Portrait Love

Back in October I blogged about my new obsession with finding the perfect portrait. I fell in love with one on ebay, but it got away. Well, in the last week, my interest has been refreshed by spaces and places featuring gorgeous and intriguing pieces of art that I am coveting for my walls.

It started with a few different rooms. This first one from Abbey Goes Design Scouting and popped up a few weeks ago.



Then, Anna at Absolutely Beautiful Things blogged about this portrait found at Soulful Adornments, (don't you just love that name?).



Haunting, isn't she? I absolutely love it.

And then... I came across this amazing home featured on ATLA that is not only an incredible example of how to mix multiple styles, but has portraits EVERYWHERE!









Check out the entire slide show to see more inspiration!

So, now my hunt is back on. But I fear I have some competition as the portrait love seems to be spreading these days... watch out ebay!

Portrait Perfect

There's something about a portrait that is so intriguing to me. You have to wonder... who was this girl? And what's her story? I've been lusting over this very simple (yet ridiculously priced) portrait from the Woodson and Rummerfield showroom since seeing it a few months ago...



I just think she's so cute... and of course I'm partial to brunettes, being one myself. Not to mention the 1950's style. *sigh* So, I thought I'd peruse ebay to see if I could find anything even slightly similar, and came up with a few interesting pieces.



Starting bid? Only $9.95, and I love that the painting is a little worn out and damaged. You can bid on her here



There's nothing cute and glamorous about this piece, but I still thought she was interesting... bids start at $49



This little girlie makes me giggle! Definitely more along the lines of what I was looking for, but not my style (or hair color), or price range. She starts at $275.

A Portrait of My Own...

Finally!!!

As most of you know, I've been a bit portrait obsessed in the last few months, and have been keeping my eyes open for a lovely lady to grace my walls (and possibly be the beginnings of a larger collection).

Well, my dears, let me present to you this sassy little madame...



I absolutely LOVE her. I found her this morning at the antique store just a few blocks away from me, and got her for a STEAL! She's the perfect size for my small bedroom, so I've placed her just above one of my bedside tables...



I think she makes a perfect compliment to my bottles of perfume and jewelry in a vintage ashtray... don't you think so?

I'm SO excited to finally have a portrait of my own! The hunt, however, will continue for more... (I know, I'm so selfish).

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope you find time to do a little treasure hunting of your own!

Portrait Love... Again

First of all, how freakin cute is this Osborne & Little wallpaper? Yeah, I know, I'm a little over the whole silhouette thing too, but I love the idea of this in a hallway (in lieu of your own family portraits, perhaps?) or an accent wall in a study. I mean, the flocking itself it just ridiculous.



So just when I had started to move on from the portrait search... we got this beautiful piece in at the store!



(sorry, i know it's a small photo! i'll get a bigger one!)

...I of course started searching for more portraits again, and found a few more inspiration photos.


From Paul Costello...




From Nibs blog.

Flickr Fetish

It's official. I'm addicted. I can't seem to find enough inspiration these days, and flickr is feeding my need. Photography can be so intimate... it might just be my favorite art form because of the way it captures real moments. Which is probably why this series I stumbled upon today from my polaroid blog completely moved me.


The series started with a self portrait Jen took of herself, and scribbled on because she wasn't liking her face that day (yes, we've all had those days and moments!). But the scribbling didn't stop there...


Jen took her sharpie to rejected (and not so rejected) polaroids that she had been storing up, and the result is this amazing set that she has posted up on flickr.



This appeals to me on so many levels. It's therapy, it's emotion, it's insight, it's real. I love it.


All together now: *sigh*... Beautiful work Jen. You can read the whole story on her blog, and be sure to check out her flickr photos as well.

HOLIDAY GUIDE: GET ARTSY

Art is personal. I wouldn't recommend hopping into a gallery to go pick something out as a gift unless you know the recipient (and their home) very very well. However, with these small, personalized options, you can rest easy knowing they'll be fully appreciated...
First off, the gift I haven't stopped hearing about this year is the Kate Spade calendar collaboration with artist Bella Foster... monthly art all year long? That's a gift you can't go wrong with! 2010 wall calendar at kate spade. $18.

