In the Spotlight: Tracey Sylvester Harris

I first came across Tracey Sylvester Harris' work through a One Kings Lane sale (a favorite place to look for new artists), her paintings captured my attention to such a degree that I was compelled to investigate further! As I learned from the website her new collection is based on black and white images she collected from flea markets. Tracey takes these age old images and brings them into the modern day with colorful paint.This is a description from the website:

"Harris' paintings explore the relationship between the past and present, contrasting the manufactured images made popular through postcards and advertising to the authentic moments captured in snapshot photos from long forgotten holidays."

The below 3 paintings had me wondering what each of the subjects were thinking or daydreaming about. Were they leaving a long lost love on the train? Is the older woman reading a book to keep her mind alive and young? What is the young woman on the side of the pool gazing over the water thinking about? Each has a story to be told that only we the viewer will be able to interpret. This is what I love about art, it is unique to each of us!

 

"Blue Train"

 

"Enjoying the Journey"

"Deep Water"

Pop on over to Tracey Sylvester Harris website to see even more of her inspiring artwork! If you are in New England you can view her work at the Quidley and Company Galleries in Boston and Nantucket.

(images via T.S. Harris Website)

High Point Market Wall Decor Trends + Typography

Happy November Friends! The second day of home decor trends continues with wall decor and because it is Tuesday a bit of Typography thrown in for fun!

Black and White photography was a big trend through out the show. This Charlie Waite scene literally drew me right in and had me daydreaming of more serene days!

The Trowbridge Gallery had both these prints above. The reproductions were so beautiful and all over the show we saw them in both color and black and white.

I asked the lovely Olivia (aka @swaygrl) what she saw as a wall decor trend at High Point and this is what she had to say.

"The Phillips Co. showroom displayed natural wood used simply as wall art! Gorgeous, patterns that nature has provided brings in a warmth to a room, that might otherwise feel too sterile and cold."

Bunny Williams and her BeeLine Home woke us all up with this gorgeous red lacquered "Ohm" mirror! Seriously a fabulous piece! Expect to see more colored frames and mirrors over the next year.

Oversized artwork as seen in the Dwell Studio showroom was a big trend! Whether a photograph or a simple image of geometric shapes, oversized art work is here to stay!

Hickory Chair Co filled my desire for typography with this enormous print leaning up against a wall.

Did you miss yesterday's post on the Upholstery Trends? Hop on over here. Tomorrow we will focus on the casegood side of market and let me tell you, the pieces are incredible! I even found a new to me company that I am just in love with! See you tomorrow.

The Art of Taking Over

Oversized Art can elevate a room to an impressive state. Lately I have been drawn to these exaggerated pieces of wall decor and the way they can focus a space. The key is to choose furniture that compliments and flows easily with the art, anything too strong and your room will feel like it is having a shouting match.

What are your thoughts? Do you like oversized wall decor? Would you use it in your own house?

(images from 1. Elle Decor Painting by Morris Luis  2. Garrett Cord Werner Art Work by Dutesco Art 3.Architectural Digest painting by Nancy Graves)

A City Scene

Some photos just encourage daydreams and this one is no exception! The New York scene definitely has me dreaming of warm spring nights in the city! Wall decor that tells a story without needing one single word equals an instant buy for me....now to decide where to hang it!

 

Thanks to the fabulous Abbey for leading me to the photography of Joseph O Holmes on 20x200

The Calming Affects of Candida Höfer

As a designer so many images come across my screen on a daily basis it takes one extremely special to make me stop and stare! Well this is EXACTLY what happened when viewing photos from Kips Bay Showhouse. This dining room designed by Elissa Cullman and Tracy Pruzan of Cullman & Kravis is just stunning! The piece that literally drew me in, craving for more, was the larger than life photograph by Candida Höfer. Just one look at "Palacio Nacional da Ajuda Lisboa VII" and I was a serious fan.

Yes the Biedermeier Chairs are gorgeous and the color palette whispers serenity but it's the wall decor that captures all my attention. In this room I would have to strategically seat myself facing away from the piece as to not be completely distracted by it. The way she photographs her pieces makes one feel like they are actually standing in the space and with this particular room, an enormous sense of calm comes over me. Isn't it amazing when a piece of art can engage all of your senses?!

Höfer's work has been described as "psychology of social architecture", quite appropriate I would say!

 

 

 Another touch by the designers I love is that they did not feel the need to mimic the long tables in the art work. The round dining table works perfectly as it moves your eye around the room to include all of its aspects!

