An old pitchfork, horse saddle, or ladder isn't usually classified as a decorative object—unless designer Vicente Wolf gets his hands on it. With an open mind and an artist's eye, Wolf shows us how to see the beauty in the most unlikely things.
Rustic Vessels
Though Wolf first spotted these carved wooden containers along dirt roads in Madagascar, he immediately envisioned them on the counter of a grand bathroom. "They were just the right size for Q-tips and cotton balls," he says. "I always love the yin and yang of rustic elements in a luxury setting."
Creating Sculpture
While in Ethiopia, Wolf noticed many of the men were carrying these wonderful canes made of dried carved wood. "I loved them for their sculptural quality and patina," says Wolf, "and knew that, placed on stands, they'd suddenly become objects worth looking at."
Unique Collections
"I don't believe in buying just one small item," says Wolf. "I buy multiples, so the items become a collection." As a group of six, these Victorian doorknockers become a striking focal point on a coffee table. "I tend to buy in groups of three; it makes the display feel more intentional."
Technological Advance
When everyone was starting to mount flat-screen TVs onto the wall, Vicente began placing them on easels. "With the mental association of artwork, an easel transports it from just being a TV to a new sort of decorative opportunity."