Homes come with so many memories... perhaps it's time to capture them in a new way? Whether it's the first house for a new couple, or the home you grew up in, commissioning a sweet sketch - of the inside or out - to keep for years to come is a truly original gift. house portrait at artquirk. $120. interior renderings by michelle moreland. starting at $350.

And, here's a thought. Instead of getting the chef or foodie in your life the usual kitchen gadgets, why not a simple watercolour of their favorite ingredient or dish? Jamie Shelman's fruit + veggie series is hands down my favorite. I'm loving the strawberries, but the 'cinque pomodori' would be perfect for my parent's kitchen. strawberry watercolour at jamie shelman. $60.

A Topsy Turvy Halloween...

This year I'm celebrating Halloween and a 30th birthday (not mine... yet!) all in one night. I'm totally clueless as to what I'm going to be... but when I saw Topsy Turvy as a featured seller on Etsy, I kinda fell in love with this idea...

It's like Pirate meets Marie Antoinette, and I LOOOOVE IT! Unfortunately this hat falls under the category of 5-6 weeks for shipping, and also costs a cool $249... so I'm thinking I'll just use it as inspiration. Speaking of which... I will have lots more Halloween costume inspirations next week! Stay tuned!!

*ps - check out the talented photographer behind this portrait, darla teagarden, for the rest of this photo and more cool inspiration...

On the Hunt...

If you're a regular reader, then you already know that I am on a serious hunt. I'm in search of the perfect portrait - a little mysterious, a little sweet, and very classic. Here's the first one I've found ... any takers?



I like her, actually, but she's not exactly what I'm looking for. She's at a little antique shop just around the corner from my apartment... I may have to go pay her another visit. Or, if anyone is interested in purchasing her, I'll see what kind of deal I can get!

Portraits of Love

Adoring these unconventional wedding portraits from photographer Dustin Todd...

blue satin sash+ striped socks = *love*

if i let my hair go crazy natural... it would look like this.

fantastic colors. anonymous portrait. very cool.

yes please, to it all. so chic.

*ps - the music on his site is fantastically loungy. perfect for my currently rainy day...

Hit the Road Jack!

If I were at my desk today I certainly wish it looked like this.

via skona hem

The black and white makes everything seems crisp and put together while the pops of color in the drapes and lovely portrait would draw my eye away from the computer screen occasionally.  And the floor to ceiling window - heaven!  I would love that to be my desk if I were in the office today.  Instead I've got a window to the world because I am on the road with my bff!

via here

I promise Cassandra and I will try to chronicle our mini-adventure as best we can along the way.  It won't be as well done as this, but give us a break - we're not professionals!

I hope you have your own great adventure this weekend.  Seattle here we come!

*E

WIN ($10,000) BIG WITH CB2 AND TODD SELBY!

Who wants to win a $10,000 CB2 Shop Card and a photo shoot with Todd Selby? Me too! Well, guess what? All it takes is you and your creative space to enter this amazing contest, so keep reading...

Sponsored by CB2, the contest is entirely based on your creative living ideas. Simply submit three photos of your most inspired living space and then hustle to get all the votes you can!

The top 50 vote-getters will advance to the next round to be judged by CB2 and Todd Selby for their creativity and originality. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $10k CB2Shop Card and a private shoot with Todd Selby which will also be featured on his blog, TheSelby.com. And have you seen all the goodness CB2 has right now? I'd start with the coffee table that has been on my wishlist for quite some time and then I'd check out all the options in "grellow" (like the chair below) for fall.

Qualifying runners-up will still get CB2 Shop Cards to spend on sprucing up their space (ranging from $500 to $2,500) and the Top vote-getter will receive $2,500 CB2 Shop Card too!

And for those of you wondering "who is this Selby guy?" Todd Selby is a portrait/interiors/fashion photographer and illustrator whose project The Selby offers an insider’s view of creative individuals in their personal spaces with an artist’s eye for detail. If you (have been living under a rock) haven't heard of his site, you should absolutely check it out for loads of inspiration.

For more information or to enter your home into the contest, simply follow this link to CB2! Good luck!