Today's Finds

Corner shelf from Senkki Furniture

ATL poster by Methane Studios, found at the beehive

Artist's Toolbag: Scarlet by Fleabags, found at Maven

Happy sun cup by beardbangs ceramics

Rubber stamps from French Attic Finds

Pretty Wrapping Paper

I've been a fan of Korean-based O-Check Design Graphics for a little while now, but I've never been able to find their products locally. I was super excited to randomly come across a book of their wrapping papers at the Crate and Barrel Outlet, of all places. and for 60% off of the original price! (In case this isn't obvious, the book contains folded sheets of removable patterned wrapping paper, tissue paper, and gift tags.)

The book is filled to the brim with prettiness: mostly floral or botanical designs and sweet animal prints on pastel or neutral backgrounds. There's something nostalgic about these designs that I can't quite place, possibly some association I have with childhood and storybooks...I don't know.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this little gem, which appears to be available on the website as well, in case, like me, you can't resist a sweet patterned paper anything.

Clockwise from top left: "Rush Less Play More" by the big harumph; "Only between us (I love you)" by La Signora Bon Bon - Francesca Capellini; Sriracha sauce bottle by Herman Marie - Kim Laurenti; and Cotton clouds over the railway by Christina B Studio.

(Left to right: "The Capital Print" by ilovedoodle - Heng Swee Lim; and I Love My City by Kate Zitzer.)

Ok, so I guess two pieces aren't really a collection, but I think these two go together so nicely and don't really need another. And I love the colors! What do you think?

These would be great for anyone who loves graphic design, typography, or architecture.

(From left to right: "Flowerpop" by Linda Ketelhut; "Ariba Familia" by Leah Giberson; and "Skyglider II" by September Wren.)

All of these pieces have a mid-century, 60's vibe and make me think of summer at it's best. Actually, they make me nostalgic for a time I never knew, if that makes sense...some sort of idealized American childhood full of carnivals and road trips and floral wallpaper with big graphic repeats. Mostly, this grouping just makes me happy.

To see other Instant Art Collections, click here.

Message of the Day

vapor qualquer

I think this print is perfect, and it actually goes with the Instant Art Collection from Wednesday, no?

What are you guys up to this weekend? We will be packing, packing, and more packing. I also plan to do some work on the house, like more cleaning, installing roman shades on the bedroom windows and a shower curtain rod in the bathroom, and maybe making a trip to the paint store to get some samples. We have an open floor plan (if you can even call it "open" in such a tiny house-haha), and I have a pretty good idea what color I'd like to paint the living room/dining room, but the rest of the house is still up in the air. If anyone has suggestions of favorite paints they've used or maybe has seen photos of great wall colors recently, please share links in the comments!

Hope everyone has a good weekend! xo, Mary

Pattern

I recently bought Pattern by Orla Kiely and thought I'd share a peek inside. It's no secret I love just about everything in her brand, season after season. Every once in a while, you come across a designer that fits perfectly with your personal aesthetic, perhaps what you're already making if you're a creative type, or perhaps the silhouettes and colors and patterns you wear or decorate your space with, and for me that's Orla Kiely.

I expected it to be full of glossy images of her products over the years and, of course, lots of juicy pattern inspiration. But there's also interesting info on Kiely's background, the history of the brand, and what inspires her work. I don't know why, but I was surprised to find out that Kiely continued working for other brands for years after she started her own company. I know lots of designers work for other brands as well, but she seemed to be successful from the start. I guess it's a good reminder that name recognition and sales do not necessarily equal lots of money, at least initially.

Anyway, if you are like me and are inspired by patterns with a bold graphic element and retro color palettes, I highly recommend this book!

Tang Yau Hoong

These limited edition prints from Malaysian artist Tang Yau Hoong are making me smile on this cloudy Monday. I love a clever artist with a sense of humor. His images are surreal and whimsical and have a retro feel that reminds me of illustrations I liked as a child. Take a look at more of his prints here.

Message of the Day

How sweet is this print from Love Sugar Design? It would be really cute hanging in a kid's room. It reminds me of all the sentimental things parents say to their kids that necessitate much eye-rolling in response, even though they can't help but smile and feel all warm and gushy inside.

It would also make a great Valentine's Day gift for any art-loving sweetheart. Such a simple design, yet something about the placement of the text and the heart just works, you know?

Vintage WPA Posters

I've come across these vintage Works Project Administration (WPA) posters every now and then, and I love the bold colors, graphic shapes and silhouettes featured on many of them. About 900 of the 2,000 created between 1936 and 1943 have been digitized and are available for download on the Library of Congress website. I spent quite a while on Saturday perusing the archives...such a wealth of inspiration.

Virginia Woolf Redesign

These book covers designed for Penguin by Angus Hyland are beyond gorgeous and somehow so fitting of Virginia Woolf's writing. I have many of Woolf's books already, but I'm so tempted to buy these and donate my old copies to the library. I'm loving this trend of redesigning covers that's been going on the past couple of years. What do you think?

In the Mood for Vintage

I love a good retro pattern on just about anything: dresses, furniture, housewares, you name it. Here are a few recent favorites: (clockwise from top left: Orla Kiely multi flower print mug; Giclee print from Jenn Ski; Orla Kiely multi oval print mug; Back in the Game Dress by Judith March (available from ModCloth); vintage brown oxfords from The White Pepper; Polopolo pocket tissue holder by yokomono; and chevron clutch purse by ccdoodle.

Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Three Steps Ahead

I can't remember exactly where I first came across Three Steps Ahead, a graphic and web design team with a cool Etsy shop, but I love their style. These letterpress wedding invitations they did a few months ago are the best I've seen in a while. The vintage poster look has a timeless quality, and the colors they chose are so cheery and upbeat. That's what weddings are about after all: love, celebration, and good vibes. You can read all about the printing process on their blog.







(Click on images to go to source.)

Message of the Day

I love this series of prints and art blocks by John W. Golden, a digital artist and illustrator and long-time Etsy seller. Actually, all of his work is fun and makes you smile.

Also, if you are a dog-lover or a robot-lover, you must check out his shop.

Happy Friday

Art print from ColorBee

How perfect is this print?

Hope everyone has an awesome 3-day weekend. Hooray for Labor Day!

You and Me

I always think of doing one of those "Wordless Wednesday" posts, but I tend to have trouble with the "wordless" part, as my boyfriend will attest. I am a writer and a talker, after all. And then I found this greeting card that pretty much says it all:

Letterpress card from Sapling Press

A match made in heaven.
xo, Mary