juliettemerck.blog

the chicest cup holder

2011-10-13T21:45:00.010-04:00

Please meet the chicest cup holder on the planet.

A creation of petit h (yes, h as in Hermes, see my previous post), designed by leather craftsman and saddler Michael Orain.

When you look at it vertical on the cup, it's the exact same shape as the traditional Hermes craftsmen and saddlers apron and when you tilt the cup horizontal, it's the saddle, another iconic silhouette for Hermes. So everyday with your coffee (starbucks included), you have the whole history of Hermes in your hand. How powerful is that?

... and YES you can actually own one soon: they will be available at the petit h sale in the Hermes Madison store between Nov 2nd and 23rd 2011 and on Hermes.com (10/3 to 10/23).

I have to start drinking coffee now!!

petit h

2011-05-24T12:37:00.025-04:00

Last Friday I got to visit the petit h studio in Paris and the Hermes ateliers (yes, as in Hermes) thanks to my very good friend Mathieu Forestier from White Sky.
The most inspiring visit ever.

petit h is the "atelier de re-creation" (re-creation studio) of Hermes. The idea is that Hermes having probably the highest quality control in the world, there's a gold mine of rejected materials that are absolutely perfect around the one tiny fault that made it get out of line. Well, petit h gives these "rejected" or "left over" pieces another chance to get in the spotlight. They might not become the Birkin bag they always dreamed they would be, but they might become the ear of this giant bunny designed by Marjolijn Mandersloot for the year of the Rabbit (see last image), or part of another one of a kind poetic objects created in the studio with the savoir faire of the Hermes artisans.
The movie on the Hermes website and a few of the objects below, will explain it better than words...

Directing the magic are Pascale Mussard, from the Hermes family as the art director and Cyril Feb, managing director (with me and the rabbit above) that I had the privilege to meet - exquisite people for sure!!
There's no limits to what's possible, you should see the studio, the ultimate dream. Believe me, if I lived in Paris, I would have volunteered myself to make coffee, sharpen pencils or anything that would allow me to stand around and absorb...

pretty light bulb

2011-05-24T11:54:00.007-04:00

Please meet the Plumen 001 designed by Hulger and Sam Wilkinson (UK) - discovered on ahalife where you can buy them for $30. Do I really need to say why I love them??
Some numbers: it uses 80% less energy than a regular bulb and lasts 8 times longer.

also see the dezeen article showing the bulb in glass vessels for DECODE, London.

sort of coal

2011-02-13T20:42:00.005-05:00

I haven't been that excited about a product in a long time... especially as I'm getting more and more disgusted by consumerism in general.
I discovered this water purifier bottle (on the table of some very good friends of mine) that makes you want to ditch your old BRITA - even though that wouldn't be very environment friendly - and its disposable filters full of plastic and cheap coal...
This is a whole different level, the coal is in the bottle, the design is impeccable.
There's a whole philosophy behind the products from SORT OF COAL, read about it on their website. It's just the most inspiring company I've heard of in a long long time.

>> the bottle with the piece of coal is 68 euros + shipping from Denmark (35 euros to the US). A lot more irresistible products on their website...

I'm in love!

story of stuff

2011-02-05T12:02:00.001-05:00

My sister (tiltoid.com/blog) just sent me the movie below.
How did I not know about this organization before?? It illustrates perfectly the struggle I'm in right now, being in the advertising industry which encourages consumption of stuff nobody needs, and trying to find a way to make a good use of my abilities and my time on this planet.
We definitely need to break to habit, it's so easy to get sucked in... We need good ideas, inspiring people to stand up and lead the way. I'm thinking very hard right now, and will be back with ideas (hopefully)!!

hugo the wild boar

2010-11-02T15:58:00.008-04:00

His name is Hugo and he's the result of a collaboration between 2 of my favorites: Aeraware and Monocle designed by David Weeks.
Limited edition: 100 only, available online (110£)

in the sustainable era

2010-07-01T15:36:00.005-04:00

Just bought this book, and I love it!! Very inspiring.
$26.39 on Amazon

David Weeks for Areaware

2010-06-30T10:01:00.004-04:00

Hard to choose one !
From $25 to $110 at Areaware

kwangho lee

2009-07-10T16:53:00.007-04:00

Kwangho Lee's new collection at the very cool Johnson Trading Gallery in New York. His knitted wire lamps (one wire), and knitted water hose chairs made me get in the gallery, very playful and unique.

I discovered his earlier work on his website, love all of the below

all images from the Johnson Trading Gallery and Kwangho Lee's website

be-poles paper goods

2009-07-09T12:41:00.007-04:00

be-poles is the graphic agency in Paris who worked with MERCI on their brilliant visual identity. Check out my blog about MERCI and see their blog for more photos. They have a great approach they call ecographik about graphics and environment. They've designed a few great items for them as well - and you can find more on their website.

above, my MERCI paper bag (4 euros in the store) I use as a paper basket in my office in NY. I told you I'd be talking about MERCI a lot!!

wasara paper tableware

2009-07-08T16:06:00.005-04:00

I discovered WASARA at MERCI (see post on my favorite store in Paris here).
These are one time use paper tableware made out of a mix of reed pulp, bamboo, and bagasse (sugarcane waste) which is usually discarded in the sugar making process.
It's super-eco friendly, and the soft feel and Japanese aesthetic are irresistible. the website's images to explain the concept are great

check it out here

a few products I love

all images above from the wasara website

jana and js polaroid stencils

2009-07-07T16:40:00.005-04:00

This "stencil-ist" young couple is starting to spread their polaroid inspired art all over Paris. LOVE the idea. Check out their website: janaundjs.com

all images from janaundjs.com

jef aerosol

2009-07-05T17:39:00.005-04:00

More and more good street art in my neighborhood in Paris: my favorite? Jef Areosol!

check out the organization Lezarts de la bievre

merci, merci!

