Friday Favorites 2/8/2013

Erin Marvin, Associate Editor
This week I wrote about beautiful bedrooms as an antidote to the winter flu season, but just as important to your recovery is comfortable bedding in which to snuggle while you sniffle. What better remedy than Sferra‘s new Classico Vintage collection, made of 100-percent Italian-spun linen and available in soft, supple colorways.

Photo courtesy of Sferra

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor
Categorize these under, “things you never knew you needed, but can’t live without.†I’m talking about the brush collection at Privet House in Warren, Connecticut. I never knew I needed a wooden handled wire brush to clean my terra cotta pots, but why now would I use anything else? The German-made feather duster works even better than an old T-shirt for freeing the nightstand of it’s layer of debris and the long, black bristled keyboard brush is now gets daily use. All of these I found beautifully displayed at this European-inspired country story full of glassware, antiques, collectible books, and furnishings that I covet. They are currently just the ones I can’t live without.

Photo by Michael Partenio, courtesy of Privet House

Maria LaPiana, Contributing Writer
The Center for Contemporary Printmaking is one of those places I discovered by happy accident; I’d been working in Norwalk, Conn. for a year when I found the 19^th century stone carriage house that is home to the organization. What I didn’t know at the time is how extraordinary the CCP–an entity dedicated solely to the art of the print–truly is. From intaglio and monotype to silkscreen, woodblock and book arts, the non-profit organization celebrates every method of printmaking; there’s nothing else like it from New York to Boston. You can learn the basics of printmaking here, or sign up for an advanced workshop such as “Chine Colle and Delicate Papers Intensive.â€

No matter your level of expertise, the acclaimed exhibitions held year round in the Grace Ross Shanley Gallery will wow you. Opening this Sunday (Feb. 10) is a solo exhibit featuring a painted negative technique by artist/photographer Courtney Johnson, and the annual CCP members’ show titled “Portraits in Print.â€Â Introducing more than 80 original prints by accomplished artist/printmakers, the members’ show is on view through March 31. Sunday’s opening reception will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. The CCP is located at 299 West Ave. in Mathews Park, in Norwalk. Workshops, gallery and offices are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 203-899-7999 or visit www.contemprints.org.

Daddy & Me, Marcy Juran. Photos courtesy of The Center for Contemporary Printmaking

Nile Beauty, Suzanne Benton

Flickadanslejardin, Brenda Giegerich