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Wonderful Wallpaper by Beth Katleman

Gemma — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:32:02 +0000

I do love a good bold wallpaper print but this is something completely different. Artist Beth Katleman has taken wallpaper to a new level with her collection named “Folly”. The design is a three-dimensional rendering of the traditional Toile de Jouy wallpaper. Cast in ceramic, she has created a wall of exquisite Asian-inspired pavilions, occupied with fine kitschy figures.

Katleman created 12 separate installations of Folly, the first of which sold for $200,000 through Todd Merrill Studio Contemporary to a private Australian collector in 2010. “Folly” was exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York in 2011 and will be on view at The National Trust in the U.K at Claydon House in 2012. I think I’ll be off to have a closer look for myself.

I found this video (Folly by Beth Katleman) on the very cool design website Ifitshipitshere. It features Katleman explaining her collection in more detail. Commenting on her work she says, “I love the fact that these scenes are so frivolous but they’re so surreal at the same time because they take place on these floating islands of earth on your wall.”

The installations are defiantly enchanting and although not for everyone, would certainly provoke conversation around the dinner table.

Wrapping Paper Almost Good Enough to Eat

Gemma — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:35:11 +0000

Christmas is nearly upon us and its time to start wrapping all those presents you’ve spent so long searching for. I have a tradition of wrapping mine in fun newspaper articles or glossy magazine pictures but this year I may have to let that slide. How could I not after seeing the creations from Gift Couture.

Gift Couture is a start-up wrapping paper company that offers high-quality wrapping paper sets. They produce unique papers that coordinate together into conceptualized themes and sets. The initial project has been based on the humble cheeseburger and includes 5 different designs; a bun, hamburger, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. The product video is well worth a look purely for the funky music. Cleverly place pile your presents to create the biggest burger in town.

The company is now looking to get funding. Let’s hope they get some and release more creative paper sets for us to enjoy all year round.

Clever Christmas Colour Palettes

Gemma — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:12:45 +0000

Christmas is around the corner and I don’t know about you but I’m getting very excited! I just love the colours this time of the year, but often find it difficult to focus on one particular range.

However, do not fret, help is at hand! Design Seeds, an amazing colour palette website, have got a huge selection of original and inspiring colour palettes on offer. Here are just a few great examples of how you can take one simple yet essential element and build a whole colour concept around it. It’s definitely made me think more creatively about colour.

Home-made Scratch Cards! The Possibilities are Endless

Gemma — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:00:31 +0000

Maybe it’s just me but I love buying the lottery tickets where you have to scratch off the grey block to reveal your fate. My mind races as I imagine everything I could do (or more likely buy!) with that extra cash; that Chanel dress, a holiday in the Bahamas, a new car, a new house…

I admit, it usually ends in heart-breaking disappointment, you win nothing, or worse, you win 10p. But, what if you could design them yourselves? Admitedly it would lose the ‘what if‘ factor, but then the prizes could be more fun.

For children, home-made scratch cards could be an incentive to tidy their room, gambling on whether they win a Mars Bar or a trip to the zoo. For couples, the concept could be a little naughtier but what a wonderful way of spicing things up. They’re also a great way to aid a secret Santa and can be the decider in an endless ‘what shall we do this weekend?’ saga.

I’m thinking about making a batch and keeping them in a jar in the kitchen – it’ll be an excellent perk-me-up on those rainy days when I just feel like a treat.

So after all that build up, how can we make our own? I found a handy blog post from ArtMind which gives a step by step guide:

Here is what you need:

Cardboard, a print-out of your lottery ticket, glue stick, sticky back plastic (contact paper), metallic acrylic paint (preferably silver) and washing liquid.

Method: (Note: the paper cutting was prepared beforehand so that part of the tutorial has been skipped)

1. Beforehand you print out a design that you want to be on the scratch off lottery tickets. If your printer can take thick paper you can print it directly on the cardboard and skip this part. If you do it in two steps, it is nice to get a fun color background paper and glue the design onto the card.

2. Then you take a piece of sticky back plastic and put it onto the design.

3. Mix some metallic acrylic paint with washing liquid. Try to use 1 part washing liquid and 2 parts of paint. Mix the substance.

4. Paint the plastic part on the ticket and let it dry. Make sure that the picture underneath the paint is hidden. Add another layer if this is not the case.

5. And then… scratch away!

Colour Board: Mustard Yellow

Gemma — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:55:23 +0000

As leaves drop from the trees we see our world change from summer green to tones of red, yellow, orange and brown; a beautiful combination. As Autum now turns to winter, here are a few ideas about how we can infuse one of my favourite autum colours, mustard yellow, into the home.

Turning Scribbles Into Art

Gemma — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:42:14 +0000

Children are often at their happiest when given the time to simply scribble. Give them a packet of brightly coloured pens, a selection of paint and thrown in some glitter for good measure. Once the initial excitement has passed, the home settles to a gently hum of small creative minds. It may only last half an hour but that’s still something!

The thing is, these scribbles and random lashings of paint, often only clutter a kitchen fridge or pinboard. The sheer volume created can often mean a rotation system is put in place and memories are slowly hidden away in dusty attic boxes. What if there was a way of using your children’s creations to create your own form of art?

I came across a blog post on Putti Prapancha which gives a little incite into how adults can take control and create order in a sea of colourful imagination. Roopa re purposed her daughter’s drawings as Easter cards but the same can be done for Christmas and general art around the home.

Easter bunny

Easter Chick

Easter egg

Why not get creative with your shapes and creative something really abstract. I think this idea would work wonderfully with silhouettes of your children as they grow. Whatever your style, this is a great way to make more of your children’s art work.

Gemma

World Inspiration

Gemma — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:52:47 +0000

As someone who will always be trying to travel my way through life, these lamps really appeal to me. I love travelling and have spent a great deal of time and money backpacking my way around the globe. This is such a simple yet inexpensive way to infuse my passion for all things globe-trotting in my home.

One globe, two lamp shades: genius

This idea got me researching other creative ways in which a traveller can display their passion across their home. Here’s what I came up with:

I love this; time to find myself some clear glue and an abundance of maps!

Old black and white maps can be just as interesting

A brilliant way to remember your most loved places

The door to another world

The adventurous bathroom

Spice up an old chest of drawers with some subtle holiday memories

Home is where the heart is but where is the heart today?

And if you just can't decide, cover everything with maps!

Gemma

I Want One!

Gemma — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:16:45 +0000

A short but sweet post; I’ve just come across this fabulous chair on a blog called Jeri’s Organizing and Decluttering News. I want one of these in my life!

The bookinist from Nils Holger Moormann costs 2,187 euros. I better start saving my pennies!

Gemma

Gift Gab: Head Case Pillows

Holly — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:11:48 +0000

On my usual Friday flick through Not on the Highstreet’s catalogue, I found these amazing pillow cases for kids (or adults…).

These would be brilliant stocking fillers, or you could use them as the stockings!

Very cute! His and hers would be amazing – headphones and a crown! Available for £15 each at Not on the Highstreet.

52 days left… It’s Christmas Card Time

Gemma — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:42:05 +0000

This year Christmas has crept up on me. Suddenly there are lights on Oxford Street and it’s dark at 5.00pm. So before I’m too late it’s time to get those cards done and sent.

With money on the mind, many people will be getting crafty and creating their own cards this year. I’ve collected some great examples of how you can put a bit of yourself into your Christmas this year.