Words according to Dakota, SHE II, and Raven Vanguard’s third member, also known as Sloth
Where oh where do I begin this week, the first week of December and the last first week of 2019. The last first week of this decade. I feel like every year it always dawns on us that we should make resolutions for the New Year, plans that will move us onward and upward as individuals. But this year feels far more monumental. A whole decade is coming to a close. In my lifetime, that has only happened twice, when I was 4 and 13, so it didn’t feel significant in my tiny years, and I sure as hell didn’t care when I was in my teens. Maybe that’s why this decade ending feels so impactful. I lived almost my entire adolescence and teen years in those decades. From age 4 to 13 to 23. Now, as we move closer to the 2020’s it’s as if its finally becoming clear that this chapter of my life is ending. My youth, my teens to barely 20’s craziness. I am okay with that. In fact, I welcome the change with open arms.
This week was also the week that Pantone revealed 2020’s Color of the Year. It’s Classic Blue. Now, I don’t have anything against blue really, but this blue in particular is a rather common blue, a traditional and typical blue if you will. Not that it really matters in terms of what we do, since Raven tends to swerve and avoid trends, but it would be nice to see a color of substance picked. Something with depth and life and the ability to inspire. A color drawn from a specific culture, a distinct background. A color that tells a story beyond that of Pantone’s description, “Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of Classic Blue offer promise of protection; highlighting our desire for a dependable and stable foundation from which to build.” Granted, their reasoning holds value with the idea that we are transcending into a new era and stability is a good place to start. That being said, I wish it was played a little less safe. Something with energy, life, hope, resilience. Images of nature, blue waters, serenity and spa like qualities are a bit too predictable for me. However, it is a whole hell of a lot better than 2019’s Living Coral. Vineyard Vines called and they wanted their color back.
Another thing that surfaced this week was the AD100, Architectural Digest’s Top 100, a list I love looking at year after year. There are veterans who land on the AD100 list over and over, who are true icons in the industry, and then there are the firms that “Debut.” All inspiring, and yet some truly stand out in the crowd. This year I couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful designs of Beata Heuman, someone I already know of and love on Instagram, India Mahdavi, creator of iconic The Gallery at Sketch in London, Kelly Wearstler and her gorgeous new Santa Monica Proper (featuring art and furniture designed and created by humans I went to college with – mega inspiring), Luis Laplace of Paris, Pierce and Ward crushing it as always, Roman and Williams, Studio Giancarlo Valle, and Studio Shamshiri who I came to know by their studio space and Maison de la Luz. There are thousands of firms who deserve recognition on this list, but those I just listed deserve the title just as much. All of their designs bring me life in a variety of different ways, from daring applications of color and pattern, to well branded and executed interiors, to furniture design and wallpaper lines. I mean, how could one not be enthralled by the work these people are doing from bars, to hotels, to private residences.
Photos via 2020 AD100, India Mahdavi, Luis Laplace, Pierce and Ward, and Studio Shamshiri
Even though Pantone’s color didn’t meet my expectations, AD100’s picks did, and I am feeling inspired and excited for what is to come in design and in my personal sphere in 2020.