2009-07-03T13:08:00.006-04:00

I just discovered my new favorite store in Paris, created early June by the former owners of French kids top brand Bonpoint, Marie-France & Bernard Cohen, this store is 200% pure pleasure. You can literaly spend the whole afternoon there.
You'll find there a Christian Tortu flower shop, a perfume lab by Annick Goutal, fashion (YSL, APC, Isabel Marrant, Stella Mc Cartney, Marni, Paul & Joe) for women, men and kids, a "mercerie" (fabrics, zippers, buttons), amazing bedings, super great furniture vintage/roots to ultramodern, and great great home decor + accessories, an ice cream cart, a cafeteria with home baked goods, and a library/cafe where you can sit and sip something - you can also leave with the second hand books as they're all for sale. All of this in an amazing space.
The best part is that part of the profit margin goes to charities in Madagascar.

From the outside + the perfume lab

the 2nd floor - mostly home decor and the kid's section
+ the cool changing rooms from the 1st floor (fashion)

The rez-de-jardin (downstairs) with the cafeteria,
the small home accessories and lighting.
My favorite item on that floor? Probably the black and white
woven electric cords they sell by the yard...
My sister got me 2 yards for my birthday,
I can't wait to find the use for it.

The cafe/library

The books are sorted by subjects, you can just read
or buy them for 5, 10 or 20 euros depending on the color
of the sticker on its back.

I'll probably blog separately about specific finds from there. A real gold mine!!
MERCI - 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais - 75011 Paris

my holga

2009-06-02T15:22:00.006-04:00

Remember my post about lomography? Well, I did buy a Holga, and I did test it. Here's my very first roll (after the one which came out blank). You like?

tracy rocca at winston wachter

2009-05-29T11:34:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was the opening of Tracy Rocca's exhibition at the Winston Wachter Gallery in NYC.
It's a new kind of impressionism, makes everything around look so real and sharp! I love the artist's statement:
"The goal of my work is to create a place where the mind can rest.
The imagery I use arises from, first, consistent observation and, second, a conscious effort to slow down. [...]" read the whole statement here.

Lake Washington (2009)
oil on polyester over panel 36"x36"

Lilly 2009
oil on polyester over panel 48"x48"

Gilroy Garden 2009
oil on polyester over panel 20"x20"

all images from Tracy Rocca and Winston Wachter websites

pop up public bathrooms

2009-05-28T10:59:00.005-04:00

I overheard French people talking about it on the street of NY, and I found it on likecool.com. The urilift unit (pictured here) can be found in several cities in Europe, it stays underground all day, and comes up at 10pm to go back down at 3pm... They seem to have noticed that this is when the drinking -therefore the toilet need- happens.
But these are for men only as they're actually a set of 3 urinals. The one we could import to the US would be the urigienic, which has a door, and also has the advantage of being unisex thanks to its "revolutionary suspended toilet seat".

slow car crash

2009-05-27T10:41:00.003-04:00

SLOW INEVITABLE DEATH OF AMERICAN MUSCLE - SLOW MOTION CAR CRASH "This sculpture is a machine that advances two full sized automobiles slowly into one another over a period of 6 days, simulating a head on automobile collision. Each car moves about three feet into the other. The movement is so slow as to be invisible." see movies here.

found on today and tomorrow who found it on jeriko (thank you!)

shopdropping

2009-05-21T12:57:00.006-04:00

We all know about shoplifting, but do you know about shopdropping? This artist group in Canada invented it. You drop your art in supermarket so people can enjoy it at home!! See ShopDropping Montreal for more images, movies and info. Pretty generous!

posted on notcot.org by keenon design

learning about sustainable living

2009-05-21T09:33:00.006-04:00

Ever dreamed of building a solar oven, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a wind generator or a lemon battery?
This brilliant little house can teach you (and maybe your 12+ year old kid/cousin/nephew) the basics of alternative energy and sustainable living. Plenty of little experiments to heat the house with the sun's energy, using evaporation for cooling, cook with the sun, using wind energy, etc. Great gift.
Sold at uncommon goods for $90

highlighter portrait

2009-05-21T09:10:00.003-04:00

I thought it was so smart I almost* bought one... These are the lyrics of these hip hop legends with their "highlighter style" portraits. There's a small STABILO highlighter in the back.
Sorry the images aren't great, I couldn't find any that gave it justice. The green portrait isn't the best... the yellow one was, if you go there.
Reed Space 151 orchard st in nyc (212) 253 0588 ($36)

* no offense to the designer for the "almost", I just don't wear tee-shirts

neo-paris

2009-05-18T18:09:00.012-04:00

The new Parisian attitude: twisted classics, a pinch of modernity, a bit of humour noir... and still very Paris [vé-ree pah-ree]!
1- who else than Chanel?
2- "Je t'aime" lamp - Fleux (275 euros)
3- chimpanzee chandelier - Fleux (175 euros)
4- baccarat Black Angel tall glass, designed by Philippe Starck - Neiman Marcus ($510) {found on Toast and Tables}
5- riedel black crystal blind tasting wine glass - Tiffany ($60) {found on Toast and Tables}
6- poplin cotton necklace with a silvered brass chain - Arty Dandy ( 69 Euros)
7- hand made broche by Marianne Batlle - Arty Dandy (125 euros)
8- trompe l'oeil cardboard stool - Fleux (39 euros)
9- showtime double poltrona sofa - the future perfect ($9,920)
10- greatest find of the day: biblioteca shelving by Matt Car, mahogani and lacquer- the future perfect ($550)
11- smoke collection from Maarteen Baas - moss this piece has sold but there are others still available (price upon request), I just had to place it here.
12- deluxe plastic cutlery set - rose and radish ($27)
13- who can escape the oxfords this year? these are Rag&bone (the most comfy on the market) - eluxury ($237 on sale!)
14- zeppelin S1 suspension light by Marcel Wanders - moss ($3,512)
15- front design table pig - Fleux ( 1,495 euros) or Unica Home ($2,277)
16- still life serie from Klein and Reid - kleinreid.com

mystery fashion accessories

2009-05-15T18:23:00.003-04:00

I really don't mean to reveal the entire content of the French Marie Claire 2 (printemps-ete 09), but I really wanted to share this other story. It's so refreshing to see magazines being actually creative. I promise, if you buy it, there will be much more to look at! This editorial is about DIESEL accessories as Hitchcockian stars.

