Spring is here!

Spring is here!

 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Fully booked

I believe that one key element to a well-styled space are books.  Lots and lots of books.   They add visual depth, character, and a sense of history to a room.  I love shopping for vintage books at flea markets,  and thrift stores.  Their weathered pages, and faded dust jackets always make me wonder where that book has traveled, who it belonged to, and what their life was like.  Oh, if only books could talk.

I love this book by Damian Thompson.  I think it illustrates the story of styling a room with books perfectly.  It's pages are filled with inspiring book filled spaces that feel inviting, warm, and well traveled.  I highly recommend picking up a copy.

 

Damian Thompson

There really are endless ways to display your book collections.  Here are just a few.

The traditional bookcase display

Elle Decor

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Lonny

Domino

Thomas O'brien

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Lonny

Domino

Lonny

Display them in a stack on the floor or on a table.

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Domino

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Ana Antunes

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Stack them in an unused fireplace

Lonny

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Curate them in a children's room

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See?  They aren't just for reading, they make beautiful pieces of art.  How do you display yours?

The art of being Sally King Benedict

 

Atlanta born artist Sally King Benedict first caught my eye in Elle Decor's December issue, where her artwork was featured in the home of designer Ashley Stark.

A self-described "total rennaisance art history dork", she finds her inspiration in fashion, textiles, travel, and from the likes of artists such as William de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, and Philip Guston just to name a few.  

Her artwork has a bold, modern aesthetic, yet also has a softness and femininity to it, which I love.

   

Coming from a home of artists, I've always wanted to learn how to paint.  Taking just one look at Sally's beautiful body of work convinces me that I need to take the plunge.

This is one of my absolute favorites.  I love the pastel hues, and slightly subdued lines.

I've decided that I want them all.  Perhaps one day I will be the proud owner of one of her masterpieces.

You can read more about Sally and see inside her beautiful Charleston studio in the current issue of Matchbook Magazine.

 

*images via:

 Elle Decor, The Glitter Guide, Sally King Benedict, Matchbook Magazine, Bear Hill Interiors

Textiles as art

One of the things that I love so much about design is the idea of taking a conventional piece meant for a specific purpose, and using it in an unconventional way.

  
Take rugs and textiles for example.  Sure they're great for pillows, and for filling up an empty floor space, but hung on a wall, they all of a sudden take on an entirely new look.   It's artwork re-invented.

West Elm's zig-zag rug.  High impact for little cost.

Stamp rug

Vivian Westwood Union Jack rug

Artist Anne Becker hung a vintage ikat fabric in her home office.  Isn't it stunning?

I love this vintage inspired Suzani textile from Donghia framed and hung horizontally.  They are definitely a conversation piece.

I love the juxtaposition of the simple fabric against the more ornate fireplace.

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

Fabric face-off

I recently came across some fabulous designer fabric knock-off's, and I just had to share them with all

 of you. 

Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis in treillage $89/yd (wholesale).

Richloom's Kirkwood outdoor in palm $8.98/yd

(also available in other colorways)

Dwell Studio Gate in Jade &42/yd

Richloom Maxfield in surf $8.98/yd

(also available in other colorways)

David Hick's La Fiorentina in Ivory $40/yd (wholesale)

Connect the dots in camel $18/yd

And I just had to include this Ryan Studio's Raffia Fretwork pillow retailing at $210.  I love it so much.

Jennifer Lopez's Ocean Drive sham at $27.49.  It's a dead ringer, and a huge bargain!