August 2014 - Design Crush

August 29, 2014

Happy Weekend

01/ Love that this stylist cuts hair for the homeless on his day off because “every human life is worth the same.”
02/ This staircase is basically a work of art.
03/ Floating City is a sprawling cardboard architectural island.
04/ The zombie craze is alive and well with Zombie Safe Zone Maps prints.
05/ 3D topographies that resemble weather patterns and ocean floors are beautiful.
06/ Cotton string and glue join forces to create creature specimens like you’ve never seen.
07/ Left Behind is a beautiful tribute to an artist’s late mother showcasing her things.
08/ The Taser Photoshoot captures people just as they’re hit with a stun gun. Huh.
09/ A reclining bird topiary stars in Sleepy Chick.
10/ Time Sliced shows iconic buildings from sunrise to sunset.

This week on Design Crush:
A new feature kicked off Monday, once a month I’ll be sharing some of my favorite pieces stocked in the Marketplace!
Pretty pastel textiles and pieces from Lina Rennell.
Modern heirloom quilts and more handmade by Rain & the River are on my wish list.
As is all of Rebecca Mir Grady‘s entire line of gorgeous jewelry.
I can’t get enough of these muted slice of life paintings by Emily Ferretti.
Have you noticed that embroidery is trending?
Crazy colorful “pen paintings” by Daniel Eatock.
A slew of well-designed pieces for the home from Hello Polly.
I can hardly believe it’s the end of August, that means it’s time for to check in.

Design Crush elsewhere:
Graphic wallpaper can amp up even the smallest space immediately.
Gettin’ boho in the home with some fantastic throw rugs.

Posted In create, do good, features, graphics, happy weekend, house and home, paper goods, photography, prints, sculpture

August 29, 2014

Checking In: August 2014

Making : box upon box as I pack up for the move next week (eek!)
Cooking : does cereal count? (looking forward to getting back into it this fall)
Drinking : iced coffee galore
Reading : CNN’s site several times a day
Wanting : enough time to say goodbye to my friends here in Oklahoma City
Looking : at the dogs who are resting peacefully (for once)
Playing : not much – I’m in a music rut!
Deciding : whether I can wait to buy groceries until tomorrow
Wishing : for all of my favorite people to live in the same town
Enjoying : a summer-long marathon of Criminal Minds
Waiting : for college and pro football season to start this weekend!
Liking : this feeling of culling down all of my belongings
Wondering : how the pups are going to handle this 2-day long road trip
Loving : how busy my evenings have been with lots of dinners and good conversation
Pondering : how best to pack up my art collection
Considering : lunch
Watching : again, Criminal Minds
Hoping : this last week goes just right – not too fast, not too slow
Marveling : at how summer has flown by this year!
Needing : the weather to drop below triple digits (please?)
Smelling : he sandalwood candle burning in my living room
Wearing : lots of tank tops
Following : several new Pittsburgh-based handles on Twitter
Wanting : PIZZA
Noticing : how different regions of the country go back to school at different times
Knowing : that my Mom gets here tomorrow to help me finish packing
Thinking : about how I’m glad I worked ahead on posts
Feeling : excited about football season
Admiring : my friend Clarisha for raising such a beautiful, smart daughter
Sorting : through old beauty products
Buying : nothing, saving my pennies for the house closing
Getting : a new (old) house
Bookmarking : podcasts to download for the long drive to PA
Disliking : saying so many goodbyes
Opening : lots of mortgage paperwork
Feeling : excited

Posted In my life

August 28, 2014

Hello Polly

Looking for thoughtfully curated artwork, homewares, ceramics, accessories, and other well-designed products? Search no further than Hello Polly and the 100+ independent creatives they stock and support. The Melbourne, Australia-based shop owned by sisters Sarah Kelk and Helen Adam who just this month launched a new facet of the shop – Hello Polly Home – all of which is designed solely by Sarah and Helen. Congratulations on the latest piece falling into place, ladies!

Tiles Throw // Segments (Light Grey) // Rust Macrame Hanger // Mars Studs (Front Pink) // Serenissima

(found via The Design Files)

Posted In accents, accessories, house and home, paper goods, prints

August 28, 2014

Daniel Eatock

Daniel Eatock is one of those artists who is just flat-out creative – he doesn’t work in one specific medium, but in whatver he feels drawn to whenever he feels drawn to it. Among his portfolio work this series of pen paintings are my favorite, simply using Letraset Promarker pens and A4 paper.