dog eat shoe

2009-05-14T10:03:00.009-04:00

Another brilliant editorial in French Marie-Claire 2 (printemps/ete 2009). One of my absolute favorite magazines, huge density of ideas and great images.
At last a little humor in the fashion world (along with perfect styling by Isabelle Roville, and great photography by Peter Lippmann)

PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER LIPPMANN

STYLIST: ISABELLE ROVILLE

get a character

2009-05-09T05:30:00.005-04:00

I love these salvaged characters from this brilliant company in Finland: characters. They were once part of a store front, and were re-cycled with led lights.
I want one!! (between 120 and 400 euros, all one of a kind)

discovered on Toxel.com.

the future of magazines

2009-05-07T08:50:00.004-04:00

This is the very near future of books and magazines (for real).
This one is still B&W but soon we'll have many versions to pick from ($359 on amazon.com)
I'm not sure about not turning pages, but that will definitely save some trees!

Scott Peterman

2009-05-06T11:00:00.003-04:00

Another great discovery at the Danzigerprojects gallery: Scott Peterman the first 2 photos are shown in the Chelsea gallery, and I found the others on his website. Enjoy!

all photographs: Scott Peterman

Christophe Maout

2009-05-06T09:49:00.006-04:00

I just discovered Parisian photographer Christophe Maout thanks to the 2 first photos below shown at the Danzigerprojects gallery {534 W24th st (212) 629 6778}. Then of course, I looked him up and discovered much more. I love when that happens!

All the flower photographs are from his "Printemps" serie

a few from the "atmospheric" serie

homelux serie

Fashion week Paris March 09

All images are from Christophe Maout's portfolio many more to see there!

lost tribes of nyc

2009-05-04T21:33:00.006-04:00

A little gem from Carolyn London found on wish jar, a blog by Keri Smith (also see his portfolio). Thank you Keri!

The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

ethan murrow

2009-05-03T12:05:00.007-04:00

Ethan Murrow's first solo exhibition "Zero Sum Pilot" at the New York Winston Wachter Gallery.
He explains: "The still imagery we [refering to himself and his wife] collect forms the source material for large-scale graphite drawings that are obsessive documents of infatuated characters. [...] "Zero Sum Pilot" follows one man's rigorous and suspect training for unknown aerial goals."
He also explains that the characters he portrays "mostly male, are doomed to failure and prone to dysfunction". We all agree, perfection is boring, but this probably the extreme form of wabi-sabi*!

Above: images from the Winston Wachter website:
Composure increasing time aloft, panic unhelpful
Deep water recovery training an asset at splash down
New helmet worthy of further use despite neck injuries
Release point adjusted down to 165th rotation
Below: photos taken at the gallery

* Wabi-sabi: Japanese art of the fault: I'll definitely will be blogging about it soon!

white with a splash

2009-04-30T22:01:00.006-04:00

Could a bathroom be more chic?
LOVE the "tambo" sink, in synthetic resin designed by Sergio Rochas ADORE the white version of the "pan" faucets by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba or "tara" by Dornbracht (amazing in black as well, but that didn't match the title of the post!)

sand painting in chelsea

2009-04-30T20:25:00.004-04:00

I was walking around Chelsea today with my friend Michale when we saw Wayne Coe on 22nd st, across the street from the Chelsea Museum, sand painting on the sidewalk. It was sort of windy but the sand he's using is a heavy sort (the one they spray on buildings) so it wasn't flying away, but it's obviously ephemeral, it will probably be completely gone by tomorrow. What he was reproducing (see in his hand) was an old gay porn movie flyer. Chelsea was the heart of the gay porn industry before it turned into the art gallery and exclusive fashion store neighbourhood it is now (Balenciaga and comme des garcons are on that block). That's why the sand: a little wind makes one community go away... yes... gone with the wind, I had to say it.
It was 4pm when we met him and he'd been working on this since 10am, I loved his white shirt and tie, and he was extremmely nice and happy to talk about his art. Very nice encouter.
If you want to know more, go see his website www.waynecoe.com or contact Robyn Perry at (518) 392 2469

jan feliks kallwejt

2009-04-29T18:39:00.004-04:00

Amazing, absolutely love it!
I discovered Jan Felitz Kallwejt on notcot.com (where else??). He's a young graphic designer/illustrator, officially my favorite!!

much more on his website

paint by pixel

2009-04-29T17:46:00.003-04:00

A new product from Urban Outfitters: paint by pixel ($20). I haven't tried it but it's tempting...

euro condoms

2009-04-28T04:20:00.003-04:00

I just learnt about the new rule to ban the light bulbs in the EU, starting with the frosted ones in Sept 2009. Find out more in this article of LEDs magazine.
Well, this Ingo Maurer's answer to it: the euro condom! He revealed it during design week in Milan. I found it on designboom.
What do you think?

just scan it!

2009-04-27T14:45:00.006-04:00

Just spoted these scanlike photos in the last Urban Outfitters catalog.
I just wish (so bad) that this was my idea, it's so smart and so perfect for fashion accessories - would work great for small home accessory too...

baby black

2009-04-24T12:11:00.005-04:00

Black is the new baby blue!
It's getting easier to find cool design for babies.
1 - bloombaby black fresco loft high chair - modern nursery $499, yoyamart $500
2 - bloom coco lounger - yoyamart $350
3 - cat cat cat - yoyamart $23
4 - alphabet zoo re-stik - blik $35
5 - stokke classic tripp trapp high chair - modern nursery $250
6 - baby top havaianas - havaianas $19
7 - yoyamart chalkboard-magnetic paint - yoyamart $35 a quart (12.5 sqf)
8 - vitra panton junior - inhabit $153
9 - monte design ninna nanna bassinet - yoyamart $395

worksite inspired

2009-04-23T11:53:00.010-04:00

Maybe I spent too much time in my father's workshop, but I LOVE the industrial look, especially mixed with clean and polished...
I love #1 for how simple it is, and I always had a crush on worksite lamps like #2 (cleaned up version). #3 is the most brilliant radiator I've ever seen: you can leave it hung like that or drag part of it where you're hanging out for extra heat!! love love love.
Most of these could be cool DIY projects, especially if you have the same thrill as me walking down the plumbing isle of Home Depot!

