marcus hay fluff 'n' stuff

Trisha Yearwood/ Food Network Magazine

2013-05-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

Photography: Anna Williams

Trisha Yearwood as many would know in the U.S is a country artist that has also ventured into Cook Books, Her collaboration with Food Network and Food Network Magazine lead me to style a feature of her recipes in the June Issue out now.

Trisha books consists of recipes passed down through her mother, aunts, cousins and longtime friends, with a heavy focus on Southern Style Cooking. An interesting recipe she does which we styled in accordance is Low-Country Style Boil which is simply served on newspaper in the middle of the table kind of like how the British eat their Fish and Chips.

I took the lead from her books and tried to give the feature a casual feel with a slight reference to the outdoors and a casual Southern way of living and cooking.

The feature was shot by the wonderful Anna Williams and the food was styled once again by the very talented Susan Spungen

Strawberry Shortcake/ Food NetworkMagazine

2013-05-18T07:50:00.001-07:00

Photography: Anna Williams

When I was a kid my sisters Kristy and Bec had those dolls called Strawberry Shortcakes, For years their bedroom smelt like a synthetic Strawberry Shortcake and Key Lime Pie (Strawberry Shortcakes Cousin) It is a Franchise that still exists today although Strawberry has been updated and had new friends called Ginger Snap and Angel Cake.

Growing up in Australia, These types of deserts were actually quite foreign to me, We had our own famous deserts such as Lamingtons and Pavlova. It was actually quite delightful to be able to tap into styling these for the June Issue of Food Network Magazine with a regular co-contributor, the amazing Photographer Anna Williams They were made and Food Styled by the very talented Susan Spungen who did an outstanding job considering strawberries were not at their peak 3 months ago.

Hope you enjoy and Yes they were delicious!

DWR/ The Lost Images

2013-05-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Photography: Jim Bastardo

Sometimes when you shoot a Catalog, Not all the pics make it in, It's a bit like a film where a good portion of footage is left on the cutting room floor as the saying goes!. Some of these images may in fact appear at a later date in a Design Within Reach so sometimes these images can resurface which is promising. Some of these images also ran in fact as small images, Some of them are simply details of a larger shot, tweaks for a closer format.

The great thing is on Pinterest, DWR have a profile where often you can catch the extra shots, Check it out here at DWR/ Pinterest

These are some favorite images of mine from the last few books, All shot by the wonderful Jim Bastardo, Styled by Studio Marcus Hay

Good Housekeeping/ Salads

2013-05-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

Photography: Anna Williams

For The latest June issue of US Good Housekeeping, Studio Marcus Hay got the opportunity to work again with the lovely Anna Williams. The story was on Salads and we were working to the theme of the Salads being inspired by different parts of the world. In the U.S one thing I have learnt from living here is that Salads are big as meals so these are all Salad recipes you can make for meals rather than just sides.

Summer is on it's way and finally all my Summer stories are hitting the newsstands.

Studio Marcus Hay/ The Studio

2013-05-07T19:22:00.001-07:00

Left: Portrait of Founder Marcus Hay, Right: A project in the planning, Photography: Jonny Valiant

A view of work table and meeting area at SMH, Photography: Jonny Valiant

Assistant's station and detail, Photography: Jonny Valiant

The Bar, Photography: Jonny Valiant

View of Marcus's Office, Photography: Jonny Valiant

Photography: Jonny Valiant

As many of you who follow me know, I feel very lucky to have a space I can work from in Manhattan, NYC, Studio Marcus Hay, Inc is a workspace located in London Terrace in Chelsea, A large 1929 building with a long history and well known in the area of Chelsea and Manhattan, New York. It is located on the Commercial floor of the building and is a compact space with 2 rooms and a bathroom. It is on street level so I have a lovely little garden outside the window and many passers by even if it is on a quiet block for Manhattan.

Soon I will be celebrating my first year in the space and to make the occasion, I shot these images with the wonderful Jonny Valiant.

The space is always a hub of activity and can be filled to the brim with myself and Assistants as we plan and produce many projects for clients such as Design With Reach, JC Penney, Martha Stewart, West Elm, Williams Sonoma, a range of Editorial and Private clients.

