DIY Paint Swatch Art

I blogged a few months ago about a little DIY project that I thought was cool so I busted out my colt 45 and got busy. Here are the step-by-step instructions if you are feeling a little frisky this Monday.

1. Have an empty frame laying around somewhere. Preferably under a bed, a little warped from water damage and purchased from Ikea in 2001.

2. Have a glue gun. If you read design blogs than my guess is you have one. The tough part is locating the bag of glue sticks.

3. Go to your local hardware store and pretend that you are painting the Taj Majal but really just take (steal) about 40 paint chips. I used Behr because they were so big and I started to feel that I would be taken to Home Depot prison for taking so many swatches if I didn't hurry up and get the heck out of dodge.

4. Start gluing those bad boys right to the backer board of the frame- unless of course you want to reuse it at some point.

5. Hang and gloat to your husband that this cost you zero dollars and it's actually kinda cool. I got a lot of eye ball rolling during this but I think he likes it now. Good, no?

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Design

Just wanted to shine a light on brothers and design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. I've see seen these rad looking "Clouds" in all of the shelter mags but they have just debuted the Losanges Rug rug below. Made in Northern Pakistan by artisans who skillfully married the modern rhombus shape with traditional rug making techniques. It's so right now baby!

Jim LePage

Sometimes you are rewarded for wasting time on the internet. Sometimes you bump into talent, creativity and passion. Sometimes you bump into Jim LePage. This talented graphic/web artist and "church communications thinker" from St. Paul is graphically representing each book of the Bible and I dig it! He is posting a new piece of work each Friday here. You should check it out and you should even buy something. I'm trying to narrow down my favorites pieces. It's even making me want to read the Bible and although I've been a Christian since I was drinking chocolate milk through a swirly straw this is still a daily battle. Yea for Jim! Yea for God!

all images by Jim LePage


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Jerry Misko's Art

Jerry Misko is a local Las Vegas artist who does awesome work. I have always loved our iconic signage (really meaning to take a tour of The Neon Museum) and love that you can bring a piece of our local history into your home by buying a piece of Misko's work. He is one of our most celebrated artists and I wanted to share his work with you. Enjoy!

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Nicole FitzGibbon's Art

I saw Nicole FitzGibbon's artwork on Peonies and Polaroids this morning and fell in love. I'm looking for new artwork for the baby's nursery and this is just so perfect! I have been looking for a spin on naturalism, botany, something along these lines. Enjoy!

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Janet Hill

I saw these pretty little paintings over at Oh Joy! and thought you would like them as much as I do. Janet Hill's work is feminine and speaks to a leisure filled life from earlier times. It is most certainly begging to be hung over your vanity or in a little girl's room. You can buy originals or prints here.

Claire Coles Design

I stumbled across Claire Cole's work this morning and wanted to share it with you because it's just so darn sweet! She hand selects wallpapers and then embroiders them, deconstructs them and makes them into something fabulous and one-of-a-kind. I love this kind of creativity because so much of an artist goes into each and every piece. No mass production here only delicate, delicious scraps of paper that have been spun into a confectionery delight!

I found this little Etsy shop, Oh Hi via designworklife and thought it was Varnish worthy. I think I would like a few funny sayings on mine, like "word" or "que pasa" or better yet "Whatta ya Want From Me?" Yes, that was Adam Lambert. What? It's a good song.

Southwest Stylings

Art by Bern Hill, Dress by Hermes, Sandal by Ana Sui, Plate by Urban Outfitters

Ready or not- here it comes! Every time you think you have seen the end of a horrible moment in decorating (ie. coyotes, peach and turquoise color schemes, dream catchers and adobe pots that are 6 feet tall) it gets reinvented and beckons a second glance. Southwest themes are making a showing in fashion which means we're right around the corner from seeing the same in home decor. Turquoise is already here in a big way and Santa Fe motifs are popping up everywhere. I would normally deem this look as wretched but guess what? I like what I see here and I bet you do too. Admit it. You do.

You know you do.

Rug by Urban Outfitters, Photography by Hilary Walsh, image via Elle

Dress by Mod Cloth, Art by Kathy Mortonston, Chandelier by Marjorie Skouras, Fabric by Ralph Lauren Home for Kravet

Cheeky Prints

How fun and cheeky are these prints from Dear Colleen's shop on Etsy? I saw these on Toast and Mimosa and had to pass them along to you. For $19 you could get a couple for your office and smile every time you look up from your computer screen.

Leigh Viner's Work Makes Me Feel Like A Natural WOOOman

I'm really excited to bring you the work of Leigh Viner. She is super talented and her work is getting noticed for obvious reasons. Her work is just so modern and feminine! It's screaming to be hung above a mirrored vanity filled with Chanel nail polish and Creme De La Mer (or Sally Hanson and Ponds Cold Cream-whatever. Shut up!). Leigh is from Denver but is showing her work all over the country. Check her out if you are in San Fran. Denver or New York this summer. You can also shop her work on Etsy and pick yourself up a little something pretty. I am trying to decide what I want right now! I think "Atmosphere" "Cricket" and "Twilight Blue" are my top contenders. If you're lucky, I'll post on her photography next week. Yeah, you're welcome. Now go slack off- it's Friday.