Category Archives: Out and About

Iron in my soul

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How much of our design world is metal/iron? A quick walk through Williamsburg shows that wrought iron and the industrial look is so in. It has always been a vital part of construction, but “flaunt your metal” is the new industrial chic.

For instance, check out the Metal Dimensions workshop and showroom. The Facade is a celebration of metal (and glass), as are the pieces inside.
Metal Dimensions showroom

Sculpture or Scrap-ture?
Wrought iron sculpture

In Construction- show us what you are made of? (@ a construction site)
In construction

Doorway (@ Restaurant we passed by)
Entry doorway grill

Peace and Pieces (@ Mandala Emporium)
Peaceful Metal

Brace yourselves (@ Mandala Emporium)
Metal Bracelets

My Mekko

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November 1st marked the first month of Marimekko’s flagship store in New York City. Now before we go any further you should know that Marimekko’s products, especially their very recognizable UNIKKO patterned products have retailed through Crate and Barrel’s M shop for quite a while. But this is their first company owned store in NYC and we hope that they will stay…!

The design of the store space, as the brand, is very unique. Stylish and simple but with vivid splashes of color, it is a visual delight to negotiate the store. The high ceiling helps by adding space. The displays are modern and tasteful.

We love the cube entrance! Note how the glassware forms a nice visual passage.
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Elegant dresses in a fluid display.
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The children’s area has vibrant colors and lots of space.
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The layering of open shelves adds lightness to room but maintains visual continuity through the store.
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The tall fabric storage racks highlight the space and the space highlights the fabrics.
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They know their work is loved.
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The array of products includes clothing-some very typical styles and cuts, crockery, bags, kids stuff and of course their fabrics. The Flagship store will also start in-house custom sowing soon. Keep tabs on their website for further details!

KidSpace: I’m feeling pink.

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So what do you do if you have a festival in town?

Food? Check.
Maple syrup

Entertain the public? Check.
Scarecrow making contest
Pony rides

Sell stuff? Check
Soaps and other nice smelling objects

Buy stuff? Check
Buying Gourd Birdhouses

Color the public fountain PINK*?–Oh Absolutely!
Pink Fountain!

Color me pink

*Note: The fountain was pink for Breast Cancer Awareness week, not for the Halloween Festival.

Blast from the past

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So recently we rediscovered sidewalk chalk as a medium of art. And that brought back fond memories of an event in the Guggenheim (or in front of it) in 2005. It was not too creative, but it was real fun!

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Cathedral? Nope-its Weill Cornell

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Amazing how it reminds invokes the aura of a modern cathedral.

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Even the UN Sec Gen was there- perhaps to pray…

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Fall Colors

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Apologies for the delay in posting today. Just rushing about taking pictures of the fall beauty in the city. Except that the massive rain storm appears to have killed all the lovely plants in the planters.

Hopefully the bright sunshine today will revive some of them.

KidSpace: Me, Myself and NYPL Birds

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We have found that writing as “we” is not natural. It is not that there are a bunch of people writing these posts. There is mostly just one person, with assistance from cooperative passers-by, professional colleagues, family, friends and occasionally the building super and neighborhood vet. So from here on, unless there are more that two persons who can claim authorship for these posts we are going to drop the “we” and show up as I. Much more personal that way….

So have you seen the new (when I say new, I mean about one year old at least) NYPL downtown. It’s a fabulous space for kids. Spacious and light, computers at the “right” height, bean bags, child friendly low/medium height bookshelves filled to the brim with kids books….ahh heaven! And then there are these birds in the window. Probably the result of one of the many Origami and other events the library offers for kids and adults downtown, during the week. But strung so well. Like a beacon of peace and harmony.

LightSpace: Reflections

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Every now and then we should think about the quality of our lives. Sound profound? Well hardly, if you find yourself making a trip to the hospital. No bad news though. But still, looking at scores of people thronging through the doors-sick, ailing, sometimes happy but mostly tired and sad. It makes one wonder….

We find that little glimmers of Light, like in the images below, make it worthwhile to go to a hospital. Where else would you see such subtle beauty?

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This one is sunlight reflecting off one of the Sloan Kettering Buildings onto the chimney tower of the Kettering Labs on 68th street. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

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