art wall

Serena & Lily Design Shop – San Francisco

June 26, 2014

The first stop on our trip to Napa was one night in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities. We always love kicking around some of the great neighborhoods … Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights … grabbing some breakfast, popping in the little local shops. This time, on my to-do list was checking out the new Serena & Lily Design Shop on Sacramento Street.

I have loved Serena and Lily since I started getting their catalogs many years ago … when they just sold nursery and children’s bedding.

I think it’s great that they have created a Design Shop where you can actually touch and feel all their pretty fabrics and products.

Upon entering the store I was greeted by this gorgeous vase of calla lilies, and this invitation:

I love this! Inspiration, collaboration, imagination … and a few dreams thrown in … isn’t that what great design is all about?

Just beyond this entry table the walls were lined with colorful eye candy.

I love their vibrant prints and fabrics.

They also have a nicely curated collection of paint colors. How fun to showcase them on a surfboard?

I love this soft and pretty nursery …

I have always liked their patchwork Natural Hide Rug, so it was neat to see it in person. And how about the wallpaper?

Here is another little vignette that made me happy …

A fun way to style your bar cart!

I have also drooled over their online art collection … so this little corner of the store stopped me in my tracks.

But that’s not all … if you wander all the way through the store and peek out back … there’s another little surprise.

A peaceful little nook in the middle of a big city. I have a serious crush on that Double Hanging Rattan Chair.

And speaking of a sweet spot to sit … I got my new kitchen barstools!

What do you think? They are from Wisteria and I have had a crush on them for some time.

Also … who can resist a sweet smelling bouquet of lilacs?

Enjoy your summertime adventures!

5 Girls, A Goat & a Market

August 26, 2013

So if you live in the Chicagoland area, you’ve probably heard of (or been to!) Girl and The Goat, the West Loop dining hot spot on Randolph Street where Chef Stephanie Izard of Bravo’s Top Chef has made quite the name for herself.

And now, much to everyone’s delight, there is also a Little Goat right across the street … an all-day diner where it’s easier to snag a table and easier on the wallet … yet no less delicious!

So what do you do when the Randolph Street Market is in full swing for the weekend right down the street from this Little Goat?

Girls Trip!

Bright and early Saturday morning, 5 Girls and the Goat communed over watermelon cucumber mimosas and the best hashbrowns and grits you’ve ever tasted before heading over to the Market for a little treasure hunting.

The restaurant itself is right out of a design mag …

Gorgeous light fixtures, funky wallpaper and skylights.

And the bakery next door … so charming.

With full bellies, we were off to burn some calories in the most fun way.

As usual, I snapped some pictures of some of my favorite finds …

I love these little vintage glass fishing floats to fill a bowl or vase with soft color.

Or you could do something similar with these strands of beads.

Fun hand-painted signs for a farmhouse kitchen.

We were cracking up over this collection of vintage signs …

How many of our boys could use these reminders …

I think these little lockers would be SO cute flanking the bed in a little boys room as nightstands.

Loved this huge armoire painted a pretty blue-gray …

Of course there were vintage crates everywhere but I liked these for their color.

This lamp with marble base almost came home with me. I forgot to take a picture of the gorgeous gold lining inside the shade.

I wish I had somewhere to put this dresser! What a fun color and the price was only $375 I think?

I also love how it was styled … stacks of candy-colored books and a little birdcage filled with plants. Perfect!

So, after collecting up all their purchases … and giggling over some “vintage” clothing, the Girls were ready to make the trek back to their car …

(See, I told you we would burn off our breakfast calories!)

Home the 5 Girls went to husbands and kiddos … and to find new homes for their new treasures.

One Girl bought this cute little chalkboard …

Another Girl scored this pretty little shelf for her daughters’ bathroom.

Another Girl picked up these metal numbers …

With a plan to do this …

She feels guilty that the picture of #3 is not hung yet given that #3 is 4 years old … but I assured her that you would all understand and perhaps even empathize with the Third Child Syndrome, right?

She also found this …

I love the idea of tucking a vintage team photo like this into a gallery-style wall of art.

k c interiors

via Houzz

As for this Girl? I also got a chalkboard …

What else?

Well, I have loved these on Terrain for some time, but not for $158 bucks a pop.

