Friday Favorites 10/7/2011

October 7, 2011

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor
It’s not just my Swiss heritage that made me swoon over this balsam and buckwheat hull pillow handmade by New Hampshire resident Liane Tyrrel. It’s the simplicity and authenticity of the piece. Vintage linen and simple stitching give it a time-worn look while its hefty weight gives it presence. Perfect for the window seat or bed, or possibly as the chicest, most understated travel pillow ever.

Erin Marvin, Managing Editor
I recently came across the work of artist Cayce Zavaglia on a friend’s blog, 5 things I learned today. I had to look very closely before I realized what’s so special about this artwork: what appear to be individual brush strokes are actually tiny threads. These â€œpaintingsâ€ aren’t created with oil or watercolors, but rather are hand-embroidered with crewel wool and acrylic on linen. â€œMy work unabashedly nods its head to the tradition of tapestry and my own love of craft,â€ says Zavaglia. â€œUsing wool instead of oils has allowed me to broaden the dialogue between portrait and process as well as propose a new definition for the word â€˜painting.’ â€

As someone who can’t sew a stitch, I just can’t get over how realistic they look!

â€œGarrettâ€ by Cayce Zavaglia

“Carolâ€ by Cayce Zavaglia

Jared Ainscough, Assistant Art Director
On Tuesday I was saved by the folks at M-Geough. I had set up all the furniture for our Hall of Fame photo shoot (you can read about the set-up in yesterday’s post) and I realized that everyone was sitting at the same height. I needed to add a little variation to the photo, so I went in a search of a high stool. I found the perfect piece–the Burton-Ching stool–at M-Geough. The color, the shape and, most importantly, the height were all perfect.