Inspired by Cy Twombly

I really loved the colors in this painting, Untitled, 2001, so last week I decided to pick up a paint brush and try my hand at reinterpreting the work of one of my favorite artists, Cy Twombly.  I'm really happy with how the piece turned out - it adds the perfect pop of color to my neutral bedroom!  Next up, creating a piece for over my sofa...yes, that canvas is still blank.  I'll share my inspiration for that project later in the week.

Trimmed with Tassels

This weekend, why don't you trim your Christmas tree with homemade tassels?  Inspired by this pair of Oscar de la Renta earrings, I used a spool of silver string that I had tucked away in my craft box to make large tassel ornaments.  They look just lovely on my tree but come December 25th I plan to take them down and use them instead of bows on some of my Christmas gifts.  Below are the steps to create your own tassel-trimmed-tree:

ONE wrap the string around the palm of your hand to create a loop.  The thickness of your tassel will depend on the number of times you wrap the string around your hand--I did around 150.

TWO with the string still wrapped around your palm, take a 6 inch piece of string, feed it through the center of the loop then tie a knot to secure the pieces.

THREE remove the loop from your palm and lay it down on a flat surface. Take another 6 inch piece of string and wrap it around the bundle several times--this should be about a 1/4 inch from the top. Once you have the look you want knot the string and trim off the excess.

FOUR hold the tassel by the top string and use scissors to trim the bottom loops.

Ta-da...a tasseled tree in less than an hour!!

(images by kristin kerr for simply smitten)

Why Don't You...

...frame a beautiful piece of paper.  I posted about my own paper-framing adventures a while back so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the May issue of Lonny and spotted a similar look hanging in the lovely Jamie Meares' designed living room pictured above.  I was instantly obsessed.  I did a little investigating only to find out that the coveted piece was purchased from Natural Curiosities and was out of my budget.  so I forgot about it until a month later during my trip to NYC when I just so happened to find the exact paper used in NC's Abstract Paper Collection hanging in Kate's Paperie. Say what?  NC is selling a $27 piece of paper which is available in a card shop for $700+.  Granted the paper is framed in killer acrylic box frames, but come on.  So I guess this is a double Why Don't You...frame a beautiful piece of paper and save a little money, honey!

Inspired Interior | Christian Bérard

My home office is in desperate need of a little decoration -- no matter how many pieces of art I hang the white wall just aren't cutting it.  I'm thinking about doing a little Christian Bérard homage.  Pictured above are the trompe l'oeil architectural details he designed in collaboration with Jean-Michel Frank for L'Institut Guerlain.  What is often mistaken for as paint is in fact grosgrain ribbon and silk cut to resemble Bérard's brushstrokes.  No, he was not trying to fool anyone with his faux architectural details, but that's the beauty of them- they're whimsical and perhaps not all that difficult to mimic?  New York designer John Barman, took inspiration from the Guerlain interior and used Bérard-style brushstrokes to add interest to the otherwise straightforward bedroom pictured above.  In the third picture, Sara Story painted faux molding in the hallway of the Elle Decor Modern Living Showhouse but kicked things up a notch by using two shades of gold paint to create the illusion of a shadow.  Obviously I love the gold. 

Since I rent and actual wood molding are not an option this might just be the easiest way to achieve my very own Rachel Roy-inspired office. Someone bring me a yardstick and a can of paint!

(Images: 1 / 2 / 3/ 4+5)

A New Spin on Art

I love the idea of using a craft store spin-art toy to create original abstract art.  In the pictures above Miles Redd made his own expressionist splatter then took it to a copy shop to have it enlarged and printed on watercolor paper.  I think the key to creating a sophisticated, modern masterpiece is to use a single color -- let the splatter be the main attraction -- and then finish it off with a sleek frame. I’m definitely going to try this when I have more wall space!

I'm pretty sure I had a spin-art t-shirt party when I was a kid, anyone else? 

