Something cute for the walls

Ok, so lately, I'm loving the design finds I'm seeing in the Wall Street Journal. Here's another great find from their Off Duty 50 Spring list - contemporary embroidery by fiber artist Sarah Benning. I love her modern take on this traditional craft!

Her patterns look like snapshots straight out of a design magazine. I was especially drawn to the hoops with the mid-century desks & the rug patterns  (first & second picture). They'd make for GREAT wall art for a kid's room.

Her story is pretty adventurous too. She left her day job working as a flower specialist at the Whole Foods, to pursue her embroidery career full-time. So far, she hasn't had to look back. She lives in Spain & retails her patterns and workshops through her website. If you enjoy needlework, this might be a cool project to do. Not to mention you'll have some gorgeous handmade art for your walls.

25 Beautiful Objects

I love this quote by Milton Glaser (who designed one of the most recognizable logos in the world - "I (heart) NY")

"There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for."

I thought it'd be fun and insightful to start, by sharing with you, 25 beautiful objects to which my response has been WOW.   A treasure trove of beautiful things that left a lasting impression on me & that have a story to tell.

I'll share one each week!  Here goes... starting with  No. 25

25. The Boutis

In the little apartment we lived in, in Provence, there was a lovely vintage boutis stored in one of the armoires.   It was absolutely gorgeous.  When I ran my hands over it, it felt almost sculptural. 

Boutis is a French art form that combines embroidery & quilting. Thousands of hours go into making ONE piece.

The effect it creates when seen against the light is magnificent! 

I love this marriage boutis (pictured above) made by the Rideau de Paris, with it's palmetto leaves & scalloped edges.  It would make an absolutely gorgeous wedding gift, don't you think? One for keeps.

Is there something that's WOW-ed you? Something you fell in love with at first sight? 

Photo taken from "A Home in Provence", photography by Christian Sarramon 

Why I love this painting

I love art museums and can spend hours in one. Here's something I've learned over time. Don't skip the audio tour. For every piece of art that has moved me, I've found it's backstory to be even more interesting and provocative. The audio tour gives you the backstory. It places you right in the middle of the action.

For instance, here's one of Monet's paintings that had me at hello. It’s called "Women in the Garden". You'll never guess it’s backstory

It's a beautiful painting, no doubt.  The ladies in their summer gowns, the greenery, the play of light and shadow, and the leisurely atmosphere it creates...it's all quite lovely. And it draws you IN.

But that's not why I love it. Here's why.

When you look at it, you imagine this is a scene the artist might have observed. Or in the least, a scene he had staged with models, as was the practice at the time.

Quite the opposite. 

Monet made this painting in the backyard of a dingy apartment in Paris. He was all of 26 and really poor.  He had no money to buy canvases, let alone stage a scene. There were creditors on his back!

Yet, here he was, making this ambitious 70 x 70 inch painting.

His companion Camille modeled for all three female figures. Since he had no money to re-dress her, he copied the dress designs from fashion plates of the time. And he created a trench in the backyard of his small apartment, so he could lower himself and not lose perspective, when working on the lower half of the painting.

He had little then, yet made a masterpiece.

Today it sits in one of the most respected art galleries IN THE WORLD. Musee d’Orsay.

Now scroll back up and observe the painting again. Makes you see it in a whole new light, doesn’t it? :)