artsy forager

Category: Design

  • Friday Design Finds: Cuff ‘Em

    Friday Design Finds: Cuff ‘Em

    There was a time, prior to marrying Mr. F and hitting my fourth decade ( gulp! ), when I was a teeny little wisp of a thing and my wrists were so small some bracelets fell right off.  Enter = my love for cuffs!  Not only were they easily adjustable, but I loved ( and still love! ) their simple, bold chunkiness!  So as it warms up here in Southern Cali and I begin to bare my arms to the world once again, here are a few artsy cuffs I’m loving!

    Valencia Cuff by We Dream in Colour

    source

    [ I am seriously in love with the Valencia Cuff. Serious. Love. ]

    Organic Cuff by Deborah Mullen at Grey Area

    source

    [ see more of Deborah’s work on her website here ]

    Woven Wooden Cuff by Henry Wischusen at Uncommon Goods

    source [ please scroll down for a product review of this baby! ]

    Discus Enamel Cuff at Anthropologie

    source

    Brass Cuff by Nada Sawaya

    source

     We’re heading over to Palm Springs on Sunday to spend the afternoon with my cousin whom I haven’t seen since we were tweens. Supposed to be a beautiful SoCal day, think I’ll be busting out a cuff or two!

    **Uncommon Goods recently sent me the Woven Wooden Cuff by Henry Wischusen for review.  I’ve been looking for an organic, neutral cuff, so I was excited to receive it and try it out!  The packaging for the bracelet was thoughtful, a lovely little paper box and recycled t-shirt pouch, plus I appreciated that UG included an artist’s bio with the bracelet.  Artist acknowledgement always goes a long way with me!  The bracelet design is beautiful, I love the intertwining wood and it looks lovely on my wrist.  I do wish, though, that the wood had been covered a bit more with a resin or coating of some sort, as the edges and veneer are still a bit rough, so I will have to be careful when wearing it with more delicate fabrics.  The cuff runs very small, so for women with larger wrists than mine ( and as previously mentioned, mine are pretty small! ), the fit may not be very comfortable. With all that said, though, it is a pretty little cuff, handmade, organic in material and look and I will proudly wear it all summer long, I’m sure!

    Artsy Forager received material goods in exchange for the above review, but all opinions are her own.

    Artsies, are you interested in seeing more product reviews on the blog?  I’m still on the fence about doing them.  Inquiring minds want to know..

    All image sources are linked above.

  • Wear the Artsy: When Night Falls in the Forest

    I just love the idea of translating the artwork we love into the jewelry and clothes we wear.  After all, the artwork we love is an extension of our souls, so why shouldn’t the way we clothe ourselves be, too?  In this edition of Wear the Artsy, Featured Artist Diana Lemieux’s When Night Falls in the Forest pairs beautifully with an agate ring from Terrain.

    art | When Night Falls in the Forest by Diana Lemieux

    ring | Dendritic Agate Ring by Melissa Joy Manning

    I think any maiden of the forest would be thrilled for this ring to adorn her artsy finger!

    Art and jewelry linked above.

  • Friday Design Finds: Not Your Grandma’s Patchwork

    Nothing against your grandma or her patchwork.  Heck, I have a cherished and loved until it is falling apart patchwork quilt that belonged to my own grandmother.  But patchwork has gotten an update.  Bright colors, bold patterns and modern mixes are taking this old tradition from granny-style to boho chic.  Not sure I could ever talk Mr. Forager into a sofa, but maybe a bowl or two?  A little updated antiquarian boldness goes a long way.

    The Guilded Sofa by Squint Limited
    The Guilded Sofa by Squint Limited

    source

    Small Baroque Mirror by Squint Limited
    Small Baroque Mirror by Squint Limited

    source

    Patchwork Harvest Bowls from Anthropologie
    Patchwork Harvest Bowls from Anthropologie

    source

    Santiago Patchwork Backpack from Free People
    Santiago Patchwork Backpack from Free People

    source

    King Bedhead by Squint Limited
    King Bedhead by Squint Limited

    source*

    I love the artsy boho feel of these pieces!  So many artwork pairings I can think of.. Jill Ricci, Maribel Angel, Christy Kinard, just to name a few!  Have a wonderful weekend, Artsies!  Have you seen the City Mouse | Country Mouse exhibition yet?  Well, what are you waiting for?  Check it out here.

