STANDARD an honest-to-goodness design affair
holiday
noir
nov-dec 2012
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Vintage & Market Finds The ultimate in recycled chic.
Discover an exciting, eclectic online marketplace for vintage, antique, and one-of-a-kind selections. HUND R E DS O F I T E M S A D D E D DA ILY.
onekingslane.com/vintage-market-finds
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every issue The Letter 12 Newsreel Trend-Predictor 17 enlighten your life
On The Boards 22 gifts for everybody and their mama
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A Design Affair 116 Scott Boylston makes a case for no waste
Darling & Daring 120 our parting shot
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Holiday Noir, 2012
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columns Wear the Room 112 coffee and wine with a splash of fashion
Thinking Outside the Xbox 114 keeping the holidays manly
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At Home With Our Tastemaker 34 Standard’s own Queen Bee gives us a tour of her place (plus an exclusive preview of her One Kings Lane sale!)
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas 54 a mysterious take on a classic holiday
Black Red Uruguay 68 Martin Gomez Arquitectos creates the ultimate vacation home
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features R.I.P. El Bulli 80 a feast for all senses at the legendary El Bulli
Standard Visits: Iona Handcrafted Books 98 we get bound up with Mychal Mitchell
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the letter of The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Don’t worry, our gift guides are fairly tame by comparison.
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In this issue I offer a peek inside my own home—which I styled with some of the items that will be for sale on my first Tastemaker Tag Sale for One Kings Lane. The Standard team and I worked with many of our favorite artisans to curate a truly fantastic sale of gift items (as well as some fun things in which you may want to indulge for your own home). Be sure to check out the 72-hour-only sale on December 11th!
couple of years ago, in our first holiday issue, we explored the spook and macabre of Boston. It was so much fun that we decided to dedicate an entire issue to the theme A Very Noir Holiday to You and Yours, of Holiday Noir—and all of its dark, mysterious, ethereal indulgence. “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” were definitely inspirations for our fantasy Kelly LaPlante story “‘Twas the Night Before ChristEditorial Director & Founder mas.” The workshop of Iona Handcrafted Books, which we profile in this issue’s “Standard Visits,” reminded us
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STANDARD Editorial Director & Founder: Kelly LaPlante kelly@standardmag.com Features Editor & Senior Staff Writer: Mallory Hamel mallory@standardmag.com Markets Editor: Minh Dang minh@standardmag.com Corresponding Editor: Jenny Gumbert jenny@standardmag.com Contributing Designer: Joanne Kim Milnes joanne@standardmag.com Staff Photographer: Spencer Selvidge Contributing Photographers: Kirsten Kaiser, Ezequiel Escalante, Clayton Aynesworth Editorial Interns: Alex Lopez, Madeleine McCaleb, John McEntire
Publisher: Kelly Truesdell truesdell@standardmag.com Publishing Assistant: Sophia Mossberg Social Media Intern: Preston Lee Hall
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Furniture, decor & gifts for home, women & children.
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NEWSREEL
Trend-Predictor
holiday 2012
Whether your home is glowing in festive lights or you’re experiencing different cultures, we’ve got you covered. Here we present two noteworthy events that are sure to aid in your search for new treasures.
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newsreel trend-predictor alex lopez
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shine a light It’s the season for celebration in India, once Diwali—or the Festival of Lights—begins. Famous for illuminating the entire country, Diwali traditions include lighting oil lamps in and outside of homes to help the goddess Lakshmi find her way. Festivities include fireworks, feasting and of course—lights everywhere.
Duffy London
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Zoe Pinfold
) ) we predict...
ReTech
…that you’ll be influenced by Diwali traditions to find new ways to light up your life (or at least your home). May we suggest adding unexpected lighting from ReTech, or brightening the night for eight with Duffy London’s swing chairs with an attached geolamp? Whatever your choice of lighting may be, we think it’s time to add a fun spark to your norm.
