1. “Frasurbane”: a popular 90s postmodern design aesthetic titled from the 1990s TV show ‘Frasier’
a style that draws from more wild postmodern design movements like Grunge graphic design (eg. David Carson), Memphis Milano & Deconstructivism, but filters them through the lens of a more conservative and aging Baby Boomer population that was settling down, becoming more wealthy & desiring to appear more sophisticated and worldly. Serif fonts abound, accentuated with underlining, italicization, and various weights. These are usually coupled with warm sepia or black-and-white images of ‘timeless’/ classical representations of basic concepts (sometimes in a surrealist manner), often in soft-focus and featuring heavily-staged product photography. Astrolabes, globes, ‘Vitruvian Man’ style diagrams, textured paper, Neo-traditional (Neoclassical, Biedermeier, etc.) architecture, relatively ‘realistic’ drawn representations of various traditional objects, plants, and animals (think Victorian-era scientific illustrations).
Found on Evan Collins’ Arena – one of my favourite places to ‘name that aesthetic‘.
2. Virtually explore this Venetian Cabinet of Curiosities
I stumbled upon this wunderkammer on my recent visit to the watery city. Then I found it has an incredible virtual website for browsing from afar. I’ve also update my Venice Weekend Guide (free & open to all) in the A-Z Directory.
3. This jewellery designer (who uses discarded materials)
Using everything from layered graffiti crusts salvaged from urban walls to forgotten bobbin laces and discarded shower nets, Carina Shoshtary calls herself a modern hunter gatherer.
4. A program from the 1925 Paris Opera: “La Nuit Créole” (Bridgerton before Bridgerton)
“Held on June 27, 1925, this event brought a version of Creole culture onto one of the most iconic stages in Europe. I found this program at auction and immediately fell for the cover — Bridgerton before Bridgerton, but with its own story to tell. Inside are delicate miniature portraits, along with poetry from writers like Gérard d’Houville, José-Maria de Heredia, Charles Baudelaire, and others. A mix of romance, fantasy, and interpretation… but also a reminder of how cultures were presented, packaged, and reimagined for European audiences.”
Found by Historian and Art & Antique sleuth Jeremy K. Simien.
5. Lost Photos of the Chelsea Hotel in the 1970s
a new book of Albert Scopin’s photographs at the Chelsea Hotel (Scopin: Chelsea Hotel) capture a young Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, Wim Wenders and more. Found on Another Mag.
6. Brigitte Bardot’s Former Parisian Apartment is Up for Sale
It’s been renovated and lived in since Bardot lived there, but there are still a few tell tale signs that Brigitte was there – the red velvet walled living room, the leopard print room (now a gym).
Take a peek on Architectural Digest.
7. Why so many control rooms were seafoam green
A great Substack article by Beth Matthews Design.
8. An Instagram Account dedicated to Sexy Gutters
9. An 18th century depiction of the tooth worm believed by many in the past to bore holes in teeth and cause toothaches
10. Hundreds of tiny houses boats carrying candles, drifting down the river in Slovenia
Once a year, children celebrate the arrival of spring by setting their handmade “gregorčki” afloat. A gentle parade of light on water, saying goodbye to winter the old-fashioned way. So poetic. (Malika)
Most towns today place nets downstream to catch the floating houses, which are then collected after the celebration.
11. One Pot French Onion Soup Pasta: a recipe to try tonight
A rich, glossy sauce, no flour required, with slow-caramelized onions, pasta starch and melted Gruyère cheese found on NYT Cooking.
12. Styling Tip for Consideration during Your Spring Closet Clean Outs
Courtesy of Free People.
13. People Watching in 90s New York
To cure your Love Story: John and Carolyn withdrawal.
Easter Egg Bonus:
Meanwhile in Poland on Easter Monday
Today is Śmigus-dyngus, meaning “Wet Monday”, a holiday celebrated mostly in Poland. Traditionally boys would pour water on girl they fancy and and spank them with pussy willow branches on Easter Monday, and girls give them an egg, money, brandy or gifts in return! Folks nowadays can still get carried away with all-day water battles, but most just sprinkle family members with water and exchange gifts. The origins of the celebration are uncertain, but it may date to pagan times before 1000 AD; it is described in writing as early as the 15th century.
After all the water had been thrown, the screaming girls would often be dragged to a nearby river or pond for another drenching. Sometimes a girl would be carried out, still in her bed, before both bed and girl were thrown into the water together. Particularly attractive girls could expect to be soaked repeatedly during the day… Girls could save themselves from a soaking by giving boys “ransoms” of painted eggs (pisanki), regarded as magical charms that would bring good harvests, successful relationships and healthy childbirths. Although in theory the girls are supposed to wait until the following day to get their revenge by soaking the boys, in practice both sexes throw water over each other on the same day.
It continues to be observed throughout Central Europe, and also in the United States, where certain patriotic American elements have been added to the traditional Polish ones. It’s mostly a case of light sprinkling of water
Found on Wikipedia.