ARTmonday: Japanese Style Fish Prints

Over the weekend we spent a blissful weekend on Nantucket—my husband’s first time visiting the island—thanks to the generosity of the White Elephant Elephant Hotel, Hy-Line Cruises, Lola 41, and a handful of shops. I will post more about the weekend later this week, but  today I want to introduce you to Nantucket artist Peter Van Dingstee, proprietor of Pete’s Fish Tales on Old South Wharf.

Peter Van Dingstee studied the Japanese artform called gyotaku which entails creating prints on rice paper using actual fish. First practiced in the early 19th century, gyotaku allowed commercial fishermen to accurately measuring and record their catch.  (“Gyo” means to “fish” and “taku” means “stone rubbing” in Japanese.)

Van Dingstee talked to us about the process, which is not as simple as grabbing a fish, inking it up, and slapping it down on the paper. The fish gets a full body treatment so that its oils don’t wind up on the paper, which would make for some seriously smelly artwork.

Here’s a sampling of Van Dingstee’s Japanese-style fish print artwork:

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Japanese Fish Prints By Nantucket Artist Peter Van Dingstee

Pete’s Fresh Fish Prints, 17 Old South Wharf, Nantucket.

Photography by Marni Elyse Katz/StyleCarrot

Covet: Blue Velvet Blazer

Blue Velvet Blazer By Phillip Lim FW16

I just finished a roundup of blue velvet pieces for the Boston Globe Magazine, and basically fell in love with everything. (I’ll try to put a blue velvet shopping guide together for you.)

But this… this needs it’s own post. Perhaps a touch on the shiny side but I adore this blue velvet blazer and pants by 3.1 Phillip Lim. A pantsuit! I bet Hillary could rock it.

Available online at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Neiman Marcus, and Spring.

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ARTmonday: 15 New Works at Webster & Co.

We’ve introduced a number of new artists into the #WebsterArtProject at Webster & Company in the Boston Design Center this fall, in addition to new pieces by existing artists. Some are hanging, and some are en route. Here is a sampling; you can find a full listing of works here.

Abstract Art Jennifer Amadeo-Holl

Jennifer Amadeo-Holl/Schoolhouse Gallery

Boston Artist Morgan Dyer Abstract Landscapes

Morgan Dyer

Cape Cod Artist Betty Carroll Fuller Black & White Works

Betty Carroll Fuller

Boston Artist Joanne Tarlin Beyond Borders

Joanne Tarlin

Abstract Painter Bonney Goldstein "Grab A Seat"

Bonney Goldstein

Vermont Artist Galen Cheney "Feeling Naked"

Galen Cheney

Boston Painter Barbara Hadden's "Fearless Sleeper"

Barbara Hadden

Cape Cod Painter Joe Diggs Untitled In Browns

Joe Diggs

Boston Abstract Painter Maggi Brown

Maggi Brown

Ted Kincaid Waterfall Painting Schoolhouse Gallery

Ted Kincaid/Schoolhouse Gallery

Cape Cod Artist Judyth Katz Pastel Landscape

Judyth Katz

Boston Artist Hilary Tait Norod Abstract Painting

Hilary Tait Norod

Abstract Artist Joshua Brennan

Joshua Brennan

Providence Artist John Vinton Abstract Landscape

John Vinton

Porcelain Sculptures By Anna Kasabian

Anna Kasabian

Get the Look: 33 Marble Top Coffee Tables

Marble is everywhere. It’s leaped out of bathrooms and kitchens onto living room furniture. Marble top coffee tables and marble top side tables are available in so many styles and materials— brass bases with black marble tops, reclaimed wood bases with white marble, blackened iron bases with green marble.

All these marble top coffee tables make me wish I were in the market for one myself, but we’ll be sticking with our vintage Heywood Wakefield lazy susan coffee table that we inherited from my husband’s grandparents.

You, however, should feel free to explore.

Modern Coffee Tables With Marble Tops

Modern Coffee Tables With Marble Tops

Modern Coffee Tables With Marble Tops

Modern Coffee Tables With Marble Tops

Modern Coffee Tables With Marble Tops

S H O P P I N G 

1 Jonathan Adler

2 Jonathan Adler

3 Lekker Home

4 West Elm

5 Lekker Home

6 Design Within Reach

7 BG Galleries

8 BoConcept

9 Wayfair

10 Williams-Sonoma Home

11 Wayfair

12 Normann Copenhagen

13 Jonathan Adler

14 Chairish

15 Blu Dot http://rstyle.me/~8YgKD

16 Arteriors Home

17 Dwell Store

18 DwellStudio

19 Burke Decor 

20 CB2

21 Burke Décor

22 Worlds Away

23 Ferm Living

24 West Elm

25 Burke Décor

26 Burke Décor

27 Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

28 West Elm

29 Wayfair Aurora

30 Jonathan Adler

31 Arteriors Home

32 Design Within Reach

33 Wayfair

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Mitchell Gold Bob Williams Fall Sale 2016

Just In: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Fall Collection

One of my favorite Boston furniture stores and StyleCarrot partner is Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and not just because I’m friendly with Andrew Terrat, the company’s talented regional visual director. The pieces are simultaneously tailored and feminine, classic and glam.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams fall collection is replete with the season’s most sumptuous home decor trends. Luscious velvets in blues and autumnal hues, burnished brass, matte blacks, and cool marble all make pointed appearances. And of course, they all work perfectly when layered with its sleek case goods and shaggy rugs.

Fall always makes me want to redecorate, and of course that’s best done well before the holidays, given ordering times and such. I’m contemplating a new living room sofa, though that will have to wait until after our master bath renovation, which is finally happening early next year.

However, there is a very tempting sale. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams extended its Fall Sale Event. The entire collection is 20 percent off through October 23. It includes pretty much everything not on clearance, even special order upholstery.

They’ve also debuted a drapery collection with three styles in seven different fabric options including Belgian linen, velvet, and semi-sheer linen. Hardware comes in three finishes (polished chrome, brass, and black nickel) and there are five finial styles.

While you’re contemplating which room needs sprucing up, have a look at my favorite on trend pieces from theMitchell Gold + Bob Williams fall collection

Blue Velvet Sofas + Marble Topped Coffee Tables

Fall Decor Trends Blue Velvet + Marble Top Tables•    •    •

Matte Black Finishes + Brass Details

Fall Decor Trends Matte Black Finishes + Brass Details

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Autumnal Hues

Fall Decor Trends Autumnal Hue Furnishings