Papier-Mâché Home Decor

The newest obsession for me is the Papier-Mâché home decor from Haiti!

So what exactly is Papier-Mâché? Well, the origin of the word is French and it translates to be “Chewed Paper”.  I was a bit confused when I saw the description but, after a little more research I found that most of the Papier-Mâché uses recycled materials such as old news paper, magazines and sometimes textile for reinforcement. When all these materials are glued together they create these unique works of art. The technique of Papier-Mâché goes back to the 1700s in Europe but, recently many manufacturers (West Elm, Viva Terra) have teamed up with Haiti’s displaced earthquake survivors to create more of these beautifully hand crafted sculptures.

The Papier-Mâché home décor collection when painted white fits perfectly with any modern decor. I think you will be surprised to find the variety and sizes that Papier-Mâché can offer. You can group them into different combinations in the entry or hanging above your fireplace, perhaps a Sunday brunch table top too! Papier-Mâché can fit in easily with the décor of your home all year long! Let me know what other configurations you have tried?

Lunada's Favorites: Paola Letni Furniture

Most of the time, the content posted on this blog is regurgitated from some of my favorite design blogs and I offer my opinions and general praise.  Every once in a while, a random google search with inspire me, as it did today.  I found a great re purposed planter made of precast manholes minus the manhole covers.  By stacking the donut shaped concrete, a super modern and very good looking planter is created.

 

And so my landscape inspiration google search started and what did I find?  Paola Letni.  An Italian designer who specializes in modern furniture, textural rugs all in fun and playful color palettes.  Despite it's uber modern design aesthetic, the scale and colors of all of her pieces feel casual, inviting, and very very comfortable.  The pieces also give off the intent of being used as a set or by multiple users, social furniture, furniture for friends and loved ones. Great style, great find.  Good one, Leslie.

Roughing It

Want to get away?  Not exactly an "outdoorsy" type?  Well set your sights on luxury camping.  That's right, luxury camping.  Imagine yourself waking up in a fluffy bed to the smell of coffee and walking outside and to find yourself in the middle of a jungle!  If I have learned one thing about design, it is: if there is a need/want, for the right price, it can be created.  These luxury tents are complete with indoor plumbing, a necessity if you have a claw foot tub in your bathroom, solar lighting, and skylights! Now sit back, relax and daydream a little while admiring these fantastic and opulent tents.  Or if you can do a little more than daydreaming, here is a story by Shermans Travel with the top 10 luxury camping destinations.  

 

When I was in school, I had to do a marketing project for a niche design.  I chose the Treetent which was the first camping product sold in the infamous Neiman Marcus Christmas Book for a measly $50,000.00.  It was originally designed for tree sitting activists who opted for a more sensible way of protesting but is now used by camping sites around Europe.