A Schematic Life...

I was up late Saturday night, catching up with my favorite blogs and falling in love with new ones, when I came across these beautiful hand renderings...

Love, love, love....

Ahhhh... The long lost art of hand rendering without computer aid. It truly is an art form.


Anyway, back to A Schematic life blogspot... Michelle Morelan is the talented Illustrator/Interior designer based in Canada.

She also has an Etsy store where she sells her art work and her hand rendered cards.

I honestly haven't done hand renderings since I was in school and I absolutely loved it! Too bad no one really has a budget for them in real life.. but it's so nice to see that someone as talented as Michelle is passionate about her craft and lives it everyday. Such an inspiration Michelle.

I had to share..

Enjoy!

Paula + Martha... NYC design duo

I was surfing the internet last night in search of some design inspiration. I came across this fabulous design studio, Paula + Martha LLC, based right here in NYC. Loving their design aesthetic! Every room room has an eclectic mix of modern and classic design elements... A perfect combination of old and new, with pieces so carefully selected for each space. I love how this design duo adds just enough color throughout by incorporating the perfect piece of art and accessory. It's all in the detail and I think they're right on...Enjoy!

My daughters fab fotos....

My daughter Isabella (13) and my son Jacob (4), slept over my moms house last night.

Isabella takes her camera just about everywhere! She is so enamoured by graffiti and industrialism. So here are few pictures she took today on our way home from Brooklyn. Just thought they were soooo cool, had to share.

We decided to collect all her best pics, print them out and frame them to use as art work in our new apartment. I'm such a proud mama!
Hope you enjoy...


For those of you who have children, you will completely understand the pride that comes over you when they do something fabulous!

David Wiseman...ceiling art

Hi my blogger friends...I'm so happy to be back! I had a wonderful and productive weekend. I was searching for some original content in the wee hours of the night and found this wonderfully talented artist, David Wiseman. Just breathtaking...David's sculptural art interprets nature in the most unique way. From what I can see his medium may be plaster, porcelain and bronze, although I'm not absolutely sure because there isn't too much background information on him. I do know that in addition to his commissioned work, he does bronze fireplace covers, lighting, vases in crystal and porcelain, as well as some unique children's accessories. His original pieces are available through The R Gallery in NYC. I hope to one day be able to actually use him on a design project...He is just incredible artisan..Enjoy!

Italian designer...Piero Fornasetti

Aren't these the espresso cups fantastic? These hand painted porcelain pieces are by Fornasetti from the "Matematica" collection. Made bespoke only, they and are exclusively available on Couture Lab. I'm so glad I found them, because I now have a new found love for Fornasetti pieces. I never really new much about the brand or the designer behind it, accept that they designed these cool black and white plates with a sort of renaissance woman's face on them.

The mastermind behind this brand is Italian artist Piero Fornasetti. Fornasetti was a painter, an interior decorator, an engraver of art books and creator of more than 11,000 items. He went on to become a respected interior designer during the Forties and Fifties and created pieces with a heavy emphasis on surface decoration.

Fornasatti looked to the past for inspiration and excavated classical and Renaissance iconography such as suns, moons, harlequins, hands, beautiful female faces, along with classical architectural features such as columns. You can find the Fornasetti style on hats, coats, chairs, pianos, plates and boxes, just to name a few.

The most popular series, The "Tema a Variazioni" (theme and variation) which features the face of a woman, is operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. Fornasetti found her face in a 19th century magazine. He was so fascinated with her face that he went on to create over 350 variations.

Foransetti's son, Barnaba is continuing his fathers hand crafted workshop tradition through the production and revival of his most popular pieces.

I have put together a small collection of Fornesetti vintage 50's and 60's for you to admire. Hope to you come to appreciate this artist and his art form as much as I have...Enjoy!

"Alta Matematica" Tray, Italy c1950's

Set of 12 "Eva" plates, Italy c1950's

A rare one of kind brass framed desk in pattern "Giornali", Italy c1955

Four panel "Library" Trompe L'Oeil folding screen, Italy c1970's

"Musica" double box, Italy c1950

Alix + Paris + Photography =

Say hi to Alix...She is the creator of The Cherry Blossom Girl blogspot in Paris. This charming young lady is the talented visionary behind these delightful photos. While I was searching and searching and searching the web for new content..I decided to check out some Parisian fashion blogs and Voila'..there she was. Alix is actually a recent graduate who studied fashion design. She started her blog shortly after graduating a couple years ago. While doing so, her passion for photography sprung to life. I probably sat there and looked over all of her work, because I was just incredibly impressed by this young girl's talent. Most of the photographs are of her telling a story, with her flair for fashion so apparent and the Parisian background so appropriately staged. Here is just a taste of her lovely work...You are amazing and so inspiring Alix!

These pictures are from her series in Paris..

Alix in the tree..

Alix again...

How adorable is she?

Her fashion series had these really cool pictures of shoes and I'm sure they're her own.

Bye bye for now!

Bockler Architectural Prints

I  came across these beautiful antique prints on Panteek online while I was searching for inspiration for my textile collection.  I love these geometric patterns and the history behind these engravings just fascinates me. 

These rare prints are engravings of George Andreas Bockler (1648-1685), “Architectura Curiosa Nova” published in 1664 in Nuremberg, Germany. Bockler, a German architect and engineer from Nuremberg was fascinated with water-raising devices, mills and other industrial machinery, fountains and all things mechanical, especially machines with many gears and complex moving parts. The fourth part of “Architectura Curiosa Nova” has intricate designs for garden pavilions and garden paths, including illustrations of palaces in Europe. Hope these inspire you too...Enjoy!

 George Andreas Bockler

Mark Shaw Photography

I have always had a love affair for Mark Shaw's photos. He is best known for documenting scenes of the John F. Kennedy family and his photography for Life Magazine.  In the 1950's and 1960's, Mark Shaw was one of the first photographers to shoot fashion on the runways and backstage at "couture" shows. He also captured models, celebrities and lush interiors. I love how all his pictures tell a story.  They take you back to an era of pure glamour and high style. 

Svenska Mobler/Andrew Wilder Gallery at 1st dibs is an exclusive dealer of his works.   Here are some of my favorites...Enjoy!

 Editioned Audrey Hepburn portrait by Mark Shaw #28, L.A. 1953

1st dibs...here

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite celebrities. She was perky and chic at the same time...only Audrey could pull that off.  To me this picture shows both of those qualities. 

Original Limited Edition Mark Shaw Fashion Photo-Paris 1960

1st dibs...here

This photo was originally taken for LIFE magazine. It is probably my most favorite. I love the interiors detail and of course the model looks fabulous wearing Dior...

Mark Shaw Editioned Photo-Model in apartment of Henri Samuel, France 1960's.

1st dibs...here

Again, the interiors here are just exquisite. I love the plum walls.

"Couture in Paris Courtyard #2" Fashion Photo by Mark Shaw 1955

1st dibs...here

Look at this Backdrop...

Jackie Kennedy in Portofino 1961 by Mark Shaw 

1st dibs ...here

Isn't this heaven? This is my idea of a weekend getaway...what do you think?