The adage says imitation is the highest form of flattery. In the art and design world, though, the struggle between originality and imitation isn’t quite so simple.

This week we're shining the spotlight on Art Deco.This eclectic style, symbolic of the Machine age, can still be widely seen today. Here are some of our favorite finds: Lisa's Arch-Deco Favorites: I  lived somewhere besides New York for a few years, and it didn't go well. It was a beautiful old city, but it lacked (among other things) that architectural thing Manhattan has- the decorative and structural elements that take your breath away as you round the corner. Many of these favorite (and most sorely-missed) moments of mine feature Art Deco flourishes-  some well known, and others mysteries waiting...

Traveling can open the mind reveal the silver lining… A 5 a.m. wakeup call is really just another chance to use our awesome JCPenney Home Bodum coffeemaker. Spritzer spillage on the Mohawk SmartStrand becomes a perfect demonstration opportunity for the carpet’s awesome stain-resisting power. And a late night arrival to a campsite in Iowa is apparently a great way to make new friends and get their “glamping approval” on our Flavor Paper wallpaper. We had so much fun on our RV journey in August that we wanted to recount all the places we saw, characters we met and impressions we made. Take a look at our…

As you may have heard, today was awesome from the time we woke up. We’re not normally an agency that toots its own horn- we’ve always chosen to keep the spotlight focused firmly on our clients. But it was incredibly special to be featured in Stuart Elliott’s column in the New York Times for doing what we do- making sure the world knows what wonderful people and products we work with. And, though we’ve been wildly tweeting and posting and blogging the trip, the recognition and comments we’ve received are a validation of a core VP+C belief: Facebook can’t make…

The PR RV’s first day was unlike any other, honestly. Driving an RV halfway across the country with your colleagues would be unique under any circumstances, but we’re cruising down I-80 under very plush circumstances, without a single spat or speeding ticket between us. Despite being caught behind a tractor on a winding country road, we managed to squeeze in some amazing activities. First stop was Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, outside Pittsburgh. The setting is enough to take your breath away. But the house. Oh, the house. It is truly a marvel. If you haven’t been and you love architecture…

We’re just a few hours away from the start of our PR RV journey, and as we unpack our snacks and organize our supplies, we can’t help but be amazed by how beautiful this vehicle is. It’s become apparent to our team that the PR RV isn’t just a celebration of our clients- it’s also an ode to the craftsmen who apply the finishing touches to every project. Without Jimmy DiResta, fabricator extraordinaire, the buildout would have been homespun and scary– nothing more than a temporary display– instead of the roaming home we’re all already feeling it will be. He’s given…

A design post about facets would not be complete without mention of Buckminster Fuller, the godfather of the Geodesic Dome. He first erected his famous structure in the late 1940s, paving the way for Epcot Centers and Biospheres everywhere. However, our post-modern take on crystalline structure is not so perfect or symmetrical. Here are some of the key factors that make these chiseled forms interesting to architects and product designers today: 1. Soul: There is something strangely raw and beautiful about these forms that reminds us of ancient sculptural craft or revealed natural beauty. 2. Futurism: Creating an exterior, interior, campervan, chair, or necklace with faceted…

A guest blog post by Andrew Rosenbloom, Marketing Manager Davis & Warshow… For as long as I’ve lived in Brooklyn (not that long really) – I have dwelled among scaffolding, sidewalk bridges, pedestrian detours and general eyesore that was the Atlantic Stadium Project.   But, last week that site has finally given way to the modern, free-form, freshly paved transit hub that is The Barclays Center… and I wasn’t about to miss its first big party.  Jay-Z opened up the arena with 8 sold-out shows and I was lucky enough to score a pair of tickets. The neighborhood seems polarized about…

I recently returned from a trip to Germany, where VP+C escorted a group of journalists to test Dornbracht’s incredible ATT technology. You’ve probably heard, by now, of the Horizontal Shower, which is powered by ATT. In addition to getting to test out this supremely relaxing, invigorating and exciting marvel of technological mastery, we had a wonderful tour of the country. Though i’ve had the privilege of visiting Dornbracht many times before, this was my first summertime visit and i have to say, it was spectacular. Check out my photos from the Black Forest and beyond. Horizontal Shower, above a supremely…

Popular, thoughtful, and delicious…and I’m not talking about myself! I’m talking about May Day, a local coffee shop in Minneapolis that I recently visited on my trip to the heartland. The fair-trade shop, which is committed to earth-friendly practices, serves up a variety of vegetarian and vegan offerings, and is particularly a hit among those of the indie/hipster persuasion…as well as wannabes like me. When I wasn’t cow-tipping or getting lost on Interstate 394, I enjoyed a creamy spinach quiche, a homemade 7-layer bar, iced coffee and, of course, the people-watching. I decided May Day to Minneapolis is the East…