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(
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land of natives
Twelve years ago, the month of November was designated as Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of Native American culture of the past and present. Honored across all 50 states, this year’s calendar is packed with events paying homage through art exhibits, open archives and national parks.
Jennifer Moreman
( ( we predict...
Georgia Patricio
...that Native American Heritage Month will have you in search of home dĂŠcor with native roots. We suggest looking beyond teepees and Navajo prints. Instead, reach for the extraordinary with a striking piece of artwork, or a coffee table with an authentic earthy feel and modern touch.
Urban Hardwoods
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on the boards
joanne kim milnes
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{pour les femmes} This Page: 1. Black Cat Headphones by Traci Medeiros-Bagan from UncommonGoods, $40; 2. Deer Head from Arcadia Home, $110; 3. Blue Rams Horn Scarf by Pendleton from Beklina, $115; 4. Ragg Time Moc Slippers by Acorn, shown in grey, $80; Opposite Page: 5. Walnut Spoons by Michael Michaud from Best American Arts, $32; 6. Big Red Table Clock by Klockwerks, $735; 7. Black White Spiral Vertigo See Ya Later Tilt Vase by Owl Creek Ceramics, $19; 8. Reclaimed Metal Dog from Bambeco, $49
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{pour les hommes} This Page: 1. Vintage Belt Floor Mat by TING Studios from Branch Home, $688; 2. Glacier Tumbler Glasses, set of four, by Rolf Glass from Classic Hostess, $57.50; 3. Bamboo Toothbrush Set, set of four, from Poketo, $13; Opposite Page: 4. Upcycled Leather Passport Case from Poketo, $52; 5. The Gate Bamboo iPhone Case by Twig Case Co., $49; 6. KS Messenger Bag by Kenton Sorenson USA, $750; 7. Sprocket Wine Rack from Hipcycle, $260; 8. Beeswax Instant Camera Candle by Big Dipper Wax Works from Branch Home, $32; 9. Black Horn Frame 4” x 6” from Bambeco, $38
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This Page: 1. Wee Wonderfuls Oliver Elephant by Hillary Lang from The Land of Nod, $24.95; 2. Mr. Robot Pillow by Ferm Living from Branch Home, $46; 3. 5-in-1 Bamboo Game Kit from Grassroots Environmental Products, $53.49; Opposite Page: 4. Baby Fortune Cookie Booties by Della Slowik from UncommonGoods, $28; 5. Wooden Christmas Tree by Lovi & Anne Paso from A+R, $98; 6. Ashiato Animal Footprint Sandals by Magnet & Kiko+ from A+R, $32; 7. Baby Seal by Vik Prjonsdottir, $185
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SPENCER SELVIDGE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Portrait | Commercial | Editorial
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ay 2012 33
at home with
our tastemaker editorial director Kelly LaPlante shows off her abode PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIRSTEN KAISER
Kelly gets cozy with Standard’s official mascot, Winnie.
Preview items from Kelly’s Tastemaker Tag Sale for One Kings Lane. Sale is December 11th! 35
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“The entry was dark and dreary when we moved in. A door that offered a ton of natural light was an essential replacement.”
“I like a clean mix of vintage and modern. In the entry hall, the Zaffie Pendant by Agi Miagi lends plenty of modern. Vintage mirrors and amethyst doorknobs—which we use for hanging guests’ coats and hats—complete the mix.” on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: zaffie pendant by agi miagi
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“This house is all about where I am in life today. I have a threeyear-old son and a pitbull... life is a little messy. There will be plenty of time for crisp white spaces
when I’m in my fifties.”
