A few months ago I discovered Quercus & Co and immediately shared them with you. Since then I’ve happily added one of their incredible pieces to my home – the eat-in area of the kitchen to be exact, right next to my depression era kitchen cabinet. I chose this space to hang my Scarf in Freya No. 1 because I love the way the greys in the print play off of the wall behind it and the slightly darker shade on the wall adjacent to it. The artwork is actually printed on canvas which gives a great physical weight and texture to the entire piece. I’m hoping to use one of Quercus & Co’s more graphic wallpapers in a small area of my new house, too!
Disclaimer: I received product for this post. However, all words and opinions are my own as usual. Thank you for supporting the brands that help to keep Design Crush going!
You’re right, I never post on Saturday. But today is special, because I’m shining a light on five of the incredible makers whose creations are available at Design Crush: The Marketplace. (In fact, lots of GREAT.LY‘s tastemakers are doing the same July 21st through August 4th through the #makegood campaign.) Read on for a snapshot of some of my favorites!
A Sensible Habit creates hand painted linens, rubber stamps, and stationery. The Atlanta-based shop leans towards domesticity and entertaining in a playful way by creating pieces that will give your home and your get togethers that extra special touch.
In the market for some pottery? Jill Rosenwald‘s hand-makes the shiny chic variety in her Boston studio. Choose from vases, bowls, and more that will add a dose of pattern or color to your space.
Japanese techniques are alive and well at papergluebamboo. The Carmel, California-based shop uses ikkanbari (papering) and chigiri-e (pictures torn from paper) to create a collection of updated traditional pieces.
Yucu Ninu‘s stunning otomi pieces are made through collaborations with Mexican artists and cooperatives. The emphasis on fair trade prices, ancient traditions, and promotion of social trade make each beautiful piece that much more special.
Shop these and many other talented makers at Design Crush: The Marketplaceand check out the #makegood hashtag for more featured makers. It’s so rewarding to support independent artists and makers!
01/ A giant Ophelia painted atop a boat floats down the River Lee in East London.
02/ Tom Blachford‘s tranquil photos of the ocean are the next best thing to being there.
03/ Time is Dancing is a clock has hands that are read as different ballet poses.
04/ Lightovo’s Milo Lamp also acts as a greenhouse!
05/ Exobiotanica sent a series of delicate plants into the stratosphere.
06/ Anatomical undies… because why not?
07/ Check out Wink Space, an immersive kaleidoscopic mirror tunnel in a shipping container.
08/ I Love Summer is a series of high-speed photos of people emerging from a waterslide.
09/ The Tree of 40 Fruits does exist! (But this is Photoshopped.)
10/ Undress Me is the sequel to the smash video First Kiss. You can guess what happens.
This week on Design Crush: Erik Olson seems to have located the intersection between cubism and expressionism.
Marble and copper statement necklaces from RillRill.
Folksy, story-telling illustrations from the hand of Sarah Burwash.
Now that my OKC home has sold I’ve got new home essentials on my mind! Jaclyn Conley paints some mean hair art (in a good way).
I gathered up some fun cards to send to loved ones as summertime hellos.
Lovely whimsical illustrations from Lizzy Stewart.
A bevy of awesome socially + environmentally conscious design is available at Grain.
I’m crazy about these countour key rings that could double as jewelry.
Design Crush elsewhere: Patio party tips and picks for the ultimate outdoor get together over on Wayfair.
Aside from creating beautifully designed wares, Grain has another purpose – a dedication to social and environmental responsibility. (You know how I love a company that gives back.) As committed members of 1% For The Planet, one percent of Grain’s annual revenue goes back to environmental non-profits. Their work unites current manufacturing technologies and age-old craft techniques, and goods are produced in small batch runs in their Bainbridge Island studio. Good design plus conscientiousness equals all the more reason to buy! Check out my favorite pieces: Hung Mirror, Circlet Triple Sconce, Bound Hand V1, Grail Cassoulet, and Strung Sconce.
I have some great news – as of last Wednesday my home is under contract! I finally feel like I’m at the halfway point with this move, and now my fingers are crossed that I can find a new house in Pittsburgh to call my own in the very near future (and that both escrows go smoothly!). Of course now I’m busy thinking about how I might freshen up the yet-to-be-found place as I weed out what will be making the big move halfway across the country with me and what will be sold or go to a thrift shop.