You can also see these photo's and an interview on Tara Hurst's website and blog/ journal. Tara is a super talented Art Director/ Graphic Designer from Canada who is based on the West Coast. She works on web, print and textile design. Like me she wears many caps and is also a Gallery Director and Curator of exhibitions. Check out her great site where she also shares interviews and profiles on other people in the industry whom she admires, I was very honored to be asked, Thanks Tara!

Hope you all enjoy a glimpse into my working life and space.

DWR/ May Catalog

2013-04-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

Photography: Jim Bastardo

Earlier this year Studio Marcus Hay had the opportunity once again to work with DWR, This time in Studio locations around the city. I always love going to go on location and shooting in amazing houses and apartments but it was nice for a change to be in the familiar surroundings of a photo studio where the canvas is completely blank. the great thing about studios too in Manhattan is you look out the window and there is usually always an urban landscape to work with so by nature the shots take on a certain personality.

In this batch of images we got to work with a few different types of rooms, To name a few: a start up office for a young company, an Architects Office, a James Bond/Skyfall inspired living room, a Scandinavian kitchen and a film maker's den. I love to give each room a subtle storyline so that we have a platform to work off that gives each shot it's own narrative and feel.

These were all shot again by the amazing Jim Bastardo, Hope you enjoy.

Garnet Hill/ Summer Cover

2013-04-19T15:20:00.001-07:00

Photography: Maura McEvoy

Back in 2012, I shot a whole range of cover options for Catalog Company and regular client Garnet Hill with Photographer Maura McEvoy. We shot so many versions in one day and managed to get 4 covers that I am aware of which featured last year, what a great surprise when they decided to use another from that collection for this Summer, it was actually one of my favorites from the series, Hopefully maybe I might see some more see the light in the coming months

Hope you like cover 5 of the series.

Texas Y'All/ Studio MH on the road!

2013-04-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

Left: Supersize me?, Right: Texas loves gas

Left: Someone lost their bumper!, Right: Cacti at The Belmont

Left: Signage at Old Fort Worth, Right: Table found

Left: Barb Wire, Right: Detail of Design District, Dallas

Left; Dallas Diner, Right: Cowboy a go-go in Old Fort Worth

Left: New boots anyone, Right: Take me for a ride?

Left: Downtown Dallas skyline, Right: DMA sculpture garden, Granite Settee, 1982-83 by Scott Burton

Perot Museum Of Nature & Science, Built 2006, Dallas

Left: Dallas's latest park in Downtown, Klyde Warren Park, Right: Layers of Dumpsters, Industrial area, Dallas

Part of my stay was at The Belmont, great place to stay

Left: watch out for them dogs! Right: Taxidermy everywhere! Old Fort Worth

Left; She ain't Texan but could not resist, seen in a record store, Right: Detail of store in Old Fort Worth

Left: Cowboy car in Old Fort Worth, Right: Smoke, a great place to eat

Left: Industry Roadside, Right: Skyline of Dallas

Left: Store In Old Forth Worth, Right: Detail in White Elephant

Left: Barbra Hepworth Square with Two circles, 1963, Nasha Sculpture Center, Right: Detail on the street

Left: Klyde Warren Park detail in Downtown Dallas, Right: Calatrava's new bridge

Left: Bull Ring in Old Forth Worth, Right: Cows in the Paddock

Left: Saloon in Old Fort Worth, Right: Long Horn Cows walking the street

As most of you would know Texas is the biggest state in the U.S and so the saying goes "every thing's bigger in Texas" Retail giant JC Penney is based in Dallas Texas, where I spent the last few weeks working on a new line they are developing with Martha Stewart. JC Penney has been undergoing developing brand relationships with many other large U.S based and overseas companies such as Conran and Jonathan Adler.

As I mentioned Texas is a big place and Dallas is only one city. I have to say though it was a bit of a cultural whammy, like no other city (other than L.A and perhaps Minneapolis on a smaller scale) have I seen such a reliance on the car. The city is riddled with confusing highways that just keep getting built, A mass of roads that dictate the life of all that live there.

