Here are some surface designs to cheer the mundane.

An artist from Britain, Natalie Singh makes graphic prints and develops them into cards for family and friends.

I find this print especially eye-catching and could even picture it as a wallpaper.

Love the background colors and pattern on this one!

A final fave is this curvy retro pattern below.

Natalie also has a shop where you can purchase cards and she oozes with original features on design.

Another artist that has caught my eye on several occasions is Jill Bliss with her organic shapes and eco-inspired designs. One of my favorite topics to discuss in an artwork is nature and it’s splendor. Based in Oregon with roots in California, Jill’s work investigates the flora around us here.

These poppies are delicate and  beautiful.

Love the minty fresh card!

Oh, what a mural.

Jill maintains a stunning shop of where you can truly grasp her unique style. I was reminded of Jill’s work on my trip to Kentucky, where I noticed some of her splendid notecards for sale, these cards available here.  At Jill’s shop you can learn more about her inspiration as an artist and look at her portfolio too.

Look forward to catching a glimpse of another artist’s cards tomorrow morning along with Jenna’s desk redo coming soon!

While rummaging through an antique shops in my favorite part of town, I came across old horseshoes at Crescent Hill Trading Co! They have the most adorable dog who roams the shop and a large selection of tableware. I figured horseshoes have multiple uses for the eclectic homemaker, either way, something interesting.

Check out these hooks that I found:

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Look for more on Ebay, you’d be surprised how many styles and shades are out there.

Another antique horse that I loved was this carousel pony! Since, I recently went to the fair, it’s even more fitting. This one has been removed from an old German carousel and is a real antique! I can picture it in so many settings.

Lots of these lovelies can be found at the Antique Horse, a site specializing in all types of restorations of this genre. A final thought for a little girl’s room is this beauty. A completely restored antique wooden rocking horse.

Now as a little girl I had my own horse whose name Dallas, I think I named it after the show that I had never seen.I worshipped that horse, although she was not quite this glamorous. Now, I’d love to know what your horse’s name was!

There is so much more inspiration out there from saddles to attire. If you ride, I invite you to share your pics with me a hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com. I have some beautiful photography of horses that I taken over the years.

As many of you know. I’ve spent the past week exploring the stomping grounds of my childhood Louisville, Kentucky. I thought many these photos from my visit were worth sharing. On a day trip to Indiana, I found myself enthralled by the cloudy sky rolling over the farm.

The visit to Huber’s farm in Southern Indiana was a pleasant departure from the bustle of L.A. It proved to be just as picturesque as any of the vineyards, I love to visit in Napa Valley. Best of all were the deep fried (yikes!) biscuits to slather with homemade apple butter, orchards to pick apples from. and ducks to feed.

Another snapshot from East Market street is quiet buzzing with galleries, design shops, and places to chow. We tried out Toast on Market, and the bread pudding pancakes were tasty!

An art store mural by a local artist on Baxter Avenue juxtaposes animals and machines.

Another form of artwork threaded throughout the city is are the painted horses celebrating Gallopalooza, a local event. Another mid-western city does painted pigs and cows too. The Derby, being one of Louisville’s most famous equestrian events inspires the horses around town.

This got me thinking about all the cool equestrian inspired design out there. I came up with tons of ideas.

Check back here tomorrow, when I reveal my favorites.

SImply gorgeous.

I must say that I have always loved pretty papers! Who doesn’t? Especially wallpaper and the smell of a Kinko’s store…

That being said, many the great wallpapers cost well over $100 a roll.

So in the spirit of a recessionista, I decided to source some upscale giftwraps (matte only, no gloss) to get started on projects ranging from pendant lamps to vases.

Snow and Graham has always been a favorite of mine that I pick up for little projects here and there at Dick Blick, the local art store.

Eieio, the cleverest name in the paper biz is both modern, graphic, and employs soy based inks. With studios in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, I was thrilled to come across these bold prints. Not to mention, Jean, the owner is super helpful! I am doing a modern desk in one of her graphic designs, but I won’t say which one…It will be a surprise, which I love~ Guessing games and surprises!

Smock paper offers soft and nuanced designs. Much like their story of “falling for” an old industrial buiding in Downtown Syracuse is equally romantic. They pride themselves on creativity and sustainability. There papers are oft recycled and/or made from bamboo!

So, there! Now you know my top three. Please be so kind as to share any pics, companies, or paper projects with me hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com or leave me a comment below.