1 - tap hanger from junktion starting at 100 euros
2 - work lamp from Form us with love - ScandinavianDesignCenter ($132.98)
3 - Ciussai radiator from Ad Hoc - world style design (1,520 euros)
4 - Seen in the April issue ELLE decoration - supermarket cart painted glossy white (DIY)
5 - light plumbing from Claus Bjerre, ed. Danish Crafts (75 euros at Home autour du monde in Paris)
6 - towel hanger from junktion
7 - Medito wall lamp - made in design (68 euros)
8 - chanukah lamp from junktion

1, 3, 4, 5 seen in the april 09 issue of Elle Decoration
Home autour du monde 8 rue des francs bourgeois, Paris 3eme 01 42 77 06 08

spring palette

2009-04-21T09:54:00.010-04:00

I'm usually not a big fan of the color green, especially in home decor, but this palette in the French Elle Decoration stopped me, and so did this kitchen in the Elle Deco UK (both april 09 issues).

If you like it, here's a little selection of kitchen stuff to get you started!

1- Imperial treillis wall covering from Schumacher
2- E27 pendant lamp - Scandinavian center ($63.30)
3- Picco Lucci - Conrad shop ($16)
4- Unison Larch Moss table linen - Design Public ($40-$98)
5- Jensen bowl set - ScandinavianDesignCenter ($36)
6- Deluxe - moss ($120 for 16 pces)
7- Aval Aalto dual color vase - moss ($215)
8- Marc Newson's Dom Perignon champagne cooler - moss
9- Carribean Blue Le Creuset French ovens - sur la table ($184.95-$269.95)
10- Pantone mugs - Heliotrope ($11.95 ea)
11- Hook up wall Hook - Conrad Shop ($4.50)
12- Lizz Chair - Conrad Shop ($285)

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This post reminds me of these shots I did for Tozai Home, a few years back:
click on the image to see more of my work!

sunprint

2009-04-21T08:24:00.008-04:00

I remember my mother always finding the cool toys for my sister and I to play outside. The sunprint kit was one of them and I was thrilled to find it again at the DWR soho store ($18). The exact same kit!! (see below for other places to buy)
Last Saturday was beautiful and we had friends over for a barbecue, so with the help of my little friend Clara 3, I re-discovered the pleasure of sunprinting. Here's the first round of a summer long serie!

1- You place objects on the sheet (I cut it in pieces so we'd get more prints in the end). They recommend finding flat objects and they provide an acrylic sheet to keep everything flat, but we did use 3D objects to play with the shadows.

2- You wait (that's the hardest part) from 1 min to 5 min depending on the sun, the blue paper starts to turn white.
3- You rinse and voila!

We decided to create frames for our works of art. The paper being very thin, it also gives some structure without having to properly frame it. I cut a cardboard box, and Clara and I decorated them with blue only pencils and markers (to stick with the blue theme) and I double-side-taped the prints. See the final product below.
Better priced at the Laurence Hall of Science ($14.95 and many options - refills only etc), and great examples there.
Right now on sale on Amazon.com for $11.95

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Have fun!

urban twist on delftware

2009-04-18T21:13:00.007-04:00

I rarely blog about 1 item, but this set from Lovegrove & Repucci - NYC delft - is that good it deserves to be on its own.
You can buy it on their website, or at Clio in Soho, and also at Future Perfect ($100) in Williamsburg, two of my top shopping spots.

Here's a classic Delft plate for those of you who aren't familiar - just a good opportunity to review the classics !
Here's the link to the wikipedia page for Delftware if you're interested.

Tangled Alphabets

2009-04-17T18:39:00.006-04:00

If you haven't already, go see Leon Ferrari and Mira Schendel's Tangled Alphabets at Moma. Very inspiring.

Above: detail of Cuadro Escrito (written painting) by Leon Ferrari
Below: Leon Ferrari (left) Mira Schendel (right)

homemade look

2009-04-15T15:53:00.011-04:00

We all know the American Apparel ads. Forget the porn aspect for a second, just look at the "homemade" feel: like you could have shot it yourself with your point-and-shoot.
Well, I've been noticing more and more of this style of photography in magazines and billboard lately.

Spring break editorial in ELLE US May09Marc by Marc Jacobs and Vans adds

American Apparel images from their website

Some might think it's because of the economy: no elaborate lighting and expensive digital equipment, maybe just get an HOLGA (see my hello lomo! post) and the accountant can shoot it right here in the office!
Well, no offense to the accountant, but that's really not the best choice: there's a real difference between a "homemade look" which is controlled, tasteful (sometimes),consistent and plain homemade.
So yes, we still need professional photographers and mostly art directors (wink wink) by the way, check out my portfolio if you haven't in a while.

poladroid

2009-04-13T19:41:00.011-04:00

I just discovered Poladroid -a polaroid making software- in Ready Made's blog.
You drag a jpg on the polaroid camera on your desktop and it transforms it into a polaroid, with the darker edges, the color shifts (even from one pola to the next with the same image).
It's as realistic as can be, it makes the oh-so-familiar noise, and you have to wait for the image to appear... You even have to reload the software after 10 photos!! Download it here, it's free.

I know it's cheating, it doesn't replace the real thing, but that said, it's fun.

all photos by me !

painting Veuve Clicquot

2009-04-10T12:49:00.014-04:00

The iconic champagne brand gets painted by Florence Deygas for their new add campaign. The year's seasons and events illustrated with her stylish line drawings - uh I mean line paintings - to remind us that Veuve Clicquot is the best accessory for any occasion.

Florence Deygas was born in France in 1965, she studied film animation in the reknown Ecole des Gobelins in Paris. She's famous for the now iconic dog duo for Colette (Paris), and Winney the animated cow.
Florence Deygas had already collaborated with Veuve Clicquot earlier, she did a charity auction organised by the brand in Japan and a calligraphic installation for Veuve Clicquot's Starlight Yellow event in NYC.
Here are a few photos taken in her studio while she was working on the Veuve Clicquot project. See her work on her websites addadog.com and kuntzeldeygas.com.

