APT: Washington Heights + Art + Design

Hook Box (+ Girard).

We bought Luca Nichetto’s Hook Box several years ago, without any idea of where we would install it (we did consider it for the downstairs bathroom in our house, but it didn’t fit nicely). We just both loved the design, and knew we’d eventually put it to good use.

Anyway, I finally hung it up last night! It’s in the entryway to the apartment, and will work perfectly for hanging dog leashes and stashing keys, sunglasses, and mail when we walk in the door. There’s no room for a little table since there are doorways everywhere (five of them in the tiny entry area!), but this is just right.

(Oh, and by the way? I refuse to use to term “landing strip” in reference to anything in my home. It’s right up there with “water feature” and “window treatment” on my list of cringe-inducing décor-speak.)

The Alexander Girard canvas is from Urban Outfitters. I was a little twitchy when UO released their line of licensed Girard good last year. He’s one of my longtime design heroes, and, well. You know. But then I got over myself and ordered this canvas, and I must say…the quality is very good, and I’m happy with it.

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47 Comments

  • Reply ahj January 15, 2010 at 10:32 am

    Looks perfect. Can’t wait to see the other shots of the apartment.

  • Reply jaime January 15, 2010 at 10:38 am

    oh god i want one of those hooks so badly. or maybe three…looks really nice.

  • Reply charlotte January 15, 2010 at 10:38 am

    it looks fantastic! i’m loving seeing this apartment come together.

    out of interest, where did you get it? i’ve never been able to find it for sale anywhere.

  • Reply Anna at D16 January 15, 2010 at 10:42 am

    charlotte: Design Within Reach sold the hook boxes VERY briefly in the US a few years ago, which is when we bought ours. I don’t know if it’s still available in this country (if even if it’s still in production at all), but the manufacturer is Bosa Ceramiche if you’re interested in finding out more.

  • Reply Kate January 15, 2010 at 10:46 am

    It looks SO perfect there! I can’t wait to see the rest of the Apartment. (and I’m with you on the term “landing strip” I have to add “Feature wall” to the list of cringe worthy terms!)

  • Reply charlotte January 15, 2010 at 11:10 am

    anna, thank you! i’ve checked and they don’t seem to sell it any more so i reckon i’ll contact the manufacturer to see if it’s sold anywhere in europe. it would be perfect for our narrow hallway!

  • Reply Bethany January 15, 2010 at 11:36 am

    Charlotte! Be sure to post back here when you find out; I want one too! I will send an email as well.
    Thanks!

  • Reply Live a Colorful Life January 15, 2010 at 11:54 am

    The hook box is one of the coolest organizational items I’ve seen!

  • Reply Lydia, Clueless Craf January 15, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Isn’t it rewarding to know that an old purchase has a new purpose? I think the box is great as a “landing strip,” but could also be great fun in a wardrobe. As I love to cull things together for a use, I’d put jewelry, scarf, extra items to put in purse in the box the night before so that the am rush would be a bit less hectic. What do you think?

  • Reply arroyo January 15, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Looks great! Can’t wait to see more.

    Thanks for the urban outfitters link … I didn’t know they had the girard items.

    Have you seen THIS on ebay? The price is (!) but it is fabulous:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEXANDER-GIRARD-MAN-WOMAN-TAPESTRY-1972_W0QQitemZ260537502390QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca93ecab6

  • Reply Stacey January 15, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    I love your entryway – very chic and modern! That wall box/purse holder (not sure what to call it!) is fantastic.

  • Reply donna January 15, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    Funny, I hate the word “colorway.” It’s so overused and pretentious imo.

  • Reply Louis W January 15, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Love this, looks fabu.

    Wondering if anyone knows of similar landing strip hanging shelving units? I would love something like this.

  • Reply Barb F (Australia) January 15, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    I love everything about this apartment already, purely based on the hook box, the Girard and the Orla Kiely handbag! Can’t wait to see more.

  • Reply heather January 15, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    hook box = genius solution.
    I thought about buying the Girard sheets at UO for my guestroom but the reviewers claimed that they weren’t that soft. I never ended up getting around to seeing them in person.
    Your entryway is looking very sleek. 🙂

  • Reply juliet January 15, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    that shade of white looks wonderful!

  • Reply EvY January 15, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    How do you do it to find such great things? You’re a shopping genius.

  • Reply Tweets that mention Door Sixteen » Hook Box (+ Girard). -- Topsy.com January 15, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Anna Dorfman, houseblogs. houseblogs said: [Door Sixteen] Hook Box (+ Girard). http://bit.ly/8UMgcv […]

  • Reply jennifer in sf January 15, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    Ooo, I remember seeing that Hook Box awhile ago and wondering around my apartment trying to find a reason to buy it. Sadly I didn’t, but it looks great there!

  • Reply ellen January 15, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Charlotte (and anyone else interested)

    I emailed bosa ceramiche about 3 weeks ago about if they were still making the hook box and if I could possibly order one, and for how much. They replied 2 weeks later asking where I was located and if I was a private buyer (I assumed they meant an individual as opposed to a whole sale buyer) so I responded but I still haven’t heard if its possible to still buy them and how much it would cost. and I want one so bad!

  • Reply Daniel January 15, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    We could really use a good key stasher…. I can never find mine. Looks wonderful. 🙂

  • Reply victoria January 15, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    damn. annoying design goddess. you are making me very jealous of your handy skills, and your beautiful blog. at least i have that O.K. bag. and, mine’s bigger. 🙂

  • Reply heather January 16, 2010 at 8:25 am

    I prefer the term “decompression zone” for an entryway. 🙂

  • Reply Griffo68 January 16, 2010 at 9:40 am

    Oooh I want one!
    The apartment is looking great.
    Loving the Girard print too, I did consider buying one the last time we were in NYC but it would have been a hassle bringing it back on the plane!
    I bought quite a few Girard cushions though and the quality is great.