Dallas has many pockets of areas, many destinations if you can find them! You can't really get anywhere without a car, something I learnt the hard way when I decided to take a stroll one day. Dallas is not a strolling city.

The landscape of Downtown is a mass of angular hard lines, the freeways darting around it and intersecting it from all directions. The suburbs are spread out, Dallas is affluent but you also see the hard realities of homeless under the freeways and the often brutal examples of industry and commerce such as strip malls and chain restaurants.

It's a different way of life, vastly different to NY, perhaps more like parts of NJ from what I have seen. The most refreshing area for me was The Bishops Arts District that has more of a village feel, an oasis in a huge city.

These are my views of Dallas and seen through my eyes, perhaps the next person might see it in a whole different light.

Inspiring Icons/ Donald Judd

2013-04-12T10:13:00.001-07:00

Left: Donald Judd, Shot by Arnold Newman, 1973, Right: Chair

Left: Donald Judd sketch, Right: Chair

Left: Installation, Right: Chair

Left to right: Installation, Chairs, Installation

Left: Installation, Right: Poster for 1970's exhibition, Leo Castelli, NYC

Left: Studio in Marfa, Texas, Right: Chair

Left: Blue Bookcase, Right: Installation

left: Installation, Right: Print

left: Exterior Installation, Marfa, Texas, Right: Japanese Poster

Donald Judd (1928-1994) did not really want to be known as a minimalist, nobody really likes to be branded I suppose? However he has been associated with that movement. Many would not know this but while I love the layer of objects, my core has always been an appreciation of minimalism. I have always loved the clean and uncomplicated lines of Judd’s work in all mediums. His work in sculpture and furniture is most known

Wikipedia says Judd sought autonomy and clarity for the constructed object and the space created by it, ultimately achieving a rigorously democratic presentation without compositional hierarchy. What does this all mean one might ask, I think largely it is saying that Judd’s work was so purposeful and executed with such vision and determination that his stamp is simply seen without any confusion throughout all his work. It’s a purity that is spell bounding!

To have this vision and for it to resonate with such strong conviction is something as Artists we all strive for, no matter what profession.

Donald spent much of his life and career in New York City where in the late 1960’s he bought a five-story building that allowed him to start placing his work in a more permanent manner than was possible in gallery or museum shows. Over the next 25 years, Judd renovated the building floor by floor, sometimes installing works he purchased or commissioned from other artists.

In 1979 Judd purchased desert land near Marfa, Texas, The first furniture was designed in 1973, when he moved from New York to Marfa. Early furniture was made of rough pine but Judd continually refined the construction. Later he worked in sheet metal. The pieces included chairs, beds, shelves, desks and tables. Desk and Chair (both 1984), made of clear anodised aluminium and copper respectively, demonstrate Judd’s move from hand-crafted forms to embracing methods of industrial manufacture.

You can read more about Donald Judd or purchase some of his furniture at www.artwareeditions.com or check out www.juddfoundation.org

All photo's credited where possible.

Inspiring Icons/ Bodo Sperlein

2013-04-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Portrait of Bodo, Right: Contour range of furniture

Left: Equus Collection for Lladro, Right: Macaroon Spoons for Nikko

Left: Cascade Chandelier, Right: Re Cyclos vase for Lladro

Left and Right: Cloud Mix Ranges for Nikko

Left: Sensu Tea set for Nikko, Right: Cloud Mix Trinket Boxes

Cloud Mix for Nikko

Left: Golden Timber for Dibbern, Right: Couture Vases

Yauatcha Atelier Range

Left: Unicorn and Horse bottle stoppers for Lladro, Right: Niagara Chandelier for Lladro

Left: Yauatcha Atelier spoons, Right: Re Cyclos vase for Lladro

When I first met Bodo it was at 100% Design in the U.K back in 2000, Even by then Bodo was very established, I marveled at his stand and had seen his work featured in Elle Decoration many times. I was a young Editor at the time and was there on behalf of Inside Out Magazine.

Bodo Sperlein was born in Germany before moving to London where he studied Design at Camberwell College of Arts (now part of the University of the Arts London). Supported by a Crafts Council Grant and Sainsbury’s scholarship he set up a showroom at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank in 1998 where he still works.

