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.

Family Photographs

My sister and I have had the "where to display family photographs"debate several times so I thought I would get my dear readers opinions.  I have no problem displaying a picture of my grandmother on my bedroom dresser and for some reason my sister thinks that it's beyond weird.  So I must ask, do you display your family photos and memories through out your home or do you keep them tucked away in an album?

I know I just posted about my love/hate relationship with salon walls but when I saw this photograph of magazine editor Darcy Miller Nussbaum's breakfast nook in Architectural Digest I was quite taken with the gallery arrangement of family photographs.  What I think I really like is that the photos are hung in an area where the family probably gathers daily for meals so they can really enjoy the pictures and be surrounded by memories why making new ones.  I also like that all of the black and white images are displayed in simple box frames because it's a great juxtaposition to that stunning light fixture!   This photo actually has me thinking maybe I should take the family photos out of my bedroom and arrange a cluster of them in a more neutral territory.  Thoughts?

Lean Back

To hang or not to hang, that is the question: I personally got sick of the whole gallery wall trend pretty much as soon as I had the last picture hung above my sofa.  So, with that said, I quickly dissembled it and found myself with a surplus of art.  Instead randomly hanging it else where in my apartment I decided to take my deconstructed gallery wall and create an overlapping and leaning group on the floor in my office.  I liked the look so much that when it came time to decorate the area over my credenza I decided to go nail-free and just layer a few of my favorite pieces.

Some notes for creating this laid-back chic look...well it's all about the mix.  Mix mediums, frames and heights - place taller pieces in the back then lean smaller pieces in front.  And if you don't have a large art collection don't fret...you can get the same low-key look with a single piece.  Whether displayed along the floor, on a mantle or atop a dresser or credenza, this effortless look is perfect for commitment-phobes renters and makes switching things around easy peasy!

images one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven

Smitten | Cathy Bruni Norris

I love the idea of supporting local artists so I was thrilled when my client fell in love with the work of Chicago artist Cathy Bruni Norris.  We stopped by Cathy's Bucktown studio last weekend to see some of her current work and let me tell you, it was love at first sight!  Pictured above are the two pieces we were looking into purchasing.  Stunning, right? Cathy creates these cosmic-like pieces by layering acrylic paint on the reverse side of a clear piece of plexi glass then mounts the finished product to a piece of wood so the depth of colors really pop. If we had space in the room I would have tried to convince my client to purchase both pieces but in the end we ended up going with the painting on the right.  Pictured above is the inspiration board I put together for my client-I can't wait to share pictures once everything is installed!

You can see more of Cathy's work, including the Blue Orb painting we didn't purchase, on Flickr.  And if the real deal isn't in your budget, you're in luck...Cathy paintings have been printed onto the most beautiful beaded fabric and made into clutches and wallets - if you live in Chicago be sure to stop by Laudi Vidni on Armitage and check out the entire line!

I'm Loving. . .

Cream table lamp by Nate Berkus / Oil Spill by Daniel Beltra / Wave candlestick / Burlap pillow in wine /  Jett Top by Rag & Bone / Bronze and walnut table  / Burl Cube Table / Hairy pillow by Detacher

In case you are planning on doing a little shopping this weekend, here is a round up of the things I'm currently loving.  Happy Friday!

A Blank Canvas

The title of this post is just about a literal as they come.  You may remember when I posted shots  of my living room last year that I had set up a gallery wall above my sofa.  Well, about a week after that picture was taken I was sick of the "clutter" so I took everything down and replaced it with a single abstract painting.  The painting served it's purpose but was a little small.

Having a sofa up against a wall isn't ideal. Most of my favorite interiors have freestanding sofas--it can make the seating area more intimate and actually enlarge the feeling of the room. I, however, live in a long, narrow apartment and don't have such luxuries. My sofa is parked against a wall and the area above it is a major focal point because my ceilings are ten feet.  The wall runs through my living room, dining room and kitchen and has the potential to look very cluttered, that's why I'm going for the less is more approach.

