Autumn re-runs: Sweet, sweet subversion

This post ran originally on 23 May 2009 and I STILL think it's funny. I hope the New Zealander behind this brilliant idea's still plugging away at her art somewhere.



I love these plates.

I mean, how can you not?

Clever and deliciously subversive, aren't they?

These plates are the handiwork of an artist who calls herself Trixie Delicious. Aukland, New Zealand-based Trixie sells her wares (and ships worldwide) through a website called Felt. Felt is the Kiwi version of Etsy, a marketplace for a group of independent artists and artisans to sell their work.

Ms. Delicious takes vintage plates, platters, saucers and bowls and hand paints her messages of good cheer on them directly. She uses non-toxic, heat-fused, ceramic paint. This means that these delightful, heartwarming iconoclasms will last forever. Imagine the joyous faces around your table when you serve a Thanksgiving turkey from a Crackwhore Tray. That noise you hear is the sound of my heart growing three sizes from the thought alone!

Many thanks to Leona Gaita and her great blog Gaita Interiors for the tip off to these beauties. Spend some time this weekend getting to know Leona, I like her perspective.

I am in da Houzz

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Ceramic Tiles of Italy is calling "Show us your tile!"

The Italian Trade Commission and Confindustria Ceramica, the Association of Italian Ceramics, are proud to announce the 2011 Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition Call for Entries. The competition, now in its 18th year, recognizes the exceptional work of North American architects and designers who feature Italian ceramic tiles in their institutional, residential or commercial/hospitality spaces.

2010 / Residential Winner

Pentagram Architects New York, New York

Montauk Residence

Tiles: Ceramica Bardelli

Contractor: Men At Work

Distributor: Hastings Tile and Bath

Credits: Peter Mauss © Peter Mauss/Esto 

The deadline for entries is 17 January 2011 and at stake is a $4,000 cash prize for one winner in each category plus a trip to Coverings 2011 in Las Vegas plus a five-day trip to Italy to attend Cersaie 2011 in Bologna.

2010 / Residential Honorable Mention

Baldinger Architectural Studio, Inc. Tempe, Arizona

Tempe Urban Living

Tiles: Cooperativa Ceramica D'Imola

Contractor: Giaconi Di Roma, LLC

Distributor: Imperial Tile Imports

Credits: Raul Garcia

The competition is open to all North American architects and interior designers. Domestic and international new construction and renovation projects completed between January 2006 and January 2011 are eligible for entry.

2010 / Commercial Winner

KARIM RASHID Inc. New York, New York

Prizeotel

Tiles: Ceramiche Refin

Contractor: Weser-Wohnbau GmbH & Co. KG

Distributor: Werner Doellmann

Credits: Prizehotel Management Group

A panel of design experts will judge the projects based on their creativity, functionality and aesthetic appeal. The official criterion for the jury includes: overall design of the project, innovative use of tile, tile design, quality of installation, degree that tile enhances the setting and the project’s sustainable attributes.

So North American designers and architects, what are you waiting for? The submission form is on the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition web page.

Counters to go with the kitchen that Henrybuilt

Almost a year ago I wrote a post about Viola Park, a new semi-custom cabinet line from amazingly custom cabinet maker Henrybuilt. A year later and my fondness for Viola Park remains as does Henrybuilt's commitment to bringing great design to more people.

Recently, Viola Park has added a series of counters to go with their semi custom kitchens and by combining a counter order with cabinet order, it's possible for someone to streamline their renovation process and save some money at the same time.

Because the counters are made to go with the kitchen design at the Henrybuilt factory in Seattle, all of the edges can be finished and the overhangs calculated ahead of time. Any corners are also machined and ready to be installed upon delivery.

Most intelligently, the rear edges of the counters are left unfinished so that they can be scribed against an uneven wall in the field if need be.

The materials in Viola Park's counter program are part of the program due to their high quality and longevity but also due to their relative ease in installation.

It's a really smart idea and it's being executed very well.

Viola Park is only available from Viola Park directly. If you're interested in a Viola Park kitchen, I encourage you to contact them through their website. Viola Park's dedicated project coordinators are waiting to answer your questions and help you get started on their process.

As I said a year ago and so so again today, bravo Viola Park.

Tile of Spain is asking "Wanna go to Spain?"

You heard that right. Tile of Spain is currently seeking four designers or architects to go on a week-long, all expense paid press junket to Spain. The trip runs from February 4th through the 12th, 2011 and coincides with Cevisama. Cevisama is Spain's international tile and bath furnishings show.

This trip promises to expose its lucky attendees to the wonder and complexity of Spanish culture, architecture, food and art.

The tour starts in Zaragoza, Spain's fifth largest city and the capital of Arragon. Zaragoza boasts 1500 years of architectural and cultural heritage and was the farthest north Arab city in Spain.

La Basilica del Pilar, Zaragoza

From Zaragoza, the tour heads to Teruel, a small city also in Arragon. Teruel brought the world jamón serrano, Spain's world famous cured ham and it's also the home of Mudéjar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

La Torre San Pedro, Teruel

From Teruel, the tour wraps up in Valencia, Spain's third largest city and the site of Cevisama, Spain's great tile and bath industry show.

La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias, Valencia

This trip is open to any US Interior Designer or Architect out there and four people will make the final cut. If you'd like to register for consideration, you can do so by filling out an application on Tile of Spain's Reign in Spain page on their website. Hurry though, the deadline is December 1st.