Oh-Hi-Oh-Hi-OOO!!!!

Takin' a TRIP TO OHIO to visit fam.  

I'm excited to see nieces and nephews and hit up King's Island.

Be back next week!!

{vintage inspired art by LuciusArt}

Shades of Aqua

I'm not sure what's going on with me 

but I'm obsessed with pairing abstract paintings with lamps.  

Here's another couplette in 

SHADES OF AQUA.

{images via Sally Benedict & Lamps Plus}

GelaSkins Custom iPhone Skins

I've had my iPhone 4 now for almost a year but have yet to settle on a cover.  

I know it's not the biggest decision but none of the covers reflected who I was. 

I know, I'm picky.  

If it's an item that I use multiple times a day, though, it needs to make me happy every time I see it. 

I got SO excited when I stumbled across 

GELASKINS CUSTOM iPHONE SKINS

yesterday.  You can upload images to GelaSkins and have your custom skin sent straight to your door. 

Genius.

I sacrificed a good hour or two of sleep trying to figure out which skin I want to order.

Here's what I've created so far:

I'm leaning towards the first abstract but my heart twitters over the mint colored Cy Tombly.

Which piece of art would you 

use for a phone cover?

{images via GelaSkins}

Artists:

 1. Nicole King Benedict

2. Mark Rothko

3. Cy Tombly

4. Christopher Wool

5. Stina Spadaro

Made By Girl Contributor Post: Abstract Art

I'm over at MADE BY GIRL today. 

The post is about one of my favorite subjects:

ABSTRACT ART.

See you there!

Portland, Oregon: Powell's Books + Portland Art Museum

I hope you all had a merry Christmas!  

I apologize for not posting before leaving on my Christmas vacation to

PORTLAND, OREGON

(well, Kelso, Washington actually),

but life just whizzed by those last few days before I left.

Here's a quick recap of a day trip we took into downtown Portland:

We went to 

Powell's City of Books

...and I decided I want to move in. I could spend a life time perusing their shelves.

This place had not only newly published books

but hard to find VINTAGE books as well. Oh. My. Goodness.

We grabbed a quick bite at Baja Fresh:

(I know it's probably nothing special to a lot of you out there, but for us Utahans, 

it was AWESOME to have good gluten-free, dairy free food. Mmm....)

...then headed to the Portland Art Museum.  We saw some of my favorite artists, like...

Mark Rothko...

 ...& Franz Kline.

Amazing.  

There were also some artist's works that I didn't recognize but were inspiring none-the-less:

... and some pieces that were down-right creepy (in my opinion).

We couldn't tell if this installation was a real person or not. 

Since he looked like a serial killer, I avoided getting too close.

Did I mention there were Franz Klines?

Seriously, I fell in love with Portland.  

I am smitten with all the cafes, shopping, culture, the hustle and bustle, 

and you just can't beat their scenery.

Who knows, maybe the hubby and I will end up there one day?

What did you do for the holidays??

Art Wall: Cable System

Remember way back when I was waffling between art gallery walls and art displayed on shelves?  

I am STILL going back and forth on what style I prefer and now I have a new conundrum. 

What about hanging 

ART FROM A CABLE SYSTEM?

I am using this art hanging technique in a client's house right now.

All you need to recreate this look is to install a solid curtain rod near 

the ceiling, grab some S hooks and some pretty chain and 

hang up your art collection to your heart's content!

(make sure you screw the rod into studs and don't go over your load baring limits. 

That could be disastrous...).

What do you think? Is this style of hanging art in the running to compete against 

gallery walls and art ledges?

{image via House&Home}

Jessica's Little Shop of Illustrations

I was perusing Etsy the other day and stumbled across a fabulous little store,

JESSICA'S ILLUSTRATION.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this little beauty:

It's moving near the top of my Christmas list.

Here are a few other drool-worthy prints:

Since it's the owner/creator's birthday, she if offering a HUGE special-

BUY ONE 8.5x11, GET ONE FREE!! 

I'm off to go hint how amazing of a deal this is to the hubbie.

These prints will be mine...

{images via Jessica's Illustrations}

Lovely Layered Art

"It's more interesting to have just a picture of a small detail - then you can dream all the rest around it. Because when you see the whole thing, what is there to imagine?" 

-Dries Van Noten

Art Wall: Gallery vs. Shelf

I really can't decide what look I like better- art displayed in a gallery style or layered on a shelf?  I have been waffling between the two styles for a while now.

I"ll see an image like this:

....and I am enamoured.  

Then I'll come across an image like this:

...and my jaw will drop.

Which makes me me wonder,

gallery...

...or shelves...

...gallery...

...or shelves...

...gallery...

...or shelves...

I need to come to a decision as I need to place art above my sofa.  Arg... This decision is just too hard.

 Which look do you like best?  I need to know!