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Illustration in advertising is definitely a new trend (which is also as old as advertising itself), probably because we're saturating with all these photos of "perfect" people telling us what to buy... it's so refreshing to go back to art.
Hermes made the same choice:

...and also (more modestly) I did it for the Cupcakes & Cartwheels catalogs.
It actually wasn't planned at all: I had received the items early and we had to shoot them right away, as I didn't have any props, I decided to draw them all. It went so well that it became the identity of the brand. The cheapest set I have ever created!

hello lomo!

2009-04-01T20:04:00.012-04:00

I love love love my digital cameras, including my iphone for more low-tech looking images, but right now I'm absolutely craving a lomographic camera. These "toy" cameras that allow you to control close to nothing, with their very limited settings (click here for more info). They've been around for many years, but they're exploding right now.
I wish it had just magically come to me and that I was the first to share it with the world but no, it's already a huge phenomenon, and the Moma store, Urban Outfitters and Colette in Paris already caught the wave, they all carry the Holga, the fish eye or the Diane F, and many fun accessories...
Here's a mini gallery of lomo images:

Here's a short ad with the golden rules: the main one "don't think, just shoot"

To get your own: Momastore, Lomographic Society, Urban Outfitters, Colette. Starting at $59.
I'm still debating whether to get a Holga or a Diane F, I'll keep you posted maybe with a little gallery of images...

Look: I used a Holga as a prop 2 years ago for a Two's Company shoot. Maybe I did catch the wave early after all!

photography: Arthur Belebeau

Thonet N14

2009-03-30T10:30:00.005-04:00

Thonet chair number 14, hands down the most seated-on chair in Paris!
The French ELLE decoration gave it a spread in its April's issue (great issue by the way) showing also how it still inspires designers.
I love the MUJI version (2009) for its simplicity.
Also love the "Dan" as the Scandinavian cousin, and the fluo plexi "prosthesis" because the seat is the first thing to go on the originals and it's always hard to replace and look good, at least this one is not "trying" to be like the original.
I wanted to show the IKEA version in recycled plastic OGLA but for some reason it's not on their website anymore...

Images above from the French ELLE decoration April 09 issue, except for black and white which shows how it was packed: six pieces of wood, two circles, two sticks and a couple of arches - held together by 10 screws and two nuts. The first example of green industrial design. Ikea before Ikea.

Below is a sample of Pablo Reinoso's Number-14-inspired work:

just scandinavian

2009-03-22T22:52:00.005-04:00

I was strolling around Tribecca today, and I discovered this store on Hudson street: Just Scandinavian. A great selection of scandinavian design, around 20 different fabric designs you can be made into pillows, sofas, trays, lamps, etc. Also cool cabinets and drawer chests. Go visit them if you're around!

All images from justscandinavian.com

Just Scandinavian 161 Hudson st, NYC NY 10013 (212) 334 2556

a new life for your old china

2009-03-20T02:13:00.009-04:00

WOW, this is great!! At last someone did it... and who else than BLIK?
They (actually Jansen+co) created transfers for our china or pretty much anything with a smooth surface (works on porcelain, glass, ceramic, plastic...) and best of all it's dishwasher safe. Think of all the things that need some spicing up in your kitchen cabinet, or anywhere else for that matter. The cheesier, the better actually, and don't hesitate to overlap existing patterns!

here's the page from the Jansen+co catalog

Here are a few cool patterns it comes in:

Thank you BLIK for this great find!

subway art

2009-03-19T22:02:00.004-04:00

Most of the "visitors" are definitely in on it, but still I think it's a fun idea.

greener than green freegans

2009-03-11T19:14:00.004-04:00

My sister had told me about this phenomenon in Paris around 6 months ago, and I know now that's it's also been happening in NYC and the UK (and probably many more places) for a while.
It's an article in the April issue of Marie Claire US that brought it to my attention again. As they put it in the article, Freegans are "radical environmentalists (typically vegan) who reject our wasteful consumer culture by living almost entirely on what others throw away".
This article only makes the magazine worth buying but you can wait for someone to throw it away. wink wink.
No, seriously, I think we all need reminders to kick up a notch our earth-conscious habits.

Here are 2 youtube movies to explain:

Alf from the UK

Other useful websites:
Freegan.info
July 08 article in the daily news
June 07 article in the NY times

hardware extraordinaire

2009-03-11T16:22:00.010-04:00

Those who know me also know about my tool craze: I own 2 power drills, a jigsaw, a circular saw, a heavy duty sander, and I'm not afraid to use them all, which comes handy on sets. Here's a little hardware inspired selection just for fun and below, a shoot I did for the Two's Company Fashion Book on the same theme.

1 muji screwdriver set - momastore $10
2 chain in vain bracelet - uncommon goods $14
3 duplication prohibited key ring - areaware $90 sterling silver
4 silicone lock keychain - areaware $25
5 drill bit pendant - areaware $75
6 bolt magnets - moma store $9 (also exist as nails)
7 safety pin cuff links - the conran shop $39
8 clocky alarm clock - moma store $60
9 silicone key keychain - areaware $25
10 the dream tool box - manutan 59euros
11 ball bearing key chain - moma store $30
12 silver tech climber - swiss army $37 I love the look but I'd like the same with the mini wood saw (don't forget it in your carry-on)
13 homme et femme bracelet/chocker (magnetic) - moma store $75
14 Cord lamp mini - unica $132 or made in design 139euros Still shots: Photographed by Arthur Nobre
Model shots: Photographed by Arthur Belebeau
All Accessories and jewelry by Two's Compan y
Art direction/styling by me

a theory on spring fashion accessories

2009-03-09T22:30:00.011-04:00

Have you seen the special spring fashion issues lately of the fashion magazines?
Well, I have a few subscriptions, including ELLE, which I respect enormously. But I have to say the accessory pages of the March 09 issue (below) left me puzzled. When usually I drool over at least 5 pairs of shoes and 2 bags, and stare for hours absorbing the new subtle details, lines, patterns, and start putting together outfits in my mind, plan when I'd wear which, etc... This time, nothing, except the normal question for me "if I had to do an ad/catalog/editorial with this, what would I do?" Which usually comes at the 2nd reading.

