Score one for the home team! A big congrats to Oakland designer Jennifer Moore, who recently come out with a fun new line of cotton fabrics called Monaluna for textile company Robert Kaufman.
These pretty, colorful patterns are making me itch to get going on some simple spring sewing projects: Whipping up a few cheerful cushion covers and stitching fabric cosies to hide the sewing machine and the TV when they're not in use. I might even attempt to add some contrasting bands of fabric to the bottom of a plain set of curtains.
One thing that's especially nice about the new Monaluna site is that Moore has put together trios of fabrics that work well together, so mixing and matching isn't such a guessing game. She's also provided step-by-step instructions for a few of the sewing projects pictured on the site, such as the quilted pillow above.
Some of my favorite combos:
Mingle
Metro Market
About Town
Check out the entire Monaluna collection right here -- and see a list of online merchants who stock the fabrics here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Cool Stuff: Monaluna Fabrics for Robert Kaufman
Mark Your Calendar: Sights of Sounds at Park Life
Opening at San Francisco's Park Life this Wednesday, February 25, as part of the citywide Noise Pop Festival: The third annual Sights of Sounds, a group show featuring original work from musicians who also make art.
The double-threats exhibiting their fine art at the store/gallery include Bomb Squad and Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee, as well as:
The Mission's own low-fi icon John Vanderslice
Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh
Operation Ivy's Jesse Michaels
Alissa Anderson
Joseph Arthur
CocoRosie's Bianca Casady
Les Savy Fav's Harrison Haynes
Murder City Devils' Nate Manny
The New Trust's Sara Sanger
Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky)
The opening reception for Sights of Sounds runs from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and the show will be up through March 9. Park Life is located at 220 Clement St. at Third. Click here for more info.
Etsy Find of the Day: Junquegrrl Abandoned Houses
I can't stop thinking about these wee, dilapidated houses from Etsy seller junquegrrl (aka Providence, Rhode Island "maker of stuff" Mandy Jordan). Each 3-inch miniature -- eerily beautiful in its ruin -- is crafted from cardboard, paper, paint, and mica with obsessive detail to evoke the forgotten domiciles that Jordan says she's captivated by.
"Have you ever found a forgotten house in the woods, leaning on its foundations, being practically swallowed up by the overgrowth?" she asks. "Underneath the spreading boughs of oak and maple, the house is in shadow. Ivy curls along the façade and moss grows in spreading carpets across the crumbling shingles, lichen and peeling paint combine to create new textures on the walls. With each layer of color and texture I lovingly apply, these little houses remind me more and more of those places: sad, sometimes spooky, always beguiling."
Seaweed and Celadon Abandoned House, $15
Abandoned House G, $15
Overgrown Abandoned House, $15
Ruined Abandoned House, $15
See all of junquegrrl's Etsy offerings right here.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Sketch Tuesday at 111 Minna
Photo from FlavorpillInspired by Southern Exposure's annual Monster Drawing Rally, San Francisco's 111 Minna Gallery began hosting monthly Sketch Tuesdays, during which a bevvy of hand-selected local artists gather for an evening of impromptu art-making and then sell the resulting work for a mere $5 to $30. What a great way for us cash-strapped art lovers to start building a collection!
Painting by Laura Ball
Papercut mural by Stephanie Leung
This month's event takes place on Tuesday, February 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. Guest artists include Laura Ball (whose recent Swarm Gallery show I blogged here), Annie Galvin, Becca Vershbow, Stephanie Leung, Sam Flores, Seth Armstrong, and more than a dozen others.
Painting by Annie Galvin
Illustration by Becca Vershbow
The gallery is located at 111 Minna St. at Second. There will be a DJ spinning and a full bar, so the event is 21 and over only. Click here for more info.
Design Dilemma: What Should I Do With My Boring Powder Room?
More Ways to Waste Time reader Harriet writes, "I'm hoping you can help me with my boring powder room. I'm looking for ways to add spunk, character, and style without spending much money.
The room lacks architectural details: There is no window. It's a five-by-five-foot square. And it's painted a pale green. There is a nice new sink and toilet, but I'm not attached to anything else in the room.
I'd definitely like to paint. Two people recommended pumpkin or terracotta, which I like, but I'm wondering if they would clash with the orange-y wood of the bathroom door. I love deep peacock blue-green, but have been warned against a cold color in a windowless room. I'd also like to change the light fixture, hopefully without moving the light box. Finally, I'm on the lookout for a small table or cabinet with more character than the white cabinet that's in there now. To me, a table wants a plant on it, but with no natural light, I haven't figured out what to put there instead. Any ideas?"