I feel I can see the influence of a German upbringing, in may ways his work reminds me of the 1960’s and 1970’s work that was produced at German Porcelain company, Rosenthal. The fine quality with such attention to color (or the on purpose lack of it) and detail remind me of many of my pieces I have collected from my many trips to Berlin at the Antiques Markets.

Sperlein’s work in materials such as bone china and porcelain have made him a pivotal player in the future of contemporary British industrial ceramics, He pushes beyond these traditions to create surprising contemporary pieces that achieve both a sensuality and intelligence of design.

He has many collaborations and produced signature collections with prominent European Luxury Brands such including Dibbern, Nymphenburg, Lladro and Nikko.

Recently he has also ventured into other areas of Industrial Design, in particular furniture and has produced the Contour range with a ribbon-like profile draws the eye effortlessly around a series of loops terminating in slender legs that conceal their true strength. The lines of traditional furniture has been elongated, and embellished with curves and forms.

Check out his amazing website at http://www.bodosperlein.com/, with a focus on specializing in Product Design, Art Direction and Consultancy.

Most photos on behalf of Bodo Sperlein.

DWR/ Arizona Continues/ The Legend of the Hippie Bus

2013-04-05T09:35:00.001-07:00

Photography: Jim Bastardo

Some of the amazing Ad campaigns for the Type 2 that are very famous

Left: Photography by Rebecca Silus, Right: Photography courtesy of Sarah Sherman

Photography: Jim Bastardo

It just makes me smile, This latest cover for DWR we shot in Arizona last Nov/ Dec. Who doesn't love a VW van? It was such a pleasure to work with this bright 1960's yellow one, Hello Little Miss Sunshine!

VW's are such a classic, This model known as The Type 2 holds very special meaning to me, Back in 1970's it was my parents mode of transport when they traveled through Europe doing the Hippy groovy thang!, My first months alive were spent traveling with them and it was essentially one of my first homes.

A magnet for nicknames, Depending on body type the Type 2 is also known as the Transporter, Kombi and Microbus, and informally as the Bus (US) or Camper (UK), is a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 (Beetle), it was given the factory designation Type 2, The concept for the Type 2 is credited to Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon.

Here also are some of the other pics not seen from that shoot featured in the new version of the Summer DWR Catalog out now!

The DWR shots are all shot by the amazing Jim Bastardo

Williams Sonoma/ Summer Grilling

2013-03-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Photography: Con Poulos

Imagine standing in the middle of a country estate in the middle of a field in Sonoma in California in the middle of Winter, BBQ revved up ready to go under a large tent pouring with rain, a huddle of shivering photo crew pretending it's Summer. Of course this the reality of most BBQ stories shot in Winter, Our story for Williams Sonoma new Catalog was no exception.

Photographer Con Poulos and Food Stylist Alison Attenbourough did an amazing job, The food as I am sure you would agree looks delicious, even if you don't eat meat!

I had quite a job, Being Winter the location was quite barren of any greenery, with frost on the ground every morning, we had to wait for it to thaw. It took a lot of potted plants from the local nursery to green it up!

Sonoma is a magical part of the world and we got to stay in the little town which has some great shops and restaurants for a five nights, I would love to go back one day soon.

This is just a small sampling of what's to come, We did some great shots that will come out in the next run of the Catalog, Look out for them on this blog.

NEW YORK STORIES/ Black, White and Gold Color Trend

2013-03-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Photography: Kat Teutsch

Photographer Kat Teutsch and I have continued our series with a new fictional lady of New York: Ophelia Sable Le Blanc, You can read more about her story below:

Ophelia Sable Le Blanc, Born May 12th, 1952

Ophelia grew up in affluent Chicago suburb of Oak Park, While she did not live in a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright of whom designed many of the houses and buildings of more prominent folk, She always wished she had.

An Architectural buff, Ophelia had dreams of attending school for Architecture but somehow never managed to get there settling instead in New York where she was attracted to mood of the 1960’s where her jet black bob and big charcoaled eyes made an impression at the Fashion Magazines where she worked in the Art Department eventually building her way up to a Director position.