I love the idea of creating a beautiful focal point with one fabulous large-scale piece instead of lots of little things. It's also a clean look that can really set the tone for the rest of the space. Getting the scale right can be difficult but I sternly believe that every room should have one oversized piece. My sofa is 6.5 feet (78") long so I picked up a 40"x30" canvas from Blick during their last sale. I could have gone bigger but given that I'm not a professional painter I didn't want to pay more for the larger canvas. The scale is (almost) right, now I just need to decide what to paint! I'm going to look to the rooms pictured above for inspiration.

So I must ask, what's above your sofa?

Why Don't You?

Why don't you make your walls come alive with three dimensional art?  Whether it is a vintage bust, a gilt sculpture, empty picture frames, a large tray or any other beautiful object, I'm seeing more and more interesting wall art. It's amazing how an unexpected piece, like the vintage bust displayed in Nate Berkus' office, can take on a new life when proudly displayed over a chest of drawers. And the large vintage sculptural art in ornate gold pops against the all white walls and sets the tone for an entire space. Take a look at these and get inspired to turn a wall into an expression of your personal style!  I'm making it my weekend goal to find a piece for over my bed....what do you have planned?

(Images 1 | 2 | 3 photo taken by kristin kerr at j.crew | 4)

Currently Coveting | Fresh Florals

Muted colors and fresh florals, each of these looks struck heart chords I didn't know existed.  I was all about florals in my youth, think floral Dr. Marten boots and Shabby Chic bedding, so I thought I had outgrown that stage in my life, until now.

Flowers poster by Debbie Carlos | Floral arrangement by Honey of a Thousand Flowers | Flower Box by Giselle Hicks | Magic Owl painting by Pamela Dale

This + That | Spotted

 

Today I'm loving, this Madewell Artdot Shirtdress & that Eunice Kim Porous print.

Smitten | Waterstone Succulents

 I love plants and the layer of interest and texture they add to a space but I just can't seem to keep them alive.  Does anyone else have this problem? I bought a succulent last year because someone told me they're the "masters of survival"...I proved them wrong and I killed mine in a month.  So when Etsy featured these lovely Waterstone Succulents last week I thought, finally, a beautiful faux plant!  Such a genius concept - a plant you can’t over or under water!  I purchased this gold one but I have a feeling that once it arrives I'm going to want more!  Brown thumbs rejoice!

Emma Lawrenson

I'm absolutely loving these vibrantly-hued prints by UK artist Emma Lawrenson.  I stumbled upon Emma's Etsy shop, Little Print Press, while working on an interior project and was instantly drawn to her sensibility of color.  The bright colors and abstract shapes have a very 1970s Ellsworth Kelly vibe which I'm totally digging. Any one of these think will look great paired with my more traditional furniture.  I'm thinking yellow for my office.  Which one is your favorite?

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!

A Matisse Moment

It never ceases to amaze me how inspiration can come from any place at any time.  When I was in New York I went to the Met to see the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit and ended up finding this beautiful painting by famed French artist, Henri Matisse (1869-1954).  Espagnole: Harmonie en bleu (Spanish Woman: Harmony in Blue), 1923 belongs to a small series of portraits in which Matisse depicts Henriette Darricarrère.  In each case, she appears before a different fabric background and is outfitted with various ethnic costumes and accessories.  Here she is dressed as a Spanish woman.  Although this painting was completed in 1923 the interior, with its patterned tablecloth, floral wallpaper, bright colors and hint of whimsy, feels very current. Art is one of my favorite sources for color inspiration -- I always seem to find new and interesting combinations. Above I've gathered some interior objects inspired by Henri's use of color and pattern! Are you feeling this modern day Matisse moment?

settee / yellow pillows / turkish kilim pillow / vintage oushak rug /  green venetian lamps / zanzibar gold leaf mirror / cobalt blue bench

(Images by Kristin Kerr)