What's up with the designers?
My theory, is that because it's the crisis, they didn't want us to feel bad not being able to buy all these shoes but they still wanted the whole fashion world to be rolling, so they just had fun creating over-the-top-unwearable-but-out-of-this-world-perfect-for-editorial pieces. Keeping everyone happy!
If I'm right, then thank you designers to be so thoughtful, it's really working, there's none of the above that I would wear even if I got them free...
PS: That said, you can definitely hire me to play with you and make them look amazing, it would be so much fun!!!

altered photographies

2009-03-09T10:51:00.006-04:00

The next exhibition at The Photographer's Gallery in London looks interesting... These effects would be great in a fashion editorial.

The Photographic Object

23 April - 13 June 2009

"The internationally renowned photographers in this exhibition use stitching, cutting, piercing, punching and moulding, to explore the potential for photographs to exist as an object between two and three dimensions."

smart bus advertising

2009-03-08T13:38:00.003-04:00

Great examples of bus advertising from toxel.com.

thank you toxel.com for these great finds!

Röyksopp video

2009-03-06T09:43:00.007-05:00

I can't help showing you this video White Sky posted on their blog 2 days ago... Such a great video!!
Thank you White Sky!!

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

shopping on the dark side

2009-03-05T14:52:00.009-05:00

Ok, we know it's the crisis, and everyone is doing everything to cheer us up with bright and happy products.
But maybe we don't want to be cheered up!! Maybe we want a little bit of sad, scary, disgusting... why not?? So here's for your dark side cravings:

1 cockroach kitchen magnets - ATYPYK 10euros
2 bloody comfortable chair Dexter limited edition, ultraleather + embroidered blood design - Amy Lau Design
3 redrum Dunny - Kidrobot $300 > even dangerous Dunnies eat bananas
4 brain salt/pepper shaker - lazybone uk $14.72
5 little joseph - areaware $100
6 glazed porcelain skull (1.75" H) - Moss $440
7 Evidence knife from Fred - perpetual kid $14.99
8 the now famous liquidated chanel logo - from French street artist Zevs, see video below... gory!

JR in Marie Claire

2009-03-03T22:42:00.007-05:00

You need to read this article from the March issue of Marie Claire US... How did I not hear about this French photographer before??? JR is the most inspiring artist I've heard/read about in a while. It's one thing to be (very) talented, but to use it for something that meaningful, now that's something else...

click on the image to see it bigger

Now the images below are from his face2face project in Palestine and Israel.
He and his partner Marco wanted to show the faces of both sides, to both sides, to bring back people to reality and humanity.
In 2007, he and his partner (illegally) posted images both in Palestine and Israel, of 2 taxi drivers, kids, workers, women, teacher, etc. one Israeli, one Palestinian and both making faces.
People didn't necessarily understood at first but he presented it like a game to guess which was which... And that's already a start in showing how much closer they are from each-other than they think.
He says it much better than me on his website, follow the links below.
All these photos are by JR, visit his website if you like it, there are many more there.
And here are the other websites for his projects:
28 millimetres
28 millimetres/women
face2face
carnet de rue

All the photos about his work as from him as well (jr-art.net)
Chapeau JR and thank you Marie Claire !!

sharpie time

2009-03-01T01:26:00.011-05:00

There are a few designers out there having fun (seriously of course) drawing on accessory classics... Here are a few great ones:1 be tough atypyk tee-shirt 35euros
2 ceci est un it bag longchamp clutch $160
3 munny by Jon Burgerman
4 blah blah cushion (lambswool) - areaware $100
5 ozzy inspired chuck taylor all star $50
6 vuitton graffiti wallet $760
7 James Victore plate
8 dreaming camera case by Mi-Jiung Ju - moma store $40
9 Crepax Kadhorna cabinet by Giuseppe Canevese - moss $7,500

Inspiring, right? Well now it's your turn! Here are a few toys to start you off:
1 chat plates from Ikuko Nakazawa- moma $48 /set
2 sharpie $11.79 a dozen at staples
3 blank matryoshka dolls - dwr $125
4 storage boxes - container store $9.99 and $11.99
5 white vase - target $29.99
6 mega munny (18") - kidrobot $199.95 (also exist in mini for $9.95), click here for customizing tips
7 gulliver children's chair - ikea $14.99
8 converse all star - around $45
9 white picture frame - target $19.99-$29.99

Come on, you can't go wrong, just write (or even draw "x"s) if that's all you can do, but no matter what, this could be the most personal present you've ever made.
Email me your works of art and I'll post them (jmerck@gmail.com).

play it bright !

2009-02-27T08:00:00.007-05:00

A little taste of the 80's without the nostalgia (who needs it).

1 Gum necklace - areaware ($100), or do it yourself?
2 Rollerskate door stop - areaware ($95), also in silver or white
3 Charms - Tarina Tarantino for kidrobot
4 Multi zip bag - moma store ($10)
5 Comme des garcons wallet - flight001 ($200)
6 Clockwork Beethoven bust - kidrobot ($200)
7 Turntable - conran shop ($350)
8 Plastic birds water whistles - kioskkiosk ($15 / 5 pces)
9 Clay side table by Marteen Bass - moss ($4,100)
10 Pink piggy - areaware ($95), cast from a pig that died from natural causes. Holds up to $10,000 in $1 bills. Also in silver and gold (we knew these for a while) but also copper, white or black
11 latest nike for Brooklyn Projects

golden days

2009-02-26T13:06:00.009-05:00

Never mind the recession, gold is everywhere!
Here are a few cool items out there, but feel free to buy gold spray paint at the hardware store and look around your home to find the not-so-fresh objects (or furniture) asking for a gold revival.