Fortunately I was able to snag one for only $40 …

There are lots of uses of it … from a planter to a magazine holder …

… to a place to store TP or firewood ….

via Houzz

or repurposed into a light fixture …

I think I’ll find many uses for it in my house.

I also like collecting little number eights since that is our address … I found this cute black and white one that I can tuck in almost anywhere.

And I couldn’t resist a little bag full of those glass fishing floats …

All in all, a successful (and YUMMY!) trip.

Another great thing I love about this market is that often times if you talk to the vendors you will find that they have their own shops elsewhere around the city or even do custom work. I snagged quite a few cards that I hope will come in useful to me or future clients …

I know these 5 Girls are looking forward to another trip!

Have a good week!

What to scout for at the Flea Markets

May 25, 2012

I’m super excited that the first Randolph Street Antiques Market of the season opens this weekend! I’m hopeful that rain, high heat and some soccer and baseball games don’t keep me from going!

Besides just the Randolph Market … the season of Flea Markets has begun! So I thought I’d put together a guide of what to look for if you’re heading out to one in the upcoming weeks or months. To me, it is truly like an adult treasure hunt … finding those special, unique little things than can add character to even the most contemporary decor.

So here is your Treasure Hunt List:
1. Blue Ball Jars

These are pretty easy to spot with their bright blue color, which also provides just the right pop in your home.

Southern Hospitality

I love to use them as vases …

(Useless fact: when the first machine-made Ball jars were produced in 1896, the distinctive script on the front boasted “Ball IMPROVED MASON,” with an extra loop after the last “l” in Ball that almost looks like a fifth letter. From 1900 to 1914, the script was shortened to “Ball MASON,” while from 1910 to 1914, some Ball jars bore the words “BALL PERFECT MASON” in big, block letters.)

I’ll bet that you just ran to check your jars, didn’t you? What year are yours from? Mine say Ball Perfect Mason so they must be from somewhere between 1910 and 1914.

ANYWAY … moving on …

2. Vintage Suitcases

Ethan Ollie

I always see these at Flea Markets and have a few in my son’s room peeking out from under the bed. A fun place to store things and add a bit of travelers’ whimsy to a room.

Stay Elegant

Homedit.com

3. Old Signs

Keep an eye out for interesting old signs. They can be used as art, nestled on a mantle or above a window.

Better Homes and Gardens

Funky Junk Interiors

4. Crusty old corbels or architectural elements

Bellina Designs

A pair of these can turn a plain old wood board into a fantastic shelf …

Inspired by Charm

A single piece can make an interesting focal point on a bookshelf …

Painted Lady

5. Vintage Books

Etsy

You can find tables and tables of these at most flea markets. It’s worth it to spend a little time searching through to pick out some gems. They don’t have to be in perfect condition. Just look for titles and colors you like.

If you have large bookshelves to fill, this is a great way to fill them for cheap! But I also like small stacks on tables or consoles around the house. If you have a small spot that just needs a little something, try a stack of 3 vintage books topped with a small vase or interesting artifact from your travels. Books can elevate it to greater importance.

Elizabeth Ann Designs

6. Antlers

These babies can be pretty pricey at home design stores and boutiques, but I’ve gotten some for $10 a piece at flea markets. A great sculptural piece for your mantel, coffee table, bookshelves or centerpiece.

Wednesday Custom Design

7. Old Crates

There are so many ways to use old crates … as planters, trays, shelves or tables. Keep an eye out for sturdy ones with great typefonts or color.

Caisa K

Kristinel Dridge Photography

8. Old Art … even if it’s ugly!

Just look at the frames. You can buy ugly art for really cheap … and sometimes the frame is the best part. Take it out the old art and replace it with art that makes you swoon. It instantly gives it an heirloom-quality look. And a whole wall of it would be stunning.

FromTheRightBank.com

9. Anything else that speaks to you …

Chicago Home + Garden

An old beverage dispenser … who knew it could make a fantastic lamp? And what IS that above it on the wall? But it looks kinda cool, doesn’t it? If it makes you swoon … go for it!

Hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! Happy treasure hunting! Let me know what you find!

My little gallery …

October 27, 2011

I finally did it.

If you read my post, Creating Your Own Gallery Wall, you may remember that I have been collecting pieces to create my own art gallery-inspired wall. I recently had a few things reframed and yesterday I decided that they have been languishing up in a spare closet for too long. So I got out my hammer and nails and got to work.