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5 on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: silk throw by lulan 2: jfk in plaster and paint 3: candle by altru 4: custom journals by iona handcrafted books 5: pinwheel coasters by kelly laplante for fireclay tile 41
“I just love the two days a year when we can use our fireplace.� on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: vintage etched glass lantern 2: limited edition prints by alyson fox
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“We change the color of the dining table at least once a year. This time, I gave into my little boy’s request for ‘purple’ and found a muted shade from Dunn Edwards. I liked it so much that I used the same paint for a custom detail on the bar wall.” on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: vintage creamer from slk designs 2: antique silverware mold
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on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: custom pillow by cush cush design 2: silk throw by lulan 3: succulent pot by clay possum (hot husband not for sale)
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“The painting by Ellwood T. Risk is one of my favorite possessions. For a long time it lived over my dining table but it’s so sexy that I felt like it deserved a place in the bedroom.”
on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: vintage iridescent vase 2: succulent pot by clay possum 3: custom pillow by cush cush design
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on the okl tastemaker tag sale: 1: custom pillows by cush cush design 2: vintage chrome light fixture
“My little boy and I watched a video about
Jackson Pollock...
and then we just went to town!”
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“At the end of the day, the design exists purely to amuse me. The love that I share with my family is the most important factor in this home.“
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‘Twas the night before christmas
envisioned and styled by kelly laplante poem adapted by mallory hamel photographed by spencer selvidge model: preston lee hall vintage wear by big bertha’s bargain basement
And all across the lake, Not a creature was stirring, Not even a snake.
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The bones were all placed on the table, no doubt, To accent the dishes made by Chase & Scout.
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With the candles snuffed out and an ache in my head, I was just getting ready to stumble to bed...
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When what did my sleepy old eyes afford? But a boat full of presents and Santa with a sword!
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And placing the gifts ‘round our old vintage tree, He paused for a rest before his grand flee.
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Thomas Paul rug from Layla Grayce Sheepskin floor cushions by Magpie’s Fancy Shop Giftwrap by Of The Earth, and Elum Designs
With his terrier on guard, he crept back to his boat, And the holiday ghostship began its slow float.
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Then out in the fog came a voice from afar, “Merry Christmas to all and to all,
Good Noir.�
chaseandscout.com magpiesfancyshop.etsy.com custompaper.com elumdesigns.com laylagrayce.com
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black red uruguay
STORY BY MALLORY HAMEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY EZEQUIEL ESCALANTE ARCHITECTURE BY MARTIN GOMEZ ARQUITECTOS
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n the small resort village of Jose Ignacio, on the southern Uruguayan coast, Martin Gomez and his team of architects and designers (Martin Gomez Arquitectos) has created a familial haven. The Black and Red House was erected to meet the summertime needs of a growing family, giving everyone their space, but ultimately bringing them together at the beginning and ending of each day.
The designers wanted to play with the ample sunlight offered in this village just outside of Uruguay’s popular resort town, Punta del Este. Evidence of this can be seen in the natural skylights throughout.
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When asked about the inspiration behind the unique theme of separation found in this project, the team explained that, “This house was planned for a family with kids of different ages, that therefore were at different stages of life. For that matter we decided to create a house that would articulate three different volumes connected by a concrete galleria. Each of these volumes are completely independent, attached to an outdoor galleria that finally opens to a big swimming pool and
a generous wooden deck—their daily meeting point.� The build team used concrete, and black and red wood for the primary building materials, wishing for this luxurious home to blend in as much as possible with its natural, coastal surroundings. With clean lines and bold color combinations, the mood of the home flows effortlessly from one space to the next.
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“This galleria is enclosed between two concrete fireplaces, one for cooking and the other one for comfort, consequently creating a generous interior space below.�
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Sections throughout the structure are distinguished by color schemes, themes, and furniture arrangements meant to suit each segment’s particular purpose.
A vibrantly colored gathering area sits in juxtaposition to a more formal yet modern dining area, helping to bridge the gap between playtime and family time.
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Construction of the home began in 2009 and took about a year to complete. Now that the family has spent some time making it their own, the build team relates that, “Through this new system of living, the owners discovered a completely different way to enjoy life—in a more relaxed and distended way, opposite to their life in the city where they live.” v
martingomezarquitectos.com
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R.I.P.
