Sweetness and Light

Minimalist loveliness by photographer Alessandro Dal Buoni for Amica Italy magazine, 04/08 issue.


(via chest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Night Moves
Early bird or night owl — most modern individuals consider themselves one or the other. People who lived before the Industrial Age were both. Check out this fascinating article on how sleep patterns back then were very different from what we consider the norm today.

Vintage Makeup Video
A short film from the 1930s shows how to properly apply makeup — which apparently involves a good understanding of geometry and a protractor for measuring your facial features, too. Fun, if slightly alarming.

Jane Austen as Moral Philosopher
Great essay that examines why Jane Austen's novels are still being read and enjoyed today, while more popular contemporaries of hers are now long forgotten.

Art in the Streets of Kabul
Interview with the extraordinary Shamsia Hassani, associate professor of sculpture at Kabul University and probably her country's first serious graffiti artist. So admire her.

The Beginning of the Brontës
In her intriguing essay on the Brontës, Margot Livesay writes, "None of the Brontes' work would have seen the light of day had it not been for Charlotte. At the age of twenty she wrote to the Poet Laureate, Robert Southey, sending him some of her poems and professing not merely a desire to write but 'to be for ever known.'"

Old Hollywood's Oscar Style Influence
Fun slide show over at Vanity Fair on how new Hollywood is inspired by old Hollywood when it comes to dressing up, comparing the styles of Audrey Hepburn and Rooney Mara, Katherine Hepburn and Tilda Swinton among others.

John Peel Record Collection Online
Great news for fans of the legendary British DJ John Peel — his huge record collection is going to be made into an interactive online museum, thanks to an Arts Council England and BBC-backed interactive project. Such a brilliant idea.

Giveaway!!
Last chance to participate in the delectable Rose Sugar Scrub giveaway from the lovely GardenApothecary shop! Hand made using 100% organic ingredients (including Rose Absolute Oil, Sugar, Almond Oil and Vitamin E), it's a truly luxurious home spa treat. For a chance to win, leave a comment (with your email address) here before midnight EST on March 1 2012. Good luck!

The Homies
I've just discovered that automatism has been nominated in the Best Home Design Blog category for The Homies, Apartment Therapy's yearly awards for the best design and food blogs on the web! If you'd like to add your own vote, you can do so before midnight on March 2 here (you'll need to sign in to do so).

Preserved Lemon + Chickpea Pasta With Parsley Pesto
Another amazing recipe from the wonderful The Year In Food — perfect for spring.


(lovely photo by jonas ingerstedt)

Meet the Sponsor

black rooster burlap pillow

vintage settee — circa 1930

basketweave silver leaf table

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mercatto industrial cart

french canvas purse (large)

steel cabinet

I'm thrilled to introduce you to the lovely Black Rooster Decor, a Toronto-based shop that carries a fantastic selection of unique furniture and accessories sourced from all over the world. Ranging from mid-century modern to European antiques, each piece will definitely add character and charm to your home. Black Rooster Decor offers free shipping within Ontario, too! I'm also very pleased to tell you about an exclusive offer just for automatism readers — 20% off all furniture purchases at Black Rooster Decor from March 1 to March 7 2012! Just remember to enter the code spring12 at checkout. Happy shopping!

Smitten

I'm smitten with this inspired recycling of a vintage WWII air raid siren — it's been retrofitted with a standard 1/8" headphone plug, and works as a speaker for your stereo, computer, iPhone or iPod. Perfect for the industrial modern home! Available from Austin Modern on etsy here.