David Rinaldi, founder of Marzipan Mummy, is a bit of a mid-century renaissance man. The New York native is known for his collection of vintage mid-century furniture and heirloom decor. He also represents the artwork of his brother, Chicago artist Paul Rinaldi. Add careers as a musician, creative writer, educator, and advocate for at-risk youth, and one starts to get a sense of what a modern New York renaissance man is.

Rinaldi lives with his wife and Marzipan Mummy partner in the Hudson Valley. Their home itself is a mid-century masterpiece. Their impressive personal collection is housed in the breathtaking mod cabin with walls of windows and its own art gallery.

After curating a robust and playful collection of mid-century finds for the Foundary, Rinaldi took some time to tell us about himself and his favorite mid-century styles.

How long have you been Marzipan Mummy?

I started Marzipan Mummy in 2010. I love marzipan and I’m a history buff too, lucky enough to have traveled from the Egyptian to the Mexican and Peruvian pyramids.

How did you become interested in mid-century modern housewares and art?

I grew up in a home filled with art, music and good books. Both my parents are writers, my father Nicholas Rinaldi, will publish his latest novel this year. While visiting homes filled with books and treasures collected from around the world I acquired a sense for objects that inspire mystery, music and adventure. One holiday family tradition, that lasts to this day, is to give each other small treasures discovered in thrift stores. Some of my collection may have been created before the 1950s, but these pieces would have co-existed comfortably with the mid-century aesthetic. My wife serves as my artistic compass! She’s been a museum professional for over 25 years and both of us come from artistic families.

Who are your favorite mid-century designers, artists, or manufacturers?

I am inspired by the life works of American sculptor Isamu Noguchi and George Nakashima. Add to this list, Josef and Anni Albers, as well as Jens Risom. Anything Marimekko also always makes us happy!

You must have an amazing home. What are your favorite personal pieces?

Our house was designed by an architect who originally built it for herself in the early 1970s. It reminds us of Russel Wright’s Manitoga which is not far away. Our home features an insane number of floor-to-ceiling windows. The rougher the weather, the more amazing the view! It also has a dramatic art gallery reaching 20 feet high. Living here has inspired us to create pieces that go well with our natural surroundings.

Living amongst such remarkable pieces has inspired me to take the next logical step. This year we launched Marzipan Mummy Design Lab, prototyping a line of coffee tables and chairs. Marzipan chairs are vintage bentwood chairs re-imagined in vibrant colors, oftentimes with Marimekko textiles. Mummy Tables in elm, cherry or walnut are often outfitted with mid-century wrought iron legs. Look for these in this sale!

Personal favorite pieces include a Grete Jalk lounge chair, a Hans Olsen teak rocker, a Peter Hvidt daybed and a Speed Graphic Field Camera used by my father-in-law in the ‘50s in his photo studio.

Where do you find all of your treasures?

Some of my pieces come from auctions and estate sales in the NY metro area, others have been collected on journeys across the country. Whether it’s a jar of 1950s marbles in a basement, or a mod Hooker desk in a living room, I’ll acquire that piece and put it on a pathway to a new home, often meeting wonderful people along the way who value the history and art surrounding these pieces as much as I do.

Please tell us about some of your superstar pieces—any famous ones, or pieces that have gone to famous homes?

One of my most “famous” pieces was actually quite humble. It was a quiet little mid-century modern night stand selected by a stage designer to be in a Broadway show starring Christopher Walken. In this show, the character has a prosthetic hand and stores it in the drawer of his night stand every night. Imagine that! One of my 100 year old Thonet chairs is currently in a Chelsea Gallery, part of an art installation by Margaret Lee. Several of my pieces have recently been chosen by HGTV’s Design Star, as part of their makeover shows.

What instrument and style of music do you play?

I’m a singer, songwriter and play guitar. I love to collect mid-century Brazilian guitars. My latest musical venture [is called] the Vulture and the Lamb. A great playlist for enjoying mid-century modern everything should of course include the likes of classic bossa nova (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto) or Afro Cuban music (Chocolate Armenteros).