Partly retired now, Ophelia still dabbles in Design and holds classes at a prominent Design School for Graphic Design. She loves her coffee black and her cocktails strong, Her signature black bowler hat makes an appearance at times when the mood is upon her.

I wanted to go with a much more graphic stark quality with this lady, I always love the combo of classic black and white, but it always adds a twinkle of pizazz when gold is involved!

Molten Magic/ West German Lava Pottery

2013-03-19T12:21:00.002-07:00

Atwater Pottery

Left: Kreutz Keramik, Right: Nicolas Trembley's collection, Check out article on capitalnewyork.com

Left: Atwater Pottery, Right: Collaboration with Heath Ceramics

Left: Es Kermaik, Right: Collection Mousse Magazine

Yellow glazed examples

Photography: Le Grenier.com

Left: Nicolas Trembley's collection, Check out article on capitalnewyork.com, Right: Triangle bowl

Photography: designsdelight.com

Left: Detail of glaze, Right: Examples by Jopeko Keramik

Left: Example, Right: Nicolas Trembley's collection, Check out article on capitalnewyork.com

Left: Common markings on bottom of vase, Right: Collection

Left: Jopeko Keramik, Right: Collection of German Lava Ceramics

Photography: fantascticsupermaket.com

I remember when I first started to collect ceramics I was drawn to The West German Pottery of the 1970’s, It seemed to be readily available and cheap in Thrift stores but as time has worn on, West German studio pottery has become extremely collectible with its distinctive patterns, textures and shapes. It was produced from the 1950s to 1970s when innovation and production was at its height. Garish coloring, bizarre patterning, contrasting forms is what gives Lava glazed pottery it’s distinct look, love it or hate it. Lately I have been seeing a resurgence of it or similar pottery, Particularly in San Francisco where I am currently.

Largely anonymously designed, Lava pottery was produced by many companies such as Scheurich Lora, Bay, Ceramano, Karlsruche, Hutschenreuther, Rosenthal, Jopeko, Roth, Spara, Ü-Keramik, They are often hard to totally I.D with many not clearly labeled.

With a contemporary twist and influenced by German Pottery, two notable names in California pottery: Heath Ceramics and potter Adam Silverman from Atwater Pottery have come together to design a collection, If you check out Atwater also you can see further examples of Adams work.

A great catalog/book by Mark Hill, titled Fat Lava is a great resource; you can find it at http://markhillpublishing.co.uk

Other sites worth checking out are www.retrofatlava.com and www.fat-lava.com.

I personally love its texture, passion and brashness to think outside the box. I love fine china also but the Lava series is at polar opposites and I feel opposites should always be embraced.

Women's Health Magazine/ Fire up your Greens

2013-03-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Photography: Zac Desart

For the April Issue of Women's Health Magazine I got the opportunity to push the boundaries a little with a brighter poppier palette than usual. It was also the first time I got to work with Photographer Zac Desart. I really like Zac's fresh take, using a ultra graphic, high key approach with shadows.

The food was styled by the very talented Jamie Kimm.

Bright yellows and oranges with a slight 1970's feel was what I was going for, It was essentially a wilted greened story so the colors really help the wilted greens come alive and not so wilted.

Hope you enjoy the sunny palette and it inspires us all to eat more greens, especially in these Winter months!

Taking a Break/ Hudson, NY

2013-03-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Left: At Culture + Commerce Project, Warren Street, Hudson, Window featuring hand turned stools by Grain Woodworking (Made in Hudson)
Right: Great felt trivets made by Lamacek (Made in Hudson & NYC)

At Culture + Commerce Project, Warren Street, Hudson, Joshua Howe Multi Top tray, Sherry Jo also carries great examples of his lights and furniture

Left: At Culture + Commerce Project, Warren Street, Hudson, Glass vases by Michael Anchin
Right: Detail of door on the main street

Left: Detail of Shop door on Warren Street, Right: Detail of old tags on display

Left: My Andrew Molleur pieces at home mixed in with a Royal Copenhagen piece
Right: Doorway on Warren Street