EL BULLI
STORY BY MALLORY HAMEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY CLAYTON AYNESWORTH
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The establishment was named for Marketta’s favorite dog breed, the French Bulldog.
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o foodies the world over, the name El Bulli strikes passion into the salivary glands, causes goose bumps to surface in anticipation, and generally produces a babbling of affection that few entities are worthy of. Once famed for its incredibly inventive cuisine and kitchen crew of what many call molecular gastronomes (although the chefs themselves will often contest this), this now-closed restaurant along Spain’s rugged Costa Brava is simply legendary. Tucked into a hillside just outside of Roses, Spain, the famous, former eatery of El Bulli is lying in wait to become the El Bulli Foundation (which won’t open its doors officially until 2014, when it emerges as a culinary research center), and the general public has yet to see what this new venture will bring to light. But many people remember the historical moments, dishes and movements to come out of the establishment when it was still a culinary utopia. Having earned three prestigious Michelin Stars, El Bulli truly broke the ground for many entrepreneurs who wanted to create enriching experiences with food rather than simply serve people dinner. El Bulli started out humbly in 1961, when a German fellow, Dr. Hans Schilling, and his wife Marketta fell in love with the local village of Cala Montjoi, and purchased a parcel of land amongst the cliffs. After experiencing some flux (including a stint as a minigolf course and beach bar), El Bulli finally settled into the role that it would become famous for—haute cuisine in the middle of rough-and-tumble
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country (and by that, we mean that the first telephone line wasn’t installed at El Bulli until 1977). However, it wasn’t until the arrival of now-famous chef Ferran Adrià that El Bulli became the sensation that it will forever be remembered as. His culinary prowess can’t be given sole credit for the fact that El Bulli was experiencing over one million reservation requests per six-month season (of which, only 8,000 tables would be granted)—the allure of the Costa Brava and the seclusion of the restaurant itself can be seen as a big motivator for patrons the world over to flock to this rugged cliffside for dinner. US-based, renowned yoga instructor and photographer Clayton Aynesworth and his wife Deborah Green were lucky enough to enjoy El Bulli in the company of friends while it was still in full-swing. Their experience was nothing short of spectacular. Aynesworth humbly acknowledges their good fortune in snagging a table at El Bulli, “Deborah and I love to travel and a few years ago friends from Dallas invited us to go to El Bulli. El Bulli was about to close and they thought they had to invite their friends. The only way they could do this was to rent the entire place out for the night. So they sent out an invitation for 55 people to join them (that was the maximum capacity for the restaurant) for one night at El Bulli. We responded immediately, which was good, because the spaces filled up quickly.” Aynesworth relates that the setting was quite intimate, with the kitchen and prep areas in good view, and Adrià himself mingling with guests and providing photo ops before the
“We arrived at the restaurant around 6 p.m.. The dinner lasted until midnight. It was a 52-course dinner. We had to arrive in waves, as it was quite a big group and the logistics of getting everyone there was an issue.�
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A perfect sphere of frozen Gorgonzola is almost too beautiful to break into. Alas, the delicious temptation is too much for our patrons to bear. Turning ordinary ingredients into tangible yet hard-to-believe forms is one of the many hallmarks of Adrià ’s style.
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Complementing several glasses of wine are a few containing “Hare’s Blood,” an original mixture of beet juice and ginger—cleverly disguised and equally delicious—and of course, served with hare.
