The Challenge

Art Deco

Image PeepSideshow Darkward1 Comment

1 Art Deco sm

Art Deco (/ˌɑrt ˈdɛkoʊ/), or Deco, is an influential visual arts design style that first appeared in France just before World War I and began flourishing internationally in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s before its popularity waned after World War II. It took its name, short for Arts Décoratifs, from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) held in Paris in 1925. It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The style is often characterized by rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation.

That’s what art deco is. While I was slightly familiar with the style, it isn’t something that I am well versed in. Fortunately, the designers for The Challenge are. Almost everything in my photo comes from this monthly event.

While art deco may not be everybody’s style, there are certainly plenty of items available at this event that can blend into any style. The bistro set from [ht:home] would fit right in to a cafe or on a patio. The picture frame and clock from *Atomic Faery* allow you to change the photo, so they are perfect for displaying your own artwork or portraits. The comfy chair from 22769 ~ [bauwerk] would complement a cozy reading corner and the plant stand (in three different shapes) from Little Llama comes not only in a true art deco version, but in a white version as well, which you can recolour to fit any decor.

Truly art deco is an eclectic style; every home decorator’s dream come true.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

*Fireplace: Enchant3D – Roaring 2020s Fireplace by Fianna Idora (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Photo frame: *Atomic Faery* Art Deco Photoframe by AtomicFaery (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Clock: *Atomic Faery* Art Deco Mantle Clock by AtomicFaery (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Ceiling lamp: Fiasco – Melrose Ceiling Lamp by Elissdi (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Gold side table: Fiasco – Melrose Side Table by Elissdi (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Bistro chairs: [ht:home] manhattan bistro chair – red & teal by Corvus Szpiegel (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Bistro table: [ht:home] manhattan bistro table by Corvus Szpiegel (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Chess set: [ht:home] manhattan chess board by Corvus Szpiegel (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Plant stand: Little Llama – Deco Plant Stand – Triangle/White by Persey Garcia [recoloured] (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
Plant – top shelf: dust bunny . camellia potted plant by xlnoel
Plant – middle shelf: dust bunny . potted jade plant by xlnoel
Plant – lower shelf: Senzafine .:SF:. “Xochitl” Potted Aloe Plant (round) by Synjari Myriam
*Rug: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Art Deco Rug (sloppy) by Paco Pooley (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*Chair: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Art Deco Lounge Chair White by Paco Pooley (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
*End table: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Art Deco End Table by Paco Pooley (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Dec. 2015)
Newspaper: Apple Fall Crumpled Newspaper by Warehousefifteendesigns
Books: Apple Fall Design Books by Warehousefifteendesigns
Build: Scarlet Creative – The Arcade Dec 15 Campbell House MT RARE by Charlotte Bartlett (gacha prize at The Arcade Dec. 2015)

körd

Image PeepSideshow Darkward3 Comments

1 körd sm

Körd. Swedish for screwed (has no chance) {adj.} [coll.]. I’ll do what I can, but needless to say, you are good and screwed.

At least according to bab.la.

This is exactly how I feel whenever I am faced with the prospect of assembling my own furniture. And yes, the screwdriver does end up in my mouth as I try to start the thread of the screws, shortly before it becomes a lethal weapon if anyone happens to be standing in the way when I hurl it across the room in frustration.

Paco Pooley of 22769 ~ [bauwerk] could have used my finished shelf as his model for his entry in this month’s round of The Challenge. With Scandinavian as the theme, it was almost inevitable that someone would play on Ikea. And that’s exactly what Paco did.

Yes, the SLIkea box and the inexpertly-put-together shelf are playful. I’m sure more people than just me laughed when they saw it. It also includes a spare board and an instruction manual…which you can see roasting like chestnuts on the open fire. What use are instructions when they are only diagrams and not very informative, at that?

The Challenge runs throughout the month and you can find all of the designer’s goodies in their mainstores. Get there, or you’re screwed.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Top: !Rebel Hope Careless Mesh Top_Maitreya by Rebel Hope (available at FaMESHed Oct. 2015)
Jeans: !Rebel Hope Jealousy Mesh Jeans_Maitreya by Rebel Hope (available at FaMESHed Oct. 2015)
Shoes: !Rebel Hope Redemption Heels_Maitreya by Rebel Hope (available at FaMESHed Oct. 2015)
Hair: [monso] My Hair – Yoni /Red (no material) by Morphine Janick (available at Kustom9 Sept./Oct. 2015)
Tattoo: [White~Widow] Midnight in Paris – Maitreya Mesh Body by Julie Hastings
Skin: -Glam Affair – Amberly II skin – America 13 C by aida Ewing
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V1.0 by Onyx LeShelle
Eyes: IKON Promise Eyes – Maldives by Ikon Innovia
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Screwdriver: Neotoy Mesh Screwdriver Classic by Neotoy Story

