In searching the archives at Brabourne Farm for a specific image, I found several posts on artists that I just loved.
Penny Graham’s paintings of interiors (and exteriors) are charming:
I could sit and stare at these for long stretches of time – drinking in the detail of the textiles and textures. And the soothing colors make me want to stretch out on one of her couches with a book.
I’ll post my other favorite discoveries via Brabourne Farm this week.
As you may already know – I’m a big fan of Michelle Moorland’s room renderings over at A Schmatic Life.
But this one may be my favorite:
I’ve never much liked baths…always thought it felt like sitting in soup…but for this bathroom, I might change my mind.
Everyone should. Mainly because it is available in so many incarnations now. From the traditional…
to the whimsical…
…by now, there is just has to be a toile to suit every design aesthetic.
The two part series on Design Sponge introduced me to the work of artist Richard Saja, and I’m utterly charmed by his embroidery work with toile:
At first glance it just looks embellished, but upon closer inspection, there are some rather unusual details… It makes you really look at the fabric as an image – not a pattern. Toile by it’s nature tells a story – and this work provides an wonderfully irreverent perspective.
For any other toile lovers (or potential admirers), I highly suggest reading Part 1 and Part 2 of the Design Sponge series. So interesting…and pretty. And I’m all about pretty here at Wishing True…
Images via Design Sponge and Historically Inaccurate.
Chris’ beloved Papa (grandpa) passed away last week. His own father, Chris’ great grandfather actually wrote the song, “You Are My Sunshine.” Sadly, he was an unworldly country boy from Georgia who knew nothing of copyrights or patents, and the lyrics were snatched away from him. Family lore can’t be proven as fact of course…be we know the truth…
I keep “visiting” this lovely Annechovie print:
It may be the happiest little thing I’ve seen in ages. And it may need to be purchased to for the kids’ room. After all, the song writer was named Oliver – something we learned after choosing that name for our first born.
Last week, Aesthetic Oiseau featured these beautiful images of Chinese silk embroidery from Madelyn Jordan.
Daniela pulled the images from a One Kings Lane sale. Absolutely out of my price range right now (even if any are still available), but I just love looking at them!
Last week, I found two different posts about creating silhouettes for display. I’ve always loved this idea – it may be connected to my childhood love of all things “old fashioned” which included cameos. But it never occurred to me to try it myself.
Now I have a couple of options to consider.
The first comes from Caitlin Wilson of Style Files (owner of the beautiful lamps I featured yesterday).
You’ll have to go to her post for full details, but here’s the basic idea:
First you take pictures in silhouette and cut them out.
Then you paint them.
And then you mount them on paper and frame them.
Beautiful! and even better – this creates a family portrait effect for people who cannot under any circumstances stay still and with the group long enough for an actual photograph.
The other method I read about comes via Emily A. Clark. She used Widdly Tinks to make a FREE silhouette of her “virtual” family.
Here is her family portrait:
She even put together some cute gift cards for her kids:
They won’t be personal silhouettes – but come on, they’re silhouettes. Like anyone will know the difference.
The chances of me getting to this before Fall of 2010 are unlikely. But I feel a holiday card idea starting to take shape…
More goodness from The NEO-Traditionalist today! Actually – she posted about this artist last week, but I gather my post ideas the week prior – so there you have it.
Anyway – I’ve fallen madly in love with the work of Kate Long Stevens. And I was floored to read that she’s very young (graduated from University of the South in 2003). But talent doesn’t hinge on age – and these paintings are truly wonderful.
Her figurative paintings capture light and motion and often vehemently nod to the Impressionist masters.
More impressionist notes can be found in her “land and sea” paintings, and these serene landscapes make me sigh.
Finally, I was blown away by her abstract paintings. Their bold brush strokes and feminine colors are enchanting.
I’m no art critic – so my observations are far more decor and design directed. But this artist’s accomplishment in such a short period of time can’t be denied. I find it incredibly inspirational.
…may have to come in one of these beauties:
Spotted on Table Tonic, Samantha Robinson Ceramics. Just gorgeous.
Here are a few more images I pulled from the site:
Definitely check out the website – it’s like a work of art itself.
Remember this glassware giveaway from CSN Stores December?
Well I just discovered the source of the design. A division of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), Working Class Studio “marries function with fine art” through original stationery and home decor lines.
This particular design comes from The Kay Collection.
And I fell in love with it for its subtle nod to Klimt (intended or not).
Other collections that caught my eye include, Un Petit Tour de Lacoste, stoneware plates and platters:
Re-Gift, fabric covered boxes and gift bags:
and Savannah Toile, a modern spin on a traditional textile:
I find this collaboration between students, teachers and alumni truly inspirational. What an amazing community. More art schools should institute programs like this one.
I recently discovered a new favorite style blog, Secrets of Domestic Bliss.
And the first post I read featured the work of Amsterdam-based artist Mariska Meijers:
I love a pretty picture and I love it even more when it features a pretty textiles. Add a bookshelf and I’m in heaven.
Mariska also has a blog. Adding her to my reader now…
