Blow it Up

When I was in college we had to get up in front of our peers and professors ever so often and endure a "jury."  Juries were rarely fun, and regardless of whether I thought my project at the time was good or bad, I always had a mini heart attack. I recall on one occasion getting really beat  up for something being proportionally wrong. Trying to get good feedback before I returned to my studio to make adjustments, I asked, "so you are saying I should just blow it up?" The very dry humored panel replied, "well it's not that bad, baha ha ha ha ha." Tired, nervous, and cracked out on diet coke and Starbucks, I did not laugh.

Obviously I meant "enlarge" by the phrase "blow it up." And something I am loving enlarged these days is photography. Not just enlarged, jumbo.

And my favorite

Only Jordan Ferney could make a baby in a closet this endearing. 

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Baby Art {for real this time}

So, no, my baby doesn't really want an expensive painting for his birthday (although his mama might). 

I think what he really needs is a few of these furry babies on his wall.

 They are so cute, it makes my heart hurt.

visit Sharon Montrose's Print Shop

via Danielle Oakley Interiors

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Art Aspirations

I recently purchased a huge canvas from a local art store. I am not a painter, but if I can find the time, I would really love  to take a class at the BCAE this fall, just for fun. I've always told Mr. Sabbe that one day, when we have more money for the non-essentials, I would like to start a real art collection.

Yesterday afternoon I spent a little time looking around on Etsy and came across the work of Jennifer Shears. Her landscapes are just breathtaking.

I think landscape paintings like these are so timeless, something that would always go my ever evolving decor. Jennifer was born near the Adirondack Mountains. Mr. Sabbe and I spent some time there last summer, it is very easy to see the influence on her work.

Starting at $130, these pieces are also quite a steal. I may be able to start my fine art collection sooner than later. Don't you just love Etsy?

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Tiny Art Made by Tiny Hands

A friend and new client of mine sent me this image today and I thought it was the most absolutely adorable idea. 

Created by designer Jan Eleni, it's a collage of dozens of little drawings made by tiny little hands. Design Mom noted that she plans on having one created every year for each of her children. I think I'll do the same. 

Graphically, it kind of reminds me of the sticker walls that are making their way 

all over the blogesphere this week.

In regard to things, I am not a terribly sentimental person. Because we've moved so often in our marriage, we tend to keep things pretty light. We have one little shoe box we labeled "memories" and if it doesn't fit, we usually don't keep it. But I'm sure once our little man starts making works of art for his mama and daddy, we will miraculously become the sentimental pack rats we said we would never be. The collage art is a great idea for those who can't bear to throw things away. Just yesterday I was cleaning out the 0-3 month clothes from his closet (because he can already wear 6-9 months) and I had a hard time parting with anything, even white onesies with big yellow poop stains all over the back. What have I become??

In other news, Rems discovered grass this week. I cannot believe in a week I am going to have a 5 month old. Where is the slow down button?

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Etsy Love {Nan Lawson}

I found Nan Lawson's shop back when I was gathering ideas for Remi's nursery. 

She describes her work as cute, quirky, nerdy art. Pretty right on and I love it.

 This one gave me a starting point for my little guy's room.

this is one of my favorite sayings....

 This one is called "The Hipster Kiss" and could totally be the cartoon 

version of two wannabe hipsters I know:)

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Flexible Art Display

I like this idea of using wooden hangers to keep flexibility within your art display.

Ironically, as we were putting some finishing touches on the baby's room last weekend, my husband turned to me and said "do you think one day we could hang band posters in Remi's room?" Which I think translates to "one day can I have a room with band posters on the wall." After seeing these little vignettes, I really like the idea. But with the baby's room almost complete, we may have to save it for Mr. Sabbe's future man cave.

And when that day comes, I know exactly where I will go. Mr. Sabbe has a friend from childhood/ high school, Justin Helton, who designs band posters for some pretty cool people....

Pretty awesome right!? Bryan always gets excited when we go to a concert and see his work.

Justin is also an alumni of the magnificent University of Tennessee. We churn out some good ones:)

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1.2.3

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The End of an Era

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you will know that I spent the good part of last Fall looking for a deer head for my living room wall. Well, right before Winter settled in I finally found one and I was SO excited. I know some people are probably way over the taxidermy fad, but I was not there yet. Last Friday I spent some time working on a collage wall in our living room before Mr. Sabbe and I went out to eat the best chinese food ever.

Hmmm, what is the random bracket hanging in the middle?

That's right, we came home to a busted deer head on the floor!! And even worse, it landed right on top of the brand new tv and there is now a huge dent in the back of it (which luckily is only the backside) But still! Can you believe that? It could have killed someone. As you can see, the wall anchor and screw are still hanging there with the mounting bracket. But the head and antlers are porcelain and when they fell off, they shattered everywhere. Bad Ebay seller and bad, bad Chinese manufacturer! (sticker on back) Lesson learned, I will no longer be hanging potentially dangerous art on my walls.

I am officially over the taxidermy trend.

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Wall Collage

Along with many these days, I am a big fan of the wall collage. I met with a new client yesterday that has more framed art and photography than anyone I have ever worked with. Unfortunately they have more art than they do walls, so I am excited to see what kind of groupings we can make to utilize as much of it as possible. Here are some of my favorite collage images.

sources: real simple,domino, design*sponge, urban grace {the blog}, pure style home

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Le Pompidou

One of my favorite blogs these days is Caitlin Wilson's Style Files. She's not only a terrific Interior Designer, but she travels more than any person I have ever met and blogs about it, so we can all live vicariously through her. She recently went to Paris, which made me go back and look at some photos of Mr. Sabbe and I's trip to Paris and I found some great images from our visit to the Pompidou. As with many things in Paris, the Pompidou is something I had learned a great deal about in college and was beyond thrilled to get to experience it first hand. The architectural history is amazing, and the art inside is even more amazing.

Never in my life have I been more excited to see a urinal.

I want to go back. Today.

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