//Shop Marzipan Mummy through Friday, March 29, 2013//

There are bikes, and then there are Sole Bikes. Sole Bikes come with a way of looking at the world: every day is an adventure and every action, no matter how small, is an act of individualism. Read our behind-the-scenes interview with Sole Bikes before you ride:

A quick Google search turns up results for fixie bike groups from NYC to Beijing. The passion is international. What drives it?

It is driven from the expression. People choose to ride fixed-gear bicycles to show their style, with the flashy colors, and easily customizable parts, it’s easy to use a fixed-gear bicycle as your mobile canvas.

Sole Bikes actually feature a flip-flop hub that allows riders to switch between fixed-gear and single-gear riding. What advantages does this offer?

This allows you the freedom to tear up the streets at super high speeds in fixed-gear style, or take a more relaxed cruise around the beach in single-speed style. The flip-flop hub allows the bike to be very versatile, low maintenance, and perfect for any type of rider beginner to advanced.

Sole Bikes are more than mere methods of transportation, and nothing shows this better than the Artist Series. Can you talk more about these one-of-a-kind bicycles and the inspiration behind the series?

The artist series is something we hold near and dear to our hearts. It all started about a year ago when we did a bike-inspired art show at one of the biggest street art galleries in North America, Lab Art. This first show featured 12 large profile artists who all created a 1 of 1 custom solé artist bike to be displayed and sold at the gallery. After seeing success with this event, we have transitioned into building out a whole “Solé artist network.” We plan to debut a new artist bike every month, and will be sourcing all types of artists (big and small) to create a one-of-a-kind Solé masterpiece.

This month we are featuring the “Taylor Dunfee Speedster” by local artist legend Taylor Dunfee. You can find out more about the bike / artist Here.

You just released Fixtape Vol. 7 by Goldroom. Has music always been a part of Sole Bikes?

7 fixtapes, 7 different months, 3 live events. Since the beginning music has always been a huge part of our company culture. We started off by sponsoring various music festivals like snowball in Colorado, and Coachella in California. Then we realized we needed to take it one step further and really break Solé into the music stream in a more overwhelming yet organic way. That is when the fixtape was developed. It really seemed to us like a no brainer, I mean who doesn’t love throwing on the headphones, starting up a new mix, and just riding?

Your flagship store is in Venice Beach, California. The connection seems to be deeper, though. How has Venice Beach shaped your designs and approach to business?

Venice has been a huge influence for not only the business but for all of our personal lives as well. Being immersed in a village filled with so much culture has had an enormous influence on everything from the colors / design / functionality of the bike to our brand story and lifestyle. We love calling Venice our home. Our office is stockpiled with surfboards and wetsuits, and you can find us at breakwater on really any particular morning.

On the subject of business, what’s it like working with your best friends from college? Is no idea off-limits?

At this point, 3 years into the project, we are more than best friends, we are family. We travel together, hang around Venice after work together, and some of us even live together. We all feed off each other’s smarts and creativity, so, yes, really no idea is off the table (Except for Brian’s #manbreaksbikewithbarehands campaign ). There is no hierarchy in our company, no presidents, no CEO, just a well-oiled machine working day in and day out to help people join our lifestyle, and hop on a “sweet as sh*t” bicycle!

// Shop Sole Bikes until March 1, 2013 //

To get it all out in the open: fixed-gear bikes, also known as fixies, are a workout (as the physiques of the couple pictured will attest). There’s no coasting—your legs are always moving, even downhill and through turns. How far you travel depends on the efficiency of your stroke and overall fitness. Greater consciousness of your surroundings and route is required. The reward for these physical and mental demands is complete control.

Control comes in your newfound ability to backpedal and navigate through traffic. If you want to go faster, it’s simple: pedal faster. Bob and weave to decelerate in graceful motions more akin to surfing than biking. Develop your skills and enter a new world of barspins, skids, peels, and bike polo. If you hope to race track one day, fixed-gear mastery is a must.

