When Old Is New Again

 

 

 

 

When it comes to architecture and interior design, re-purposed old buildings with added modern elements really make me swoon. From centuries-old brick juxtaposed with sleek glass panes, to Victorian houses with minimalist living space renovations, the successful mixing and matching of styles offers the best of both worlds. The older aspects showcase a city’s storied history, while the modern parts show how it has adapted to a changing world. I actually bought a loft in a building that used to be a distillery in the early 1900s. The gorgeous brick walls were left intact, but the inside was gutted and lofts were built around the perimeter. The remaining indoor space was transformed into a secret garden of sorts with flowers and trees, something you wouldn’t be able to tell from the outside. I’m a little biased, but I think it’s the best of its kind in San Francisco.

Originally posted by me on the NTICE Blog

TRENDSPOTTING: Grown Up Grunge

 

 

 

 

 

It takes great skill to resurrect a trend of the past and present it in a fresh, new way. It has to feel familiar, but not dated, and requires that the designer give it new life with previously unexplored variations. For spring, grunge is the trend of choice and designers including Dries Van Noten and Phillip Lim referenced the 90s in elegant and unexpected ways. It’s clear, from the recent fall collections that the look isn’t going away anytime soon and expect to see it from N/TICE too! I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely saying — “Pass the plaid, please!”

Originally posted by me on the NTICE Blog

TRENDSPOTTING: Crop Tops

Kids who grew up in the 90s and early aughts might have bad dreams about crop tops, with visions of low slung pants, belly piercings and Britney Spears dancing in their head. But the crop of 2013 isn’t the same as the one of your teens: it’s sophisticated, grown up and all around classier than its forebearers. Paired with high-waisted skirts and trousers, and showing only a slight sliver of skin, this is a crop you might just wear to a fancy dinner, or even to meet the parents.

Originally posted by me on the NTICE Blog

Look Up

There’s art hidden on every corner and behind every building, all you have to do is look for it. French artist Thomas Lamadieu looks up and sees characters in the spaces between buildings — a bit of mysticism and magic hidden in an urban cityscape. He photographs the slivers of sky seen between buildings then doodles in things that the naked eye doesn’t see: a rabbit, Elvis chicken or old man riding a cat. Now, when you look up you’ll see things differently — I know I will!

Images from HonestlyWTF

Originally posted by me on the NTICE Blog​

Pure and Simple

For the past few seasons, fashion has been going through an over-the-top phase with prints, colors and all manner of detailing. And while - on occasion - I love myself a good ruffle and a glitzy sequin, I’ve increasingly been turning to the sparest of accessories: minimal branding, luxurious leather and sleek lines.
Oh so simple, but oh so beautiful.

CLOCKWISE (from top left): Rochas 24 Hours Clutch ($1000); Rochas Severine Clutch ($785); Rochas Foldover Clutch ($630); Saint Laurent Lutelia Clutch ($950); Valextra Textured Leather Envelope Clutch ($1400); Marie Turnor Lunch Bag ($220); Marni shoulder bag ($1400);  Marni leather clutch ($810); Saint Laurent shopping bag ($2350)

Originally Posted by me on the NTICE Blog

Some Good Fvcking Advice

Screw those sugar-coated inspirational quotes. There’s nothing like a few unapologetic fvcks thrown at you to whip yourself into shape.

AVAILABLE AT GFDA

Originally posted by me on the NTICE Blog

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Beautiful Vices

We all have our vices, the ones that make life a little easier and relieve the stress of the daily grind. In a way, they’re also making the world a more beautiful place.
Artist Carne Griffiths mixes calligraphy ink with liquids like tea, whiskey and vodka to create expressive and ethereal paintings. He says, “Alcohol has a curious effect on ink, taking the colour deep into the paper very quickly – it behaves very differently to water and gives permanence to some inks.”
We’ll drink to that!

Images courtesy of Honestly WTF.

Originally posted by me on the N/TICE Blog.