(Images 1, 2, 3 Domino Magazine scanned by moi, 4) 

From Mid-Century to Modern

The words mid-century modern usually make me cringe, thoughts of nasty brown wood, scratchy orange upholstery and cats (don't ask) pop into my head, but lately I've been seeing a lot of my favorite designers and retailers putting a modern spin on the this understated retro style.  Chelsea Textiles debuted its new range of Mid-Century inspired fabrics and furniture at Maison & Objet 2012, the clean lines and subtle, muted colors balance perfectly with today’s interiors and I can't help but notice Danish influence behind Jason Wu's new furniture line for Canvas Home...even West Elm is getting in on the time warp with this super chic nightstand.  All of these pieces are great but why spend a fortune on reproduction when you could buy a relatively inexpensive vintage piece on eBay and make it your own? 

I've been obsessing over this black & white Madeline Weinrib suzani mid-century Scandinavian foot stool for quite some time - those brass sabots had me at hello - so last night purchased my very own stool on eBay for $30!  The blue fabric isn't my cup of tea, so the stool needs to be reupholstered, stat! The wood legs also need to go, the brown does nothing to show off the lovely brass sabots (new favorite word). Pictured above are the fabrics and paints I'm considering. Part of me thinks I should go neutral but a bigger part of me thinks this is a great opportunity to do something fun. How's a girl to decide?  With your help, of course.  Which look do you love?

textured wool / lush lamb / wild leopard 

Wrap it Up!

Fabric wrapped furniture is nothing new, in the 1970s design greats like Albert Hadley and Billy Baldwin wrapped simple laminated forms like the Parsons table in printed cloth.  They were so chic!  Inspired by Albert, Billy, and the images below, I've decided to try my hand at wrapping it up.  My victim?  The Ikea Malm Dressing Table -- it's the perfect console table, generous in proportion and simple in design, great complement to my traditional sofa and modern Saarinen table. I still need to decided if I'm going to wrap the table in grasscloth, faux ostrich or linen -- what do you think?

Domino Magazine

Society Social

Anne Coyle

Lauren Liess

Coastal Living

Color Blocking at Home

Color blocking has been a trend of the runways for the past few seasons so why not translate the trend into beautiful art for your home?  I've had the minimal color-block paintings of Günther Förg on my mind for quite some time.  Specifically, since they graced the cover of the December 2006 issue of Elle Décor. This is an art project that can easily be replicated at home using craft paper or sheets of Coloraid.  I have 300 Coloraid swatches that have been sitting in my office since I took a color theory class in school.  This weekend I'm planning on taking note from Washington DC designer, David Mitchell, and do my own DIY version of Günther's art.  Since I rent I'm trying my hardest to avoid painting the walls so think this strong and simple art arrangement will add the perfect splash of color to my white walls!

What are your plans for the weekend?

(Images 1 // 2)

It's Tortoise Time

Grant K Gibson

Mark D. Sikes via Habituall Chic

Miles Redd for Century Furniture

Tory Burch

Tory Burch + Palmer Weiss

Albert Hadley + Miles Redd

I never met a faux tortoise that I didn't like. Tortoise print is such a classic and sophisticated way to add interest to a room. Tortoise furniture and accessories were long considered to be a luxury, and we can now recreate that luxury with faux tortoise painted furniture. Grant K. Gibson designed the faux tortoise Parson tables above using warm, rich tones. Miles Redd, on the other hand, used more vibrant green tones for his.

This weekend I plan to follow this follow this tutorial and create my own timeless tortoise table -- check back Monday for the results!  Wish me luck!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Art | A Framed Flashcard

Ever since I gave my Dad a framed letter from his nursery school teacher (btw I won the Artists Frame Service's Tell Us Your Story contest...woohoo! That's my dad, aka Jay Leno, in the jean-on-jean!)  I've been obsessed with the whole frame random things thing.  So when I saw this framed vintage flashcard on Christina Fluegge's One Kings Lane sale I immediately called my mom to see if she still had my flashcards from back in the day.  I'm 26, so I'm thinking my flashcards could technically be considered vintage, right?  My Mom is still looking but if she finds them you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be hanging them in my apartment. Word.

