CRAFT & FOLK ART MUSEUM

I love living in Los Angeles! It's a city where even while going to a routine dentist's appointment mid city, ! can stumble upon such a crazy supergraphic covered building right across the street, with patterns that somehow magically appeared overnight since my last visit.

While walking to a rather corporate tower for a teeth cleaning, I glanced across the street and saw his crazy facade: black and yellow geometry gone wild!

The building houses the Craft & Folk Art Museum. Upon research, I learned that the "the Craft & Folk Art Museum’s façade has been the site of revolving visual projects by Los Angeles-based artists. The façade projects are CAFAM’s unique take on public art, creating unconventional art encounters in public space." This installation is called Shrine. It's definitely a striking use of graphics to change architecture. Amazing what can be done with pattern and paint!

FLAVOR PAPER

My favorite find of the show was Flavor Paper's bold booth. Warhol's Marilyn Monroe jumped out in all her florescent, metallic and blacklight silkscreened glory. I love all the patterns and textures in their wallpaper designs. It's wall covering with a big dose of personality. As the sales guy quoted, "The world is full of beige stripes." Brooklyn's Flavor Paper definitely delivers the opposite of beige! It's brand mantra "Warhol your wall: it's not your grandmother's wallpaper" comes to life in the vibrant and provocative designs.

DWELL ON DESIGN

Super glad I got the chance to attend this year's Dwell on Design. Well, I sort of was dragged into it, and was very glad that I was. I wanted to share some of my favorite products from the very inspiring show.

When I attended the show a few years ago, its focus was on residential architecture and supporting products. A lot has changed in 5+ years! The show now seemed to focus on lifestyle, and had a lot of variety in vendors as well as in booths. From airstream prototypes designed by the Cleveland College of Art and Design to colorful patterns applied to a wide range of home products from DENY DESIGNS, the show was definitely diverse and fun.

KATE SPADE SHOPPING

The world of Kate Spade is a whimsical, colorful one. Entering one of the shops is a foray into bold pattern, clever quotes, and bright hues. I especially love the floral wallpaper, sometimes in fluorescent red other times in metallic gold.

The design of the shop is remniscent of a stylish parlor. Rickly upholstered settes await for trying on brightly colored heels. A gallery wall of inspiring quotes creates a living room vibe. Stripes and florals imbue a modern romantic aesthetic, sophisticated and sassy.

THE MASON JAR

I started this blog in 2011, wanting to feature local stores and their stories. I have showcased international artists and artisans, behind the scenes looks at their process and handiwork, as well as a lot of photos from my colorful travels. Featuring local shops and showcasing their curated products remains at the heart of what I love to photograph. Curating my BigBrightBold blog has been an incredible opportunity to visit stores, take time to showcase their displays and chat with the owners.

I wanted to continue this week's "small shop style" feature with a shop I found a few months ago in San Francisco's Union Street called The Mason Jar. The shop is located on a fashionably trendy street, right next to my favorite Equinox. Hopping out of a gruelling boot camp class, on my way to grab a juice, I walked in front of this pretty shop. The window display, full of greenery and textiles, set it apart from other street windows. The shop is founded by the husband and wife team of Pete & Hope Colling. The style is bohemian, cozy, warm and international. I love the mix of vintage saris and custom made zebrawood shelves. The shop lives up to their motto -"good things inside." I was entralled by the pretty mix of gifts and homegoods, each one a piece of art with a story to tell.

According to their website, "In addition to Pete’s hand crafted furnishings, The Mason Jar stocks a well curated collection of home decor and accents, each hand picked by The Collings with a keen eye for detail and quality. Organic cotton bath sheets, artisanal soaps and lotions, luxury candles, pillows, picture frames, teacups, coffee table books and one of a kind flea market finds such as vintage cameras and library ladders are just a few items that call The Mason Jar home- that is, until they call your house home."