The public is more familiar with bad design than good design.
It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with.
The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring.
-Paul Rand
We've had these sleek watering cans from Born In Sweden instore for several months now, but I finally brought a red one home for my use. Figured if I had something so fantastic to remind me to water my small plants, they might actually have a chance of survival! So far, so good...
We've scarcely recovered from a slamming weekend at the Dwell on Design show at the L.A. Convention Center. But there's plenty of euphoria in all our exhaustion. For the third year of the show's existence in L.A., A+R has operated the Dwell Store--really A+R + Skylight Books + a curated capsule of products chosen by the Dwell editors. Some 18,000 visitors came through the doors and, very likely, our shop, which was located to the right of the ticket area. Had a blast talking to so many of them, too--some old friends, many new. Among the new pals is the team at Woolly Pocket. This weekend, we began carrying their innovative planters at the DoD shop, and we'll be introducing them at A+R Venice and online in the coming days. So stay tuned!
A+R Meets Wooly Wally!
We also debuted POD's new mini versions of their bestselling spun-aluminum planters, which we will have instore soon, too; as well as the stunning, mouth-blown terrariums by Lauren Coleman, the artist behind Lítill. Lauren creates poetic scenes inside each inspired by the California desert. We will be showcasing them in Venice later this week. So drop by!
A+R L.A. Exclusives: Terrariums by Lítill, Plopp stool from Hay Denmark
In fact, the only downside of the entire weekend--except for our aching soles--was not having the luxury to see the great line-up of lecturers and panels, or leisurely cruise the aisles of the show inside the hall. Congratulations goes out to the winner of A+R's free ticket offer via Twitter: Talena Smith. We never did get to meet her, but hope she--and all of you--had a great experience.
And a heartfelt THANK YOU to the DoD volunteers who helped make the weekend flow better (sorry I can't recall all your names!), and the A+R team: Rafael Negron, Gina Gardner (who kept the fort down all weekend at the Venice store), Taylor Cumbie (A+R alum who flew out from Austin to work both Venice and the DoD show), and Brandee-Nicole Able (my trusted fashion intern who proved her mettle). Besos to you all! Andy+Rose
New mini POD planters and Litill's Terrariums
A+R & Skylight Book = Dwell Store at Dwell on Design
944's Martine Bury, designer Raven Kauffman and Nate Wittasek visit.
Part of Dwell capsule picks: Shirts and bowties by Taylor Stitch.
Dwell's anniversary prints.
Modkats kitty litter boxes, next to the hot-selling Bobble Bottles.
Andy works the register and phone behind Muuto's Architect Lamp.
Artisan Lauren Coleman was in A+R recently installing several of her exquisitely rendered terrariums. Made under the Litill name, each glass container is mouthblown according to Lauren's design. She then carefully constructs an ephemeral mini-world inside with handpainted elements, sparkling minerals and crystals and uncommon succulents. We have 8 instore right now. Visit.