Left: At Culture + Commerce Project, Warren Street, Hudson, Ceramic Artist by Christina Painter
Right: Detail of Store Front on Warren Street

Left: Detail of fireplace at The Inn at Hudson, In our White Room
Right: Details of product available at Culture + Commerce Project

Details of The Inn at Hudson

Left: Dining Room at The Inn at Hudson, Right: Detail of piece available at Regan & Smith

Details of pieces available at Regan & Smith

Left: Yours truly at the Riverside, Right: Marlin at Bookstore

Left: Detail of Dining Room at The Inn at Hudson, Right: Riverside

Last week while attempting to have the week off, not easy during crazy tax time, I made the trip to one of my favorite towns in Upstate NY, Hudson. To be honest I have not been up for quite a long time and while the town itself has not changed dramatically since my last trip in 2008, there are still some interesting new stores and developments in town and you always get a whiff that something very creative and inspiring is on the boil. People in town are chatty and friendly; it certainly makes a change from the gritty city.

Big news is that Performance Artist Marina Abramovic is opening her Performance Art Institute In Hudson in a building she purchased in 2007 in a disused Theater built in 1929. Its official name is The Marina Abramovic Institute for the Preservation of Performance Art, She will debut her first performance in the space in 2014. It will be designed by Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of the firm OMA. You can read more about the project at The New York Times website.

With this emerging project, Hudson is sure to receive focus. The project was actually drawn to my attention by Hudson resident Sherry Jo Williams, An ex city dweller who owns an exciting store in town called Culture + Commerce Project. In the store Sherry Jo, who has and impressive background in the Design Industry in Manhattan is nurturing and representing many young Designers and Craftspeople who live in the vicinity of Hudson. I loved in particular the work of Porcelain Artist Andrew Molleur, who’s work I bought a number of pieces for my collection. Pop in to see the store, It’s very impressive what Sherry is doing and she is super enthusiastic about her artists and the work she features.

Hudson has some great Architecture, We stayed at The Inn at Hudson, Designed in 1903 by Marcus Reynolds, We were hosted by our wonderful hosts Monica and Bob who were minding the inn for it’s owners Dini and Windle. The Inn is a fine example of some of the great old buildings in the town. As you can see I love shooting all the details in Hudson. One other store, which I adore in Hudson, is Regan & Smith. There are so many stores to explore!

I recommend anyone who needs to be re inspired or needs a break for a couple of nights to head into town, Be sure also to visit The Helsinki Club in Hudson to catch some great live music, The venue is great, Be sure to get early to get a seat, We had to stand which can be a bit sore on the ol legs!

Check out Culture + Commerce on Facebook too facebook.com/culture+commerceproject

Williams Sonoma/ Easter, Part 2

2013-03-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Photography: Eric Piasecki

Photography: Anna Williams

In the second series of Easter for Williams Sonoma, In the latest Catalog, we see further shots produced for WS on my trip to San Francisco in November last year. Shot one week with Anna Williams and another week with Eric Piasecki. It was again such a pleasure to work with them both.

With Anna, I shot the Easter Candy and Cookies, We decided to take a very graphic approach, Let's just say I had the tweezers out to get all that small candy lined up in rows, Using stitch lines sewn by my assistant Heather, We treated the cookies and pops almost like musical notes.

With Eric, I shot this table scape of the Speckled Eggs range from an ariel view. Using hand dipped eggs and Peonies to help dress the table.

Easter is just around the corner, Hope you enjoy yours!

DWR/ Outdoor Catalog

2013-03-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Photography: Jim Bastardo

Here at last is the next DWR Catalog that I styled back in November/ December last year. The majority of it we shot in the wonderful Arizona where we had an amazing time! You can see more about my experience in my past blog post here on my blog. You can also check out the DWR blog for some more behind the scenes info.

Studio Marcus Hay is looking forward to our next adventure with the DWR gang in May.

