Joe McLaren

three chickens and oasthouse

three chickens on an overcast day

night cyclist

I love these paintings by Joe McLaren.

Eye of the Storm

What a compelling image. This book cover is by part-time under-the radar designer David Gee. Found on Hanasiana (interview) via The Casual Optimist, the exceptional blog on books, design and culture.

Well done, gentlemen!

Chevet Sympa

I love this nightstand from Rose and Grey, making bedtime so cozy!

Found at please sir.

Per Ahlin

I've been revelling in the book cover illustrations of Per Ahlin from the 60's and 70's.

More at the Klockarp Collection on flickr

And, especially, on P.E. Fronning's photostream.

Lucien Boucher

Excellent illustrated map of Paris, by Lucien Boucher circa the 1940's. Found on the flickr photostream of Crossett Library (at Bennington College, Vermont), whose collection of images is well worth a visit.

As for Lucien Boucher (1889-1971) he was a poster artist and illustrator very active in the 20's, 30's and 40's. He made lithographs, engravings and painting in gouache and watercolour. Even though he is better known for his posters and maps, he's very much the poet laureate par excellence of everyday Paris in the mid-century period, with charming, evocative and droll vignettes of otherwise overlooked subjects.

For more, see:

Ma Brocante à Paris, which featured a smashing series pharmaceutical advertising in the guise of travel posters, including this one—

And A Journey Round My Skull, which includes Lucien Boucher's illustrations for children's books, in a round-up on that topic.

And, finally, Ma Galerie à Paris has a more comprehensive look at his life and work (in French). Here's an example—

Bonne journée, y'all!

Hello...

Welcome! I am curious about so many things — and a magpie to boot, attracted by shimmering bits among the flotsam and jetsam. I always needed a place to keep the shiny odds and ends that I come across. And here it is— a Pocket Eden, all my own.