The Artful Life: 5 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. Olafur Eliasson’s Firm Adds Colorful Glass Pavilion to the Donum Estate in California

Berlin-based Studio Other Spaces, the architecture firm founded by pioneering artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann, has completed a new pavilion at the Donum Estate in California’s picturesque Sonoma Valley. Already home to more than 50 site-specific artworks, the acclaimed winery has christened the Vertical Panorama Pavilion, a conical structure wrapped in more the 830 colorful laminated-glass panels of various opacities. Intimate, immersive wine tastings will be held in the structure’s internal seating areas, which are lined with earth-toned brick walls that appear embedded into the landscape. “The pavilion maps out the surrounding ephemera–the soil, vegetation, wind, sun, atmosphere, and rain–and incorporates these into the colorful canopy, reflecting the wine’s unique signature,” writes Eliasson and Behmann. —Geoffrey Montes

2. Penny Drue Baird Designs New York Flagship for Jewelry Brand Seaman Schepps

Known for providing the finest jewelry to style icons such as Marlene Dietrich and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, esteemed jewelry house Seaman Schepps has just unveiled its flagship store on the corner of 69th and Madison Avenue. The Manhattan space will carry the brand’s full line, including its famous turbo shell earrings, mousetrap bracelets, and innovative new designs, as well as debuting a long-anticipated homeware line. To celebrate nearly 120 years in business, owner Anthony Hopenhajm enlisted internationally renowned interior designer Penny Drue Baird to spearhead the architecture for this bi-level space. Incorporating a color palette of soft beiges and blues, the interiors embody a Parisian feel to honor the timeless elegance for which Seaman Schepps is known. “The inspiration for the design of the new Seaman Schepps flagship store came from the eponymous brand itself,” Baird tells Galerie. “Seaman Schepps is unique as it is at once classic and cutting edge, vintage and contemporary, sexy and sedate. Seaman Schepps is a romantic brand, where every piece tells a story, a history, and gives us a romantic vision. I wanted the shop to be a place where a woman feels nothing but marvelous and glamorous, while still feeling at home.” In addition to stunning interiors, which include the original Park Avenue store’s 1850’s Italian Rococo mirror as well as an impressive spiral staircase, a vault of the brand’s historical pieces will accompany over 5,000 original sketches of jewelry designs. —Shelby Black

3. Party Planner Extraordinaire Bronson Van Wyck Makes Drinking from a Can Chic

When it comes to over-the-top, wildly imaginative events, no one tops Bronson van Wyck. With his family’s firm, Van Wyck & Van Wyck, he’s created memorable parties around the world for celebrities, socialites, and dignitaries. Stepping into one of his soirées, such as the recent Save Venice ball, is to forget yourself and be taken by the moment—the decorations, the music, the costumes. But as the expert himself will tell you, cocktails are a key part of getting the room buzzing. So, it seems like a complete no-brainer that the creative genius behind the book Born to Party, Forced to Work (Phaidon) would concoct a line of ready-to-drink cocktails in a can that are just as delicious as the signature drinks served at his exclusive fêtes.

Named after Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and pleasure, Dio offers three different beverages that are both interesting and easy to drink. Turning to his on-the-ground knowledge and his extensive travels, van Wyck crafted sophisticated flavor profiles that are uniquely and wildly delicious. The spicy pineapple margarita, tumeric ginger lemon drop, and hibiscus rose French 75 all provide the perfect twist on the familiar classics. All the concoctions are all-natural, non-GMO as will be the mixers van Wyck will launch in the fall with his Dio business partner, tech entrepreneur Nick Bradley. Perfect for parties of one or many, each can holds two servings, which can be served over ice, fancied up with a garnish, or sipped straight from the can. –Jacqueline Terrebonne

4. Merida Unveils New Showroom by Mark Cunningham at the New York Design Center

To give clients a welcoming place to fully experience their range of natural, made-to-order rugs, Merida has introduced a new 5,000-square-foot showroom in the New York Design Center. On display are more than 40 monochromatic pieces from the Atelier collection, woven by master craftsmen in Fall River, Massachusetts, which draw inspiration from artists known for their experiments with light and space, such as James Turrell and Anish Kapoor. Designer Mark Cunningham conceived the design gallery, relocated to the fifth floor, introducing marble-top credenzas and a cozy, residential-style lounge. “The original inspiration was an art gallery,” Cunningham tells Galerie. “We wound up finding the perfect long, linear space that invites the viewer to closely experience the craftsmanship and beauty of these rugs.” —Jill Sieracki

5. Contemporary Artists Revamp the Surf Lodge

Enjoy an al fresco cocktail or live music surrounded by contemporary art at the Surf Lodge this August. The staple Montauk destination has gotten a revamp with new commissions by their four artists-in-residence. Vibrant murals by Tarsila Schubert and Heart Evangelista cover the stage and beach areas, while a site-specific installation by Danielle Orchard featuring her lounging female figures envelopes the lobby. In addition, Anthony James’s mesmerizing light sculptures are scattered around the property. The art takeover continues on Labor Day weekend with an exhibition curated by Brooke Wise. —Stefanie Li