Adam Frezza + Terri Chiao

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If Dr. Seuss created physical 3D art, well, I’m completely sure this is what it would look like. Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao create mixed media and paper pulp sculptures out of painted paper, wire, plaster, flocking, and more. My favorite projects of theirs are Paper Plants, Desert Plants, and Lump Nubbins. The Paper Plants project stems from a natural desire to control and beautify that which could be considered wild, while Desert Plants references the natural cycles of death and regrowth in nature. Lump Nubbins (aside from a smile inducing name) are created from junk mail, old newspaper, and more. A case of supplies saying a mouthful.

 

Adam Frezza + Terri Chiao-2-Design Crush

 

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Harding Meyer

Harding Meyer-1-Design Crush

 

The glitchy portrait paintings of Harding Meyer seem especially apt for October, as they could be straight out of a digital age horror flick. Through layers and layers of paint and imagination Harding creates what could just as easily be mistaken for an out of whack broken film strip. Add to that their massive oversized canvases and you have the making of something truly spectacular.

 

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Countdown to Halloween

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Nope, not Christmas – autumn, October, and Halloween. October 31st has long been a big deal in my family, from great aunts and uncles creating haunted houses in their basements to massive trick or treating, it’s given me some of my best memories. This year feels a bit out of whack since I’m still trying to get my house together post move and figuring out where the movers put everything (and yes, where I put everything while unpacking). I have pumpkins and mums decorating my front porch and a few favorite spooky pieces indoors, but the majority is in the basement. I’m hoping to dig a few more decorations out before hundreds of trick or treaters descend on my neighborhood (from the realtor’s lips to my ears) the night of the 31st. But if you’re more together than I am here are twenty-two of Halloween best ideas for you to tackle!

 

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ROW 1: Pop-Up Table Runner // Black and White Anatomical Printables // DIY Ghostly Mirror Images
ROW 2: Printable Trick or Treat Color Block Labels + Box Template // Straw Spider Web Wreath
ROW 3: DIY Halloween Invitations // DIY Halloween Silhouette Pitcher // Black Cocktail Rimming Sugar
ROW 4: Paper Star Lantern with Spider Web Cutouts // Set of 5 Halloween Cards // DIY Printable Trick-or-Treat Bag Labels

 

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ROW 1: Skeleton Hand Card // DIY Monster Candy Box // Gooey Monster Eye Cookies    ROW 2: Printable Halloween Party Invitations // Haunted Doll House    ROW 3: Vanilla Bean Skull Cake // Poison Toffee Apples // Printable Vintage Halloween Banner    ROW 4: Skull-Shaped Japanese Sugar //  // DIY Skull Planter

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Diana Sudyka

Diana Sudyka-1-Design Crush

 

Every few months an artist comes up on my radar that hits just the right note at the right time and it’s almost as though a chorus starts singing in the back of my mind. Today it’s Diana Sudyka and her beautiful illustrations (and book and album covers, and gig posters, and prints). The magical combination of her style and her handwriting makes for one whimsical ride.

 

Diana Sudyka-2-Design Crush

 

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Kostadina Nacheva

Kostadina Nacheva-1-Design Crush

 

The rich and vibrant paintings of Kostadina Nacheva feel a lot like fall to me. Like that just by viewing them we’re catching a glimpse of something in the midst of change and evolution. Every piece exhibits such intense depth and texture that it leaves you wondering about its humble beginning. Each painting is on the small side, which translates into some lovely and affordable art for us to purchase.

 

Kostadina Nacheva-2-Design Crush

 

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Jim Darling

Jim Darling-1-Design Crush

 

After a weekend full of house painting and Lowe’s visits, I could do with a little daydreaming. The painted wood airplane window landscapes of Jim Darling are just the ticket. Plane windows make such perfect frames, have you ever stopped and noticed? Once of my very favorite photos I’ve ever taken (on my phone, naturally) was shot while descending into Oklahoma City at sunset from a plane window. Portholes to daydreams for sure.

 

Jim Darling-2-Design Crush

 

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Look no further for a unique Halloween costume than The House That Lars Built.
02/ Good news, the NYC Taxi Driver Pin-Up Calendar is back!
03/ Jacqueline Fink is a master of even the largest of knits.
04/ Seattle’s Boxes of Death exhibit is in its fifth year.
05/ Fantastic tape graffiti by Gustavo Fuentes.
06/ Modern city maps drawn in the style of Tolkien.
07/ Florian Purcher turns aerial photos into plush carpeting.
08/ Loving the simple design behind this origami-based umbrella on Kickstarter.
09/ The Wondrous Water Towers of New York City in graphic form.
10/ Yoga Joes are classic green army men figures doing yoga.

This week on Design Crush:
Eight of my favorite art prints for October.
Tiro Tiro’s Cercis collection is all brass and linen loveliness.
Ass kicking reminders from Department of Motivation.
A reading nook reimagined for the cool, cozy days of fall.
Colorful illustrations from Gill Chantler.
Clothing tells the tales of our lives in Worn Stories.
Which pair of David Kind frames should I go with? Rock the vote.
Portable speaker goodness in the palm of your hand with ROCKI.

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ROCKI

Rocki-1-Design Crush

 

I own a few different devices for playing/amplifying my music collection, and what I really love about ROCKI compared to the others is its size. It fits in the palm of my hand and is endlessly portable. In fact I toted it along to the beach with me over the weekend and it worked seamlessly – despite all of the sand. There are several other cool things about ROCKI worth noting. First, it’s easy to use even if you aren’t tech-saavy. Just download the (free) app and you’re off. This little gem-shaped speaker can turn any of your music devices (RE: hi-fi amp, old boom box, iPhone, etc) into a better sound via wifi instead of bluetooth, which limits usage to your proximity to a device. Oh, and it’s seriously affordable.

 

Rocki-2-Design Crush

 

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Worn Stories

Worn Stories-1-Design Crush

 

I have a box full of clothing from different periods of my life – a Grateful Dead shirt from high school, my favorite baby doll tee from freshman year of college, an interview skirt from my first job search – that I just can’t seem to part with. Are you the same way? If you are, well, we’re not alone. Emily Spivack’s Worn Stories shares 60+ clothing-inspired first-person narratives that spill about the stories of our lives. (You can submit your own memory for a chance to win a copy of the book.)

 

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Gill Chantler

Gill Chantler-1-Design Crush

 

I’m loving the bright and lively illustration work of Scottish born, UK based Gill Chantler. Her online portfolio isn’t huge, but Gill’s done some nice brand work and has plans to open a shop this fall! I’m looking forward to it and crossing my fingers for some lovely prints true to her style.

 

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