grand show began. “Each course was presented with a wine pairing. We began with the instructions to suck down our first cocktail, which was a mojito infused with sugarcane, and it progressed from there. So, you can imagine we were all in good spirits by the fourth or fifth course. At one point in the evening things just quit making sense. They brought out “essence of barnacle.” For some reason we thought they had told us that we were eating “bear knuckle,” after several hours of drinking it’s hard to tell the difference between essence of barnacle and bear knuckle—silly things like that came up.” Keeping it simple, the exterior and interior of El Bulli provided just the right amount of hometown flair to make one feel as if they were floating through a delicious Spanish dream. Muted colors against black-and-white flooring, with an appropriate dose of avant-garde art work blended with the cozy dining furniture, making guests feel right at home. Nothing about the decor was to take away from the task at hand—Aynesworth elaborates, “The interior was serene and relatively simple compared to the food. The food was very surreal and its presentation was a visual feast in and of itself. The setting was dreamlike. As the night progressed, it grew dark. But there was nothing but hills and a coastal bay outside— all the action was taking place inside.” Although El Bulli is now unavailable in its traditional form, the world is sure to be swept off its feet once more when the foundation reopens as a center for all things edibly imaginative. v
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A work of edible art—Adrià’s Apple Rose, made of green apple skins turned to ice petals, and adorned with fennel-encasing globes.
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Adrià ’s approach to cuisine at El Bulli was heavily embedded in an appreciation for the many parts of a meal and what those individual parts could become once put through any imagined transformation. His signature deconstruction of dishes proved his visionary abilities to be solid, as he was able to turn ordinary ingredients into inverted versions of themselves, while maintaining their flavorful characteristics.
This birdcage chandelier from Restoration Hardware provides an old-timey, rustic feel amongst the lightly patterned wall treatments in this space.
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essence of barnacle
asparagus with miso
spherification of caviar
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“Roses, Spain, is a very out of the way place. The restaurant is at the end of a winding pastoral road. It is in the middle of nowhere—if one has never been to it, one imagines they must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.”
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standard visits Iona Handcrafted books
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n a Tillery Street studio on Austin’s East Side, Mychal Mitchell is busy at work binding custom books the old-world way. Standard stopped by for a visit, and Mallory Hamel got the low-down on what’s up at Iona Handcrafted Books.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIRSTEN KAISER
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MALLORY: I love the story of how you wandered into an Italian book shop and ended up becoming an apprentice to the owner. Did you learn everything from your mentor, or was there plenty of homebased trial and error after your introduction to the art? MYCHAL: First of all, I would say that no, I didn’t learn everything from the Italian man... I wasn’t really thinking “I’m gonna get home and start making books right away!” So I just basked in the delicious atmosphere of his little workshop, and thought of how to write about the experience of being there and learning the bookbinding process. I was so into journaling at the time, I was mostly concerned about capturing the experience for posterity—because I knew it was a pretty cool moment in time. But I should have been taking better notes, because I ended up doing so many things backwards once I started. It took me a very long time to figure a lot of it out ...this was back before YouTube showed you every single step of making anything you set your heart on. What I couldn’t remember from my time in Italy, I pretty much had to make up as I went along.
MALLORY: What is it like being in such a unique trade? MYCHAL: I am in a unique trade, and I do love it! I have pretty awesome conversations with just about every person who is in need of a journal, or a sketchbook, or an archival album. They are usually really interesting folks—adventurers, or artists, or new parents with a creative side, or architects, or pastors, or authors—I get them all! How could I ever get bored with that!?
