January 2015 - Page 2 of 4

January 22, 2015

January Marketplace Refresh

January is the perfect time to take a look at life and maybe make a few changes. I’m not talking huge life altering things, more like tiny refreshes with a focus on increased quality in life and home. I’ve updated The Marketplace with plenty of new goods to make your January refresh a reality. Plenty of new home goods, art, and more – here are just a few of my favorite pieces.

The Family of Things: Woodland and The Family of Things: Polar can add a bit of magic to your walls. A colorful geometric pillow cover packs a punch of color for your living room or bedroom. This navy dot cotton scarf is a great piece to layer with to keep out the chill. Use this cork bowl in the kitchen to corral all of that lovely citrus bounty. The understated Nebula Bangle will work hard all winter, then transition with your wardrobe to spring. Don’t forget about your skin – use this detox body oil in your bath and on your body. Make your time in the kitchen happier with this sweet hand block printed tea towel.

See all of or makers and their goods over on The Marketplace!

Posted In accessories, accessories, beauty bag, house and home, kitchen, paper goods, prints, the marketplace, wear it

January 22, 2015

Tadao Cern

In the doldrums of January Tadao Cern‘s Comfort Zone photos make me both laugh and feel warm. I’m really not sure there’s much more you can ask for from art.

These photos are not staged and people did not suspect that they were photographed by me. I chose to capture images of sleeping vacationers because it accurately represents the name of the project ‘Comfort Zone’. It is only about the seaside, sunbathing and holiday somnolence that is free from a world surrounding you. I chose to showcase only the photos with hidden faces not by an accident, but to grant an observer with an opportunity to calmly scrutinize each and every detail without being distracted. It also helps to avoid empathy or connection between people in the photos and the observers. It really does not matter who they are – the details not only reveal their stories, but make us face ourselves as well.

(via Lost at E Minor)

Posted In create, photography

January 21, 2015

Lana Pelana

I’m never sure why there isn’t more amazing textile-focused jewelry out there. Marta, the Spanish maker behind Lana Pelana, is fascinated with the possibilities behind embroidery. It takes her several days to finish each hand-stitched piece, the end result a small “crafted amulet” that’s a treasure to wear.

Posted In create, jewelry, textiles, wear it

January 21, 2015

14 Valentines

How is it possible that Valentine’s Day is only two weeks away??? It’s the one holiday that sneaks up on me every single year. While I’m currently playing the singles game I still love to pull together something sweet for friends and loved ones – because who says that Valentine’s Day has to be purely about hearts-coming-out-of-your-eyes love? Here are fourteen valentines for you to share with both your lovah and your loved ones.

Dictionarty Card by Easy, Tiger // Let’s Make Out by Little Arrow Studio // Happy Valentine’s Day by LH Calligraphy // Love You More by Richie Design // Main Squeeze by Hello! Lucky

Mouth On Mouth by Near Modern Disaster // Nostalgic Calligraphy Set by Lindsey Bee // Ombre Love by Anemone Letterpress // Love by In Haus Press // Peach Scratch Card by Perfectly Put Together

You Make My Heart Beat Faster by Happy Cactus Designs // V.Day Meh by Farewell Paperie // Love is for Fools by Ladyfingers Letterpress // You hate pants and so do I by Sad Shop

Posted In cards, holidays, paper goods, round up, valentine's day

January 20, 2015

Custom Color Matching with Sherwin-Williams

When I moved into my new space this past September it was painted the universal house staging color of buttercream. While a lot of people might be okay with that – it’s a neutral, isn’t offensive, etc – it may as well have been neon green to me. It was the very first thing I knew I had to tackle to make this place feel like home.

I’ve always had dreams of an entirely white and bright home. One that radiates light and would be the perfect gallery-like backdrop for the myriad of art I possess and love. After obsessing over paint chips I came to the conclusion that a ready-made color wasn’t going to be the answer, so I teamed up with Sherwin-Williams to do a custom color match.

