Used to be that the concept of simple escaped me. To say that I enjoy ornamentation is a holy understatement. And given that my entire heritage is Italian, you'd expect that I'm into the gaudy gold leafing, with layer upon layer of fabric strewn here and there, and furniture that would make the Scandinavians cringe. This is pretty much true. I can't really deny my love for all of this or, if nothing else, my appreciation for their craftsmanship and artistic innovations. My mother's side of the family made furniture generations back in Italy and then in New York through until my Uncle Freddie passed away last year. Their Natale and Son showroom was in Midtown Manhattan and the actual warehouse studio was in Brooklyn. Imagine the crazy beautiful woodwork and ornate painting on these pieces that reached their fame and commercial appeal during the Golden Age from the 1930's- 50's. Each of my family members has ended up with two or three pieces (I'm currently having two matching sofas with intricate wood carving and ivory silk damask upholstery delivered to our home, along with a rose and gold tone marble coffee table that had- to my memory- always been nestled between those sofas in our old living room (I loved staring at them especially under the glow of the lights on our Christmas tree each year); and a stunning bureau painted with wisps of soft blues, rose, green and gold). Our home is already adorned with a hodgepodge of artwork made by me and my husband or given to us by friends and family- so this added interior embellishment will, oddly enough, stylistically fit right in.
I enjoy this sort of carnival of eye candy when I sit down to drink my tea or welcome friends into our home to eat yum yums or whathaveyou. So when I made the very first design for the Cute as a Button collection, I wondered if I would be able to contain my incessant need to embellish. What I discovered was a sort of liberation from excess mind clutter as I made more and more of these simplified and perfectly lovely single button necklaces, bracelets and rings. Naturally, I've added a few pieces that have slightly more action going on, but that's how I find my balance.
Simplicity is a stunning freedom. Embellishment is a creative explosion. I'm happy to delve into both worlds. That's just the way I roll.
