Backdrop to The King's Speech

It's Oscars time and I have been running out to try and catch the nominated movies before the 2011 Academy Awards tonight. I finally saw The King's Speech, which is up for Best Art Direction, and really enjoyed it, great movie.

I was absolutely mesmerized by the wall that served as a backdrop for much of the drama. I kept wondering as I was watching, did they create that? Is it a set or location? It just felt so gutsy, these layers and layers of peeling paper, such rich, old texture.

(I did a little research, and as it turns out, it is part of a location in London. More on that story and the industry controversy , if you are interested, can be found at incontention.com )

So excited for the Oscars, one of my favorite nights of the year.

Retail Therapy at American Eagle

Walked the mall the other day just to check out the point-of-sale. (I am a retail-design-geek, it's true). American Eagle Outfitters' window was the winner. I love the wet-paint type treatment, muted palette. The water backgrounds are great, and I especially love that they used them as "solids" on the merchandising cubes.

Chinet goes beyond basic with Comfort Cup

I love it when a little beauty shows up when I least expect it. And in this case, from an unexpected source, Chinet, a brand that has always stood for strength and quality.

Bringing a little style to it's line-up attracts me, makes me feel differently about this brand. Even the packaging is unique. I'll be interested to see if Comfort Cup is just the beginning of a new Chinet. Will they become "the Target of paper goods"?