Donald Roller WilsonDonald Roller Wilson is an artist whose imagination draws on unusual resources for its outlet. His allegorical scenes of naughty monkeys, deranged kitties and rascally pups feature floating pickles, dancing cigarettes and a host of pop culture icons. His canvases tell a story in oil using techniques which are identical to those the Old Masters employed; but that may be where the similarities end.
I was first introduced to Mr. Wilson’s art (or Roller as his friends call him) when I interviewed Debbie Reynolds…I know, weird. Ms. Reynolds happened to mention that her daughter and friends were enamored of this particular artist’s work and over the years his canvases turned up in some of the homes I toured on my television show, Design for Living. I first contacted Roller by email and it turns out he lives in a remote section of Arkansas and….it happens to be the exact part of the state that both of my parents are from….I know, weird. I fell in love with his twisted sense of humour and of course, his talent speaks for itself. Donald Roller Wilson has described his work as a “by-product of his thoughts.” According to him, he spends his days and nights pondering the meaning of life, the state of the universe and the Home Shopping Network……….. Roller Wilson’s recognizable works hang in the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn NY; Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL; Whitney Museum, New York, New York; Bank of America, San Francisco, CA; and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden- Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC - and my house.
You must check out his website, www.donaldrollerwilson.com. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites.
July 1st, 2008 by Kimberley Ottomans
If I had to choose one item for the home that is widely underused and sadly under-appreciated, I’d be hard pressed to find a better candidate than the humble ottoman. In a category all by itself this versatile item is both a stylish enough to make a statement and practical enough to serve nearly every room in the house. If you’re living in a small space, little else provides such flexibility.
The versatile bench can be called into service as a footstool, an end table, or a generously over-scaled coffee table. The right ottoman provides affordable impact just where you need it.
It’s widely believed that the term “Ottoman” comes from the late 18th century when the Ottomans as a people were invaded by the French. The assault included physical punishment in the form of “pain walks” (loosely translated). The Ottoman people soon thereafter fashioned footstools out of necessity; to rest their aching feet. The footstools caught on throughout Europe and the term ‘Ottoman’ was coined in tribute to its origin.
Ottomans come in a variety of shapes, sizes and price points. I’ll bet somewhere in your home, there’s a spot just waiting for the right ottoman. Perhaps it’s time for you to sit back, relax and put your feet up.
May 29th, 2008 by Kimberley Dreaming of Lavender FieldsIt’s a known fact that the aroma of lavender will help you relax and sleep. I believe it, as I’ve been dreaming of Provence.
As many of you know, the South of France is one of my favourite destinations. The weather, architecture, shopping, food, design inspiration……….did I mention the shopping?
Here are a few images from my personal collection that not only inspire, but also can take me to a quaint café on a small Provencal street. Now I just need to figure out how I can smell the lavender.
May 14th, 2008 by Kimberley Designer Market May 3 & 4
A Style at Home Event Date: May 3 & 4, 2008 Address: The Fermenting Cellar
This event will not only satisfy all your shopping and decorating needs, but also provides the opportunity to raise funds for the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund. I have personally selected 40 exclusive vendors to share their fabulous finds with savvy shoppers like you. There is something for everyone. Antiques and fleas
We also feature an onsite cafe where you can enjoy delicious gourmet sandwiches, pastries and coffees. A great spot to get recharged and keep shopping!
I look forward to seeing you here at our annual shopping event!
April 20th, 2008 by Kimberley Decoupage
I’m not sure where your mind goes when you see the word ‘decoupage’, but for me it’s a flash back to bad arts and crafts projects where gloppy, white glue played the leading role on the canvas. Flash forward and New York City’s John Derian makes me wonder how I ever missed the raw beauty of this cut-and-paste technique. Vintage images and graphic pattern are rendered works of art under layers of glass. Hand painted borders embrace the charming collages which, though they have little resemblance to student efforts I recall as a child, are made close to home in Derian’s NYC studio.
Paperweights have a near obsession of mine. Here’s a covetable sampling.
Derian debuted his latest creations recently at the New York Gift Show; the booth space has the feel of a mad professor’s den. I loved it.
Large plates and platters can be put to practical use - say sitting on a bathroom sink holding soaps and towels. But I prefer to hang them in a series on the wall; preferably near a window where the sun makes them sparkle. I’ve also found them to be a worthy gift for friends like me who are home obsessed.
April 20th, 2008 by Kimberley Let the Sunshine In!
I just returned from a fabulous trip to the Bahamas with my daughter. We had a wonderful time and it reminded me of how much happier I am with the sun in full force. Since we’ve finally turned the corner into spring, I thought I would share some tips on enhancing that delicious sun-shiny feeling indoors. 1. It’s a no-brainer, but keep your windows clean. It’s amazing what a little water, vinegar and a newspaper can do! Of course hiring a professional service to visit regularly is a necessary luxury. 2. Keeping landscaping tidy and trimmed around windows is very important. Overgrown shrubs and tree can destroy any chance of sunlight filtering in. 3. Choose appropriate window treatments. Full draperies, when pulled aside with a tie back, needn’t interfere with sunlight filtering through. 4. Include reflective materials all over the house. Glistening chrome or nickel, highly polished brass or silver and crystal or glass all have reflective qualities that accent sun starved rooms. 5. Incorporate mirrors. They’re not only effective in expanding the feel of extra space, but are equally effective in bringing fine weather indoors . Placing a mirror adjacent to a window further amplifies the effect. 6. Paint windowsills and surrounds. Light reflecting colors such as ivory, cream, and white can bounce sunlight into rooms.