Fixies can be seen as a response to the increasing complexity of the city. There’s no finding the right gear, no constant click of the rear derailleur, and less of a strain on your wallet. Forget the costly gears and focus on the frame, wheels, and chain. Take care of your chain and most of the maintenance work is already done. When maintenance is required, an enthusiastic hobbyist can do the job. There’s less visual clutter on a fixie, which means they’re a few pounds lighter than geared bikes. While looks should be the least of your concerns, you are more likely to find a head-turning fixie.

Embrace the challenge, drop the gears, take control, and become part of the international fixie culture with a Sole Bike.

Jam their new hypnotic fixtape by Goldroom while you’re at it.

// Shop Sole Bikes until March 1, 2013 //

Wind & Willow Home’s Araya Jensen quips on her website that her name is pronounced as “a ray of sunshine.”  Her hand-dipped wood bowls and home accessories undoubtedly shine as a bright spot in the domestic landscape. Jensen marries custom-mixed colors of synthetic rubber with unfinished wood for a neo-natural style that brings a pop of happiness to tables and rooms everywhere.

Although launched just one year ago, her DIPPED product line has already been featured in many publications and blogs, including Real Simple Magazine, Food Network Magazine, SF Girl by the Bay, and Apartment Therapy.

You have a background in interior design. How does your design work inform your Wind & Willow Home DIPPED line of housewares?

I have a degree in interior design and over 12 years focused in kitchen and bath design. I have a soft spot for the kitchen and its wares, but I think more deeply it has influenced the very important correlation that function comes before form. My items must be beautiful but first must have a use (or multiple uses). Function is the most important part of what I do and is how I decide on new product.

With that said, secondly and maybe most obvious is the colors. I have always loved color. Mixing custom colors and dreaming up seasonal collections is one of the most exciting parts of what I do.

What kind of wood are your products made from?

My products are made of many different species of wood — beech, maple, cherry, and walnut, as of now. I really love working with the woods as the grain patterns and colors are each so unique.

How did you get started working with synthetic rubber as a medium?

I started out by making some spoons. I wanted them to be colorful and interesting but I thought paint was too simple. I wanted something that would not only enhance the look but also the function. I found a product that would enhance the grip and the comfort of the spoons and I could make custom colors, too. From then on I was hooked — the perfect combination of beauty and function.

What is the best care method for Wind & Willow Home DIPPED housewares?

Like all wooden tools and utensils, they should be hand washed with non-abrasive materials (dishwasher not recommended for wood products).  I suggest seasoning them with a food-safe mineral oil before first use and when the wood looks dry to avoid cracking. All in all, if you take care of them they should last a lifetime (think of your grandmother’s wooden spoons).

What colors do you see as leading influences for housewares and interiors this spring and summer?

I think the neon colors will continue to hold strong — neon pink, yellow and orange. I see this spring and summer as being brighter than in the past. My spring line of colors comes out March 1st and it is much brighter than last spring. Bright corals and greens are so great with muted greys and chalky whites.

 //Shop Wind & Willow Home through February 15, 2013//

Swag Paper spells the end for plain walls. For too long the hassles of wallpaper have dissuaded homeowners and renters from flexing their decorative muscle. We had the chance to talk with Daniela Fields—half of the brother-and-sister team behind Swag Paper—before tonight’s Event:

For all of the people who have had a bad experience with wallpaper, what makes Swag Paper different?

When we first started our Swag Paper journey we knew we needed to be able to create a product that would set us apart from traditional wallpaper. We did research and field testing for about a year before we launched Swag Paper and I can honestly say I know more about adhesives than I ever thought humanly possible! There is a definite science behind it and it has been fascinating to discover what we think works best to be able to achieve the look of luxury wallpaper while being able to eliminate the negative experiences people associate with wallpaper.

