Now for today’s brief art history lesson!

I came across some research I did in 2004 and thought it may be interesting in lieu of real travel to travel back in time today and look at some designs from William Morris.

Morris was a British designer who aspired to incorporate art into all aspects of daily living. He was indeed a bit of Renaissance man specializing in calligraphy, printing, weaving, and embroidery; yet he lived during the 19th century.

He was an innovator who wanted to incorporate art into every crevice of the home.

Check out his Chrysanthemum wallpaper.

I love the color palette and intricacies of his work. His other work includes carpets, tiles, and all sorts of textile designs. There is an organic quality reflective of his love for nature. Let’s look at his Honeysuckle wallpaper, a former favorite of mine.

Yep~I still love it! Now, I’ve come up with an idea on how to bring his art into the 21st century. A few years ago, I did a painting that was a modern interpretation on a William Morris design. Now, I’d  really love to take the same idea and apply it to a wall mural coming up with a modern interpretation of his work in an entryway or hallway.

Ok. Here’s one more I can’t resist, his Artichoke wallpaper.

As you can see by entangling all these elements of earthly beauty, he creates a simple, yet stunning design. I’m going to work on developing a .pdf stencil for download, sort of a nod to his gorgeous work and design.

Plus, I’m serious about the wall art. If anyone would be interested in a custom piece, send me a message!

Some times with good design, it’s all in the details. As a follow-up to the Rustic Table project, I began a little hunt on Etsy for salvaged supplies.  I found 2 shops that carry vintage materials such as curvy brass back plates, skeleton keys, and other rarities.

I thought these brass back plates from Sweetkate were fabulous flea market finds.

I couldn’t believe that Blacksheepyarns is carrying the exact keyhole back plates I’d been hoping to find!

If you come across something great like this rummaging through a thrift store bin or even reclaim them form another piece, I recommend using a little Brasso to shine them up! All that is needed to attach these to a wooden piece are a few small brass finishing nails. One trend I’ve begun to notice is jewelry makers fashioning this type of finding into edgy steam punk pieces.  More on that soon! Maybe we will try to make something together:)

Here’s how I spruced up a small wooden table salvaged from the neighbors.

Looking at it, I could see that it needed a lot of love.  One of the drawers needed a stopper to catch it from slipping in too far. A wooden slat with a  curious old keyhole had fallen off as I initally bent to pick it up. Would it be enough to scare me away?

It actually only took a few simple steps, two days, and an eye for inconspicuous charm to fix this beauty up. First, I made some minor repairs. I sanded off extra flaking paint and screwed down a metal piece beneath the top left drawer. Next, I fortified the structure of the table with wood glue and small clamps. You can see that I have oiled the wood with lemon oil below and am waiting for the wood glue to dry.

Did you notice the knobs?

They were a fateful find at Anthropologie one morning as I rummaged through the garden section. A fellow designer had pictured the knobs to be black and white. I thought these were great because they are ceramic and have touch of gold that really brings the table back to life. The final product possesses vintage charm and could be used in multitude of design scenarios. I picture it as an entryway table, in a little nook, or even a baby changing table (it’s sturdy!).  

in the beginning, I thought about going all the way and painting it all canary yellow, but that would have given it quite a different feel. What do you think?  As it is, it really goes well with a beachy, country, or restoration feel. So, the next time you see a piece left out on the curb or in your neighbor’s garden; think about it’s potential as a piece with a story. Then, try to bring it back to life! 

I came across this funky fabulous headboard at a yard sale and decided to give it an upgrade. What attracted me was it’s solid wood frame and carvings set into it’s shapely design.

I immediately applied a light coat of stripper to peel of the varnish and glossy finish. Next, I went to my sander and buffed off the what was left of the coating. Once the wood was clean and bare, I oiled it to hydrate the wood and keep out the dust particles. What’s left was only to apply two thicks coats of latex semi-gloss paint. I was lucky enough to have some left over from a previous project. After apllying to generous coats and working paint into all the crevices of the wood, I used a polyurethane spray sealer to protect the paint job.

In the future, I hope to take more photographs of the process for all to see. Also, expect to see many of my furnishings up for grabs. This one in particular is already sold, but I couldn’t resist sharing the process in case some of you find old wooden headboards. You may find that a coat of white paint really freshens things up!

As promised, here are a few tips showing how to incorporate applique into your living space.

• Tablecloths, curtains, and pillowcases serve as inspired and detailed works of art.
• Use appliqué or embroidery to introduce texture.
• Tiny mirrors reflect lots of light.
• On a budget appliqué work could provide a cost effective wall decor.
• Historically significant pieces could add luxury to a room.
• Take a hint from Jaipur and embrace color!

Today, let’s take a look at golden embroidery referred to as Karchobi or Zardozi utilizing spun gold thread. This work dates back to the Rajasthani region of North India and abounds in the north Indian cities of Jaisalmer and Jaipur, known for their artisans and trade. Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, offers a plethora of textiles amongst which includes the Karchobi style incorporating metallic threads of flat stitches into garments and tapestries.

These garments are often used for weddings, costumes, wall hangings, and even curtains. Zari or jar thread is a similar process of twisting cotton or silk for brocading not to be confused with zardozi.

Mirror work is popular in appliqué as well. In India, it is traditionally linked to the women of Gujarat and Rajasthan who carry dowry bags embroidered with mirrors. The wife of Shah Jahan, the same man responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal, promoted mirror work during her time. It went on to gain popularity around the 17^th century. Historians believe it may have originated from Baluchistan, currently part of modern day Pakistan. In Jaisalmer, the saddle of camels and horses are adorned with tiny mirrors. In the city of Barmer, women’s bodices are also noted for this intricate work. Tiny mirrors encircled by threads form patterns in bedspreads, pillowcases, and quilts.

Lastly yet certainly not least, Monday I’ll make suggestions on how to incorporate these exotic pieces into eco-friendly and worldly designs!

I’ve recently been inspired to take a closer look at Indian patchwork rugs. The art of Indian embroidery is some of the best worldwide. India offers a variety of styles, each with a unique history and linked to a specific region and culture. Some types of embroideries are associated with customs such as weddings or festivals. Some are known for the special thread employed or method of stitching involved. Appliqué work is a popular style of embroidery that is recognized worldwide and within the design industry for it’s nuances including Karchobi and mirror work.

In appliqué work different pieces of cloth are patched together to make a multi-colored mosaic. The vivid colors, shapes, and patterns in combination stand out when stitched onto a contrasting background. Typically appliqué is attached to padded cotton backing, which itself can be purchased in large rolls. Patchwork of this kind is essential in many Indian tapestries and can be found all over towns in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat in northwestern India.

Patchwork of this kind is essential in many Indian tapestries and can be found in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat in northwestern India. In Nathadwara, a Rajasthani city, the Pichwai style embroidery reveals colorful cloths and wall hangings throughout the village. One aspect of some appliqué artworks is that they can be monochromatic or employ analogous colors. For example, a customer may discover an appliqué cloth in all blues, turquoise, and greens. Others feature rosy pinks and shades of fuchsia. For an interior, they could be used to create a monochromatic color palette within a room.

Common motifs include trees, peacocks, houses stacked into the hillside or the tower pictured above. If you look a bit closer some appliqué work, shiny golden threads and mirrors gleaming within the embroidery can be seen.  More on mirror work and the pink city of Jaipur later this week!