Blueprint: Sweet 5 Finds
Blueprint arrived over the weekend, but for those of you who do not yet have a copy, I promise this sneak peak won't be a spoiler. I'm sure lots of you have your subscription copy anyway, so let's discuss!
This is a surprisingly solid issue, given their first two issues created lots o' chatter in the blogosphere about its lack of cohesion, over-priced finds, and 'been there done that' products and ideas. Some of you were split down the middle, not knowing what to think.
This time, you'll see a sharp, refreshing contrast. Everything works. It's vibrant. The styling, gorgeous typography, Marthaesque layout, well-written, informative content -- it's a full course meal. A beautiful collection of things, from entertaining tips to peep toe flats and gorgeous rooms that are well arranged and attainable. I was glad to see Editor-in-Chief Sarah Humphreys bare a bit of her soul with a home tour of her newly decorated 307 sq. ft. foot West Village pad (does everyone live in the village these days?!). It was designed by three Blueprint editors. That was quite cool, at least according to me.
Here are a few tear sheets from my issue, heading straight for my look book.
Find 01. Holly Waterfield's office space and West Village (see what I mean!) boutique, Camp, are featured. I love how she layers her collections, everything with such care, creating warmth and charm. Here's her desk...
Find 02. Using job jackets as frames. Brilliant. When I worked in town, I used the black ones constantly to insert project plans in for one wall, and next to my computer, photos I'd taken to perk me up. I had no clue that they were available in a myriad of colors, and to use them in the home as art, well that's just clever! Some Blueprint tips: Insert lightweight children's books that you love, vintage magazine covers, kids art, food labels, origami papers, calendar pages (letterpressed or illustrated), greeting cards or postcards, digital photos, and seed packages. I'd like to add favorite textiles, wallpaper, stamps, and current magazines (or just their covers) that you find inspiring to their list. Blueprint lists Lineco as a resource, but their website doesn't show these jackets, so you have to call them. I suggest googling "job jackets" or "job ticket holders" until you find what you need. You can also try Filmguard, they carry them in several primary colors, or try Media Street.
Find 03. This was an exciting find. Polaroids neatly arranged on the wall with acid-free double-stick tape behind a plexiglas sheet. I want to run out and buy a polaroid camera right now. Everything old is new again, including polaroids. Another major find in this photo is that killer stainless-steel table. I love metal tables, but hadn't known about this resource until now. Visit Restaurant Services online for affordable metal, this one starts at $281.
Find 04. Oh the Parsons table. Margaret Russell calls it the little black dress of interior design, the one piece everyone should own. I'm on board. But it's not the Parsons that I'm interested in here. It's that photo over it. It's an oversized picture of an Italian beach scene that the homeowners love, and not in a small way, either. It's large and in charge. Mounted on gatorfoam board (which Blueprint assures us is stronger than foam core), you can mount it with velcro tabs from the office store. Turn your favorite image into art for as little as $100 at Duggal. Love!
Find 05. Sarah's apartment. Great spread, lots of ideas, loads of detail (even a floor plan), and beautiful photos. I love her new shelving systems, styled as perfectly as you'd expect from Martha staffers, and her superb sofa and fabric divider between the kitchen and living room space. Not shown, but worth a mention, is her iMac cozy. I actually started designing these about 8 years ago for friends and then, when the new sexy iMacs came out, saw no need to keep producing them because most people feel Apple is like Prada, it makes a statement. Seeing her iMac cozy made me rethink all this... It's back to the machine for me!
With talk of a new Blueprint Saturday afternoon Block Party on the Style Network, their own blog due to roll out soon, and the Blueprint radio hour, Tuesdays at noon EST on the Martha Stewart Living Radio channel 112 on Sirius, it looks like Blueprint is ready to dig in. They even plan to roll out 6 issues this year, so it doesn't look like Blueprint is fading into the sunset, but building for a very strong, and confident, delivery for '07.
(images from blueprint)