I used to abhor wallpaper – could it have something to do with the pastel Native American-inspired pattern that lined my walls through puberty? Maybe/probably/definitely. These days I find myself looking at wallpaper as floor to ceiling art more than anything else. These handprinted patterns from Voutsa can’t be seen as anything but.
(via Pattern Pulp)
Posted In create, house and home, painting, walls
By now you might have noticed that we’re not doing any gift guides for the second year in a row. The reason? I for one am complete overwhelmed with gifting decisions and seeing one million more options doesn’t help me narrow things down. I also think there are so many sites out there who do a fantastic job researching and creating gift guides that I don’t want to add to the hubbub. Some favorites are Design Milk, Jojotastic, and Coco+Kelley, so I hope you’ll check them out if you’re jonesing for a fix.
However, on that note, I think this project would make a most excellent gift for the art lover(s) in your life. Meet Papirmass, a snail mail art subscription that delivers a different piece of art – with some beautiful writing on the back – every month for a year (with free shipping!). It’s more affordable than you’d ever imagine at only $69. You can browse the Papirmass shop if you’d like to purchase prints piecemeal. My very favorite is the one above, La Tatouée by Sophie Lécuyer with a piece titled Faces, Like Gravity, Fall, by Mary Pinkoski on the reverse.
Bear Winter by Little Otsu // Comfy & Cozy by Elum // Reindeer Games by Wit & Whistle //
Yule Log by Nane Press // Santa Claus by Isabell’s Umbrella
Sounding Joy by Shanna Murray // Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum by Mr. Boddington’s Studio //
Constellation by Nane Press // Merry Christmas Stars by StudioSarah // Pine Scent by Everlovin’ Press
Heather Levine creates many, many beautiful things from ceramics, but my favorite collection of her’s is the wall hangings. Half natural, half man-made, and slightly lethal looking with their sharp points – well, I just can’t stop staring.
I began following Redraven Studios several years before moving back to Pittsburgh, in fact I didn’t even know they were from my hometown at that point. Founder Amy Hamley and her husband Ryan create the prettiest porcelain pieces – I had their Good Luck Porcelain Horseshoe hanging above my front door for several years and it was always complimented. This holiday season I’m eyeballing the Porcelain & Gold Leaf Feather Ornament for my tree (and maybe a few lucky recipients) along with the Canyon Series Dinnerware that is forever on my Wish List.
Sea Water Cure by Tina Crespo // No by Rubyetc // Fox Hops by Jessica Roux //
fragment one by Alexandra Ethell
Celestial Moon by Elise Mahan // Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget by Alan Hynes //
Downtown City Building Pair by Coffee in Bed // Stay Humble/Hustle Hard by Jennet Liaw
Drake General Store is a traditional hotel gift shop, a classic general store, a flea market stand, and a museum shop all rolled into one. They have the biggest and best Canadian pride and love supporting homegrown artists and designers, making them a perfect match for Design Crush and our sensibilities.
Please tell me you took 1.5 seconds to read that graphic, because we’re giving away a $1,000 prize pack! Drake General Store is my favorite shop north of the U.S. border and I’m pumped to be partnering with them for the second December in a row to give you all a HUGE something awesome. I’ve cherry picked my favorite pieces from their classic, modern goods that are a mix of sensible (socks, throws, kitchen pieces) and not so sensible (tarot cards, incense, wind chime) and everything in between.
Metsa Birch Box Set ($40) // Gold Screw Studs ($24) // Cross Enamelware Stockholm Measuring Cup ($29) // Cross Enamelware Copenhagen Side Dish ($29) // Oval Marble + Wood Cheeseboard ($68) // Ladies & Gentlemen Aura Bell Chime ($135) // Held In Common Snowflake Socks ($14) // Cozy Ceramic Camp Mug, set of 4 ($48) // 3 Mast Brothers Chocolate Bars ($33) // Shared History Macho Man + Elizabeth Robes ($128) // Arborist Long Janes, trees ($29) // Blackbird Incense ($34) // Public Supply Notebooks ($15) // Arborist Getaway Blanket ($29) // Arborist Getaway Pack ($29) // Wild Unknown Tarot Card Deck ($45) // Wild Unknown Tarot Guide Book ($24) // Engraved Keychain ($15) // Hockey Thermos ($38) // Earth Coasters ($42) // Pinch Pot with Spoon ($28) // East Coast Throw Blanket ($99) // Oslo Bowls ($39)
I KNOW! So many well designed pieces and so many little luxuries to help get you through winter. You could either go the Happy Holidays to Me! route and keep it all for yourself or the My Shopping is Done! route and dive up your winnings as gifts for everyone on your list. Either way it’s a win. (But if you do spy something you’d like to gift know that Drake General Store has worldwide flat rate shipping!)
Posted In accessories, accessories, food, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, notebooks + journals, paper goods, read up, wear it, win it
01/ The Real Apple Store celebrates a 1,000 year old borough market.
02/ Lady Gaga’s lead keyboardist developed a circular piano!
03/ And enormous raised-earth horse sculpture in Wales.
04/ London is shaming irresponsible dog owners by spray painting their poop pink.
05/ The feral cat population of Disneyland.
06/ One mom documents 63 things she found in her baby’s mouth over seven months.
07/ Genius design – this pregnancy book grows in size with the expectant mother.
08/ This frozen pond is creating beautiful concentric circles!
09/ Looking forward to next spring’s Kurt Cobain documentary – Montage of Heck.
10/ New life goal: to be one of these wrestling grandmas one day.
This week on Design Crush:
Win $300 from Minted to spend on holiday cards or some new art!
Baby, it’s cold outside! Stay warm with ramen 10 ways.
The bittersweet paintings of Akiko Kobayakawa.
The incredible Nespresso Vertuoline and seasonal coffee recipes for entertaining.
Repaired + reimagined: my Dad’s coat rack gets a much needed modern update.
Twelve more calendars for your 2015.
I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Revealing how my dining room is take shape.
Design Crush elsewhere:
Five ways to add color to your space for winter.
Some designer insights from me over on Terry’s Blinds.
2015 Letterpress Calendar by 1 Canoe 2 // TYPE 2015 Letterpress Calendar by iSkelter // 2015 Retro Fruit + Vegetable Calendar by Loopz Art // New York Architecture 2015 Calendar by Hello Small World
Twelve Tables 2015 Calendar by Little Low // 2015 BEER/FOOD Calendar by redcruiser // 2015 Cat Desk Calendar by Gingiber // 2015 Sand Wall Calendar by Rationale Design
2015 Calendar Poster Print by Yumalum // FolkFlora Wall Calendar 2015 by Durido // City Illustrations Calendar 2015 by Tessa Galloway // 2015 Calendar by Shanna Murray
Posted In calendars, paper goods, round up
Are those seemingly innocent animals with knock-kneed human legs posing provocatively that you spy? Yup, right off the brush of Akiko Kobayakawa. The doe eyes and scuffed knees seem to hinting at something maybe a bit more dark I’m betting.
(via The Jealous Curator)
Posted In create, painting