1 Comme des garcons wallet in Gold - Flight001 $226
2 Banana bowl- Areaware $120
3 Bourgie table lamp in gold - DWR $985
4 Tiffany key pendant $950
5 18 litter gold bag - Moma store $16
6 Yoshimoto cube - Moma store $55
7 Yves St Laurent Downtown tote bag in metallic shaded suede
8 Alma simple fortune cup - Areaware $48.75
9 Solid birch chair covered with 24 carats gold-leaf - Scandinavian Design Center $3,000
10 Bar of gold door stop - Conran Shop $79
11 Tam tam stool in gold by Branex Design 78euros

invader art

2009-02-24T19:47:00.004-05:00

You all know the invaders right? If not and if you live in a large city, you've definitely noticed them. See "around the world" on their website if you don't know what I'm talking about.
They started a while back (before 2000) and "invaded" many cities by gluing (with pretty much impossible to remove swimming pool grout!) atari inspired invader mosaics on carefully chosen monuments, places, stores, streets etc. And that's how they entered the art world...
Well, I just discovered (I know I'm kind of late), that they were now playing with rubik's cubes!
This is brilliant... more on their website.

the LITTLE BOX #2 is here!

2009-02-20T17:07:00.002-05:00

LITTLE BOX #2 was made for Mamie-Claire !

more wood at work !

2009-02-16T18:31:00.006-05:00

I love the contrast Low tech-High tech of having wood where we'd expect it the least... More wood in our lives!

1- maple cell phone - seen on cameraphoneplaza.com
2- ASUS bamboo laptop - $1999.00 at amazon.com
3- HACOA Wood keyboard (email them for prices)
4- HACOA Wood usb flashdrive (email them for prices)
more flashdrives on my post:USB drives with personality
5- VERS handcrafted ipod speaker $139.99
6- MOMA STORE mp3 mini speakers $36
7- MINIOT wood iphone case 80 euros
8- CONTAINER STORE wood verneer magnet board $24.99
9- AREAWARE magno small radio $200
10- CD labels could only find them on ebay, but really easy to do it yourself!
11- Last minute item - Flexible love already millions have discovered it. I think it's brilliant. See the videos below. Yes, not 100% wood, sorry!
I found the mini version on ebay for 27 BP

Ruud Van Empel

2009-02-14T18:43:00.005-05:00

Another great artist I found very inspiring: Ruud Van Empel, right now at the STUX Gallery in New York.
The first batch here is from the World, Moon and Dawn series.

The serie below is called "souvenir". I love the atmosphere, and I love the still lives. Would be great to do a catalog or an editorial like this... Just things, no obvious structure, no focal point, it's not telling you what to look at first, or second. It's pretty much how I would normally define a bad styling job, which is why it's brilliant (to me) !!

All images are courtesy of Stux Gallery New York

I can't help thinking of how to translate this into my world (art direction). Ideas, ideas, ideas!!!
Van Cleef & Arpels did something in the same direction - a perfect green environment with more than perfect people pasted in it.

Shinichi Maruyama - Kucho

2009-02-13T20:15:00.008-05:00

This is an exhibition I saw today at Bruce Silverstein Gallery in Chelsea.
Extract of the press release:

"KUSHO, the Japanese word for “writing in the sky” features ten large-scale photographs that represent the midair interplay of black Indian ink and water. The phenomenon that Maruyama captures—two liquids colliding the millisecond before they merge into gray—is the result of various actions and devices. [...] The split-second timing necessary to photograph these pictures is made possible by recent advances in strobe light technology, allowing the artist to capture phenomena to within 7,500th of a second.

As the art historian Maurice Berger writes of the Kusho series: “Maruyama’s photographs both document and formalistically play on the chance effects of these processes, exemplifying the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi—the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. [...]"

You'll read again about Wabi-Sabi on my blog as it's a passion of mine. Big time.
Oh and I'm proud to say that my father Michel Merck developed the exact same strobe process for my photographer uncle around 30 years ago!

Also, read below the artist's statement. I like it!

Joshua Allen Harris

2009-02-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

You might have heard about him already, he's all over the internet.
Brilliant!

Leandro Erlich at P.S.1

2009-02-11T13:00:00.001-05:00

I just discovered Leandro Erlich thanks to his installation at P.S.1 .
Here's a video from the P.S.1 exhibition.
Wouldn't that be an amazing set for a fashion shoot?

The photos below are from his website (slightly different pool)...
So cool, and it's great to see people having fun with it.

Here's more of his work I grabbed from his website:

I took me second to understand the story below: the set is on the floor and people see themselves in the large mirror which is at an angle... so smart, so playful... I just love it.

Takashi Murakami fix

2009-02-10T19:48:00.010-05:00

Just a quick nod to Takashi Murakami.
I'm sure you know him, at least for his collaboration with Louis Vuitton.
He's creating a world that he translates into fine art, luxury good and bring it to the mass market with small toys, stuffed animals etc.
Sorry, nothing very new here - except for the paintings above - but I just had a craving for his feel good video (click to check it out), so I thought I'd share...

This is from the retrospective at

MOCA (Museum of Modern Art in LA) last year:

did I inspire Vuitton?

2009-02-09T22:08:00.018-05:00

I feel so privileged today: I think I inspired the last Valentine's concept for Louis Vuitton!!!
See for yourselves: above are a few images from the Two's valentine catalog I did -being wholesale, it was produced in March 2008- and below is the Louis Vuitton 2009 Valentine's campaign on their website now.
Just look beyond the product and the quality because that's just unfair...
They did limit the concept to card games only but that's OK too.

They say that being copied is the best compliment, but just try being copied by Vuitton!!
He he he...

USB drive with personality

2009-02-08T10:54:00.020-05:00

When you're in the design business, and you go to a meeting present a project, or show your work to potential clients, you can't just get a boring plain old USB drive out of your pocket: because it's our job to present the client's product right, we should be able to do the same with our own work!
I love to carefully pick my "tools" anyway, so finding the right USB drive was a cool challenge for me.
I've been casualy looking for one for a few weeks, but I haven't found anything at all in stores that I liked... I started to look online yesterday, and of course, I found absolutely everything I was hoping for... and more. Here are my best finds in 4 different categories: 007, toys, nature and hungry. Not all work-appropriate!!!
What's your favorite??

............007............

1 hacked, 2 diy eraser, 3 nail, 4 bling necklace,
5 swaroski necklace, 6 gun, 7 bomb, 8 finger, 9 glasses

............TOYS............