  • Reply Sue January 16, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    Love your entryway, looks so cool. Thanks to Ellen on her post about the hook box-continue to keep us posted, I would love to have one. Just wondering, Anna, it looks like you are going with an all black/white theme. Am I right?? I should probably just wait and see. I too have a Girard canvas print from UO and am happy with the quality as well. What I don’t have however is that awesome Orla Keily bad – green with envy.
    Sue

  • Reply elsie January 16, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    Your post inspired me to visit UO yesterday on my lunch break and I came home with the Girard Love pillow I had been trying to resist for months now…I may have to go back for that canvas print! The apt is lookin’ good! Can’t wait to see more!

  • Reply Monica January 16, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    I’ve got this Girard in my entryway too…the canvas also works well for covering up the rather conspicuous circuit breaker in our entryway. Looks fabulous in your new apt! I was also initially skeptical of the UO+Girard marriage…but good design can turn up in unexpected places…and UO does have some fun apartment items… I think their Girard stuff is very well done for the most part!

  • Reply Krystle January 16, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    That print at UO is on sale for $20! Seems like they’re slamming us with terrible shipping costs … but still.

    Loving the apartment.

  • Reply Alicia January 17, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Hey, Anna! Have you hung your varde shelves yet in the kitchen? I want to do the same setup as you and I was waiting to see how the varde shelves look above the varde shelving unit. Of course, at the store they do this for display, but with the 25″ deep units, not the 14″ and I wanted to know if it looks good or interferes with the usage of the countertop. So, can’t wait to see that, but I might not have enough patience and might go to Ikea today anyway!

  • Reply Ainsley January 20, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    That combo is works very well. I was SO excited to hear about the new apartment! I would be insanely pumped about decorating that place, much less having an apartment in Manhattan. You’re living the [my] dream!

  • Reply Mary-Ellen January 20, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Can’t wait to see how Bruno and Fritz like the new place. New areas to explore.

  • Reply CarolN January 21, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Ugh, I agree about “landing strip”. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to break the association my mind has with that phrase and feminine pubic hair grooming practices….

  • Reply Laurie Jones January 21, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    Looking great! I especially like your tote, of course its because I have the same one, but seriously I smile whenever I see any of Orla’s stuff!!

  • Reply Little Jane St January 21, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Brilliant Calendar!

  • Reply katrina January 21, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    Wow. What an amazing before and after. It’s hard to believe it’s the same space. I’ve been dropping by your blog for sometime, I always find it so exciting to see what you’ve done next!
    Katrina

  • Reply Montse January 22, 2010 at 4:33 am

    It’s amazing what a difference paint makes! By the way love the table top unpainted. I think it matches the chair legs, and the floating table effect is very nice.

  • Reply Liz Hernandez January 22, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Hi Anna! I love what you have done with your new place, wow! But I have to ask you girl, where did you get your purse/tote? I love it!

  • Reply Anna at D16 January 22, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    Liz: Thanks! The tote is from Orla Kiely.

  • Reply ahj January 27, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Ummm … have you been following the ApartmentTherapy window contest?

    Not in AT’s window, but in Eddie Ross’ window, this artwork:

    http://www.campbelllairdstudio.com/#/news/news=83/

    Looks a hell of a lot like the Girard at UO.

    Interesting coincidence.

  • Reply Anna at D16 January 28, 2010 at 9:40 am

    ahj: Um. Yes, that is quite the coincidence indeed. It’s funny — I had seen this before when looking at the contest on AT, and I actually assumed that it was a Bloomingdales reissue of the Girard panel in an awful color scheme (much like C&B has done to butcher the Marimekko prints they license).

    I feel embarrassed for the studio that is producing this work and passing it off as their own design. Girard is having somewhat of a resurgence in popularity right now, and I imagine it will hard for them to pass this off as an original piece for much longer.

    Unless it truly is a coincidence, of course. :

  • Reply Anna at D16 January 28, 2010 at 9:47 am

    I just left a comment on the AT post. Sigh.

  • Reply ahj January 28, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I happened to be in NY last week and walked by the window display (a pleasant surprise — I hadn’t realized that my client was next to Bloomingdale’s, and therefore the window contest). I liked Ross’ window (surprisingly, since his taste and mine don’t align very often) and made a note of the “Girard” piece. I was very disappointed to find out that it was a knockoff.

    If you look at the rest of Laird’s stuff, it seems pretty clear that the “Cirsk” series is a departure from his usual thing.

    It amazes me in this internet era that anyone thinks they can get away with doing this. Though I guess that he has, for a while.

  • Reply Jennifer February 15, 2010 at 10:08 am

    I love the Girard print! I looked online and it is out of stock. Do you have any suggestions on how I can get one?

  • Reply avs March 11, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I had the same reaction when I saw a Gerard pillow UO this weekend, but the quality was there. Spread the Love for sure.

  • Reply sum0p0ng March 16, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I know this is a VERY late comment, and im not sure if anyone will look at it, but I’ve got two hook boxes that i’m trying to get rid of. They’re red inside. I can’t find any kind of marketplace to sell them. tried to sell them on ebay but no one was searching for them and no one bid. Anyone interested? if so, send me an email.

    • Gretchen April 9, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      I would like to buy the boxes, depending on condition and price!

    • Tammi July 27, 2016 at 1:29 pm

      Are you still looking to sell your Hook Box? I’ve been looking all over to buy one.

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