Category Archives: Art

May 3, 2012 · 9:15 am

on the web: of a kind

Of A Kind is a fashion website that features limited edition products and stories from the emerging fashion designers behind the products.  The site’s tagline is “Know and Own” – which is exactly what the site sets out to do.  It presents interviews with up and coming talent about the artists’ process and products, and then offers a limited quantity of each product for sale over the site (think Gilt).  I love the idea behind this site, because I love supporting local emerging talent.  For example, when I go shopping in my neighborhood, I always prefer the small independent boutique stores.  This is the same thinking.  Although this talent isn’t exactly local, it’s emerging, which is great!  It’s also a great way to spot new talent and score some pieces before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon.

Check out an interview with the women behind the site about why they started the site and wanted to make online shopping a more personal experience.

Double Arrow Necklace by BRVTVS from Of A Kind

Capri Necklace by Gemma Redux from Of A Kind

Denim and Leather Max Jacket by Veda

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May 2, 2012 · 9:00 am

where to find great art

Animal Locomotion from 20x200

In my opinion, one of the most important parts of creating a home is choosing what to display.  An edited eye is key to this process, as the best spaces are those that have been carefully curated and display only pieces that contribute to the overall theme of the space.  This means that not everything you own should be put in a frame and hung on a wall. Be selective about it.  On the flip side though, I definitely think it is important to show your walls some love and decorate them!  Every now and then I will see a space with blank walls that pulls off the clean modern look, but most of the time it just looks empty.  I personally love to pick up a piece of art every time I travel, so my walls are a tribute to the places I have been.  Art is everywhere, and it does not necessarily have to be expensive either.  There are so many great sources out there, so whatever you chose to collect, invest in some key pieces and (don’t leave out this step!) invest in some quality framing!  How you choose to present the piece (i.e. whether it is framed and the type of frame) is just as important as the piece itself.

Do you have empty walls in need of some TLC?  If so, check out these great resources!  20×200 is one of my favorites.  It started in 2007 based on the idea of bringing affordable limited editions to the masses.  I highly recommend visiting this site for all your art needs!  Canvas & Canvas is another great resource that sells original hand painted pieces by its own artists and produces only 99 pieces of each design, and wait for it… presents it on stretched canvas!  Worthwhisland functions more as an affordable online gallery, while Exhibition A is a members only (think Gilt) gallery exhibiting established contemporary artwork.  Also Luster is an online photographic gallery, and Buy Some Damn Art is a limited edition gallery that updates a new show each week.  Don’t forget about Etsy either.  There is SO much amazing stuff on Etsy.  Two of my favorite shops are EyePoetryPhotography which features some of the most beautifully whimsical and romantic photos inspired by travel and nature and also TinyFawn which offers the most adorable animal featured prints (great for kids rooms!).

Linus Bear Print from TinyFawn on Etsy

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April 2, 2012 · 3:50 pm

Playful Wall Decals

Tracy Kendall Floral Wall Decal

Wallpaper can be a mixed bag. There are some gorgeous designs out there, but most of them, I find, to be a bit overwhelming. Also, wallpaper can be a big commitment which is not always a possibility for some (such as myself, as a renter). There are, however, some more practical options for those that are interested in adding some imagery or pattern here and there, but don’t want to commit to wall papering a whole wall! Wall decals are a great way to spice up a wall and usually require little to no installation. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can create a mural or just accentuate the floorboards. Best of all, they are usually removable! My absolute favorite are the wall coverings by Tracy Kendall. I *love* the black and white images that she designs, especially the floral and feathers collections which add just a dose of drama and levity to a room. Walltat, Not On The High Street, and Blik are a few sites to check out which each offer a wide selection of decals. I think these are a particularly great solution for decorating nurseries. They are relatively cheap and you can easily replace them as your child gets older. Plus, there are some of the cutest images for children!

Birds on a Wire Decal from Not on the High Street

Space Monsters Wall Decal from Not on the High Street

Skirting Board Heroes Wall Sticker from Not On The High Street

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March 27, 2012 · 9:00 am

Best of: Children’s Books

As a child, I distinctly remember weekly trips to the bookstore.  I was always so excited to pick out a new book to explore every week.  Before my days as a Nancy Drew fanatic, some of the first books I fell in love with were Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends.   I read the poems over and over.  The simple sketches totally won me over.  I had so much fun exploring those books and really credit them with fueling a life long passion of reading.  A couple of my favorite books to share with kids (or adults)  today would be Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Wildwood.  Wildwood is a fairy tale adventure featuring strikingly beautiful artwork and is probably tailored to the junior high level, while Marcel the Shell, which stars an adorably witty Marcel, is appropriate for younger children.   Also, check out Maxwell’s (from Apartment Therapy) list of favorite children’s books.  What were your favorite books to explore as a child?

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March 23, 2012 · 1:34 pm

Art or not?

So I recently watched the film “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”  Great film.  Before watching it, the only thing I knew about street art and graffiti was the artist Banksy, the enigmatic and arguably most popular graffiti artist in the world, and how he used satire to voice his political and social commentary.  The film offers a great glimpse into the world of graffiti art and the commercialization of certain artists.  It follows the development of Thierry Guetta into Mr. Brainwash, a self-anointed protege of Banksy himself and features some of the only footage of Banksy ever captured on film.  More interestingly, it highlights the arbitrariness with which culture judges and monetizes certain “talent” and how once something is declared a piece of art, mainstream culture jumps on the bandwagon whether there be any intrinsic value to the piece or not.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in art or learning more about the subculture of graffiti.

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