“Art is what we call...the thing an artist does.
It's not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt and made something worth making. Something risky. Something human.
Art is not in the ...eye of the beholder. It's in the soul of the artist.”
-Seth Godin
The design for the Grace-Made site has been a slow, thoughtful, & rewarding process so far. I think I underestimated the time, resources, and dedication that it takes to write blog articles that are inspiring and worth reading. I believe that design tells a story, and I'm thrilled to share the chapters that inspire me. I can't wait until the site is "done" - although, I'm not sure it will ever be 100% complete. I truly hope that Grace-Made will evolve and grow over time. I thought I'd share these illustrations that I recently created. Someday, soon, these drawings will be incorporated into the site. The site-build and launch is a lot of work, but it's a dream project & overwhelmingly exciting!
I can't stop admiring (actually, drooling over) this residential interior designed by H Arquitectes, in a town near Barcelona. This masterpiece features a segmented floor plan with rooms that seamlessly transition from interior to exterior environments. The entire living space is enclosed, on both sides, by full-height folding doors. The gaps in the building act as outdoor walkways between the zones. These features encourage constant interaction with nature. This past weekend, I spent an entire day cycling in the sun. Afterwards, I marveled at how rejuvenated and healthy I felt. Oftentimes, we aren't exposed to enough natural sunlight while spending time indoors. Interior environments like these remind me of the importance of exposure to nature. Even if the climate won't allow an environment like this one, large windows with views of nature can substitute for a similar effect. This project has inspired me to re-think the relationship between the interior and exterior components of buildings. I'm also adding an outdoor living room to my Dream-Home-Bucket-List! Enjoy!
via Dezeen
I thought I'd share my latest and greatest listening. This playlist was composed over the last couple of weeks - mostly during a series of cold & rainy days working inside. I meant to share this list sooner, but this short month is flying by so quickly! I'm so excited about these tunes & artists - some gems, for sure. Enjoy! Spotify users, listen here.
image found here
I'm thrilled to share a personal project that I've been working on for the last week. The project is my entry for a competition, hosted by Desall, to design an Illy floor display fixture. This project was a dream to work on! It gave me the opportunity to combine my love for painting with my passion for furniture & interior design. The custom watercolor artwork was inspired by the playful & friendly attributes of the Illy brand. The display is meant to engage consumers and connect them with the brand & product on an emotional level, because personality is the key for retail design. Consumers choose transparent, personable companies and remain loyal to the ones that provide a pleasurable experience. Please vote for my entry here - it's open for 5 more days!
via Brit + Co.
I really miss my gallery wall. I used to have one covering the beautiful French doors in my old bedroom. I loved the mismatched frames and their not-quite-symmetrical arrangement. I've grown a bit bored with my walls, so I've decided to rotate the artwork in my apartment and freshen up. There are so many different ways to curate and organize a gallery wall - each lending a unique aesthetic or quirky vibe. A gallery wall composed of crisp white frames looks dramatically different from an assortment of mix-and-match vintage frames or canvases. The content also contributes to the style of the wall. I'm drawn to compositions containing a mixture of artwork and photography. These images have really led me to some great ideas for my own wall. I can't get over the divider wall -- it's perfect!
via decor8
via Bolig
via sfgirlbybay
via Lincthelen Design
via My Scandinavian Home
via Dezeen
via Joanna Laajisto
Quite frequently, I find an Interiors color palette that completely floors me. Sometimes it's the furniture that does the trick, sometimes its a unique or unusual finish material, and sometimes its plain 'ole color that makes a space really special. Bar & Co, a restaurant in Helsinki, was designed by the creative studio of Joanna Laajisto. The color of the space really caught my attention on first glance. The plush olive chairs and green paneled walls, paired with the textural Persian rug and a hint of copper and caramel accents - there's nothing more I could ask for in the middle of winter. The simplicity of the slate tile floors and white walls really allows the fixtures and furniture to shine. Take a look at the rest of Joanna's work! It's really something.
all photos courtesy of Joanna Laajisto
If you've got the nostalgic munchies, this Etsy store is the place for you! How many of you spent time daydreaming of adventures in space when you were a kid? Surely I'm not the only one having Space Camp back-flashes, right now! These well-designed, hand-embroidered badges speak to the kid in every adult. Whether you spend your time hiking and camping, shooting behind a camera, traveling the world, or daydreaming about space - there's a badge for every style.
