covet edited by arianne nardo
This might take awhile. A series of false starts in chichi boutiques,
an infinite number of perspicuous glances at strangers’ wrists—
anywhere a watch can be found. We could spend the better half
of forever searching for the perfect one, and yet we’re willing
to slap any non-offensive clock on the wall. Grandfathers or
alarms—it is a decision bearing the same thrill as root canal versus
wisdom tooth removal. This Rounds clock from revered London
jewelry artist Solange Azagury-Partridge is the ravishing alter ego
to anything counting minutes and hours. An accessible take on her
Rounds watch, the piece works Swarovski crystals like a fabulous,
paparazzi-free fetish. Funky and sophisticated, the designer’s
home collection comes just in time. To inquire, solange.info
If not the first, it is the second question asked of the artist: Wha t
was your inspiration? At museums, exhibitions, in between sets
at rock shows, admiration is a breathless curiosity about the
person, the place, the time—a spellbound inverted pyramid
on a journalist’s steno pad. To learn that the elegant Parigi II
credenza bears references to the curves and colors of Picasso’s
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is just one part of the story. From
the splendid studio of Jean de Merry, the piece is crafted of
alder wood, with solid bronze pulls, and parchment applied and
antiqued amazingly by hand—the way of a true masterpiece. For
showrooms, 877.336.3779 jeandemerry.com
It is incredible to see what survives the centuries. Fragile things take on daring
journeys and barely suffer a scratch, while some of us stumble into and out of
each week bruised or nicked by clumsy travels of the ordinary. Artist Robert
Kuo creates staggering works using ancient and oft-forgotten techniques,
thoughtfully preserving and carrying the past like a stoic messenger. His
extraordinary cloisonné lamps and objects have delighted curators and
private clients for decades. These repoussé O coffee and side tables
speak to the fascinating art of hammering decorative relief onto metal.
Experimenting with the method, Kuo’s hands have revealed a beautiful new
translation of the form. Repoussé copper wrapped around wood, the pieces