First off, our material possesses a thin layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive that is exposed once the release liner is peeled back. You can think of it as a giant sticker! This type of adhesive allows you to be able to apply the product directly to your walls without having to add additional paste or glue. It is flexible enough to be able to reposition and remove the product easily without causing damage to your walls. That alone allows you to eliminate the commitment factor and hassle of spending money on labor, time on installation, and risk of ruining your walls. The beauty of it is that we chose a material that was also durable enough to last as little or long as you would like. The material is considered premium quality, which will achieve the look of designer wallpaper minus all the negatives!

When developing the concept for Swag Paper our goal was to come up with a good solution that would make installation a breeze. The solution was to sell Swag Paper as panels offered in varying heights to custom fit your wall. Unlike a traditional roll of wallpaper (usually sold as rolls between 30 and 50 feet long), Swag panels are printed to line up the patterns seamlessly for you. Panels arrive individually wrapped, and when unrolled, you simply peel the backing from each panel as you install them and the patterns line up side-by-side. Now you have just eliminated waste and a huge headache from attempting to do the math of pattern matching.

Lastly, we offer a unique paint-matching feature on our website that gives you suggested paint colors that match each of our patterns. This way you are not bound or committed to having to wallpaper an entire room. You can become your own designer and create a unique space while being able to harmonize your surrounding walls or furniture with matching paint colors!

Is Swag Paper more eco-friendly than traditional wallpaper?

Swag Paper is a poly-woven fabric which is vinyl free and we print using eco-friendly ink. We use kraft paper as packaging (no plastic at all) and are very green conscious.

You’ve given a china cabinet a makeover with Swag Paper for striking results. What other DIY projects have you tackled?

We have used Swag Paper on tabletops, over full dressers, underneath glass top tables and on picture/mirror frames. We have had people order our smaller panels and swatches to frame out creative collages and use on all types of furniture. We are a new business so we are always looking at new and creative ways to incorporate our product into projects.

What’s the most creative use of Swag Paper you’ve seen?

We had a customer do a collage of different pieces inside an existing panel frame she had on her wall. We have had a lot of people interested in framing Swag Paper to create artwork so we are actually introducing many of our patterns as gallery-style stretched canvas pieces. Our stretched canvas line will be launching at the beginning of February.

Where do you find inspiration for your patterns?

The inspiration for our designs comes from a combination of things we enjoy, places we have traveled, colors we love, textures we see, and of course, being able to use our graphic software to play around with shape elements. Both my brother and I grew up as artists at heart, so when it comes to inspiration, there is no set method to our madness. When we initially began the wallpaper process we did a lot of research on design trends and color theory, which we also take into consideration. The end result of many of our designs is all in the details, incorporating gradients and texture elements which make our prints more works of art as opposed to the traditional monochromatic wallpaper prints you find in a big-box retailer.

We have a baby line launching soon which was my personal favorite to create!

What trends, patterns, or collections are ahead for Swag Paper?

Our ultimate goal as artists is to expand our brand into a lifestyle of products. In the immediate future we are launching our baby line of Swag Paper (Swag Tots) along with our stretched canvas line. The stretched canvas line has been really fun to create and will include oversized pieces of some of our patterns, monogrammed triptych and quads for the baby line, and a collection of vintage map pieces.

Down the road we want to expand our work space to be able to craft other products that incorporate a variety of new materials like leathers, etc. We want to stay true to our artisan lifestyle and like to dream big!

// Shop Swag Paper until February 8, 2013 //

“Indeed, no stone has a color that is more delightful to the eye…there being no green in existence more intense than this,” Pliny wrote about the emerald.  The first century philosopher was convinced that gazing at emeralds was soothing and restorative.

Cleopatra was also fond of the green stone, and her famous mines in Upper Egypt produced many treasures. Emeralds were historically associated with the goddess Venus and concepts of beauty and fidelity. Today, celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie have kept the vivid green jewel in vogue.

A rich color, emerald is said to elicit a calming yet invigorating effect on the observer. Many people believe the hue encourages harmony and resonance with nature.

There are countless ways to incorporate the deep, fresh color into your home because emerald is as versatile as it is elegant and works well with many styles.

