design-phan

I hardly ever do these, but my inbox was filling up with so many fun, designy things to do right now and over the weekend, I figured I'd post a quickie guide:

1. SHOP a sample sale:

Philly textile designer Kevin O'Brien's sample sale to benefit PAWS started this morning and goes through Saturday. On sale are pillows, scarves, robes, and bedding at 70% off retail prices; 15% goes to PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society). O'Brien's signature aesthetic is Art Nouveau-esque in printed and burnt velvet. Once you become acquainted with his style, you'll start spotting his stuff all over the place, including in Anthropologie, Lisa Reisman, and Barneys.

The deets:

Where: Baltzell design Studio in Northern Liberties, 919 N. 5th St.

When: Till 9 today; 11-9, tomorrow; 12-5, Saturday. 

2. DRIVE BY a lace fence:

Demakersvan installed their lace fence for Lace In Translation, the exhibit that opens September 24. The fence is a gentle arc connecting the parking lot at the Design Center at Philadelphia University to Henry Avenue. From afar, as observed by the Center's Executive Director Hilary Jay, it looks like a ribbon of fabric. Up close, it looks like coated steel wire "embroidered" into something functional. Here's more about the designer and directions to the Center.

3. RUMMAGE at a flea:

I'd do it in rain, snow or sleet, but everyone else seems to agree that fall weather is the perfect weather for flea-marketing. There's a big flea on Saturday around Eastern State Penitentiary in Fairmount, from 9 to 5. And/or, check out one of my favorites, Shupp's Grove, where it's painting/prints/sculpture weekend. Of course, if you just happen to be in Paris, the fleas at Saint Ouen are the best place to spot a 5,000-euro cabinet. I just adapted a magazine story I wrote on the Paris flea markets for a blog, The City Traveler. (The photo above is one I snapped à Paris.)

4. WAVE a paddle:

In Lambertville, at Sollo/Rago's Real Modern Auction this Saturday. This Paul McCobb/Calvin breakfront cabinet (estimate: $2,000-$4,000) is just the thing to show off those flea-market finds. The auction action starts at 11 a.m.

5. LEARN TO arrange like a pro

Beautiful Blooms' floral design workshops at their gorgeous new space on Liberties Walk in Northern Liberties officially start this Saturday, with a three-hour workshop called "Urban Vase." (The pic above is of a Beautiful Blooms design.) Here's a link to their workshop schedule.

Happy almost weekend!