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MALLORY: You must use some pretty the book for tying it closed. Two years specific tools, what are they? ago I began to experiment with hardware on the books, and have learned MYCHAL: The only tools I really use to patina some newer pieces to match are hand-tools. X-acto knives and a older pieces that I am blending into a metal straightedge ruler for cutting single book. The really fun part is handleather, awls for poking holes, blunt-tip hammering the pieces onto the leather needles for stitching, and a “strap-cut- with copper rivets—it’s very loud, and ter” made of wood that cuts the book very empowering for some reason! straps into smooth, consistent strips. This style of binding has been around for a while, so in way, I am carrying on MALLORY: Can you break down your an old tradition—but now I am adding work process from conception to fi- my own flair to that, which feels pretty nalization? spectacular, especially with the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response that MYCHAL: The process for us basically the new line has received. It’s a bit of starts with hand-tearing all of our pa- a thrill! per which comes to us in huge sheets. Our friend Moody devised a tool that MALLORY: Where do you get the beauhelps us tear it more expeditiously, but tiful pieces that adorn your books? it still takes a lot of time. That paper is all folded into bundles called signa- MYCHAL: They are mostly architectures. We typically use five signatures tural salvage: old Eastlake door hingper book. An awl is used to trace a es, keyhole covers, icebox hinges, particular size onto a hide of leath- and backplates for doorknobs. Any er using a handmade template. It’s random, beautifully rusted piece that then cut out and holes are punched has holes for screw-mounting I can in the leather using another awl, then use to mount to the leather with my we stitch the paper bundles into the copper rivets. It’s so much fun digging leather with hemp twine that we’ve through all the piles of “treasure.” I run through a big block of beeswax by drive all over the country to art shows, hand. Once the book is stitched, we and folks will give me tips on where to trim it and attach a long leather strap go in any given town. to the front flap that will wrap around
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MALLORY: What is your favorite type I do, I would still rather be salsa dancof book to make? ing on the weekends than be in the studio seven days a week! MYCHAL: Well, lately I’m kinda in love with the icebox hinges, and finding the MALLORY: Do customers ever bring perfect one to complement a particu- books back to show you how they’ve lar book, and then matching its patina filled the pages and further transto the patina on the other hardware, formed your art? and then matching those with just the right padlock. It’s a whole new kind of MYCHAL: One of the great joys of my art that involves color and chemicals job is meeting so many incredibly creand texture in a way that I haven’t got- ative people. And yes, I have seen so ten to experiment with before in the many awesome books over the years. bookbinding world. I’m really enjoying My friend Benno from Portland, is a that! retired architect that has filled about a dozen of my books with his trips from MALLORY: How long does one book all over the world. His are like—WOW. typically take you to make? Because of his skills at sketching and painting, they are masterpieces! He MYCHAL: Oh, the books don’t take also has been kind enough to let me quite as long to make anymore as they borrow his books to show off how used to since we have tried to break fabulous our handmade watercolor it up into different task stations. We papers are. Then there is my friend rarely just do one book start-to-finish Mikey here in Austin, who wouldn’t re(that’s a more romantic way to do it, ally consider herself an artist but the but very inefficient). So it’s hard to say book she has put together of her trip how long it takes... I would have to to Africa is so creative that she has inguesstimate several hours depending spired countless regular folk to do the on the size of the book. The new line of same! And then there are the children books with hardware takes a substan- who bring in their sketches that they tial amount of extra time for all of the have done. I love seeing children resteps involved in patina’ing, and seal- ally tuned-in to something other than ing and riveting. But I am constantly computers or TV. When my books are looking for ways to streamline the pro- the one thing that they most want from cess because the truth of the matter a whole art show full of options, I know is—no matter how much I love what
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that they are truly special kids whose parents have really instilled a love for books or art in them! Thank God for those parents—I always find that so impressive! MALLORY: How does the art community on the East Side inspire and support you? MYCHAL: We were a part of the very first East Austin Studio Tour, back when there were only 26 participants... now there are over 500—craziness!! I live over on the East Side as well, and am totally in love with it still! I have so many friends over here that are doing incredibly creative things, not only artists or crafters, but nonprofits that are super inspirational. We are all constantly interacting with each other. For example, my friend Edgar takes some of my smaller scrap leather and makes bad-ass leather cuffs with some sweet embellishments (Vintage Ware by EMD). My neighbor Jeff is a metalworker and furniture-maker, and he cuts slots in my icebox hinges for me so that they can become latches for the padlocks (Broesche Design). The guys in the wood shop across the way from me are the nicest guys ever, and they certainly aren’t your typical artist types, just damn good carpenters! They are kind enough to accept all of my UPS leather deliveries (because those UPS guys tend to deliver before I
even crawl out of bed in the morning!), and then they carry them over when I finally arrive—and they’re HEAVY! They remind me that it’s about hard work, and dedication, and perfectionism, and kindness (and a six-pack of beer), and a wicked-awesome attitude (they’ve got that down!). Being in a community of folks that are all working hard at something that they enjoy makes being over here a joy instead of drudgery. MALLORY: What makes a good work space for you? Lighting, music, other people, color, contrast, etc.—What have you done to make your studio an inspiring environment? MYCHAL: Ahh, a good work environment for me needs to be organized—I work much more efficiently that way. But Lord knows that isn’t always the case! I love to work late at night with Latin music turned up full-blast ...that’s when I get the most work done. And during the day when Hillary and I are there working together, we’re either chatting (she’s been working with me for almost 12 years, so we’re practically family by now!) or listening to KUT, or I try to educate her on the fabulous alternative bands from the 80s. She’s only 30, but she can name most of them now when quizzed!