As for me, I'm snagging that Space Explorer gem. Enjoy.
It's not wanderlust....it's wanderlove, this time. I'm completely captivated by the beauty and raw sophistication of Brooklyn's freshest boutique hotel. I discovered the Wythe Hotel while reading the latest Est Magazine "Mini Issue" newsletter earlier this week. Since it's opening in 2012, I've glanced upon images of this overnight gem, but haven't taken the time to dig into the company's story and uncover the richness of it's existence.
The converted hotel began with the discovery of an old barrel factory, built in 1901, on the Williamsburg waterfront. The building offers striking views from charming arched windows, well-worn brick walls, and original pine beams. Morris Adjmi Architects and Workstead collaborated to preserve the industrial character of existing elements and compliment them with hip novelty. Feast your eyes upon the design-delight below. I'll see you in Brooklyn!
Finally, if you're a real nerd, I encourage you to check out Sleeper Magazine's article for an in-depth project description & juicy design details. And if you live in the Brooklyn area, stop by the Wythe during the month of January! The Shop at Wythe Hotel will serve as a pop-up annex for The Sketchbook Project library, which will feature 2,000 travel-themed sketchbooks. Take a look or join in and contribute with your own!
images courtesy of WYTHE HOTEL
If I could have it my way, my closet would always look as through Spring were right around the corner. I'm drawn to bold, unique prints - specifically abstract floral patterns. These are my current cravings in floral/fauna fashion. Have a great Wednesday!
01 / Equipment Tie-Front Blouse 02 / Jules Reid The Parker Top 03 / Secret South Moonstone Top 04 / Vintage 60's Floral Crop Top (sold out - but more vintage treasures at Vaux Vintage) 05 / J. Crew Floral Sweatshirt 06 / Rachel Rose Tangerine Silk Tee
I dreamt of buying a bicycle long before I actually did. There is something special about cycling in San Francisco - you feel like a part of the heartbeat of the city when you are on a bike. I finally ordered my dream bike back in November, but I had to wait a full 2 months before it arrived. Now that I own one, I'm faced with finding a space-efficient storage solution for it. Because locking my bike outside isn't an option, I'd like to create a beautiful way to display my bike, while also keeping it safe within my apartment. I've sifted through my stash of inspiring interiors for bike storage solutions that are both functional and nice to look at. I love all of the options below, but Mikili's solutions are, without a doubt, the most innovative.
KAPPÔ oak storage unit // under-the-stairs hanging configuration // the PINSTRIPe bike shelf (handmade!) // simple vertical display
I'm exploring the work of Swedish duo Johan Oscarson and Jonas Elding (ELDING OSCARSON) this morning. The home-office space, pictured below, caught my eye while browsing for inspiration (for something completely unrelated - thank youuuu, Internet). Before long, I was completely enthralled with their entire collection of architectural and interior projects. The townhouse project wins as favorite, in my book. A modern office flooded with natural light and a garden view...what more could you ask for?
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that, like me, you're fully aboard the emoji train. I love that these tiny icons, of such few pixels, can convey so much emotion! Designer Liza Nelson has managed to depict a series of the most popular emojis in real-life. Bravo (
), Liza! Your work is incredible and it made my day!
these prints are for sale! 12x12 for $50 and 20x20 for $80 contact: lizahelennelson@gmail.com
via Designboom
I can't believe January 1st has arrived! I'm spending the morning planning, organizing, and preparing for the brand new year ahead. I decided to create a weekly calendar for myself. I'm hoping that it keeps me inspired and focused! I've organized the calendar by separating tasks from new ideas - this should help me stick to my "idea journal" resolution. Click the image below for a PDF download. Happy 2014! *tip* use the simple shapes for inspired weekly doodles - drawing keeps creativity flowing!
