Wikipedia defines Steampunk as “”…a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction … The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used.””
I received a BEAUTIFUL steampunk necklace as a birthday gift recently…which meant I had to research steampunk”
I visited Chicago for the first time in September, and found myself moved and motivated by this magnificent city! One of the most important, still-current architectural movements, the Chicago School“” emerged from the recovery efforts after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Never before had a city been built or rebuilt within a 25 year period. This provided planners a rare and precious opportunity – to build one of the most photogenic”
Grab your favorite mode of transportation and get yourself to the nearest field, meadow or bike path (if you’re in NYC, Central Park could substitute!) This time of the year is pure inspiration for all things monochromatic, the palatte of summer fading into fall, featuring textural layering of size, shape, and surface. Artists and designers spend years trying to recreate this very same technique–because nature does it so stunningly. Admire nature’s hand as you view the feathery fields and their waving golden grasses, popped dandelion pods, crispy ragweeds fading yellow to brown, knobby stalks of drying thistles, fallen leaves, and crumpled leaves. Your day will be even more spectacular if you’ve managed to have a bold, blue sky as a backdrop.
Make sure your backpack has a camera, scissors and a large plastic bag to collect these soft-hued specimens to arrange on your dining table, in vases, or on trays. You can thank us after your adventure.
Another color trend for 2010 is a sophisticated, timeless scheme: Elemental. This trend is timeless with it’s fresh, uncomplicated lines inspired by the Bauhaus and International Design. It revitalizes our admiration of legendary designers such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier and Eames. The use of subtle tones, translucent materials and the revealing of structure and integrity of objects and space is the essence to this approach. We are encouraged to live minimally, acquiring less with more style. Elegance, grace and simplicity are embodied with this mostly grey and neutral color scheme.