My Weekend in Pictures

I ventured to one of my favorite Chicago stores for a second time in less than week.
(I sense an addiction coming on...this could become a problem)

Every time I visit I find something to add to my collection. 

The owner has such a great eye for finding unique treasures...like the carved wooden chain pictured above.

I never leave the store empty handed.

I stopped in Anthropologie to return an unnecessary purchase I made last weekend and ended up walking out with Deborah Needleman's new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home.

Is anyone else as obsessed with Deborah and I am? 

I did a little DIY because this year I was determined - DETERMINED, I tell you! - to have linen herringbone napkins for this year's Christmas tabletop.  The only ones I could find were these Sferra ones at $520 (I need 12) and I just couldn't justify paying that much for an item whose sole purpose is to wipe ones hands + mouth.  

So I took matters into my own hands, bought 2 yards of this Hannah Linen from Fishman's Fabrics ($60 total), found this simple tutorial + spent my Sunday afternoon parked in front of my sewing machine.  I'm thrilled with how they turned out!  There's really nothing I like more than saving money...$460 in this case! 

Now on to a new week, with new projects + new adventures.  The countdown to Christmas is on + I can't wait!  Only 2 more days of work then I'm off until January!  Woohoo!

What do you have planned for the week?

Pretty in Polka Dots

Ever since I spotted (catch that?) this dress in Oscar de la Renta's resort collection I've been craving a generous helping of glittery dots.  Enter Martha Stewart Fine Glitter and Aleene's (incredible) Tacky Dots.  I picked up a box of inexpensive white ornaments from Michael's, added a few tacky dots, sprinkled a little glitter and ta-da!! I'm officially satisfied!  Have you decorated your Christmas tree yet?

(Images taken by Kristin Kerr)

Ottoman

Sorry for the wave of silence, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed this week and haven't had time to sit down and put together a thoughtful post. I promise to get back in the swing of things asap.

Until then, I thought I would share this gorgeous ottoman that caught my eye while reading the current issue of Martha Stewart.  As for the title of this post, super creative, I know, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about this piece since I tore it out of my mom's magazine this past weekend.  It's probably due to the fact that all I want to do right now is curl up on my couch and watch TV and I think adding an ottoman to a living room instantly makes the space feel cozy. And when it comes to cozy, bigger is better.  I'm guessing this baby could support at least 10 pairs of tired feet. Sounds great, right?  Well it's a  look that can easily be replicated using a thrift store coffee table, some foam and one of the thousands of vintage suzanis available on ebay.  So what do you think....boho chic, or attack of the giant ottoman?

Golden Girl

So today, on this sunny Monday morning, I thought I would share a few project I completed a few months back.  Honestly, Golden Girl is probably a more fitting title for my blog than Simply Smitten.  Whether it's a table, mirror or frame, if it's gold, I love it and if it's not gold, I'll use Old World Arts Gold Leafing Kit to make it gold.  Above, I used the kit to gold leaf a vintage picture frame I picked up at a flea market.  I love how the gold makes the frame's cravings pop. I added a chalkboard to the inside and now this frame hangs in my kitchen.  It's the perfect place to jot down note to my man or my weekly to do list.  I'm thinking about adding a Ruby Beets tribal striped runner in front of it. 

When my aunt gave me this table a few years ago I knew that it had good bones - just look at that marble top - but I wasn't feeling the colored flowers.  Inspired by the Mattaliano Ramille Table, I decided to (obviously) gold leaf it.  Now it's the perfect pop of gold in my living room.  I love it!

 

I'm currently working on a painting inspired by this piece from Natural Curiosities...If I finish it this week I'll be sure to share it.  What's on your agenda?