Tapestries for your Walls at Society6

Tapestries for your Walls at Society6 - Free by Rskinner1122

Free by Rskinner1122

Tapestries for your Walls at Society6

I guess you could call my sprouting love of tapestries a result of my lifelong obsession with music and attendance to transformational festivals starting just a few years ago, but I gotta say, they certainly add an ambiance to a room that a traditional poster or framed piece does. I don’t really know what it is about them, but they add a certain type of softness and zen to any room or living space! I usually gravitate towards sacred geometry or abstract pieces, as they tend to allow the mind to creatively roam and interpret them in different ways depending on your current thought processes or mood, which sometimes results in seeing them in a different way each time. But, there’s also nothing like a beautiful landscape that triggers those deep-set, innate senses of wanderlust! Another cool thing about tapestries is that they can be used for a multitude of purposes: put them on the wall in a standard sense, tack and drape them on the ceiling for some extra dimension to the room, use them as a bedsheet over your comforter, hang them from trees to create a comfortable campsite or backyard reading area, or take them on a picnic!

View Full Post

Modern Takes on Denim and Indigo at Fab

Modern Takes on Denim and Indigo at Fab

I think it’s funny every time I go to write a post like this and realize I’m starting to feel a strong sense of Deja Vu…but that’s only because I have my favorite talking points and somehow there are more and more subject matter that fits within them popping up more often as the days and years go on! Once again, I’m highlighting how awesomely versatile the denim fabric is beyond jeans, and it’s pretty cool to see what artists and brands come up with. In all these posts I’m always calling back to previous ones that fit the content, so to keep it short, I wrote about other awesome unique uses of denim here, here (this one’s crafty), here, and here!

View Full Post

Michael Cina Art Pieces on Fab

Michael Cina Art Pieces on Fab

Image: Fab.com

Michael Cina Art Pieces on Fab

Fab was such an addiction a few years ago…and still kind of is. I’d have to say it’s probably the best place online for gifts, apart from the popular event-based sale site Touch of Modern or maybe even Spencers. Fab though has its own personality, combining a wide range of pieces together in one place to fit any purpose or mood by a multitude of ridiculously creative artists, whether they are painters, interior decorators, jewelers, clothiers, you name it. I’ve become quite a fan lately of sites that combine artwork with pieces you can use everyday, like clothing, bedspreads, pillows, cellphone cases, etc., such as The Coterie and Society6. Fab also offers several pieces like this, and the latest I’ve been drawn to is a collection of bed, bath and personal accessories featuring the amazing abstract art of Michael Cina. I love abstract art because they fit so well with a mood, or whatever a viewer might be feeling while looking at it, and a lot of it can be up to interpretation. Michael’s background is influenced by minimal and visual narratives, using graphics to communicate mood or emotion. I love the colors in these pieces, as if he was illustrating a song while creating them…Fab even states that his work is often done in “response to an emotion or sound” and is rooted in the music and design industries. I thought so before I even read about it. Check out some of these amazing items below!

View Full Post

Society6 and The Cotery for Independent Artists

Society6 and The Cotery for Independent Artists - The Cotery - Android Jones Fertility Tank

Image: The Cotery. Tank: Fertility by Android Jones

Society6 and The Cotery for Independent Artists

I always appreciate the local artists…big brands are fun and nice and all, but what about the little guys? It is ridiculous how many extremely talented souls out there who are fighting for recognition, but competition can be bloody and gut-wrenching out there. When I started this blog, I thought I’d focus purely on my love for denim and a few of my top favorite contemporary brands, but I’ve always had an appreciation for the lesser known talents and the overall theme of this blog kind of fell into place once I realized how much I loved having at least a little power in my hands to get their names out there.

View Full Post

Natural Wood Home Decor

Natural Wood Home Decor

Pieces by Hilla Shamia and Siiren

Natural Wood Home Decor

I like any kind of furniture or decor that’s original, classic and innovative. I guess you could say I have a soft spot for modern design. But, as with any toned-down, minimalistic artwork, it’s not easy to stand out! Less is always more in this case and it’s tough to constantly keep up the creative juices with so little to work with. But, this is why it’s impressive, right? Add to that, simplistic designs done with natural elements. I remember as a kid, finding bits of driftwood lining the beach was always a pleasure after spotting several pieces of artwork in local studios done with this abundant medium. Now, I just appreciate infusing nature with my everyday living space. Recently I’ve discovered two artists that really stand out to me in terms of innovation and creativity: Siiren, a “fair trade gift superstore,” and Hilla Shamia, a Tel-Aviv artisan.

