that "every good painter paints what he is". However, trying to decipher a Pollock painting into what the artist is would require a few stiff drinks and a serious Magic 8 Ball. Interpretation aside, I love the organized chaos that Pollock brings to his work and in my search of a colorful addition for my living room, I happened upon the new 2011 art from Room & Board. In addition to a few Pollock pieces worth salivating over (see below), I was surprised to also find a broader range of unique art in limited quantities at serious deals. 

Here are the limited quantity pieces worthy of snagging up: 

Above and below- the De Profundis series created by New York City design studio KleinReid and silk-screened on Italian archival paper:

Lovers' Oak Leaf:

and the notsolimited, but equally desirable new art works: 

 Typography at its finest and most primal state:

 

and, the loverly Mr. Pollock, of course:

  Leave the Magic 8 Ball at home and find the above inspiration and more from $95-$1,199 at R&B

why, spectacular!

What do 2 little Minnesota snow bunnies do on a bitter Friday night? Why clad themselves in plaid and hop to the opening of the Spectacular of Verna Cular at the Walker Art Center, of course! On Friday, January 28^th, the Walker After Hours unveiled the event over an Ice Bar and Hotdishes by Wolfgang Puck… yum! 

First things first.... Start out your night right with some Grand Marnier and Blue Moon at Joes Garage:

Second priority... help out the Art Community by passing out drink wristbands... so noble:

Third, revel in the delights of Minnesota cooking collided with Mr. Puck...

 ohhhh, saaaay:

And, last but not least, check out the art work: 

a little Andy Warhol never hurt anyone...

Peruse on your own at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (hotdish not included):

http://www.walkerart.org/

fireinyourpants.

Amazing things happen when a modern designer and a technologically-ancient letterpress meet. The thought that goes into the interaction of line, color, and texture on a letterpressed product is evident when done correctly. None is so apparent than the work done by Minneapolis-based company, Studio on Fire. Perusing their website makes it clear that they are trend-right while staying true to the beauty of letterpressed pieces. 

To whet your appetite: 

Adorable Father|Son collaboration:

the "Iron Beast" created as a commemoration to the 10th Anniversary of Studio on Fire:

 2011 Calendar (created by multiple designers) in 4-colored inks:

Similar to my love for the bina logo, how could you not adore this:

fireinyourpants. at: 

http://www.studioonfire.com/

bina. done that.

I am currently in search of the most perfect sofa- one that is tailored in a weathered hide and where buttons go to frolic. As you will soon learn, I obsess. Obsess until I can'tbreatheIamsohappy. In my last jaunt to find the perfect sofa, I happened upon the ideal, most life-clarifying brand. Bina. Its a brand owned by furniture company Four Hands and the line is designed by eco-conscious designer Thomas Bina. While the sofas are a bit more weathered|destroyed-style than my city-rambler could handle, the handcrafted casegoods and accents are todiefor. Here is a blip of the new 2011 lineup:

did you just see that?! 

this is the maybealittlemuch destroy sofa that will look fab in my NY loft: 

drooling.....

sidenote- how could you not love a furniture brand with this logo:

to view more from Four Hands, or to soak up more of bina, go to:

http://www.fourhands.com/

and that is my love for the day.

Me 'n Alexander

i feel as though you don't even know me. and so instead of just jumping right into the blog, let me tell you a bit about myself... i change my mind often. i constantly need variation in my life, but if you actually dissect it, i am painfully invariable. i work at the same places for what feels like eternity. i’ve lived in the same city my whole life and my best friends are the same from middle school. im easy to love, and possibly more easy to hate. i sound so plain. and i really am, though i dream big… and someday the plainness may disappear.

So now that you know my surface, the first example of beautiful design (and the best that i can think of for my first product post) is by the loverly Alexander Mc Queen. If you know me and are reading this, you are most likely rolling your eyes. I have been saying in one breath for a few months thatIwanttheAlexanderMcQueenSkullRing more than anything. But, my favorite design clearanced out with the end of the year before I could snatch one up. I lamented my lose, but alas a new obsession emerged… the Alexander McQueen Chrysanthemum ring. It's the perfect blend of detail and grace with a subtle hint of plainness. It will look perfect on my uncomplicated finger once the simpleness escapes my days:

Most easily found for $225 online at:
http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/us/en/shop/Womenswear/Spring-Summer-10/Accessories/Jewelry/P-GOLD-chrysanthemum-RING.aspx

just formed.

i've never had a blog. and though i like talking and find myself occasionally interesting, i've never put this much thought|effort into communication. i’ve deliberated for a while on what my blog will be about, and I can’t say that I have an exact answer. it will be about what i know, what i see, what i love. it will show good and bad examples of design- through graphics, interiors, advertising, and retail. it will showcase my laziness towards the English language and my love|hate relationship of uppercase letters. 

the name is “grangerize”, and though it sounds as if it is made up, it actually means “to add illustrations to a book”. i figure that this blog can be the most lovely and interesting parts of life melded together in one place for all to see. 

enjoy!