I pried a piece of shoe board off in a doorway and headed over to my local Sherwin-Williams to get their expert opinion and advice. The assistant manager, Jared, gave me a few different color match options after scanning the piece of already painted wood. The two of us spent about fifteen minutes tweaking things until I was 100% happy with the shade. I opted for the darkest to create a small contrast between the walls and 10-inch molding that’s present in the whole house.

I went with Sherwin-Williams‘ Emerald line because I’ve used it several times in the past and love the coverage and low odor. Jared also made sure I knew exactly which brushes would be best for the different areas of detail, as well as extension rollers that would help 5-foot-two-inch me reach the top of the 10-foot ceilings. After about thirty minutes I left with the confidence and know-how to tackle this project – did I mention that I’m painting the entire house this shade? Because yeah. The whole enchilada. The end result was a shade of not-white-grey/not-grey-white.

One long weekend and four helping hands later the first floor, staircase, and half of the second floor was done! I’ll be knocking the other two bedrooms and finished attic off the list as soon as it warms up a bit this spring. I’m thrilled with the result so far and guests who have seen the before and after love the look, too.

(See the entire first floor – living room, dining room, and kitchen.)

Photos: Quelcy Kogel

Product and consultation provided by Sherwin-Williams. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!

Posted In house and home, my house, walls

January 20, 2015

Ilya Shkipin

Ilya Shkipin has a unique and mildly spooky illustration style, which I’m almost always drawn to. In this case it seems to be the result of exaggerating some characteristics while making a mess (in a good way) of others.

(via Booooooom)

Posted In create, illustration

January 19, 2015

10 January DIYs

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

Posted In accessories, accessories, house and home, kitchen, make it, wear it

January 19, 2015

Jennis Li Cheng Tien

Glowing watercolor paintings… wait, pump the brakes. Jennis Li Cheng Tien‘s Have a Nice Day series is digital. Images found online are transformed into radiant neon works of art with the help of some manipulation. Computers are magic. (See more here.)

Posted In create, mixed media

January 16, 2015

Happy Weekend

01/ Gorgeous silk scarves that were dyed with… bacteria.
02/ Allison Wade has turned bad breakup texts into art.
03/ 2015 New Year’s resolutions illustrated by Linzie Hunter.
04/ Sebastian Errazuriz‘s Times Square installation triggers contagious yawning.
05/ Helen Green drew every hairstyle of David Bowie’s from 1964 to 2014.
06/ Photographer Jeffrey Vanhoutte captured an acrobat dancing in a cloud of powder for an ad.
07/ Twenty-four pieces of life advice from Werner Herzog.
08/ Check out these “invisible” bedroom murals that come to life under ultraviolet light.
09/ Paintings are digitally manipulated in these otherworldy landscapes by Mahmoud Jouini.
10/ Ship your enemies glitter. For real.

This week on Design Crush:
Take our 2015 Reader Survey, then leave your email address to be entered to win a little something.
Dreamy and ethereal mixed works from Oriol Angrill Jordà.
Edgy black and white illustrations by Kaye Blegvad.
So curious about how Gramovox’s Bluetooth Gramophone sounds!
Framing up a few straggling prints with Frambridge‘s amazing online service.
Have you checked out my 365-day project for the year, #365lyrics?
I want to fill my kitchen with Jude Allman’s stoneware pottery.
Moscow Mules 10 ways to help me reach my goal of perfecting this cocktail.

Posted In accessories, create, happy weekend, illustration, installation, mixed media, online, painting, photography, wear it

January 15, 2015

Moscow Mules 10 Ways

One of my only goals for the new year is to perfect a kickass Moscow mule, the classic is new(ish) to me and it’s quickly become one of my favorite cocktails. They just go down so smooth and the shiny copper mugs make drinking one all the more fun. I’ll keep you all posted with my progress, but for now here are ten variations that I’d love to try while doing my own (ahem) research and here are some of the best ginger beers to use.

Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

Posted In food, recipes, round up