*Shelf/box: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Swedish Shelf by Paco Pooley (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Oct. 2015)
*Chair: [ht:home] uppsala lounger – leather by Corvus Szpiegel (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Oct. 2015)
Pictures: Kuro – Xiaj tree frame by Luana Dawg
Fire: Trompe Loeil – Fireplace Logs and Fire by Cory Edo
*Instruction manual: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Manual by Paco Pooley (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Oct. 2015)
*Hutch: Cleo Design cabinet by Cleom Bailey (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Oct. 2015)
*End table: Cleo Design table by Cleom Bailey (available at the mainstore for The Challenge Oct. 2015)
Build: Scarlet Creative Wish you were here Prefab by Charlotte Bartlett

Pose: terra design – F_49_mirror by Cutebaby Melody

Now He’s Just Somebody That She Used To Know

Image PeepSideshow Darkward3 Comments

1 Now He's Just Somebody That She Used To Know

He was a good man. A good father. He was a hard worker – maybe sometimes he worked too hard. He wasn’t a guy who went out with his mates after a long day on the job. He would much rather be at home. With them. His family.

He didn’t always get there in time for dinner, but he always tucked his boy in for the night. Sometimes, long after he had already gone to sleep. But he read him a story, anyway, touched his cheek and kissed him goodnight.

Many times, dinner was a bowl of cereal or a ham sandwich because she had angrily thrown away the leftovers when the hour grew late and he was still not done with his day. Often, he slept on the sofa with just his jacket as a cover because she had locked him out of the bedroom. Again. Always, he felt the loneliness of being an outsider in his own home. Always, he prayed he could be more.

He didn’t blow his paycheck on booze and bets on the game. He spent it on a roof and a full pantry and when there was enough left over, for a toy soldier or a model airplane or a scrapbook. He filled it with memories, hoping that the pages would never be enough to be filled with their life.

Then one day he came home to a nearly-empty house. Gone. She is gone. His boy is gone. His life is gone.

A few lonely pieces of furniture, some discarded clothes, a few toys she deemed unworthy and the sad, half-empty scrapbook are all that are left. No note, no warning. She just left with all that was dear to him. No forwarding address, no warning.

He used to be content. Not as happy as he would wish, but full of expectations for better times. He used to be filled with joy at the thought of holding his son, caring for his child’s mother. He used to be the one she turned to when times were tough.

Then, he was the centre of their life. He was all that he could be to them. To her.

Now, he’s just somebody that she used to know.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

On Chance:
Jacket/shirt: Legal Insanity – gas mask jacket by Datrip Blackbart (group gift)
Jeans: Cold Ash – Slim Fit – OCELOT Jeans by ColdAsh
Boots: V-Spot – Renegade Kombat Boots by Vertig0 Sands (group gift)
Sunglasses: 7mad;Ravens End o’ Summer Sunglasses by Poe Rozenberg (MOH6 Website gift)
Hair: MINA Hair – Mark (no materials) by Mina Nakamura (MOH6 gift)
Skin: 7 Deadly s{K}ins – DAMIEN Caramel by Moonspell Ghost
Hands: Slink Male Hands (AvEnhance) – Relax by Siddean Munro

*Chair: [hate this] [ht:home] covered armchair by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge Blog September 2015)
*Table: [hate this] [ht:home] covered table by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge Blog September 2015)
Books: 8f8 – 13. Our Secret Hideout – Crate of Wisdom by iBi (gacha prize)
Scrapbook: 8f8 – 17. Our Secret Hideout – Our Memories by iBi (gacha prize)
Small table: :HAIKEI: if I live in a hut _ gacha {4} by qo0op
Toy plane: -ATTIC- Wooden Plane Toy by Citta Wiskee
Toys: Alica Stella Designs Christmas Toys Boxed by Alicia Stella
*Gym bag: 22769 ~[bauwerk] Travelbag by Paco Pooley (available for The Challenge Blog September 2015)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wooden%20Bay/36/123/23
Clothes: :HAIKEI: look through the window gacha {4} by qo0op
*Lamp: [hate this] [ht:home] covered lamp by Corvus Szpiegel (available for The Challenge Blog September 2015)
Cranes: [DDD] Paper Cranes Trio by Anke Hatchuk
Build: [ba] paris penthouse 2.0 by Barnesworth Anubis (available at Collabor88 August 2015)

Pose included in chair