A Common Link Between San Antonio, Palm Springs & Manhattan

There is something intriguing about creating designs from scissors and paper.

Remember paper dolls and origami? I am reminded of these as I see cut-outs enhancing design from coast to coast.

San Antonio is  always decorated with paper cut-outs called papel picado during the annual Fiesta season and Cinco de Mayo. These traditional  Mexican decorations have roots in Hispanic cultures. They work to turn a plain space into something fun and festive. They are especially transformational when draped from wall-to-wall, close to the ceiling. Although the traditional ones are made from thin paper, I’ve noticed there are now plastic papel picados that can be used to decorate outdoors in gardens and yards.

The newly renovated Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs, California has a unique, hip rendition of cut-outs from floor to ceiling in the spacious entrance of the hotel. The night I was there, the entire expanse was illuminated with a stunning red backdrop; the wall had the illusion of being constructed out of red lace.

The hotel is a great asset to the original Palm Springs vibe, and I loved the Dorothy Draper, Hollywood Regency décor; full of bold color edged in black or white, and completely playful in nature. It is a fun destination trip if you want to take a step back into mid-century design and pace. You definitely want to drink martinis there, even if you aren’t a martini drinker!

On the East Coast, similar style is apparent. Walking to dinner the other evening in the Noho area of New York, I stumbled across a building that must have been designed by a true devote to the punched and perforated technique. The new, luxury Manhattan condominium, 40 Bond, wows any passersby (such as myself!) with its uber-modern, cut-out technique. By juxtaposing a sandstone-like texture over highly textured metal sheaths, the impact is multiplied.

My curiosity consumed me over dinner, and I couldn’t wait to get to the computer to Google the “whats, whys and whos” of this architectural wonder that pushes the envelope in construction material. Famous Swiss architects, Herzog & deMenron had actually translated the graffiti of street art as inspiration for their “cut-outs.”

INSPIRATIONS FROM TRAVEL
From these recent trips, here are my suggestions for home or office décor with similar style:

• Overlay lace on different colored solid fabrics to create a beautiful pillow or throw.
• Cut out patterns from a bold print and stitch to another fabric to create texture and luxury for a window cornice.
• Lacquer laser cut patterns available on balsa wood, to create texture on a plain wall surface.
• Think way outside the “box!”

Pinecrest, Inc.