While living in India in 2004, artist/designer Bjørg Nordli-Mathisen was inspired to found her own company, Bjørg Jewelry. Although raised in northern Norway, Bjørg has since taken to a nomadic lifestyle and currently travels the world on a constant hunt for design inspiration.

As an artist known for her highly conceptual approach to design, she is equally driven by a respect for nature and finding that perfect balance between the raw and the refined.

The pieces you see here are a selection of D’s favorites from Bjørg’s 2012 collection. While the items appear to be as much from a sci-fi future as they might be from a tribal past – each necklace, ear cuff and bracelet is firmly grounded in hand made craft and composed of natural metals and real horse hair.

Bjørg’s jewelry has been worn by the likes of Madonna, Rihanna and Robyn and is carried by high-end jewelers, fashion boutiques and galleries around the world. While of course this is jewelry designed to be worn, I think it could be fantastic displayed as pure art, either mounted as free standing sculpture or hung on a wall.

You may view more from Bjørg’s portfolio on her website and online shop. For shoppers in the U.S. her work can be purchase at Totokaelo. Farfetch also carries Bjørg’s jewelry.

Photos: 1, 4, 5. via Totokaelo, 2, 3, 6, 7. via Farfetch,  8-11. via Bjørg Jewelry

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American entrepreneur, Seth Godin, is the founder of one of the earliest online marketing companies, the author of 15 bestselling books, the creator of Squidoo and the list goes on. Ultimately, Seth is an expert in seeing things differently and in this 20 minute lecture for CreativeMornings*, he offers some new ways to look at our careers and the choices we make surrounding them. Click play for Seth’s views on the chicken and egg of what makes a great designer, the importance of picking yourself, and the media company that each and every one of us owns… if we will only claim it.

If you enjoyed the video above, the post lecture question and answer session is an equally worthy watch.

* CreativeMornings is a free breakfast lecture series for creative people, held monthly in cities around the world and made available online.

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This year in Milan, the Italian company Arper debuted a number of new products, but this little lovely is the one that stole my heart. Wing, designed by the Barcelona based studio Lievore Altherr Molina, is a sculptural wall-mounted coat hanger composed of three walnut wood arms that can rotate out from or lie flat against the wall.

Wing will make its U.S. debut this June at NeoCon in Chicago and will be available for purchase in October 2013. Prices are expected to range from $450-$500.

Photos by Marco Covi.

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Texture lovers rejoice! Today D has gathered a sensory smorgasbord of tactile goodies from the portfolio of one of my favorite textile artists, Rosemary Hallgarten. The Rosemary Hallgarten brand all began with a few rugs in the late 1990s, when Rosemary left her job in advertising to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a designer and maker of rugs. Since that time, Rosemary’s collection has grown to include not only rugs, but everything from luxurious fabrics, plush throws, pillows, and even scarves. While it doesn’t take much to see the inherent beauty in her designs, Rosemary has a fascinating behind the scenes story when it comes to how she runs her business – which from the beginning has been guided by two simple, if ambitious, goals; one – to provide sustainable product to her clients and two – to support textile artisans in indigenous cultures.

Today, the Hallgarten line is produced from the following sustainable sources: 1. Peruvian Alpaca fur, harvested from alpacas that roam freely and are shorn only once a year, 2. Tibetan wool, harvested from Himalayan sheep, 3. Tibetan Cactus, Nettle and Hemp fiber, produced entirely by hand in Nepal – these botanicals are the most environmentally friendly materials available in rug design today, and 4. Brazilian Cotton, Wool, Rustic Silk, Banana, Leather, Jute and Sisal – all harvested by local farmers without damage to indigenous forests. As for the weaving – the majority of Rosemary’s products are hand-made by Peruvian, Nepalese and Brazilian craftspeople who carry out the dyeing, tufting, knotting, weaving and embroidery in the comfort of their own homes. No child labor is used in the production of any of Rosemary’s products and she is actively involved in a number of related philanthropic projects. And now on to D’s selection of favorites…

Rosemary’s Foam Alpaca Boucle Fabric is ideal for pillows, bed covers and upholstery. It’s ‘more durable than cashmere and double the luxury’.

Andra Birkerts upholstered these fantastic chairs using Rosemary’s Foam Alpaca Boucle Fabric in a custom combination of Persimmon and Oatmeal. 

Stonehenge – an ultra plushy rug made of alpaca/wool and alpaca boucle fibers. How irresistible?!

Designer Robert Couturier used Rosemary’s Stonehenge rug to great effect in the contemporary living room of a client’s Manhattan apartment.

Rosemary’s ombre scarves made of baby alpaca fur are available through AHAlife ($210). The ombre pattern is also available in throw form, as well as in swaths of alpaca linen fabric, which makes for stunning curtains.

The Suri Fur Pillow is made from the finest quality alpaca fur in the world. No alpacas are harmed in the making of these pillows.

Part of Rosemary’s new collection, the Shadow Stripes Throw is made from hand-finished and brushed baby alpaca fleece. Ultra light yet warm – these nautical-inspired throws are perfect for year round use.

The Ultra Boucle collection of pillows and throws.

The Cannelloni with leather Scarf, made from alpaca fur, is currently on sale for $120 through Rosemary Hallgarten. It is also made in throw form.

Hot off the presses, and part of Rosemary’s most recent collection, are these Ombre Silk rug tiles. Composed of handwoven 100 knot silk, the tiles are available in custom colors, sizes and may be arranged and re-arranged to suit your space and mood. Fun, practical and beautiful!

