secret of domestic bliss #10...add an art wall

Art walls are all the rage. 
Because I work in an art gallery, I know how badly people want to create the look of an art gallery in their home.
 Quite frankly, I think it just looks cool.
No matter if you have 5$ art from the local fair or 10,000$ Monets,
it is completely stylish to create the look in your own space.
Then, when guests come over, it makes for a great conversation starter.
For a hostess...that's always a good thing.

Art wall by Anna Spiro...now, she is awesome!

I absolutely love the 'above the staircase' look. Old Skool.
sometimes just a jumble of beautiful frames is all you need.
If you space them really close together it looks like a beautiful collage.
and don't be afraid to throw in other elements, like a mirror.

Symmetry goes a long way + can mage a huge impact!

and if you are an artist like mariska, then put up your own.

all black frames + white mattes give your wall a super crisp look.
Keeping with the same theme of art makes a cool statement too!


see...an artwall just makes you happy!

credits:
some photos i have had in my files forever and don't know the source.
if you find a photo of yours, email me and i will be happy to credit you!

secret of domestic bliss #5...bring back the black

image courtesy of odietamo
In Los Angeles, black is back and badder than ever.
I have recently fallen for the artwork of Ian Macdonald
and his fantastic black ceramic installation. 
I seriously want to create this look in my home, it's perfectly modern.
How on earth could I not want a collection like this?

images courtesy of IanMacdonald
His work is just a wee bit out of my price range so I might be able to recreate the look with these things that I am digging on.

art i heart: kathy womack

I got a few emails about one of the photos I posted earlier.
Artist Kathy Womack from Austin, Tx (my hometown) rocks the art world 
with her fantastic painting series called
'women and wine'.
My sister and I have a few pieces of her work and we absolutely adore her.
We used to go into her gallery in Austin, at least once a month to see what she was brewing up.
Her work is so fun and girlie and I hope that this finds girlfriends everywhere
and that they enjoy her art as much as my girlfriends and I do.






i heart art: Jason Rohlf

NY Art Beat is the place for art. While searching mindlessly for beautiful inspiration, I found Brooklyn artist, Jason Rohlf. His work is really contemporary and colorful.
My best friend loves birds, and she apparently has one of his paintings, 
and LOVES it. His work makes me hear chirpy indie music in my head.

I am now a huge fan of Jason, and now secretly wishing he would show in our gallery.

Check out his stuff on artnet.com too.








{images found here}

merry christmas eve...

Having finished stuffing my self silly, unwrapped all of my presents, watched a billion youtube videos and played enough board games, I find myself browsing the world wide web.
It's like a mini-world that doesn't close on Christmas and most of my favorite online stores are already having sales. I love this part of Christmas. 
In addition to shopping, I have been broadening my mind files of art filled interiors.
I am fascinated by art and how art is placed within one's home.
I found this image over at apartment therapy, and while searching for more, 
I couldn't keep myself away.
I think this art is so funky, and I really love how such different forms of art are placed on the wall and make a cool mix. I'm always looking for cool contemporary art.

And now just a few more images that look like art to me...






{images via: apartmenttherapy}

getting through the 9-5

(A typical day at the office.)

Things I love about my work day
*staring at an a amazing gallery of photography + art*
*standing in line at Starbucks for my morning caffeine*
*typing at my macbook keypad and loving the sound of the key-press*
*blogging + new things from the blog-o-sphere*
*taking my lunch break to shop instead of eat*

These are the things that make my days go by quickly.
What helps you + your work day? I am dying to know.

Art is the gift that keeps on giving...

For all of you photographers out there + amazing art collectors, I dedicate this post to you.
Bob Willoughby passed away this weekend. During his career, he made a huge impression on the entertainment industry with his photographs. He even had a very close + personal relationship with Audrey Hepburn, one of my favorite Hollywood starlets.
His photographs bring the old hollywood to any wall they are displayed. 
These invaluable pieces are worth more than gold. 
To my designers, this is a perfect way to add glamour to any room and they are on my christmas wishlist.
Maybe a wee bit out of my personal price range, but a girl can dream right???




the fantastic original prints are shown at the gallery at which I work
{pick up yours for the holidays}

Poolside with Slim Aarons



photography happens to be one of those hobbies that i desperately wish i had time for. to fufill that desire i regularly hop over to my local borders for hours and hours of book candy. not only do i spend most of my time in the magazines and interior design section, i find myself constantly wandering over the photography books. This book is brilliant. Slim Aarons has a wonderful collection of works. Part of the reason he is so well known is his talent for capturing the art of luxuriously lounging poolside. (lounging poolside is one of the reasons i moved out to california). i'm hoping one day i get to own an original print.