The lighting can always be improved, but we’ve got lots of natural light coming in, which is nice. The one thing I really strive to avoid is plastic! I hate to see plastic anything in my home or in my studio. Sometimes it just makes more sense to use something that is plastic, but I try to hide it so that I don’t have to look at it. I guess I’m old-fashioned that way. I prefer wood and metal in my line-of-sight, it just feels better to me. When I was in design school they really emphasized choosing a concept statement, and that everything in the design had to relate back to that statement. Although I wouldn’t say I have an actual statement that I used when organizing my space (which has definitely evolved with time and new projects), I would say that there is always that underlying idea that old is better than new. v
ionahandcraftedbooks.com
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Mychal tooling leather in her East Side studio, surrounded by bits and pieces of travels-past and books to come.e.
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Clayton Aynesworth
yoga
photography
claytonaynesworthyoga.com
claytonaynesworthphotography.com
A brighter future.
Every day, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, donors and partner families are building houses, hope and so much more in countries around the world. So, what will you build? 800-HABITAT habitat.org
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wear the room
image courtesy of crystal shafer waye
madeleine mccaleb Located in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling downtown, is an ultra cool coffee and wine bar called Mavelous. Designed by Adeeni Design Group, the space draws on the city’s energy and artistic influences. Featuring the works of local artists and drawing inspiration from surrounding civic centers, including the Asian Art Museum and the San Francisco Ballet, noir themes are balanced with pops of color and texture.
Translate this look to wearable style perfect for holiday soirees by wearing a goth-meets-avant-garde gown with runway-ready footwear. Take a note from Adeeni Design and keep the look from becoming too heavy by adding vibrant accessories, and you’re ready to celebrate the season in style.
the transformation to wearable style Maxi Dress by Ali Golden from Beklina Brass Crocodile Skin Torq by Cheeky Monkey Jewelry Chance Eel Skin Clutch by Heidi Mottram from Boticca Billy Faux Suede Black Booties by Elizabeth Detroit
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thinking outside the Xbox
JOHN MCENTIRE Christmastime is here, and as the song of the same name reminds us as it trudges through its endless department store playlist loop, the abrasive shades of reds and greens can quickly become a little oppressive—much like Guaraldi’s abundance of 7ths and 2nds. Maintain some stylistic dignity and celebrate with a dash of reserved cool this year—a little more Gene Kelly, a little less Chevy Chase.
Black Fairy 4 fresh blackberries Fresh mint sprigs ¾ ounce Kubler absinthe ¾ ounce Michter’s rye whiskey ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice ¾ ounce Fever Tree tonic water In a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 of the blackberries with a mint sprig. Add the absinthe, rye whiskey, lemon juice, and tonic water. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake well. Strain the drink over an oldfashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with the remaining blackberry and a sprig of mint, and serve. “Reprinted from the book A Taste for Absinthe. Copyright © 2010 by R. Winston Guthrie with James F. Thompson. Photographs copyright © 2010 by Liza Gershman. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, Inc.”
