What to Expect at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show

I am psyched for the Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Pier 94 this weekend! Are you going?

There will be a special presentation of George Nakashima’s architectural projects and furniture designs by his daughter Mira, a special gallery of antique and mid-century on sale items, sponsored by 1stdibs.com, and tons of exhibitors.

Among them will be the lovely Pamela Sunday (whom I wrote about here) and many other Brooklyn designers and artists.

So check back later for my report!

Ian Ference Loves Broken Buildings

These haunting photos of abandoned buildings at the Brooklyn Navy Yard hospital complex were taken by Brooklyn-based Ian Ference. I found them on the  NY Daily News website, but Ference also has them – and many others – up on his blog, The Kingston Lounge.

Some of these prints were on show at the Brooklyn Museum last summer. And many are for sale through Ference’s blog.

Ference’s site has quite a bit about the history of the Brooklyn Navy Yard hospital,  which was built in the mid-19th century and began its life treating Union troops during the Civil War.

I’ve always wondered how people got access to these buildings, since the entire complex is closed off – did they break in? Anyone know?

Update on Kristiana Pärn

Fans of Kristiana Parn, who I wrote about earlier this week, will be happy to hear you can actually buy some of the original paintings from which she makes her prints.

She will also be exhibiting at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artist’s Collective ‘The Color of Hope’ 17th Annual Spring Pier Show  in Red Hook, May 9-June 14.

Kristiana Pärn

I love the range and quirkiness of Kristiana Parn’s  prints on etsy. I have fallen for this Magnolia Tree print below. I like the contrast of the precise shapes against the texture of the wood grain and wash.

But just when you think Kristiana’s thing is sharp lines, she comes up with this copiously fuzzy bear.

Kristiana was born in Estonia and studied with Estonian painter Marje Berlokko before moving to New York City to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts.

She now lives and works in Prospect Heights. I will have to do some investigating to find out more about her work…

In the meanwhile you can read about the work of Galia Gluckman, who is based on Long Island, over at my weekly post on the Elle Deco (South Africa) blog.