(images from Washington Post,  Contemporary Forum & StyleBeat)

A Surface View

In the previous post I mentioned the fantastic wall decor featured over the bed. Here is the source, it's from Surface View. Their "interior graphics" are reproductions from images found at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Marvel Comics, the Royal Photographic Collection and Nic Miller just to name a few. Each image can be recreated as Blinds, Prints on Canvas and Murals. I especially love the silhouette of a person standing next to the size of each print/mural. A priceless visual tool!

Below are a few of my favorite images and some actual applications!

This piece is titled "Belgian Veil" from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
A lace image we saw here above the bed.

One of the things I absolutely love about this company is their flexibility! Each image has multiple sizes and styles which makes it easy to use in many room schemes. Very consumer friendly!

(images from Surface View)

Quick Share - Floating Flowers

Just a little "quick share" as I came across this image over at Dooce. I immediately, thought, ohhh how sweet! The Chiasso magnetic flowers are just adorable and look super easy to mount either on a magnetic surface or tacked up on a wall! Lovely!


(image from Dooce)

Any weather wall decor

Take a look at this, outdoor, yes outdoor wall decor from Ballard Designs! Artist, B.J. Shonberg has created these fantastic vintage signs on weather resistant aluminum. I really like the idea of outdoor wall decor, after all it is an extension of the house and deserves the same attention.







Available in 3 sizes 12", 24" or 32". Perfectly fun!

(images from Ballard Designs)

Scouting - Photos of Country Dreams

This week I have been scouting for Nature Scenic Photography. While searching I came across the Etsy Store of Country Dreaming. What a sweet name which perfectly describes the Ohio artists photos. I feel drawn into the landscape as if I was standing right there. I just Love when that happens with photography!! Just Beautiful!

Here Comes the Sun

Come On In

Smoky Mountains

Tennessee Cattle Farm

Snowfall Symmetry

(images from CountryDreaming)

Scouting Flower Photography

This week one of the items I am scouting for is flower photography. This will be wall decor to add to a teenagers room. The color scheme of our room is blue and chocolate with white furniture. My thought is to find crisp, modern, clean looking photos of a single flower with a great pop of color. They will most likely be framed in a white frame to offset the boldness of the photo. Here is what I have come up with so far! Oh and I am searching for three they will hang one on top of the other!

Jennifer Squires Etsy

Mary Lane Art.com

Abby Rex Art.com

Flanders Fields Etsy



Beach House Blues on Etsy

Have you shopped for Flower Photography lately? If so where did you find your pieces?

Budget Friendly Wall Decor Ideas - Kids Room

Wall Decals are the perfect way to decorate and they are inexpensive! I love the idea you can remove them easily and as the kids grow change them out. A quick tip when hanging the stickers is to make sure they are "attached" to the pieces of furniture. This will connect the pieces and create a easy flow or "story"Above you can see they have done this with the Bee buzzing close to the chair and crib! Perfect!



A simple molding strip with tacks attached create an instant gallery look for your child's artwork.



I love purchase really nice frames and display the budding artists artwork! It is such a joy to have pieces to show off in a nice decorative way. The difficult part is swapping them out from time to time. There are so many good options!


(images from weegallery.com, cookie magazine)

Display your date

Take a look at Mary McDonald's vibrant kitchen, featured in Domino Magazine. Isn't it just fantastic? Of course I adore the window seat but most of all I love the whimsical numbered plates used as wall decor. The sharp white is the perfect contrast against the dark wallpaper. You can purchase the plates here, they are sold in sets of 4 for $150. I might chose a special date, like an anniversary or birthday to display in a fun arrangement! It's a great design trick to look around your home and use everyday items in a new way, just like we see here!





(image from Domino Magazine and dfd Boutique)

Photo blocks - A little slice of heaven

Susannah Tucker's Etsy shop is just as she describes, "a little piece of heaven"! She is a self proclaimed, self taught photographer. I love the way she explains her creative passion as dealing with the emotional side more than the technical side of taking pictures. You feel it right away when you peak in to her shop. To be honest it was hard to not highlight her entire collection but I took my time and picked 6 of my favorites. Some of her pictures have that wonderful vintage feel and others are crisp and clean. Most of the photos I chose took me back to a memory in my own life , don't you just love when someone can capture that feeling? Along with her gorgeous vision, what I was really drawn to is how she presents her photos. Not only are they offered in many sizes but they are also available in these sweet 4 x 4 photo blocks. Which can be grouped together on a wall or stand lovely alone on an end table! The perfect unexpected accent, so unique! With CreateGirl being all about "budget friendly finds" this is one of my favorites.



A 4 x 4 photo block sells for $22 and 5 x 7 photographs go for $12 (all produced on archival, acid free photographic paper with a matte finish). The perfect gift, I would think and I am sure there is one in her collection that will spark a great memory or emotion! Just let it take you away!