P R E S S / o n l i n e + i n p r i n t
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APRIL 2009
The Seattle Times Retail Report, in print and online:
The Piano Nobile art gallery in Ballard and Dao Jewelry have introduced a new collection called the Positivity Project. The collection's necklaces, rings, bags and organic T-shirts feature a mathematical plus-sign logo, "to carry a positive message in response to the turbulent times we live in." Piano Nobile said it will donate 5 percent of the retail price from the collection's sales to Nest, a nonprofit that supports women artists and artisans in developing countries by helping them build businesses (author: Amy Martinez).
Article reprinted online at Businessweek.com
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MARCH 2009
The Wanderous design blog:
. . . Piano Nobile embraces the convergence of work + life. Housing their studio in their, well, house (a converted garage), husband and wife team Isabelle Grizzard Robertson (textile/surface designer) and Nickolas Robsertson (designer/builder) share a space adjacent to their living area where they can letterpress, print, build, design and dream up the next collaboration . . . In addition to the two founders, the studio consits of four additional artists/designers/builders whose skills, as shown by their many collaborations, are complimentary and congruent. . . if this whole arrangement weren't mom+pop enough for you (in the best way possible, of course), it's notable that there are some family ties in action here. . .
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FEBRUARY 2009
Minding the Shop retail blog, nwsource.com:
. . . Piano Nobile leans to the "arts" side of arts and crafts, and their combined creative power is astounding . . . The volume of work from these artists is large -- there's not enough room here for me to describe it all. . .
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JANUARY 2009
Martha Stewart Weddings, Sew In Love:
"Piano Nobile custom-printed the bridesmaids' totes, which held earrings, a bracelet . . ."
(author: Kristina Grish; photographer: Meg Smith)
Note: The bridesmaids' gifts, as well as the bride's earrings, necklace, and bracelet, were custom-made by dao jewelry, available through Piano Nobile. The Piano Nobile tote bags were custom-printed in the couples' wedding colors, then hand-embroirdered with the bridesmaids' names.
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JANUARY 2009
Minding the Shop retail blog, nwsource.com:
Ballard gallery and amazing design workshop (more on that later), Piano Nobile, is having an artist reception for local artist Paton Miller, on Saturday, January 31 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Miller’s show, From the Four Corners, shows “a gritty, tropical world, full of strange plants, silent people, and harsh sun.” I saw a sneak peak and found Miller’s work really incredible. I’m no art critic, but it reminded me a little of Paul Gauguin. Along with the art, enjoy music by Steve Treseler and view hand-turned wood bowls and platters made from reclaimed wood by Sculptor Laura Yeats.
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NOVEMBER 2008
Apartment Therapy home design and decor blog:
. . .What we love about both series is that they're crafted out of solid wood. In an age of MDF, laminates, veneers, and IKEA pine, here's a fine collection in your choice of solid hardwoods: Oregon walnut, big leaf maple, or Washington sycamore. Chadhaus Furniture, available through Piano Nobile, is truly modern, truly heirloom-quality solid wood furniture. . .
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SEPTEMBER 2008
Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, Connect to Craft:
" At Piano Nobile, a new design studio in Ballard, a group of five artists, designers and builders apply a combination of structure and surface design, fine art and fine craft to a range of handmade products and architectural projects.
On our first visit to the studio, artist and designer Isabelle Grizzard Robertson was making hand-printed textiles with woodblock letter forms from an old printing press. Her brother-in-law, Chad Robertson, a craftsman and architect, was working on a bed and on an ongoing personal project: his lapstrake boat.
The printmaker and woodworker explain that art and craft were central to their upbringings and that an early hands-on approach to making things balances the more conceptual side of their educations: Grizzard Robertson honed her art skills at Cooper Union, while Robertson earned a degree in architecture from the University of Washington.
On the flip side, their formal training taught them to look at design solutions with an editorial eye. “With any process, there are always tricks to show your level of craft. Sometimes approaching [a project] purely from a design perspective is good because you are able to edit yourself and to show some restraint,” Robertson says. A critical self-review, and feedback from fellow collaborators in the studio, ensure that the appropriate materials and techniques are used to find the most elegant solution."
(author: Virginia Bunker; photographer: Hank Drew)
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SEPTEMBER 2008
Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, Type-Oh!:
"We admit it. We are crazy for type—especially an eclectic mix of letter- and number-embellished accents in a beautiful room. But would you expect anything less from magazine editors who write about interior style? Of course not! Happily, many designers share our passion for printed matter. A recent shopping trip turned up gorgeous letter forms on everything from textiles and tableware to couture lampshades and cushions."
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(author: Virginia Bunker; photographer: Hank Drew)
SEPTEMBER 2008
My Adventure is Your Advantage blog:
Please meet Hank.
He's a bag.
I'm loving this limited edition canvas bag from Piano Nobile.
Hank also has a little sister, Henrietta, whom you can see here.
Check out more awesome bags (and jewelry) at www.studiopianonobile.com.
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JULY 2008
Little Willow design blog:
"I just stumbled upon the website for art studio Piano Nobile and instantly fell in love with these marker drawings by artist Nate Lambdin."
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MAY 2008
Green Chair Press blog:
"Piano Nobile over on Etsy makes these fabric totes, letterpress printed using wood type. My press doesn’t print a large enough area to cover fabric for a big tote, so I’ll just have to buy one of their bags!"
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MAY 2007
Blueprint Magazine, A Handmade Tale:
"The Home Office . . . A friend's design firm turned an old armoire into a mini home office, fitting it out with shelves, cubbies, and drawers."
"The Craft Room . . . Also here are her fabrics, neatly stacked on a shelf unit that looks like a built-in. A homasote board for project planning is covered with cotton batting . . ."
(author: Eleni N. Gage; photographer: Anna Williams)
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DECEMBER 2006
lenacorwin.com blog:
"beautiful textiles from piano nobile (bags made exclusively for purlsoho)"