{images via Pinterest & Sarah Richardson Design}

Objet D'art: Designer Gift Bag

I have been on the lookout for great gallery wall inspirations since I'm in the process of redecorating my living room.  I have a black velvet sofa against a large white wall (it wouldn't be white if I had my way, but that's what I get for renting...).  I have always been obsessed with black and white photography but sometimes you just need to mix it up.  Lately I've been seeing designer shopping bags as objet d'art and I'm in LOVE!!

What a fabulous way to dress up a closet, no?

Even my favorite Million Dollar Decorator, Mary MacDonald used one for her client, Jill Roberts.

Ok, so I couldn't find a photo of the actual coral-colored bag that was pinned to the left on the over-sized bulletin board, but I had to post this amazing office. I. Die.

I'm jumping on the band wagon and I just placed a bid on eBay for this little beauty:

...fingers crossed, I'll win it!!

The plan is to arrange it with cut-outs from Jerry Schatzberg's 'Women Then: 1954-1969':

I seriously ADORE this book.  Since I am unable to find any Schatzberg prints anywhere (and I probably couldn't afford them if I did), I'm going to frame my favorite pages from the book I already own and re-order a new one for my coffee table.  Who said chic art had to be expensive?

Now to go frame shopping...

{images via Moth Design, BravoTV, eBay & Boston Trader}

My Home Office Inspiration

I'm in the market for a new 'home office' for my living room.  The other day my husband informed me that he was really sick of our living room chairs and I that I needed to sell them.  For a man who has no opinions when it comes to... well, anything, this was definitely a shock!  Not that my chairs weren't cute (they were green and white houndstooth with black lacquered frames) he just knew they weren't 'me.'  So I placed them in the classifieds and they went to a cute young couple who just bought their first home.

Now I have a large area in front of a large picture window that is a blank canvas.  I've been toying around with the idea of adding a 'home office' area, as my apartment doesn't have a second bedroom or home office space.  After some tinkering around with some ideas, here is what I came up with so far:

I would swap out my green curtains for a pair of dove grey velvet panels, add a white Parson's desk, and a sleek lucite cantilever chair.  

(Clockwise from left)

1. Pottery Barn's Velvet Drape

2. Custom Abstract Painting from yours truly!!

3. West Elm's Lacquered Trinket Tray

4. Z Gallerie's Lotus Tealight Holder

5. West Elm's Cowhide Rug

6. Ikea's Tobias Rug

7. Bungalow 5's Parsons Console

8. Ikea's White Vases

Did you notice the abstract art?  It was my first attempt at being an artist.  I think it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  It's all because of my adorable muse, Jack.

He was a great help sitting on my lap, sniffing the paint, and getting in the way of my elbow with each stroke.  How could you get mad at a face that sweet though?

So what do you think?  Should I purchase two more chairs that are more 'me' or does a home office in a living room fit the bill?

Pretty Lil' Abstracts

It's official.  I REALLY want to learn how to paint abstracts.  I have always wanted to paint as a 'release' and it seems my uber busy schedule is making that desire stronger (as if I have time to sit down anymore!!).  Who knows, maybe I could create some beauties like these:

Aren't these to-DIE-for?  I have been searching online for classes and even visited my local art supply store to search for instruction, but **sigh...** I live in Utah.  No one here appreciates modern art as they should.  Anyone know where I could turn for some Abstract Art 101??

{All art by Jen Ramos.  Images via Cocoa&Hearts & MadeByGirl}

Design Crush: Ron Marvin

This home made my jaw drop. I am a HUGE contrast nut and I have not seen a designer master the art of contrast quite like Ron Marvin did for this home.  From the layered art and accessories to the mix of traditional and modern pieces, Mr. Marvin's work is perfection.

Do you think this room was inspired by the moody Ralph Lauren bedroom, as seen in this post?

Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise could possibly by the sexiest chair that has ever existed. Grrr....

You too can achieve this chic and masculine look.  Mr. Marvin used more budget-friendly sources like Restoration Hardware and Ralph Lauren Home.  Check out my best picks to get add a little contrast to your home...

(items listed clockwise from top left)

1. Hickory Chair's Hallings Secretary

2. Restoration Hardware's Solid Ribbed Tibetan Rug

3. Ralph Lauren's Limited Edition Photography (Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong)

4. Arterior's Silver Tray

5. Circa Lighting's Caged Lantern

6. Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise

7. Z Gallerie's Faux Coral

8. Chinchilla Faux Fur Throw

9. Arterior's Ice Bucket

10. Eduardo Garza's Stone and Lucite Box

11. Benjamin Moore Paint Classic Brown #2109-10 and Edgecomb Gray #HC-173

12. Quadrille Fabric's Aga Reverse in Brown on Tint

13. Circa Lighting's Stacked 3 Ball Lamp in Quartz

Check out more of this fabulous home in the premiere issue of TradHome!