Brooklyn artist Wayne Payte has been revered across design blogs for the past few years for not only his retro-modern print designs, but also because they are so affordable. Here are a few new prints from his website, Good Shape Design. Above: DNA 18" x 24" silkscreen print ($30). Below: Fleurs de Mouille 16" x 20" silkscreen print ($30).

I never thought I could get excited by something like utility tape, but Mike Perry changed that with his illustrated two-tone patterned tape ($8). Might come in handy when wrapping a large present or as a no-nails picture hanging device. Possibilities are endless—it's tape.

My friend Lisa Wyatt, a photographer who's shot for Esquire, The Los Angeles Times Magazine, Outside, Fortune, ESPN, and I.D. (to name just a few) kindly offered to write a guest blog giving recommendations about three up-and-comers in the photo world. Thanks Lisa!

Fine art Photography to invest in now.
by Lisa Wyatt

RYAN McGINLEY

He's the current darling of the fine-art photo world. In fact, he was the youngest artist to have a solo show at the Whitney. His series “I Know Where The Summer Goes” captures the raw sensibilities of youth, free spirit and rebellion. If I absolutely had to choose (but please never make me), I would have “Ann (Slingshot), 2007,” “Running Field, 2007,” and “Hysteric Fireworks, 2007” (shown above) hanging on my living room wall. Also check out "The Breakout Performances” series he shot for NYT Magazine. You can see more of his work here.


KATHERINE WOLKOFF

Her photographs are sopping with color and texture and are simply beautiful in execution, especially the series “Deer Beds" which was exhibited at the New York Photo Festival in Dumbo, Brooklyn last Spring. Wolkoff has also been gaining recognition for her evocative, faintly lit portraits and her work chronicling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

TODD HIDO

His landscapes undoubtedly speak for themselves. There's a certain eeriness to them that mesmerizes me each time I look at his work.


For those of us not ready to start collecting we can focus first on creating a photo book library. Here are Lisa's recs:

Go-Sees by Jeurgen Teller
Tokyo Suburbia by Takashi Homma
Passing Though Eden by Tod Papageorge
Subway by Bruce Davidson
Niagra by Alec Soth
Room with a View by Andrew Hetherington

Dashwood Books in NYC is arguably the best photo bookstore in the country, stop in if you can.

I still feel like I'm recovering from a whirlwind weekend of my brother's engagement party, a Cubs game, a few hikes and lot's of family time. In keeping with the engagement theme I thought I'd feature Brooklyn-based designer Kiel Mead who's become known for the above "Forget Me Not" ring ($200 for 14k gold, $50 for sterling silver) made from a master mold crafted from an actual tied piece of string.

Stephen Lagan emailed me last night about his new retail operation that doubles as a social network called 66 Degrees. I turned to Matt and said, "social networking is such a fad." He replied bluntly, "Well, Facebook is valued at $6 Billion." Ok. I stand corrected. Anyway, it's an interesting concept to check out and as a consumer 66 Degrees is selling things you won't get anywhere else. I'm really loving the above Oyule lamp set ($650) by Brooklyn industrial designer Sergio Silva. I love his concept of reusing lightbulbs and essentially sending them "back in time".

I've been helping my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Maryam, on her save-the-dates this week and we came across this wonderful Brooklyn-based letterpress Sesame Letterpress. She wants the save-the-date to be printed on a coaster, which I think is such a fun idea. It's amazing how many decisions people getting married have to make and how complicated even the smallest ones can be! They're still in the process of designing theirs, but check out some of the examples on the Sesame website, they've got lot's of great stuff. Above is an example of a birth announcement on a coaster and below are example of plain coasters which you can get here ($12 for set of 4), and below that is an example of one of their custom picnic-themed save-the-dates.

Why are whales so awesome? WHY!? I love this tote from Marlow & Sons ($20)—just one more reason why Brooklyn is so cool. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with my friend Kim last week...in the rain...and the wind...without an umbrella. It was pretty hardcore.

I'm not sure how I feel about these 2009 Alex Birdsall "Hue Are What You Eat" C-Prints ($300 unframed) that are food color specific. I wouldn't own one, but they're fun to look at. Unframed they measure 8" x 10", and you can check out the complete series right here. Above: Blue

Green

Gold

I know there are hundreds of great letterpress companies out there, a lot of them putting out very similar products—and I don't mean that in a bad way—because it's great to have a lot of independent companies out there to chose from. But, I just find it hard to single out just one of them on any given day, so I usually don't. But, I really like this Brooklyn letterpress called Linda + Harriet, their cards are cute and quirky like the above Pig Love card ($4.50), and I really love that 100-page zig zag notepad ($12), I think it would look pretty nice on my desk.

I was flipping through Cookie Magazine while in the check-out line at Whole Foods yesterday and this article about how to easily make needlepoint maps caught my attention. One of their contributing editors, Rory Evans, hangs needlepoint maps that represent everyone in her family. Cookie also provides a great link with full instructions—which are much easier and faster than traditional and somewhat cumbersome needlepoint methods. Also, if you're in to needlepointing already I really love Brooklyn-based AMH Design. They have pre-made stitchable journals ($22) that are perfect for the casual needlepointer— they only take about two hours to complete and would make a wonderful gift.

I'm off for Princeton tomorrow morning for my brother's wedding! I've been so excited this week it's been hard to concentrate on anything else. These are the save-the-dates they sent out last Fall and they've been on my desk ever since. Aren't they cute!? Maryam got them custom made at the Brooklyn-based Sesame Letterpress. Coolness! See y'all on Monday.

When I travel I always throw a few empty totes in my suitcase, and they always get use, whether for it's to schlep tennis balls, dirty shoes, picnic blankets or cameras. Some of my favorites are these from MapTote ($15-$40). They have a great selection of cities, styles and colors—and I think they make an excellent gift too.

I love the graphic work on Bond No. 9 perfume bottles and have posted about them a few times on this blog. The newest from their New York neighborhood-based series? Brooklyn. It's a unisex perfume with notes of cardamom, geranium leaves, and cedar wood and will be in stores this Spring. Fun bottle, interesting concept, but I think I'll stick to my Hamptons bottle for now.

Matt and I worked over the weekend on nailing down a date for our wedding (well, he worked and made multiple spreadsheets with my mom while I quietly browsed the internet). For some reason I don't have the bride gene, and this is going to be a long process if I don't snap to it—and fast. Ha, anyway, I think I really like this Brooklyn calligrapher Love, Jenna, especially the way she writes zip codes. So cool.

One of my favorite things about this blog is discovering new photographers. This week I was introduced to Brooklyn-based photographer Monique Lai. Being a fan of bold colors in interior design, I instantly became a fan of her work which drips with huge color. Her photos range in price from $800-$6000 depending on size and development, and she also is available for commissions. Check out more of her work here and here!