Plus, I’ll reveal Jenna’s desk amongst other projects very soon. Signing off from the Bluegrass State this time.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Do you love a Quick Fix?

Me too!

Here I found a modern workstation, completely cast off. Lots of coffee rings and paint had seeped into the wood. In fact the entire work top was detached.

Here’s what it looked like.

Some of these before shots end up more “artsy” than expected. I guess that’s what happens when you forget to clean up your studio….

A coat of gray paint and fresh honey stain on the shelving made a big difference.

I removed a computer tray to allow for a sleek new look. Check out the gorgeous paper I chose by Smock for the work top. Their paper sheets are eco-friendly using post consumer waste and bamboo! You can be sure you’ll see more wallpaper and graphic prints in the weeks to come. I’ve been on a paper binge, ever since two new commissions have called for me to revamp my stock of glorious papers.

Whether you clean up an existing piece or salvage a scrap from your neighborhood streets, I hope you’ve been inspired by this simple fix.

This is one of three projects I’d been working on in studio before my flying off to the Bluegrass State.

This week look forward to all kinds of inspirational snapshots from my trip to Kentucky along with one of a kind design finds fresh from the South.

I finally made it!

...to visit all the wonderful galleries in downtown Los Angeles during Thursday night Artwalk.

Is that a spinal column???

For a complete list of participating galleries and how to be a part of the action visit the L.A. Artwalk site.

I leave you with one image to inspire you to be free and creative this weekend!

Both of these fabulous inkblots come from Sherri Robinson, an artist whose work I had the pleasure of seeing again last night. The colorful inkblot at the bottom left was actually a sample for a special commission from the artist…

The cute little critter you see at the top left is a lamp base from the Golden Gopher and hip and trendy bar located in the heart of downtown.

I’m off to yoga and a full weekend!

Enjoy!

Hilary

As promised here is a quick glance at one the 3 wood panels that I’ll be showing in September at Gallery 1018.

I love to work with wood services anf thought it was only appropriate to begin painting on wood and staining it with oil based glazes.

I love architectural and organic lines intermingled… so here it goes!

Still a work in progress….

I have also been inspired this month by WoodworkDesign’s. David Byrd, the artist behind the name, is an expert in this medium and offers cool chunky wood blocks that could be used as photo cubes, collages or  home décor!

I also came across these smaller fun cubes and thought, now here’s a project!

With a few of my best friends having newborns, I’d love to create a memorable and custom gift of hand painted letters or animal blocks with a few leftover for building too! You can find them here at A.Drauglis on Etsy.

As  the dates of the show at Gallery 1018 draw closer, I will keep you up to date and formally invite you all very soon!

Sail into the weekend with some wooden inspiration….

Can you believe this treasure that I found?

Today’s post is about all the wonderful ways to incorporate wood and found objects into your décor and artwork.

I have been inspired by wood grain for a long time. When, I’m not painting furniture I love to paint on wood panels. Sometimes, I feel as though a piece of wood is an artwork within itself. Yesterday, I had the fortune to find this magical model sailboat.

Does it still count as a found object if you find it online? I sure hope so.

In my studio, I am working 3 panels for on an upcoming art show at Gallery 1018 in Downtown Los Angeles.

Amidst the search for gorgeous wood pieces, I made lots discoveries along the way!

Come with me to FauxKiss gallery, where you will unearth tremendous paintings along with wood block panels complete with a keyhole in back for mounting. I also find Jean’s pricing very reasonable for the paneling.

Next, I came across these cutesy walnut basswood rounds, which can be purchased through Holcraft or Blick Art. I thought they’d make kitschy cool decorations in a cluster on a wall.

You could paint with acrylics on them.

I hope you are as inspired as I am by these this Friday. I will save some of these woodsy thoughts for next week and give you a chance to see one of my oil paintings on redwood panel.

Have a fun and full weekend everyone…xo!

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce to you and old acquaintance.

Once upon a time, there was a chair….

She’d seen alot in her time and her red velvet cushion was becoming shabby.

She desperately needed a little love!

After stripping the old veneer off her and sanding her down she looked a bit plain.

She glowed with hand mixed color, a combo of lavender, grey, white, and red; developing a brilliance that was all her own. Selective sanding lent an air of sophistication to her sheen.

Freshly reupholstered with a vibrant vintage inspired print from Martha Negley and comfy new cushion, she is ready to charm guests all over again.

Princess Chair, a sweet $125, ask about subscriber discount

Good things do come to those who wait. Contact me here, if you’d like to take her home with you.