One of the tasks I most enjoy at Christmas is sending (and receiving) holiday cards. Selecting the perfect card is one of the details I like to get “just right” each year. With our change of address over the summer, I wanted to combine a festive message with the necessary “We’ve moved”, and I knew just who I wanted to design the card: Felix Doolittle. I’ve long been a fan of artist Felix Fu’s romantic watercolor illustrations. As I’m an over-planner, I contacted Loren and Felix over the summer to reserve a spot on their holiday schedule, and was elated that they agreed to take me on as a client.
It was such an easy process: I sent Felix a photo of the house we’re renting in London, and he responded with an elegant watercolor rendition, complete with sweet details (the moving boxes at bottom right are labeled “Chicago” and “London”). I only wish I’d had the motivation to buy and hang a wreath as pretty as the one Felix imagined for me on the front door. And no, I don’t own a Mini Cooper (anymore). Sigh.
a closer look at Felix Fu’s gorgeous artwork
Thank you, Felix and Loren (and staff at Felix Doolittle) for making my holidays extra special this year. I’m saving this card! xx, Jane
images by jane potrykus + courtesy of felix doolittle.
“season’s greetings” / pop-up tree card
London artist Chisato Tamabayashi was another of my serendipitous discoveries at November’s Small Publishers Fair. I instantly fell for her pop-up books, which combine graphic, minimalist linen covers with intricately detailed works of cut-out paper art inside. Chisato was kind enough to show me a few books from her collection, including “Plunge” with its enchanting school of fish detail (revealed to great effect when held upside down). Opening each of her books was like unwrapping a much-desired present, and visiting her booth was a delight: I lingered, reluctant to leave her carefully curated world behind.
The London Print Studio recently featured a Christmas Pop-up Card workshop with Chisato (which I missed). Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to come in the new year.
turtle from “plunge”
school of fish from “plunge”
whale’s tail from “plunge”
“parts”: an increasingly detailed look at hyde park, from map to single cell of a single tree.
gorgeously minimal book covers from chisato’s booth at the small publisher’s fair
excerpted photos courtesy of chisato tamabayashi. photo from small publisher’s fair by jane potrykus
look 24
Vera Wang’s pre-fall collection seems a welcome return to the utilitarian luxe design aesthetic that won me over: simple lines paired with glamorous details. (Though I must confess I don’t understand the heavy scarves paired with open-toed shoes.) See the complete collection at Style.com.
look 30
look 14
image credits: photos courtesy of vera wang for style.com
I’m hesitant to call this a gift guide, because it’s a gift guide only if you’re buying for me. (Which makes it a wish list, but perhaps after reading, you’ll be wishing for them, too.) These are the items at the top of my mind with two weeks to go. They’re the items I keep coming back to when searching the internet, and making my list(s), and I’m really hoping to find at least a couple of them under the Christmas tree.
- Bare magazine, issue one: I’m dying to see Bare’s launch issue. Though the magazine was only published for a short time (2000-2001), the title was edited by design star Ilse Crawford with a focus on wellness and wellbeing, so I’m sure I’ll devour the aesthetics as well as the content.
- Glögg and Stollen: Christmas is a time for festive treats, and a day bookended by a slice of Stollen at breakfast (Big Sur Bakery’s version is gorgeous) and a sip of Glögg (from London’s Nordic Bakery) at cocktail hour would be near perfect.
- Repetto suede ballerina flats: because Repetto’s suede is so soft, and the range of colors so beguiling. I can’t decide between blush pink or “little rat” grey. Maybe both?
- Ginger Wishes Body Wash: the scent is irresistible (ginger/citrus), the packaging is adorable, and the price is right (£5), which means I’ve already snapped up this little treat: no waiting around for the 25th.
- Shinola iPad Mini Journal Cover: around the house, I keep my iPad in a snap case, but I’d love to have Shinola’s gorgeous leather journal-style cover for travel. The detail of card slots feels like it was designed just for me, a person who’s forever collecting business cards while exploring. Available in a range of colors, including my favorite, orange.
image credits: 1. crazyaboutmagazines.com 2. hyvinvoinnin.fi (glögi) and quitokeeto.com (stollen) 3. repetto.com 4. stories.com 5. shinola.com // layout and type by jane potrykus
look 5
Crisp, modern minimalism from A.L.C. for pre-fall. A relaxed take on the uniform (but not too relaxed), which suits my style to a tee. See the complete slideshow at WWD*.
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look 17
* subscription may be required: UPDATE collection photos are now available at style.com
image credits: photos by karla ticas for wwd.com