Lucky for me – and everyone else – Target‘s Room Essentials line has been given new life and is full of the pops of color and modern look I gravitate towards. It’s in stores and online beginning this month and I have big plans for some of it’s most affordable pieces. A pair of Corded Geo Toss Pillows would add some nice pattern to my slate colored couch, while this Storage Ottoman would be the perfect place to stash remotes and work detritus in the living room. I love the industrial look and feel of the Dipped Cement Mix and Match Lamp, a great option for any number of corners or tables. My old ottoman is one of the pieces that’s already been given away, but this grey Saddle Ottoman would fit right in and is just the right size for propping up my feet. I’m considering a pair of these Core Red Barstools to act as bedside tables – there’s just enough room for a lamp, a book, and my phone. And last but certainly not least, a new Welcome/Goodbye mat is in order for all of the visitors I’m hoping to entertain in my new space.
01/ See families lying in a week’s worth of their own garbage in 7 Days of Garbage.
02/ The Foodnited States of America.
03/ The Crystalline Series by Niche Modern have beautiful colors and shapes.
04/ This watch – DURR – shivers every five minutes to investigate the subjective nature of time.
05/ Completely brilliant – Motion Silhouette is an interactive shadow picture book.
06/ Can you believe these scenes by Bovey Lee were hand-cut from rice paper?!
07/ Head in the Clouds illustrates one hour’s worth of trash in NYC. Incredible.
08/ Ever wondered what’s inside fireworks? Check out Boom City.
09/ Photography, digital effects, and models combine for a glimpse In Utero.
10/ So glad Yumi Okita‘s textile moths aren’t real.
Colorhouse paint and Rejuvenation have teamed up to bring us the Mercantile Color Collection, a palette of 36 interior hues designed with the modern pioneer in mind. The line’s main inspiration is rooted in history, when quality home items used to be purchased in one general store and were made to last. Both Colorhouse and Rejuvenation create products whose quality, authenticity, and sustainability reflect the spirit of their shared birthplace – Portland, Oregon – and all of those characteristics are clearly present in the Mercantile Color Collection.
I’m in love with the classic palette, and definitely daydreaming of using this collection in my next home. (I’m also daydreaming about this kitchen!) The 36 exclusive colors in Mercantile Color Collection are organized into six families named after traditional general store bulk items – CHALK (whites), TEA (warm neutrals), SEED (greens), DENIM (blues), FLINT (cool neutrals), and SPICE (yellows, reds, oranges).
What’s not in the paint is just as important as what is. The Mercantile Collection is tinted in Colorhouse paint, which has no VOCs, no toxic fumes (HAPs-free), no reproductive toxins, no mutagens, no hazardous air pollutants, no ozone depleting compounds, no formaldehyde, no phthalates, and no chemical solvents. Colorhouse paints are low odor and boast superior coverage, durable finish, and easy cleanup in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss sheens. All huge deals when it comes to what you’re putting on your walls. I’m looking forward to trying this line out for myself. And I have a feeling CHALK .01, FLINT .01, and FLINT .02 will be prevalent to my walls in a few months!
This post sponsored by Colorhouse. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands I love that help keep Design Crush going!
JOYN produces beautiful block-printed textiles, handbags, and accessories by hand in the foothills of the Himalayas. But Mel and Dave Murray’s company stands for much more than that. They’ve partnered with nonprofit JoyCorp to provide employees in Rajpur, India with not only a steady job and healthy work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. That huge difference makes JOYN‘s pieces a hundred times more beautiful than they already are.
I’d had my eye out for a pouf that I loved for over a year when Loom Decor reached out about their impressive collection of customizable silhouettes and 400+ fabric options. (And it doesn’t stop there, you can also customize a variety of pillow styles, poufs, bedding, table top or even create your own custom window treatments.) After scanning through all of the fabrics I knew immediately that the Optrix pattern was the one for me. It provides a perfect graphic punch that adds some interest to the otherwise solid pieces in my living room.
The pouf showed up on my doorstep in about two weeks, which is super fast for anything customized. Like lightning! It measures 24 x 24 x 13″ and has already served multiple purposed around my space. My favorite is above, where I sit to work when I’m in the living room. I love propping my legs up on it, basically converting part of my sofa into a chaise. I’ve also used it as extra seating and even a stand-in coffee table (mine is being repaired) by simply placing a large tray on top. And I love that Loom Decor offers a range of price points with their fabric offerings — basic, prime, and luxe — which allow customers to find pieces that fit within their budgets.
Now’s your chance to tap into Loom Decor‘s high-end, luxurious home textiles – they even offer personalized decorating assistance! Two lucky Design Crush readers will win $100 towards the custom piece of your choice. Hop over to the official giveaway page to enter, you have until July 20th!