Photo from Point Click HomeI have one word for you, Harriet: Wallpaper. It's a great way to add color, dimension, and interest to a lackluster space. And it doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive, especially when you're papering a small room. You could even paper just the sink wall, and paint the other three walls a complimentary hue. Cole & Son's Woods wallpaper, shown above and below, is one of my favorites.
Photo from House to Home
Photo from House to HomeIf it's in your budget, installing a wood or tile wainscot will add instant architecture to a space with none. For the look of wainscoting without the expense, you could even install a simple chair rail, then wallpaper above it and paint below.
Photo from Walnut WallpaperIf matching the wood of the door is a stumbling point, be sure to test paint or wallpaper swatches against it to make sure they don't clash. Or consider simply painting the door. I don't have a strong opinion about warm vs. cool colors for your space. I think that as long as the lighting isn't cold (i.e., glaring fluorescents), it doesn't really matter.
Besides, it's just a powder room -- a space to go to the bathroom and wash your hands. Nobody's going to be spending a ton of time in there or doing anything other than maybe reapplying lipstick, so I don't think it's a big deal if the color palette is on the cool side. (But readers, feel free to say so if you think I'm wrong on this.)
Photo from House to Home
Design by Benjamin Dhong, photo by moiNow about your mirror. It's OK, but you could add a huge dose of style and drama by upgrading. Again, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Keep an eye out on craigslist, in thrift stores, and at flea markets for a vintage mirror with an interesting shape or intricate frame. If you don't like the frame's color or wood finish, you can simply spray paint it.
Photo from Domino
Photo from Walnut Wallpaper
Photo via Desire to InspireFor lighting, you could go vintage (or vintage-inspired), classic, or modern, depending on your preferences and the other elements in the room. Circa Lighting and Rejuvenation are great places to find a vintage or reproduction over-mirror fixture that will add a lot a character to the room. For more budget finds, don't overlook eBay or your local architectural salvage yard. A great old piece can often be rewired for very little expense.
A vintage side table or cabinet topped with fresh flowers, a shade-tolerating plant like a peace lily, a collection of small treasures, a basket full of rolled hand towels, or an interesting objet will complete the look.
The most important thing, I think, is to have some fun. Because a powder room is a space that's only experienced for a few minutes at a time, there's no better excuse to just go for it.
Readers: Any other ideas for jazzing up Harriet's lackluster powder room? If so, please leave a comment and share them!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Over and Out
Sorry about the lack of posts today, everyone. I'm just all out of words right now. Taking the weekend to refuel ...
Hope you have a good one!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Shakespeare Sonnet Print
Completely enamored with this print from Etsy seller Lizzy House, depicting Shakespeare's Sonnet 12.
It's $75 right here.
Object of Lust: Rowpinto Antique Lace Cushion
Flannel Grey Antique Lace Cushion, £95 (about $135) from London knitwear designer Rowena Pinto. Le sigh ...
(If you sew, replicating this pillow actually seems like a fairly do-able DIY project: Old wool sweater, grandma's lace, vintage buttons, pillow insert -- done.)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Cool Stuff: Egg Collective Tables
I'm digging the cleverness and ingenuity coming out of the all-female Egg Collective. The virtual design studio is the brainchild of Stephanie Beamer, Crystal Ellis, Hillary Petrie, and Julie Scheu, four friends who met at architecture school and who are now based out of St. Louis, Brooklyn, New Orleans, and Portland, respectively.
Take these Stumped Side Tables, created from fallen trees and wired to hold an integrated light. Beautiful and useful.
Another one for the "why didn't I think of that?" file: Egg's (wait for it now ... ) File Table
The Pill Table, which functions as both coffee table and bookends
Set Table, constructed from solid walnut and embellished with cheeky, 24-karat gold leaf place settings
Contact Egg Collective directly for pricing and availability, and check out the studio's other clever creations right here.
The Artful Home: Anthony Georgis Photography
Absolutely arresting images from photographer Anthony Georgis, who's currently showing at Portland, Oregon's Life + Limb. Above: Untitled 05
Untitled 11
Untitled 01
Untitled 04
Untitled 08
Each 8-by-8-inch, maple-mounted print is $100 through the Life + Limb e-shop.
See more of Georgis's work right here. And if you're in the Portland area, be sure to check out Life + Limb's beautiful home and garden wares in person.