Again this Catalog is shot by the wonderfully talented Photographer Jim Bastardo

Poole Pottery/ TwinTone Range 1940/50's

2013-02-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

Left: The stamp found on Poole Pottery. Right: TwinTone platter in Ice Green, Photo's courtesy of Yay Retro

Left: Freeform flower troughs in Lime Yellow and Sea Gull, 1956/57, Right: The colors available in TwinTone
Images courtesy of Rob's Poole Pottery

Left: TwinTone Jam Pots, designed by John Adams, Right: Cucumber Sandwich trays

Left: Lidded Hot Water Jug in Ice Green, Right: Collection of Teapots and pitchers from above

Left: Sky Blue and Dove Gray Salt and Pepper, 1958-81, Right: Teapot from 1960's

Left: Tea set collection in Mist Blue and Dove Gray, Right: Coffee Pot in the same series

Left: A massive collection of TwinTone, Right: Free Form vase in Black and White,
Not strictly TwinTone but in the same genre

Left: A large collection of Poole Pottery TwinTone available at The Vintage Kitchen Store,
Right: Another beautiful FreeForm Poole Pottery vase in the same genre as TwinTone

My love affair with Poole Pottery continues on this post on Twin Tone, When I first started collecting Poole Pottery in my teens I first started with The Delphis range but quickly side stepped to also collecting the Twin Tone series. I was quickly attracted to the playful but chalky pastel colors. Some of the colors produced were called Red Indian, Seagull, Peach Bloom, Ice Green, Lime Yellow, Dove Gray and Mist Blue. Don't those colors sound yummy!..Right?

Twin Tone is called as such because obviously because the glazes are described as ‘semi-matt’ or ‘vellum’ because of their smooth feel and soft sheen, and they always come in two distinctive colors used together, The interior often being the contrast color to the exterior of the vessel.

Twin Tone was produced right up until the 1980's, but kept it's largely 1950's feel and silhouette, In the 1960's pattern and sheen was added which reflected the era's obsession with design that was busier in design, I kind of prefer the cool stream lined Twin Tone of the 1950's the best.

The best site on the web to read and appreciate Poole Pottery is www.robspoolepottery.co.uk Rob does an amazing job and I love reading his website.

DWR/ February Catalog

2013-02-08T14:45:00.000-08:00

Photography: Jim Bastardo

The latest round of images we produced for Design Within Reach has hit stores with their new Diamond Sheets featured on the cover. Many times on our shoots we shoot different angles on rooms or shots for the future, The images featured here are images not seen before.

It's always exciting to see them come to life in the Catalog, For these set of different shots we shot in 5 different locations around New York.

These shots again were Photographed by Jim Bastardo, I am sure you agree he did an amazing job again and Studio Marcus Hay loves working with him and the rest of the team on these great books!

Williams Sonoma/ Easter

2013-02-04T16:23:00.001-08:00

Photography: Anna Williams

Shot by the wonderful Anna Williams, Food by the ever talented Alison Attenborough, We had a wonderful team working on part of the Easter section in the current Williams Sonoma Catalog. Shooting in San Francisco, we had a very creative week.

I actually hand painted the background myself that was use throughout this section. Working with such a vivid blue was a lot of fun, We largely took a very graphic approach, I wove in fabric napkins hand sewn by my crafty Assistant Heather Sanksy

Design Within Reach/ Lampe Gras

2013-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

The Cover

Photography by Jim Bastardo

Recently Design With Reach began to carry the Lampe Gras series and for them Studio Marcus Hay styled this small and stylish catalog available in store.

In 1921, a young engineer named Bernard-Albin Gras designed a series of lamps for use in offices and industrial environments. The Lampe Gras, as it came to be known, is the quintessential French architect lamp. Astounding in its simple yet beautiful design, which had neither screws nor welded joints in the basic form, it quickly gained a cult following in France.

Championing the lamps as modern classics, Le Corbusier described them as a “type-objet”; an object reduced to its pure function. He used the lamps in his own offices, as well as in many of his most famous architectural projects all over the world.

Read more at Design Milk The Catalog was Photographed by the wonderful Jim Bastardo

Lampe Gras Series is available at DWR Hope you enjoy viewing the Series.