    *If you love these modern takes on patchwork, Squint Limited will be heaven for you!

  • Live the Artsy: Her Name Was Anna

    As fellow Artsies, I know that you are familiar with that sensation that comes over you when gazing upon a favorite work of art.. you want to jump right in and live inside the canvas.  Well, dear Artsies, I say you can!  In this new series, Live the Artsy, I’ll show you how a work of art can come alive as a living space.

    Living in Her Name was Anna by this month’s featured artist Diana Lemieux means dark, cozy walls that envelop you like a forest, classically traditional shapes, and a few punches of color for attitude.  I’m picturing a little Notting Hill apartment that smells of heather and tea.

    art | Her Name was Anna by Diana Lemieux

    space | via Decor8

    Any work of art you’ve fantasized about living in?  Let me know in the comments and I might just show you how to Live the Artsy!

  • Insert the [ Artsy ]: Fuzzy Sculptures and Sunsets

    Holy wow, it’s been a long time since I did an Insert the Artsy post!  I’d forgotten how much fun they can be, dreaming and scheming what piece of artwork I would place in a room.  When I saw this room designed by Erin Martin, on Pinterest, I loved the warm sparseness of it, those wood beams, high ceilings and that magnificent hanging sculpture!  But then I thought, oh, maybe that space above the bed could use just a little cool, saturated color– not too much and nothing too textural to take away from what’s happening above.. enter the work of New York photographer Eric Cahan.

    room design | Erin Martin

    photo source | Eye on Design by Dan Gregory

    art | Eric Cahan

    I love the way the deep turquoise of Cahan’s work plays off the subtle browns and oranges in the wood, while the purple adds just the right touch of coolness.  The quiet sleekness of the photograph is a perfect foil for the shaggy texture of the hanging sculpture and rusticity of the wood beams.

    What do you think, Artsies?  What piece of artwork would you like to wake up to in this room?

    All image sources linked above.

  • Friday Design Finds: Let’s Go For a Dip!

    Friday Design Finds: Let’s Go For a Dip!

    It’s like fries and ketchup.. chips and salsa.. hot wings and ranch.. the design trend of dipping objects in any array of colors makes something good even more tasty!  Here are a few examples I dug up this week..

    Purple White Gradient Long Sleeved Blouse
    Purple White Gradient Long Sleeved Blouse

    source

    Diagonal Dipped Trays via LEIF Shop
    Diagonal Dipped Trays

    source

    Dipped Toile Dessert Plates by Anthropologie
    Dipped Toile Dessert Plates

    source

    Trift by Judith Seng
    Trift by Judith Seng

    source

     Just imagine wearing that blouse.. wouldn’t you feel like a brush dipped in paint?!  Love it.  Happy weekend, Artsies!  Mr. Forager and I are taking a little road trip over to La La Land for the LA Art Show.  So excited and can’t wait to share the adventure with you on Monday!

  • Wear the Artsy: Christina’s World

    Wear the Artsy: Christina’s World

    Sometimes, OK if you’re me, often, we fall so in love with a piece of artwork, we want to live in it, breathe it, and yes, WEAR it.  The Wear the Artsy series imagines doing just that.. what if I could become my favorite work of art?  Today, I’m longing to put on the garb of Featured Artist Christina Baker’s Dinner Mints.  Classic, sophisticated, yet laid back yummy.. just like Christina’s painting!

    art | Dinner Mints by Christina Baker, acrylic on canvas, 6×6*

    necklace | Supernatural Necklace by Lina Lundberg

    cuff | Braided Turquoise Leather Cuff by Justlena

    sweater | Striped Merino Crewneck Sweater by The Limited

    shirt | Faded Chambray Popover by JCrew

    skirt | No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Sequins by JCrew

    bag | Bag MH 130 by Margarete Hausler

    heels | Nalo Heels by Anthropologie

     *Dinner Mints is just one of the pieces Christina will be showing in our very first found exhibition!  I’ll be giving you the lowdown on the show later this week!