photography: sean metcalf
2014 will be the year of all years - I'm 100% positive. I've thought a lot about resolutions, goals & ways to challenge myself...blah, blah, blah. Goals are great - but I really just want to be brave this year. I want to take more chances, walk by faith, and finish the year a better woman than I am now. That's basically it. For some reason, the phrase "2014 is for the Brave" has been bouncing around in my head for a few months. I have no idea why, but I love it. It also perfectly compliments a quote I recently discovered by C.S. Lewis - "Courage, dear heart." For the next 365 days (& beyond), I'll remember that I'm not alone, I'll step away from my comfort zone, I'll love and live with my whole heart, and I'll be courageous in everything that I do. Bring it on, 2014!
I'm stepping into the new year with these tunes and a few picks for fresh & upbeat vibes! What are your plans for 2014?
sweater // headphones // mouse pad // "love courageously" art print // fuel band // desktop swaaag // "do your best" key ring // ceramic numbers
This empty heirloom interior is gorgeous! It's just screaming for attention - so I imagined it as a living room, a space both relaxing and stimulating. The design was inspired by the raw, organic quality of the outdoors - where nothing quite matches, but fits together perfectly. Authentic materials, a hint of whimsy, and a pop of sunny color compliment the traditional space beautifully. It's contemporary, fun, and a little bit unexpected - as all great things typically come!
sofa // chair & bench // walnut stool // coffee table // an organic rug // cork, concrete, and marble pendants // sunny yellow occasional table // branch floor lamp
I love taking something ordinary and making it unique. When it comes to fashion, it's so special to add personalization and really own your style. I bought this gorgeous vintage Robert Kauffman floral fabric on Etsy about a month ago. I was only able to purchase 2.5 yards...so I've been careful in deciding how to use it. I teamed up with my mom tonight to sew floral pockets onto striped nightgowns. Every year, my sister and I wear new matching pajamas on Christmas Eve -- I think they're extra special this year! I love the contrast in the contemporary stripes and vintage floral!
The project was easy & fun! Click here for a pocket template.
My friend, Rebecca, told me about the crazy-wild dating phenomenon and oddly-addictive blog called 40 Days of Dating. Basically, two creative friends ended up single at the same time and decided to experimentally date. They enlisted their awesome friends to create type treatments to accompany the blog entries, and the blog caught on --- actually, it really caught on. All 40 of the type treatments are now available from the 40 Days of Dating Shop. These prints will make your house-guests look twice.
Exciting news! Moleskin has announced a new line of notebooks designed in collaboration with Comme des Garçons. I'm a huge fan of all special edition Moleskin collections, and this might be my favorite one to date. Cheers to Moleskin for bringing creativity and couture together! Not surprisingly, though, the collection is primarily being sold in Japan and from highly select retailers worldwide. I'm sad that the notebooks aren't being sold on the West Coast...but I'm recruiting New York friends to scoop one up for me and my hopes are high for online distribution!
This week's Awakened project was inspired by an interior that I discovered over the weekend. The beautiful architecture and emptiness of the room prompted me to dream of its potential and imagine a palette of finishes and furniture. I plan to continue this series, using empty rooms and buildings as inspiration for designs that might bring people joy.
I absolutely love the worn herringbone flooring and the dramatic use of black paint. It's both contemporary and elegant! I'd accent the existing contrast with an organically patterned rug and frame loose sketches above the fireplace. I fell in love with this sofa from Dwell's most recent catalog and a Hans Wegner classic sourced from 1stDibs! The Mamma Bear chair would be beautiful upholstered in a rich textured fabric from Knoll's Luxe Collection and Dwell's bright brass octagonal mirror would compliment the warmth of the hardwood. A coffee table and set of cabinets flanking the fireplace would showcase books and treasures from my future travels!
interior via MEJUKI