View Full Post

Banksy Art at Touch Of Modern

Banksy Art at Touch Of Modern

I’m pretty sure we’re all familiar with Banksy. Well, at least, I wouldn’t be if I hadn’t caught “Exit Through the Gift Shop” on Netflix a year or two ago. I love tasteful street art (read: TASTEFUL), or anything that shakes society up from its normal, mind numbing flow and makes people think for a minute. Banksy’s art is brilliant, and I love that it’s gotten to a point where we can all decorate our walls with his work. He’s been around since the ’90s, and has somehow been able to evade capture while making his point(s), so I’d have to say he’s got a good amount of respect from me. Usually things that make people stop and stare or break into a bit of confusion I find pretty darn humorous, and Banksy’s art kind of gives me that satisfaction along with the gratitude that someone is out there putting forth these kinds of messages that should make you rethink what society tells you is “normal” and how you should be living your life. I’m thrilled to see several of his best works available through this Sunday on Touch of Modern, my favorite event-based retail website that’s all about amazing technology, modern art and genius design for the home or for the self. These pieces are all made of archival quality wrapped canvas print, coated for fade and moisture resistance and stretched over natural wood. Check out the sale here…and as mentioned, hurry, because this sale is over on Sunday, February 22nd! Prices are pretty great…$49.99 down from $110 for a 20″L x 16″W x 1.25H print or $59.99 down from $160.00 for a 30″L x 20″W x 1.25H print.

View Full Post

Denim Beyond Jeans

Denim Beyond Jeans

Denim Beyond Jeans

We think denim, we think jeans, right? I love the fact that such a simple term brings up such simple thoughts amongst most people, but when it comes to creativity, the sky’s the limit. Denim is obviously a staple fabric around the world, and has been for years and years behind us, but it hasn’t only been used to cover your butt. I love repurposed items as it is, but denim is just a fun medium to go crazy with and it is always somehow appealing no matter how it is applied. Denim comes in so many shades and washes to provide a myriad of possibilities. I’ve been running across some amazing uses of denim lately that is far beyond your typical (or not so typical) pair of jeans that I figured it warranted a post. I know there’s a lot more out there, but these are the items that stood out to me the most! Now I feel like rummaging through all the scraps of denim left over from hemming jeans at home and getting crafty…

View Full Post

Bookworm by Kartell Shelving

Bookworm by Kartell Shelving

Bookworm by Kartell Shelving

I love unique shelving! Surprisingly though, I haven’t really gotten creative with it at home…but for one of these days, I have several mental bookmarks stacked up. Why should the art on your walls be limited to anything within a frame? Why shouldn’t storage look like it’s not…storage? Kartell is one of those ingenious brands who seem to have solved the “storage as art” dilemma. The brand resides in LA and was born and perfected by Israeli artist Ron Arad, who studied at the Jerusalem Art Academy from 1971 until 1973 and then at the Architectural Association in London. The Bookworm bookcase is designed to flex into any shape you desire while staying durable and functional. These shelves are available in three different lengths, in five different colors: Aluminum, Glossy White, Black, Cobalt Blue, and Wine Red.

View Full Post

Zodiac Paintings by Annie Clark at Minted

Zodiac Paintings by Annie Clark at Minted

Zodiac Paintings by Annie Clark at Minted

While I’m not much of an astrology buff (but I do collect crystals and have a slight fascination with studying chakras), I do have an undying love for the unknown and the cosmos. My sister went more into the astrology direction, and as a Virgo, I’ll read my horoscope every now and then or appreciate jewelry or anything decorative that features the Virgo design (and in case you haven’t seen it, I melted over C. Wonder’s new Zodiac designs). I do also love simple, minimalist art, and as mentioned in past reviews, elements in art that have high contrast against each other. Annie Clark is a San Francisco artist with a love for paper. She used to be a wedding invitation designer at a San Francisco boutique and built up her artistic career from there. Minted, an online marketplace where independent artists can come together, gain exposure and grow their businesses, features some of Annie’s artwork, including these pretty foil stamped Zodiac prints for your walls.

View Full Post

The Kuu Lamp by Kerstin Sylwan & Jenny Stefansdotter

The Kuu Lamp by Kerstin Sylwan & Jenny Stefansdotter

The Kuu Lamp by Kerstin Sylwan & Jenny Stefansdotter

Sometimes the simplest designs are the hardest to find…and, to design. Even in web development and the graphic design world, which I primarily reside in, minimalism is a heck of a lot tougher than it looks. The designer’s mind is often a very, very colorful one that’s tough to tone down, so it takes a special kind of skill to keep a project simple by focusing only on the precise ideas needed to keep it that way. To me, it seems these simple items are even harder to find sometimes, as the market is flooded with a bazillion examples of artists all trying to outdo each other and sometimes, even trying too hard to be different. The more this goes on, the more I am attracted to the simple things that pop up from time to time. I like solids over patterns, colorblocking over ornate designs, just big and bold and modern. I also love creative repurposing, and anything that keeps unnecessary junk out of our landfills. I have been enjoying newsletters from Hem, which seems to have a way of making home decor easy. I always like interesting lighting, and a recent newsletter led me to artists Kerstin Sylwan & Jenny Stefansdotter and their Kuu Lamps.

View Full Post