A Shop for Modern Curiosities

Looking for an antique stapler? or a gilded motorcycle helmet? or maybe something that you don't have yet but will put a nice touch? .. Look no further..its all found here in Partners & Spade, located in Greenwich Village, New York. It is best described as a retail experiment, which is very interesting, filled with random assortments of modern curiosities in every place of the shop. Founded by Andy Spade and Anthony Sperduti. A place well worth the visit, it's more than a concept store.. its a unique retail experience. Thirtyoneseven gets inspired from places like these!


photocredit: men.style.com

The International City of Lace and of Mode

It's almost time for the unraveling of the Cité internationale de la dentelle et de la mode! in Calais, France. A museum of Lace which is nothing new for a city which since 1816, has devoted such gracious designs and touches to this uber delicate airy fabric. After much history, Calais today has six companies of lacemakers (Boot, Brunet laces, Codentel, Cosetex, Desseilles international, Noyon laces), accompanied by eight companies of completions (cutting, dyeing, etc.), all in the same levels of famous fashion houses like Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Chantal Thomass, Aubade, Warner..

The inauguration is set at June 11, 2009, by the Mayor of Calais. The building is designed by architects Alain Moatti and Henri Rivière (worked in the head office of Jean Paul Gaultier). What they had to say about the project, “To keep the traces of time and the scars, to thus allow the factory to continue its life and to add, with the frontage light moving, a ultra-technological object, an unreal world, an always renewed glance. There is not of another relationship between the factory and this frontage, only that which opposes the softness of lace with the brutality of the factory”.

The museum will house an extraordinary permanent exhibition showcasing the history, the present, and the future of the lace of Calais. Many visitors would be able to discover the trade secrets of the most extraordinary fabrics. There are so many great events that follow the opening that is sure not to be missed!


Cité internationale de la dentelle et de la mode
135, quay Commercial, 62100 Calais
Inauguration on June 11, 2009.
“Sea - lace, lace - sea”, of Maria Dompé
Varnishing on Thursday May 14, at 6 p.m.
www.citedentelle.calais.fr


via prestigium mode, ville de Calais.

A little simplicity..

is all that it needs.

Sometimes its just something that's so simple, it makes a difference. You can radiate a room with a contemporary touch, some playfulness with a bold color, a different texture, and a great finish. My simplicity? A hot pink stance chair by John Niero accompanied with an Inchino floor lamp for Busnelli designed by Antonio Sciortino.

Simple yet Modern.




via contemporist

When they say "More is More"

Beautiful Chaos takes inspiration from Ricky Kenig's Residence in Brooklyn, New York by Slade Architecture.

"More is more" but its not clutter in this case. Well designed and organized, a lot of pictures on the wall, or an organized collection of rare shoes, or stacked coffee table books, or... you know where I'm going with this don't you? This is pulled off brilliantly, and I have to say, it speaks out about the personality of the homeowner. So when putting on display a unique collection that belongs to you, it can tell us a lot about your personality. Do so..bring them out rather than having it collect dust, or tucked deep away in the closet. If you're afraid to put it out there, then have it secured.

Let people know who you are! But please, no clutter! you want to display it like its in an art gallery, not make a mess out of it.



photocredit: Archdaily

Mirrored Treetop Hotel

For the savvy adventurer and hotelier who loves to try new experiences..head to Harads, Sweden (the north of Sweden), where you would find treetop hotel suites, a concept for a tree hotel by Architects Than & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter to be ready by next year. By raising the Eco-tourism to new heights, these treetop suites are actually lightweight 4x4x4 meters aluminum boxes clad in mirrored glass, and built around tree trunks. What seems camouflaged in its own surroundings, its a peaceful retreat above the grounds in a modern way for those who seek the high life unique hotel experience.


photocredit: dezeen

Ladies Toilet @ the V&A

Fun, Stylish, Elegant, Circles, Fan-like, Flow, Simply Beautifullll!...When going to an Art Museum, especially a well-known one, even the toilet has to meet the standard of promoting fine decorative art with great craftsmanship applied..and these architects have done it well.

This is the interior of the ladies toilet, off the grand entrance at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Done by London architects Glowacka Rennie, after winning the competition from the Museum in May 2008.

Descending down the stair-case to the toilet, the height of the space is exaggerated by the rhythmic flow of the panels, along with the painted whimsical blue circles by Swiss artist Felice Varini, which is only revealed as complete circle shapes when looked at from the basin mirror.

The light space is contrasted with a black stone wall and black cubicle interiors. A sense of jewelery-like accents are played in the space with the use of brass fittings and trims, giving a touch of style to the monochrome interior.



via dezeen

Corsica & Provence Inspired Ideas

Lounging by the pool in a villa in Corsica, or taking indoors the charms of Provence, with beautiful panoramic views and days filled with sun, what more than to give you bright colorful decor ideas to pull this off in your own home.

1. As I always say, Accent don't overwhelm. Accent your decor with colors that inspire you, either alone or with complimentary colors. The colors of the sand, sun, sea, greenery, or even spices (think saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, etc.) gives off a great feel to the space.


2. Incorporate the colors in different amounts around the house, indoors and out, to give a sense of feel of what is sort of expected. Do that with different textures and materials. For example, in the outdoors we have long orange red vases by the door, once we step inside we see the color repeated but used on the walls (best bet: If you're doing a bright colored wall for the interior, please do so in one wall only so that you won't overwhelm the whole area).

Another part is the use of the same color on the sofa. (Important: Compliment the colors and textures with things that go with them or contrast them in a good way, ex. the use of different types of rich woods such as walnut, with the bright orange red color goes well together.


3. In the outdoors, go white..on the walls, the sofas, the tables, chairs, etc. Accent them with bright colored accessories, like a sunny yellow, an olive green, terracotta, or even turquoise. Whether out by the pool or by the garden. Ex. pillows, vases, glasses, dining ware.


4. Giving an airy feel of the space by adding a bright color. The use of a bright color in somewhere unusual gives a breathe of fresh air in the space, a more open fun kind of feel. Just don't do a color explosion, it could counter the effect.




photocredit: CMF