Bright Ideas

Because of the economic downturn, the Yogini has put me on a strict budget. That means no Whole Foods, suffering through $5/bottle wine, and lots of meals at home. It also means getting creative with home improvement projects. We've recently updated the lighting at the cabin and did it on a shoestring. Here are two of the fixtures we created.




Island Pendant
Mortar Tray — We found this at Lakewood a few years ago and thought it was fun and crusty enough to use at the cabin. It sat on above our cabinets, unused, until a few months ago...$45
Under Cabinet Light — from CSL...$32
Nickel Chain — Home Depot...$5
Electrical Conduit Pole — Home Depot...$4
Total Cost: $86




Bed Room Surface Mount
Old Aluminum Warehouse Pendant — We found this at Scott Antique Market and loved it. It was just the shell of the fixture with none of the electrical remaining. I like how beat-up the exterior is; the inside glass reflector was in pristine condition...$65
Lamp Kit — Home Depot...$4
Chrome Reflector Lamp — Light Bulbs Unlimited...$3
Total Cost: $72

I DARE anyone to call me a spendthrift!

To Market, To Market

Well, another Market is upon us and the Design Yogi, Yogini and our friends and colleagues, Martha Nicholson & Andrew Harris, made the bi-annual pilgrimage to the Portman Labyrinth known as America's Mart. Anyone who has been can attest that it requires major winnowing of the wheat from the chaff (lots of chaff, very little wheat). Here are a few noteworthy exceptions.


This new series was introduced at High Point. I especially like the stool. Picture it in a bright Ikat.


OK, this is some of the chaff, but I had to throw it in. There are so many things I could say, but won't. I think it speaks for itself.


This ottoman would be pretty wonderful in the house I'll be working on in Jackson Hole. So, where is that client anyway???


This burlap upholstered bed is really fun. How about all white bedding?


More curves and a graceful stretcher make this a great little console. It looks great backed-up to "Satan's Settee".

We were finally rewarded when we snuck into the 2nd floor temporaries (they were closed at the time... we're such rebels) and found two talented metal workers. Here are some of their creations.


There was a pair of these beauties... I nearly wet myself.


The same artisan created this bench from an old conveyer belt... love it! He's thinking about adding a chaise to the series... uh oh — I almost wet myself again.


The clever marriage of a steel punch form and concrete — I can imagine an entire furniture line.


An old cable spool and foundry mold were cut in half and combined to make a pair of consoles. Add a larger, chunky concrete top and now we're talking.


Another industrial chic piece in the form of a cocktail table base — this one showcases an old train spring.


Of course no Market is complete without its senseless bling. This one was no exception.

A Tisket, A Tasket

Last month the Yogi and Yogini traveled down to Charleston, SC to pay homage to the Dowager Yogini (my mom) on the occasion of her 7oth birthday. While we were down there, Spoleto Festival was in full swing. One of the featured cultural festivals was the Sweetgrass Festival. We got there early to avoid the heat and crowds. This allowed us plenty of time to visit with the "basket sewers". They are descendants of a long line artisans who brought their craft from West Africa to the rice plantations of the South Carolina Lowcountry in the late 17th century. Each basket embodies the rich history and culture of the Gullah people. Painstakingly gathered local vegetation such as palmetto fronds & thorns, bulrush and pine needles are composed to create a study in artistry, utilitarianism and sustainability — an exquisite, personal and perfect expression of design.

Unfortunately the resources available have been greatly diminished due to development of rural areas. Add to this their ever-increasing popularity, and the limited number of artists that master the craft... well, you can see where I'm going. They can get quite pricey, especially those created by "master sewers", like Vera Manigault.

The next time you're in Charleston, wander on over to the stands on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant (where they've been sold since the 1930s) and hold a piece of history in your hands — even if you can't afford to own it.








Ms. Vera Manigault's tour de force, "Baby Moses Basket", is a whopping 36" long, constructed of palmetto thorn, took her over 12 years to create, and will set you back a cool $4000.