• Emerald adds energy to a crisp, modern palette of white and black or charcoal.
• Greens with blue undertones blend with deep teal for updated coastal or global chic looks.
• Mix with other greens for a lush indoor landscape. Deepen floral and fauna woodland motifs.
• Elegant emerald is at home in ornate Oriental and baroque settings.
• Paint a whole wall, or use a pop of color with glassware, or a vase and pillows.
• Create a rich interior landscape with precious minerals hues like emerald, malachite, and jade.
• Mix with metals, including gold, silver, and copper patina, or natural materials like granite and marble.

//Visit our Color Theories board on Pinterest for emerald pinspiration//

//Shop Emerald Green until January 25, 2013//

Master of his own fate, Rodney White communicates his vision and life-experiences through his art. He calls on simple advertisements from yesteryear, meant to inspire rather than simply sell a product, for visual cues. In our interview with the artist, he explains a bit about his life and artistic process.

What’s the story behind your unique logo?
It’s an animal of my own creation – a Cheagle.  A chicken that dreams to soar above the clouds like eagles.  The chicken represents my past (I was born in the south).  The eagle represents where I want to go – which is everywhere.  You can say I flew the coop.

Has your work always carried such inspirational messages, or was there a moment that sparked that? 
My poems have always been about me finding solutions to my problems.  When I started painting – the two came together and the things I wanted to say happened to be the resolve in poetry.

Please explain your creative process.  What mediums do you use? How long, on average, does each work take? 
My process starts with either the visual inspiration or the poetry.  I am a graphic designer, so I sketch all of my paintings in Adobe Illustrator.  It’s there I work out the colors, typefaces, and layout.  After I finalize a sketch, I use it as a guide and begin painting it on wood panels.  I use mostly acrylic, found objects, and rust.  The sketching part can take anywhere from a day to 3 months depending on how inspired I feel.  Actual painting is the easy part.  That takes about 1-2 days on average.

With your work being featured in museums and on many television series, was there a moment when you really felt like you had “made it” as an artist?
I’ve never felt like I’ve made it as an artist.  I don’t believe there is such a thing.  I am certain when I feel like I’ve made it, my creativity will stagnate.  I need to always have something to learn and something to get better at in my craft – even if that is only ideas.

What was the hardest part of moving from Augusta, Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York? Do you find similarities as well as differences?
I didn’t find it all that hard.  It was a dream since I was a kid.  The hard part about staying is the cost of living!  There are only differences between NY and Augusta.  They are very, very different worlds.

What are you doing when you’re not working?
Seeking inspirations and learning something.  I am kind of a nerd about random things.  I want to know something about everything pretty much.



// Shop Rodney White until January 11, 2013 //

As we look forward to 2013, let us look back on the past year and be mindful of the many blessings we have.

We at the Foundary are thankful for the little things – our children’s smiles when we come home, an abundance of holiday sweets around the office, good coffee creamer, and the sunny days that brighten everyone’s moods.

Cheers to a festive, reflective, grateful, and joyful New Year’s Eve!

Perhaps no design is more endearing to the American public than the theater marquee. Its chasing lights direct and frame your attention. Its symmetrically arranged bulbs lead you in. Everything about the marquee promises a show.

Marquees developed alongside an increasingly automobile-centric culture. To improve readability for passing traffic, the shape of marquees evolved from flat rectangles to angled trapezoids. They increased in size and complexity. Experience tells us bolder designs invite more detractors, but marquees received a pass. To the contrary, marquees like the Chicago Theatre’s become architectural landmarks and the bare marquees of deserted small towns act as nostalgic signposts for times gone by.

Bring the same dramatic flair into your home with marquee lighting from Everyday Art. Jerrad and Machel Green of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina run the company as a husband-and-wife team. They use old metal and a real rust finish to create a “found” look with design cachet. Unlike salvaged components, their components are UL approved and safe for home use. Each letter, numeral, or shape weighs approximately 10 pounds and up to 4 electrical cords can be daisy-chained. These designs evoke the style of exposed-beam lofts, but they easily support rustic and modern motifs as well.

//Shop Marquee Lights until January 4, 2013//