Step right up folks, and witness the wondrous world of Mister Adam Wallacavage…
Having discovered a transcendental route between the beautiful and the grotesque, this “Militant Ornamentalist” is self-taught in the ancient method of Italian scagliola. But don’t take it from me, Adam’s wonderfully-written message exudes more character than I could ever summon:
“I live in South Philadelphia on the Mummer’s Parade route A.K.A South Broad Street. I bought the place 8 years ago and it changed my life. As a photographer, I originally designed and rebuilt the 1940′s converted doctor’s office/1870′s era Brownstone in the vein of a Victorian fun house to use as backdrops for my photography. My main inspirations for most of what I do, are the sea and the idea of endless possibilities of design… I wanted elaborate details and was often upset with the idea of beautiful ornamental architecture being destroyed because I thought the craft of it was lost. Once I taught myself, I was excited and just went crazy with it. Now, the chandeliers I make are a product of the progression of my new skills.”
So when was the last time you taught yourself a skilled trade, hmmm?? I am in utter awe of the space Adam’s (literally) carved for himself from the simple desire to experiment/play. Truly a home of homes, this place is at once set to receive any number of design-savvy dignitaries or just to relax and take in the electric surrounds. A great assemblage of art and antiques is complimented with the light sentiment of stuffed animal trophies and the assorted doodles of his artist-contemporaries. Mark my words folks, though this may be the first time you’ll hear of the lighting designer-provocateur, it certainly won’t be the last.
18 Comments
that chandelier is gorgeous! this is absolutely beautiful, this is the kind of out of the box thinking that moves design in the right direction! towards the future! thank you design sponge for another great find!
Wow! What a fabulous place!
YES!
wow. I actually love the octopus chandelier. It’s weird, but they’ve made it work with the art and the very simple white bed. Are the walls a very pale pink?
hi keri- i think the walls are white but the pink on the fixture is reflected… a nice little bonus for this atypical chandelier. you wouldn’t ever consider that happening with a standard bronze or iron one. good stuff.
Now I haven’t seen these pictures before! I think that the kitchen is great! I sooo wanted to interview Adam too. I swear, all of us Philadelphia creatives need to collaborate and buy a property to pimp out. Could you imagine what the result would be??
The walls are primer white. This room used to be all hot pink but I had to change it. I was intending on making it into something really wild again but it is the only white room in the house and I really like it that way now. The chandelier is just temporary. I just hung it there to photograph it. It is going to the Laguna Art Museum this June for the Juxtapoz magazine retrospective show and then to adorn the entrance way to jewelry designer, Tarina Tarantino’s new “Sparkle Factory” in downtown Los Angeles. (Tarina made the pearls)
amazing. we call this wretched perfection.
Oh this is sooooo amazing. I want a sea creature chandelier!!
Long live the militant ornamentalists!
Wow, just love the octupus chandelier and the Ray Ceasar print above the setee. What a luscious living space!
That first picture had me falling out of my seat from the get go. GORGEOUS! He is definitely an inspiration for those of us in the creative world.
I love the calendar in your kitchen!
Adam, so beautiful. The colors in the dcor and the craft of your lighting fixtures is just amazing. I hope you don’t mind, I’m posting some of your photos over on mermaidhair. http://mermaidhair.wordpress.com
Just to clear one thing up, Scagliola is a process of casting plaster to look like marble. My friend, Kathy Vissar is the master of that. I just do normal plaster casting. My chandeliers are cast plaster as well but I paint them in layers with pigments mixed with epoxy resin to give it a glass look, but then again, maybe I should not give away my secrets! Ummmm.. I paint them with lip gloss and toe nail polish! yeah..that is it!
oh that chandelier is an awesome piece – adam – your work is exquisite!!!
adam – totally amazing chandeliers, and your home is gorgeous!
How is Adam making the Octopus tentacles? Are they made from plaster cured in a mold? If so, how did he make the mold???
I’m so completely in awe of these creations! I’d really like to know his method of creating such beautiful work
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