Friday, April 5, 2013

the Mad Men were Wright



American designer Russel Wright was the 
Martha Stewart of his time.


russelwrightstudios.com

No, he wasn’t convicted for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and two counts of lying to a Federal Investigator. 

ewednewz.com

But he was the first American to market a lifestyle, then sell lifestyle products he designed to a public eager to embrace all that. Repro’s are still for sale today.


Born in 1904, he met his future wife Mary at an artists retreat in Woodstock, New York and they married in 1927.


Mary was a designer, but she was also the promotional genius.


Together they brought modern design to 1960’s America.


Originals are considered very collectable.

Annie Wright, his surviving daughter, now manages her father’s enduring designs.


MadMen style pottery. Cool stuff.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

one fine day

you’re gonna want me for your girl.

1300 Boynton Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472

It was 1960, JFK was President, and four young ladies from the Bronx’s James Monroe High School were singing together and sounding (He’s so) Fine.


They became the immortal Chiffons, 
and there’s even a ClockTower Estey Piano connection.


wiki

That same high school commissioned the Estey Organ Company to supply and install an organ and it is still in existence there today.


Estey Organ was also based in London.


The Chiffons recorded on the LONDON label.


Alas, Estey Organ closed its doors in 1960.


But hey. The Chiffon’s hit #5 on the BillBoard Hot 100 just three years later!

(shoo bee doo bee doo bee doo bee doo wop bop!)


“Though I know you’re the, kind of boy, who only wants to run around.
I’ll keep waiting and, some day darling,
You’ll come to me when you want to settle down. 
OH!!!”


"One Fine Day" was ranked #460 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

it’s not.℠



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Confucius say




“Many hands make light work”


So that’s what we did this year.


Everybody contributed and we pulled it off again...


...with a little help from IKEA and the Pearl River Mart.








Chinese mu shu duck wraps with hoisin sauce.






When you can't go it alone, do it together.

Confucius say. :-)