In sum – a successful business, a gorgeous line of products and a process that cares for the land, animals and people involved in its production is no small feat, and certainly a model of inspiration to us all. See and learn more about Rosemary Hallgarten and her products at rosemaryhallgarten.com.

Photos: 1. 3. ALT For Lifestyles,  2. House Beautiful,  4, 7, 9 – 11. Rosemary Hallgarten,  5. Photo by Jason Schmidt for Elle Decor,  6. AHAlife,  8. One Kings Lane.

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I stumbled upon this spunky beauty a few weeks ago and have been meaning to share it ever since. Who would have thought that neon yellow and brass could look so fantastic together? Apparently the designer of this lantern, Michael Amato, the in house Creative Director of Urban Electric Co.

The Cosy lantern comes in a variety of metals and finishes but I can’t imagine a more fun and unexpected combo than this.

Urban Electric Co.’s products are bench made and hand finished by skilled craftsmen in their 65,000 sq. ft. headquarters right here in the U.S.A. They first opened their doors in 2003 as a small lantern studio with a focus on quality in design and craftsmanship. Today, ten years later, they have become one of the most recognized names in the industry. Happy tenth birthday Urban Electric!

Photos courtesy of Urban Electric Co., interior by Cynthia Brooks Design.

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Set inside the Palais de Tokyo – one of the world’s largest museums of modern and contemporary art – is the uber chic new restaurant Monsieur Bleu, designed by renowned Paris based architect, Joseph Dirand. Situated in the museum’s newly constructed west wing, the versatile space is as suitable for lunch meetings as it is evening cocktails and enjoys some seriously prime real estate with 10 meter high picture windows, an impressive terrace for al fresco dining (may-September) and views of the Seine and Eiffel Tower.

The expansive interior bears the signature pared down sophistication of its designer and whispers of art deco influences. Grounded in Dirand’s preferred monochromatic color scheme of white and black. the massive interior is afforded a modicum of warmth through the injection of brass and bronze colored metals, smoky mirrors, velvet upholstery, and earthy green accents.

Dirand cites a fictional muse – none other than Monsieur Bleu – as the driving force behind his design decisions. An elegant and charming gentleman, Monsieur Bleu is equal parts artist, scholar, and gourmand. He is a man of business and a man of pleasure – in sum, the kind of man men want to be and women want to be with. For him and for us, Dirand has constructed a playground to enjoy the best in life – fine food, friends, drink, music and dance.

The menu is said to have something for everyone and the bar menu is put together by the rising gastronomy star, Alix Lacloche. Vogue Paris praises the venue for it’s “artisanal cuisine within an elegant, Dandyish Art Deco atmosphere.” Monsieur Bleu is open daily from 12pm-2am. On Thu-Sat nights the local beautiful people roll in and let their hair down to DJ sets. Paris here I come!

Photography: © Adrien Dirand via Yatzer.

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Today I’ve gathered a few bathrooms from D’s files that have caught my eye and been on my mind. While they vary greatly in style, I found something interesting and/or beautiful in each space and hope you will too. Enjoy!

Above – Bathroom in a five-story East Village, Manhattan townhouse designed by Selldorf Architects. Photo by François Halard.

Two vintage style mirrors hang in an otherwise contemporary bathroom. Interior design by the Australia based firm, Justine Hugh-Jones Interior Design.

A large marble-clad walk in shower, in a San Fransico home designed by John Maniscalco Architecture.  Love the fresh feeling the plant adds to the space! Photo by Paul Dyer.

The textured shower wall in this Villa in Andalucia, Spain is grazed by natural light from above and from the side. Architecture and design by the London based  firm McLean Quinlan.

The zen-like bathroom of Maroon 5 front man, Adam Levine. The claw foot tub is from Architectural Detail and the Paul McCobb table is from JF Chen. Interior design by Mark Haddaway. Photo by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest.

A striking bathroom in an 1830s historic home, recently re-done by designer Francis Sultana and architect Thomas Croft. The tub is by The Water Monopoly, the Corian vanity by DuPont. The floor is tiled in statuary marble and the sink and tub fittings are by Grohe. Photo by Luke White for Architectural Digest.

This bathroom makeover by Canadian homeowner Mandy Milk, strove for a vintage feel with a dose of  contemporary. On the walls – square white tiles were laid in a brick pattern and grouted in dark grey. The brushed brass fixtures are from Kohler, and the towels from Elte. Photo by Michael Graydon for House & Home March 2013.

This shower, in a recently remodeled beach house comes complete with white subway tile and brass fittings. Interior design by the Oregon based firm, Chic Design Investments.

Welcome to the master bathroom of designers Brooke & Steve Giannetti. The show stopper here is clearly the glass shower!

Bathroom in the São Paulo home of Brazilian architect Guilherme Torres. A wooden ‘muxarabie’ (a registered trademark of the architect) filters in light. Just above it lies a glass roof, which may be opened or closed depending on the weather. Wow!

A handsome wood paneled bathroom in the Barcelona home of designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Photo via AD Spain.

One tiny but bold bathroom in the Paris apartment of designer Carrado di Byaze. Photo via The Aestate.

The designers of Dimore Studio never fail to surprise, and they did just that here in the bathroom of their Paris apartment. Such a great sense of ambiance. Photo by Mai-Linh for AD France, October 2012.

I hope there was a little something for everyone today. Wishing you all a great weekend!

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