Posted In create, illustration

August 27, 2014

Trending: Embroidery

Black Geometric Art Deco Hand Embroidered Pendant //
Embroidered Totem Chiffon Pleated Dress // Fruit Embroidered DIY Coasters

Embroidery is one of those trends that ebbs and flows, but never truly goes away in entirety. I think that has more to do with the style than the technique, because it can be everything from intricate and Victorian in nature to geometric and modern. We’e all seen it play out this summer on light and airy sundresses, so I’m interested in seeing how (and if) it translates to fall’s fashions!

DIY Embroidered Postcards // DIY Hand Embroidered Peter Pan Collar //
Geometric Gem Brooch Set

Personalized Wedding Keepsake // Little White Lies Embroidered Shift Dress //
Embroidered Sing Dress

Posted In accessories, house and home, jewelry, make it, round up, trends, wear it

August 27, 2014

Emily Ferretti

As we get nearer to Indian summer and the inevitable cooler days of fall, I find myself drawn towards art that rides the that same fine line. Australian artist Emily Ferretti seems to capture it perfectly with her cool and moody palette and two dimensional style. And suddenly I’m left daydreaming about chilly afternoon picnics and nights spent in front of a bonfire.

Posted In create, painting

August 26, 2014

Rebecca Mir Grady

Rebecca Mir Grady offers a collection of 50+ pieces of hand-designed minimalist jewelry, each crafted from reclaimed precious metals and ethically-sourced stones. I love the finishes of the sterling silver and 14K gold she uses, they feel soft and perfect for layering.

Ponente – 12mm // Davidson – 12mm // Greco // Hera

(via Honey Kennedy)

Posted In jewelry, wear it

August 26, 2014

Rain & the River

Self-taught, self-described quilter extraordinaire Jenna Valoe creates textiles with the hope of helping people celebrate their homes and the lives they live in them at her shop Rain & the River. She’s inspired by other cultures, the city of Milwaukee that surrounds her, and the ways color and shapes blend together. Jenna’s work itself is primarily improvisational, which I find ballsy and bold! I love her modern take on such an heirloom quality craft.

Posted In accents, create, house and home, textiles

August 25, 2014

Lina Rennell

Lina Rennell is a brand with a heavy focus on original print work that then adorns high casual women’s wear and textiles. So yeah, art for your body! Woohoo! Launched in 2009 by Angelina Rennell, a new collection is released once or twice a year by the northern California native and each one seems completely in touch with the current trends in the art and fashion worlds. (You can find Lina Rennell online at Beklina if you’d like to make a purchase!)

(via Miss Moss)

Posted In accents, create, house and home, wear it

August 25, 2014

Marketplace: August

This morning I’m happy to be starting a new monthly feature, highlighting the goods of a few makers I’m currently carrying in The Marketplace! You might remember that a few months ago I opened a shop through Great.ly and have been keeping it stocked with the best of the best art and design ever since. I’m so happy to be able to share the work of the creators I love and now to be able to give you a fast and easy way to bring them into your own home.

One of the first pieces I added to the shop was this set of four Raindrop Napkins by Hallie Gray. Each one measures a generous 19 x 19″ and is hand-block printed with non-toxic AZO-free dyes. I’m looking forward to using them at dinner parties this fall and socking a few sets away for hostess gifts this holiday season!

I’ve been using this Expandable Pop Market Tote made by Orchid Sage for just about everything – the market, the lake, and more. Its leather handles and waxed canvas body make it feel nearly indestructible and I especially like the expandable side pockets that give me extra space for things like snacks and/or the dogs’ leashes.

The latest addition to my jewelry collection is this sweet brass cuff with cord from Meredith Peck. I’ve found it goes with just about everything and is great for layering with other pieces, it’s also large enough that I’ll be putting it over sleeves come cooler weather. The addition of the thin Chinese knotting cord takes this piece from average to extra special.

I’ve been a longtime fan of this artist, so it’s always nice to see her work gracing the “shelves” of my shop. Twenty-One by Lisa Krannichfeld is in her typical style of portraits of watercolored beauties, and for now this one is gracing my mantel alongside a boastful mermaid. (I think suspect they have some interesting conversations when I’m not looking.)

Posted In bags, create, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, painting, paper goods, prints, the marketplace, wear it