Studio Marcus Hay Identity

2013-01-15T17:27:00.002-08:00

With Compliments Slips

Stickers for Packages

Business Card, Front & Back

The back of my Letterhead

The front of my letterhead

Examples of Gio Ponti's Tiles

I just dawned on me that I should share my new Stationary for Studio Marcus Hay, I have actually been lucky to have been using it for a few months now, but with all the travel we have been doing as late, I have not had a chance to be in the office to scan it in and to profile.

I actually commissioned a very talented Designer Diego Marini who owns Skew Eyed Art Direction & Visual Design to come up with the Visual I.D. Diego also owns his own Design business but also works at Diane Von Furstenberg as their Senior art Director. We talked quite extensively about the identity, I wanted something individual, fresh and new. I really liked the way Diego can manipulate typefaces and he came up with a custom typeface to form my logo.

I actually have two logo's that are formed by the use of the same treatment and one influences the other as they have a common thread. The basic motif is the triangle and Diego explained it as like forming tiles, It is not unlike my favorite Designer and Architect Gio Ponti who co-incidentally is also Italian, as is Diego by birth.

A recent trip to Italy had spurned re-energy in my admiration for Ponti's work who's heyday was the 1950's where he designed many influential Interiors, Buildings and Products.

Blue has always been my color, so it is no surprise that Deigo picked up on it when he visited my office where I have a very prominent wall painted in the same blue.

I hope you agree it works very well for me, See it applied everywhere related to Studio Marcus Hay in the future in lot's of exciting ways.

Design Within Reach/ January Catalog

2013-01-13T09:29:00.001-08:00

Cover Photographed by Jim Bastardo

Photography: Jim Bastardo

For the latest January Design Within Reach Catalog that has just come out, Studio Marcus Hay travelled through New York State and Connecticut to photograph over 8 amazing locations in 2 weeks.

With a large cargo van packed to the brim everyday, We constantly packed and unpacked each location with different schemes to give each location a distinct feel. Thanks to my great team at Studio MH, Mykl Cummins, Molly Hartman and our International German Intern Linda Lezius who all did an incredible job negotiating directions, traffic, elevators, endless boxes and packing amongst the many tasks that were required to complete.

Included is Artwork that is featured in the pages of the Catalog and many artists such as James Gulliver Hancock, Rob Nadeau, Eric Blum and Claus Prokop helped me out this time, thank you so much!

The January Catalog was once again photographed by the ever talented Jim Bastardo

The Catalog has a late Winter/Early Spring feel, We shot in a Tribeca Loft, a Hudson Modernist Weekender, a Connecticut Estate, a Brooklyn Brownstone, a Hampton's Mansion and Cabin amongst the many locations and it was great to get to hang out in some of these areas where we would often fill in the nights as a team bowling or sampling local cuisine, It is a great team to work with and we all at Studio MH love working on these jobs, My favorite part being, I can see all the new finishes and fabrications applied to these Design Classic's ahead of time.

Hope you enjoy seeing and are inspired by our new batch of images for DWR.

Williams Sonoma/ January 2013

2013-01-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

January Cover (Not styled by me)

Photography: Anna Williams

Photography: Eric Piasecki

Photography: Romulo Yanes

Most of November last year I spent in San Francisco working for a new client Williams Sonoma. Many may know that Williams Sonoma the brand is actually the company that also own West Elm and Pottery Barn, Both of which I have worked many times before.

The work in November was for Williams Sonoma, the store. According to Wikipedia: Williams-Sonoma was founded in 1956 by Charles E. (Chuck) Williams, selling professional and restaurant-quality kitchenwares for home use. Chuck Williams was one of the titans of the American food revolution. With over 620 stores in the U.S, The brand is enormous and one of the most successful high-end American consumer retail company that sells kitchenwares, furniture and linens, as well as other housewares and home furnishings, along with a variety of specialty foods, soaps and lotions.

I worked on these pages for the January Issue of their Catalog, Here you can see some Bridal, Salad and Coffee pages and sneak peaks from the Easter shots to follow in the next Catalog that already appear on their website.

It is exciting times at Williams Sonoma with new Creative Direction, I enjoyed working once again with Photographers Romulo Yanes and Anna Williams and also for the first time with Eric Piasecki.