Drawn to Cities…part 2

Mr. Peacock is looking forward to the release of the book, The City Out My Window: 63 Views on New York (thanks Abbie for the heads up!). The release date is November, but you can order a copy here.

Above: The view from Mikhail Baryshnikov's New York window.

The book is a collection of drawings by architect, illustrator, and author Matteo Pericoli (below) of window views of various New York inhabitants.

Each enchanting drawing is accompanied by a comment from the “owner” about their window view.

This is Nora Ephron's view of New York City from her window. I can imagine Ms. Ephron in front of her window thinking about the script for Julie & Julia.

The view from Graydon Carter's window.


Mr. Percoli has other amazing books including Manhattan Unfurled (above).

A detail from The East Side of Manhattan Unfurled.

Each time Mr. Peacock makes a pilgrimage to Ikea, I’m always in awe of the designs by Sissi Edholm & Lisa Ullenius (above). These talented graphic designers have a design studio, Edholm Ullenius, based in Stockholm, Sweden. There clients include Ikea, Absolut Vodka and Paul Smith.

Of course Mr. Peacock likes their illustration of city buildings (for Bookbinders Design).

You can’t walk through Ikea without seeing their charming work—including the 100% Cecilia fabric above—which only $5.99 a yard.

And I love their drawings of birds, including the pair above (also for a Bookbinders Design).

Another talented illustrator is Maija Louekari (above). Her clever work is featured in the upcoming book, Illusive-Contemporary Illustration Part 3.

Her iconic Hetkiä/Moments pattern (2003) for Marimekko, captures a "moment" in a city. The pattern is available on fabric and house-ware items (including the latte cups above, and tea towels).

Maija's Kippis drawing is available as a tray (above)—which would be perfect for serving cocktails on in any city! This "cheers" design is also on tea towels!

Mr. Peacock is drawn to these line drawings for their humanist qualities. They look like they were thoughtfully created by hand with pencils, pens, and paper (like my vintage cityscape contact paper )—and not created on a computer (although they could have been, and that's okay too). My point is, the heart and soul of these line drawings come from their creators, and that is what makes them so special in this age of high-speed technology. Mr. Peacock salutes these talented illustrators and artists!