Somebody please just let me loose inside John Derian’s head. The découpage genius has branched out so much in recent years, designing both furniture and a new collection of cyber-papers for Paperless Post. He recently invited me to the private office where he cuts, pastes, and rummages through heaps of ephemera. Old meets new on what I like to call his “examining table” here. Photo: Wendy Goodman
I loved the patterns on these vintage playing cards, not to mention the gorgeous lettering on that tattered old notebook. Photo: Wendy Goodman
Among his collection are antique-themed collages of old rooms, each one telling a different story. Photo: Wendy Goodman
I wanted to own everything on his desk”even the desk itself, which is actually an old farm table with six legs, pull-out drawers, and chipped paint. (Note to John: Please add a version of this to your furniture collection?) Photo: Wendy Goodman
The man himself, at ease in his creative environs. Photo: Wendy Goodman
An example of John’s sublime design aesthetic at work: One of his 65 customizable designs for Paperless Post, a company founded in 2009 by siblings Alexa and James Hirschfeld. The stationery offerings include notecards, save-the-dates, and invitations. Photo: Wendy Goodman
Jerome Allen (left) Hylan Boulevard and Lipsett Avenue, Staten Island. On April 26, 2005, during a daily sunset ride near his home, Allen was struck from behind by a Lexus SUV. He was a member of the Staten Island Bicycle Association. Eric Ng West Side Highway and Clarkson Street. On December 1, 2006, Ng was struck by a BMW on the Hudson River Park bikeway. According to police, the driver reached 60 mph.