Throw on a silver screen classic in the background, break out that dinner jacket, and kick off your noir party with a modern twist on a vintage cocktail recently coming back into vogue (and legality). Give your guests some red in their cheeks with a darker take on the elusive green fairy from Cyrus Restaurant’s bartender Erika Fey of Healdsberg, California. Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of those tacky sweater parties for you to loathe, and your friends will still keep eggnog challenges, inflatable Santas, and Will Ferrell elf impressions alive and strong. Stir up the seasonal expectations with something a little different. A black tie, a little mystery, and a woman in a red dress never did anyone wrong...
1 1. Absinthe Fountain by Andy Paiko Glass Artisan glassblower Andy Paiko melds old-world opulence with dreamlike imagination in his unique sculptures and vesselware. Combine the absinthe fountain, etched candlesticks, and a healthy blanket of snow, and we can’t be held responsible if you suddenly find yourself part of a Tim Burton film. 2. Man Coasters by Arra David and Anne Johnson from UncommonGoods Tired of watching wadded, half-wet, snowman-print napkins accumulate between your furniture cushions with each successive drink? So are we. Take the class up a notch, hand out a sleek granite coaster, and save the snowmen.
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3. Fuego Bio Firelight by Holmback Nordentoft for Stelton from A+R Store No late-night winter celebration should go without an open fire to gather around. However, most guests have a problem with sitting outside in the cold for hours, and most hosts frown upon fires and such when brought indoors. Play the peacemaker and offer both, along with an interesting lighting option, with Fuego Bio Firelights. (S’mores are untested as of the printing, but you can bet we’ll find out if we get our hands on one.)
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a design affair
scott boylston tells us all the steamy details
A native of Queens, New York, Scott Boylston has traveled the globe speaking on design and sustainability. He is president and cofounder of Emergent Structures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the innovative reuse of construction and demolition waste for community benefit. Boylston is also program coordinator and coauthor of the Master’s in Design for Sustainability at Savannah College of Art and Design, and professor of Design for Sustainability.
what was the inspiration behind emergent structures?
I was invited to a meeting to discuss ways in which a major redevelopment project in Savannah could be made more sustainable. After discussing an array of ideas with the developers, I asked if they would be interested in entertaining the idea of a community-based reclamation program, and they responded favorably. I put a region-wide call out for interested parties: community organizers, preservationists, designers, architects, professors, woodworkers, and craftsmen of all kinds. The response was impressive. what other
sets
es
apart
from
organizations
that
repurpose construction and demolition waste ?
Emergent Structures is making the process of unwanted building removal one that is celebratory, community-wide, and profitable for a wide array of stakeholders. Most organizations address only a few factors at play in C&D waste management. Nobody else is looking at it from such an interwoven systems perspective. how do you carry over the mission of es into the classroom at scad?
In 2007, two colleagues and I created a Master’s in Design for Sustainability at SCAD. We designed it with an eye toward leadership and management in all sectors of design. Emergent Structures has prepared the ground for students entering into this class by developing a ready-made ecosystem of diverse actors in the Southeast.
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Photos by Imke Lass
what project is es working on now?
We’re building a greenhouse that will be used to teach vocational skills to special needs public high school students, and it’s being built from reclaimed materials. This greenhouse, by the way, was designed by a Design for Sustainability graduate student as her final Master’s project. what’s next for es?
Over the next 20 years, hundreds of housing developments will be torn down, and thousands-upon-thousands of commercial buildings will suffer the same fate. Emergent Structures hopes to provide guidance and tools for municipalities and developers who are seeking ways to make this process more sustainable, more equitable, and ultimately—more socially, culturally, and economically enriching for the surrounding community. emergentstructures.org
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darling & daring
Happy Holidays
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f o s e g a p e h t m o r f ! p h o t h 1 1 S r e b m e c e D n o d r a d Stan