1 caterpillar USB, 2 linkable, 3 lego,4 humping rabbits,

5 penguins,6 domo & bw smiling guy, 7 star wars characters, 
8 chicken foot, 9 hands

...........nature...........

1 wood sticks, 2 wood sculpted animal claws/teeth, 3 recycled,
4 wood farm animals, 5 cloth pin, 6 bamboo, 7 farm animals

...........hungry...........
1 sushi, 2 fortune cookie, 3 biscuit, 4 bacon, 5 banana, 6 pill, 7 burger

Of course as I was hunting for the last broken links of my selection, I came across a few more excellent ones: audio tape, teddy bear, eraser, zippo lighter, light bulb, wine cork, mini cooper, floppy disk...

A few very useful websites in my search:
wired blog, ubergizmo, techblog, geekstuuf4you.com, technobob,
the office master, geek alerts, the daily dairy

thank you!

organza and paper sculptures

2009-02-07T08:12:00.015-05:00

I found out about these sculptures on organza through my favorite blog: white sky. This is the work of a French artist Angelique Lefevre. Amazing work, great choice of subjects... I love the contrasts tough/delicate, junk/precious, wild/sophisticated... I could go on and on. Simply LOVE it!!!

This reminded me a bit of the Peter Callesen's paper sculptures - more for the skill than the style. When I visited his website the first time (a couple of years ago), I spent a whole hour and emailed it to at least 20 friends. Farther down in another paper artist Su Blackwell.

And I couldn't talk about paper sculptures without showing Matthew Sporzynski's work... We all know it through Real Simple Magazine. Very talented, and he seems to be having a lot of fun doing it!

And, just for a little smile, if you want to own a little piece of paper art, there's this lady on etsy.com who sells this little bee... well it looks like it's sold out for now (oops)

A great blog for everything paper-related: paper forest

classics with a twist

2009-02-06T09:39:00.008-05:00

I love that there are smart people out there making the classics into new, smart and happy objects.
If you don't know ATYPYK, go see their website , it's a gold mine for smart and cheeky objects (and I'm the one modeling on the ALL SAINTS pillow).

My personal favorite is 6 which I own and love!
3 is a stretch, but I like it anyway - even though I never use coasters - and the glass used in the photo is a classic (which made it qualify, he he)

If you find other objects in that category, please send them in the comments, I'll definitely keep adding to the list!

1 ATYPYK - bon appetit 33euros
2 MOMA STORE - sandwich sponge $10
3 ATYPYK - clumsy coaster 13 euros/2
4 MOMA STORE- p* cell phone head set $80
5 ATYPYK - touilleur en argent 10euros
6 DESIGN PUBLIC - tobias wong light switch $150 (here in gold limited edition)
7 MOMA STORE - crumbled cups $35/3
8 MOMA STORE - I’m not a paper cup $20
9 MOMA STORE - new york coffee cup $14
10 MOMA - 10 key calculator/USB numeric keuboard $39.95
11 CB2 - carton vase $6.95

choosing red! (shopping)

2009-02-05T12:27:00.015-05:00

You want the same look as choosing red! (post from Feb3) without the Bisazza or Cappellini bill?
Here's a little selection to start you off, you'll see it's easy and the result is great.
The secret for the look: not to compromise. Some silver, or grey are OK, some black maybe but that's it.

1- TARGET - saddle seat stool $54.99 - $59.99
2- IKEA - bar stool MALTE $39.99
3- IKEA - wall cabinet ATRAN $24.99
4- IKEA - wall shelf ASPUDDEN $29.99
5- CB2 - eco-friendly bamboo bath towels $3.95-$24.95
6- IKEA - bathmat SANNI $9.99
7- TARGET - white stone resine waste basket $24.99
8- IKEA - basket with handle MALLEN $3.99
9- CB2 - resin bath accessories $7.95-$14.95
10- IKEA - bathmat NACKTEN $2.99
11- TARGET - blu dot real good chair $90.30
12- CB2 - ladder rack $79.95
13- TARGET - scooter stool $74.99
14- BENJAMIN MOORE
15- TARGET - analog scale TAYLOR $14.95
16- TARGET - arrow coat hook $9.99

If you do it, please send me pictures! I'd love to see.

choosing red!

2009-02-03T19:22:00.003-05:00

I'm so lucky my boyfriend has great taste. He made the Bisazza bathroom before we were together. When I moved in, we were debating what else to put in there... We tried wood to bring some nature in the bathroom, but it didn't do it. Last month, we decided to go with RED. We love it, it's adopted. Super dynamic.
We even had this little Chinese vase and little French Dunny to match the look. I wish I had taken the shot when we had the big white Hydrangea in the vase.
We're already planning on adding wall art and other goodies. I promise I'll post!

pharmacy cabinet - cappellini
red stool from Francois Azambourg - cappellini
turquoise vase - tozai home
Dunny - kidrobot

If you'd like the same look for less: check out the shopping page

the LITTLE BOX project is born

2009-02-03T09:34:00.002-05:00

This is my first LITTLE BOX.
I made it for Yolande's birthday.
It's the first thing I did in a loooong time that wasn't work related as all I've been doing since I left my job is work on my website, portfolio, marketing material and networking... At last something absolutely non-useful!
This is clearly the beginning of a series as it makes all my weird impulses I've had since ever make sense: I've been collecting little things, scraps of interesting papers, weird material samples, coupons, and now I can make them center stage again.

In this LITTLE BOX:

The chair on this one was bought at Kid Robot on prince st (kidrobot.com), it comes in a box for $12 and you don't know which one you'll be getting. Which is great as it brings the unknown factor which is going to give the tone.
The lips were bought on a tiny vintage toy store on Houston between 6th Ave and Varrick, it's flip 3D print > see the small photo, you can see (barely) it makes a kiss when you move it sideways.
The lamp is - obviously - made with Japanese newspaper and sulder's wire to give its shape. The foot of the lamp is a Moet champagne cork.
The wallpaper is a design pattern from my library. I just change the colors and scale.

So here it is, hope you like it, I can't wait to make the next one!