I’m really happy with the results. It’s just a mix of things that make me happy … travel and nature inspired, Venice, Paris, a vintage postcard here, an old map there, a childhood sketch of mine …

It didn’t even take all that long … I roughly laid them out on the floor in the layout I wanted, hung the two largest pieces first then played around with the rest.

I see this wall right when I step out of my bedroom in the morning and now it makes me smile.

It can also be seen from our main living area as you look up the staircase.

To read about some of my favorite examples of gallery walls and my sources for great art, click here.

Creating your own Gallery Wall

July 11, 2011

My blog is feeling a little neglected lately and I don’t blame it. Summer, travel, kids and sunshine are not conducive to sitting at a computer! So please forgive the infrequent posts this summer … I have been spending what free time I have on client work but also enjoying time with my boys and the pleasures of summer. I know the time will come all too soon when we are back inside for most of the day and I do not want to wish this time away!

Since it was SO hot today, I did manage to get a few things done around the house while we enjoyed the comforts of nice cold air-conditioning.

I was looking through some of my files and was reminded that I have literally dozens upon dozens of pictures I’ve saved over the years of art gallery style walls that have made me swoon. I’ll share a handful of my favorites with you here … some of them I don’t even have sources for, but they are all exquisite nonetheless. Dining rooms, stairwells, bedrooms, living rooms, I love them all.

Chicago Home+Garden

To me, the more haphazard the better. I love a mix of different colors, frames, sizes, paintings, sketches, traditional and modern art.

Domino

Cookie Magazine

Check out Kate Spade’s New York apartment … each room is an art gallery in and of itself …

Kate Spade’s NYC apartment

I LOVE these black and white botanical prints.

Kate Spade’s NYC apartment

Another interesting mix of styles and frames …

Add in a mirror …

via Decorpad

Or keep it all black and white …

DIY ideas

Love this for a young girl’s room …

via Houzz

And what a way to make a statement in your foyer …

Pure Style Home

So I’ve been slowly collecting some pieces for my own art wall. I decided to pull them out today and play around with them a bit to see how I might put it all together.

These are pieces I’ve found in stores, art fairs, online, etc. that spoke to me in some way. As with all art, I think the most important thing is to make it personal. Some of my pieces are travel inspired … a painting of Paris, European architecture …

I loved the original frame on this vintage watercolor.

I like to look for tiny art as well … perfect for nestling in between bigger pieces. I found the original painting of a farmer’s market and the feather both on Etsy.

It’s also nice to mix in a few nontraditional pieces. I love the 3D quality of this vintage keyhole and pair of keys. Set on a beautiful background with just the right frame they too become art. (These were an Etsy find as well.)

I might even add in one of my own pieces. This is a chalk drawing I drew when I was in 3rd grade that my parents had framed and recently gave back to me.

Like I mentioned … I like to have a quite a mix. Black and white sketches paired with vibrant oil paintings …

So where and when am I going to hang this art wall? Well, therein lies the problem.

I haven’t quite settled on the place. I am torn between this wall along our staircase …

Or holding off until we redo our dining room. I also think I’d still like to add a few pieces … I’d like something with a person or people. I think part of me enjoys searching for pieces so much that I’m not quite ready to commit to finished display. But that’s one of the great things about it … you can swap things out or tuck new things in as you find them.

If you are interested in creating your own art wall I’d suggest first going through your own home and picking out some favorite pieces. Also keep an eye out at art fairs or smaller boutique home stores … especially for smaller pieces that usually are fairly affordable. Periodically get on Etsy and search original oil painting, vintage painting, framed art, black and white sketch … you get the idea. It will take some time to sift through the results … but something may pop out at you and it is an easy investment. I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of original artwork on Etsy. And many of the shops specializing in vintage often have wonderful old art in its original frames … a great way to give your collection an “inherited” look. (Inherited art just sounds like it’s worth a lot of money, doesn’t it?)

Also check out Vintage Printable and the New York Public Library Digital Gallery for a huge collection of searchable art you can print right from your own computer and frame however you want.

I’d love to see what you have done to create a gallery style wall in your home … I’ll add it to my collection of inspiration photos and share the best here on my blog.

Have a good week!