Now get outside and enjoy it!
April 4th, 2008 by Kimberley Scotties Design ChallengeThis contest is nothing to sneeze at. (Sorry, just couldn’t pass that one up.) Have you secretly wondered who comes up with the designs for your favourite brand of tissues? Ply, softness and tissue count are certainly important, but I’m all about the box design. That’s why I’m thrilled to work with Scotties and promote their newest design challenge….
Now is your chance to get creative! Head to www.scotties.ca/english/promotions.php Go ahead, be imaginative, get innovative and show the world you care! Oh, I almost forgot the best part. The winner not only gets the thrill of seeing his or her design on a Scottie’s tissue box, but also walks away with a $25,000 home makeover from me and my team at Kimberley Seldon Design Group.
March 27th, 2008 by Kimberley Postcards from 101 California - V2
Not too long ago, Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice was an inconsistent stretch of boarded up store fronts, small galleries and an occasional vintage store. In a true organic fashion, it has grown into one of the hottest shopping, design, dining and trendsetting streets in Los Angeles.
Colcha: With its warehouse-like space, the store has the feel of a really, really good garage sale: one-of-a-kind wood furniture, antiques from Europe and found objects with histories as interesting as the items themselves. When you find yourself in need of a decorative, moderately functional 6-foot woven basket, look no further. Colcha’s goal has always been to feature unique pieces that work in contemporary and globally influenced environments.
Digs: The Upper East Side vibe at this furniture showroom-regal foyer pieces, swanky living room sets-promises to transform a West Coast pad from drab to fab. Well-lit and dramatically staged, the store’s goods don’t come cheap, but then again, can you really put a price on what a black lacquer dining room set will do for your studio apartment?
Surfing Cowboys: Surfing Cowboys is part vintage furniture showroom, part vintage photography and art shop, and part pop culture bookstore, with a little modern-day jewelry thrown in for good measure. The owners are former commercial fashion photographers who traveled the world and started collecting pieces along the way. They wanted to share the pieces and their inspiration to reconstruct the California dream. When you walk into Surfing Cowboys, you feel like you walked into the coolest living room in Venice - since the owners used to live in the back of the store it’s not far from the truth!
Brick Lane: Dark wood floors, white antique tables, a British phone booth perched casually on the lawn, and the owner’s dog napping on the porch: the environment is quaint and the goods are chic. Ben Sherman tanks share the racks with Ted Baker’s feminine, sophisticated blouses and edgy, embellished blazers and cheeky undies for men. Glamorous Lulu Guinness sunglasses, candy-colored rain boots and beach totes round out the collection. If it’s English and a little unexpected, you just might find it here.
Turquoise:
Three Square Bakery: Going back to square one is never fun, but Three Square Bakery is the exception. I can personally recommend the almond croissant and a non-fat latte to keep up your strength while navigating Abbott Kinney.
March 21st, 2008 by Kimberley Postcard from 101 California
Los Angeles is not only my second home, but serves as one of my greatest inspirations. You can find nearly anything here. Just this week I was wandering the Pacific Design Center and I stumbled upon a great new resource for my design projects - Charles Jacobsen.
Charles Jacobsen specializes in Asian-inspired aesthetics. Their choices are more architectural than Epcot center; which means I can include an occasional Indian or Chinese furniture piece into a classical room without risking a dreaded “theme” taking shape. I love drama in design and the product here delivers. Strong lines and natural materials such as wood and stone inform most of the pieces, each one with a story to tell.
The fountains and outdoor marble seating were especially enticing. I would place the stone bench at the end of a garden path and put the fountain next to the most comfortable seat where I would curl up with a good book and iced tea to read. Heaven.
Beauty emerges in all forms but simplicity usually leaves the most lasting impression.
February 29th, 2008 by Kimberley HSN
This week was our official launch of Kimberley Seldon’s Concierge Collection for HSN. I am the inspiration for the collection and have been working closely with HSN for a year to create this exclusive line of home décor products for HSN viewers. (If I look tired in this photo, you’ll forgive me when I tell you that I was on camera for a 24-hour appearance). As the host of Design for Living (seen on Wealth TV in the US) I had the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest accommodations. Concierge Collection was initially inspired by this five-star hotel lifestyle but it’s growing to encompass a much wider range of product for savvy consumers. Attainable aspiration - that’s what excites me. We all deserve a home environment that’s beautiful and nurturing. Our mission, at Kimberley Seldon Home is to bring value and affordable luxury to a wide audience of home enthusiasts like me.
The launch comprised of a coveted “Today’s Special” - one favored item that’s sold throughout a 24 -hour period. I sold 21,000 beautiful 500 thread count sheet sets. (21,000 people sleeping better tonight!). There were 8 delicious colors and it was an amazing value for the product quality. We surpassed HSN’s expectations and were thrilled to get a huge hit right off the top.
I’ll make an appearance with the Concierge Collection on HSN every other month. I’m keen to expand the line to include table top, decorative accessories and furniture - feel free to tell me what you need at home. In addition to the sheet sets, I sold 6 different bedding sets, towels, lamps, ottomans, headboards, featherbed tops, pillows…….talk about being prepared!
As with good design in any arena, it’s the details that made a difference on the set.
This was one of our more modern sets. Quite a departure from the typical HSN look.
February 26th, 2008 by Kimberley |
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