  • Friday Design Finds: Colorful Clocks & More

    Friday Design Finds: Colorful Clocks & More

    While living in the desert, I’ve noticed that people tend to embrace color in bolder ways than you might expect.  I think it’s a side effect of being surrounded by so much beige sand!  In today’s Friday Design Finds, I’d like to share with you some examples of the work of Ed & Kate Coleman, an artsy husband & wife team who aren’t shy about using color in their wonderfully textured ceramic creations.

    Texture Clocks by Ed & Kate Coleman
    Texture Clocks, 7″ square/diameter
    Clique Mugs by Ed & Kate Coleman
    Clique Mugs
    Clique Vases by Ed & Kate Coleman
    Clique Vases, large 12 inches, regular 8 inches
    Large Tiles by Ed & Kate Coleman
    Large Tiles, 11 inches
    Box Clocks by Ed & Kate Coleman
    Box Clocks, 4x16x1

    Seriously, wouldn’t coffee be that much more glorious when sipped from one of those mugs?  And their wall tiles are perfect for adding color, texture, and some dimension to a boring wall.  Want to see more from Ed & Kate Coleman?  Check out their website, where you’ll find their complete product line and a listing of galleries who carry their work.  There are a bunch– bound to be one near you!

    All images are via the Ed & Kate Coleman website.

     

  • Friday Design Finds: A Touch of Brass

    Friday Design Finds: A Touch of Brass

    Until recently, the word brass conjured up images of hideous early 1980’s decor.  But brass is staging a comeback and when combined with wood, makes for a design statement that is at once organic and modern.  Here are a few brass & wood combos I’m especially intrigued by this week..

    Alma Brass Chair from Organic Modernism
    Alma Brass Chair from Organic Modernism

    source

    Sun-Tipped Serveware from Anthropologie
    Sun-Tipped Serveware via Anthropologie

    source

    Wood &Brass Triangle Ring from Of Matter
    Wood &Brass Triangle Ring from Of Matter

    source

    Wood & Brass iPhone case from EXOVault
    Wood & Brass iPhone case from EXOVault

    source

    Pia Wustenberg vase
    Pia Wustenberg vase

    source

    Have a fantastic weekend, Artsies!  Speaking of shiny things, I’m going Viva Las Vegas this weekend.  Hope to see an Elvis impersonator and hope to have some fun Vegas-style artsyness to share next week!

    All image sources are linked above.

  • Artsy Holiday 2012: For the Artsy Modernist

    For some Artsies, the holidays can be a bit of decorative overload.  I’m talkin’ about those clean line, simple shape loving Modernists who crave the sleek and spare.  For this week’s Artsy Holiday installment, here are a few ideas for the Artsy Modernist on your list!

    Kaleidoscope Trays by Clara zon Zweigbergk for Hay
    Kaleidoscope Trays by Clara zon Zweigbergk for Hay

    source

    Eames Drop Necklace from Leif Shop
    Eames Drop Necklace from Leif Shop

    source

    Medium Geo Lacquer Box from Lief Shop
    Medium Geo Lacquer Box from Lief Shop

    source

    Striped Trinity Pouch from Anthropologie
    Striped Trinity Pouch from Anthropologie

    source

    Everything is Fine Throw Pillow Cover by Anai Greog on Society6
    Everything is Fine Throw Pillow Cover by Anai Greog on Society6

    source

    Maybe I’m a closet Modernist because I am loving all these bold colors and geometrics!  See more Artsy Modernist ideas on the Artsy Forager Pinterest boards!