Happy Dia de los Muertos everyone!
I had a tranquilly gorgeous night looking at Dia de los Muertos altars at the Hollywood Cemetery Saturday night, although the actual celebration is today.
I can’t believe another weekend has come and gone! So…how was your weekend? Did you dress up in a costume?
xx,
Hilary
It’s an exciting day here at PinkPianos because today I’m featuring the color PINK!
I’ve been combing the internet for Girl’s Rooms that inspire and so far I have found some pretty eye-pleasing spaces. Mostly, I’m looking for inspiration that’s fresh and young, plus works well with sage and pink as I am currently, pre-designing two rooms.
I found out about Lisa Fine a little while back and her gorgeous textiles in Domino Magazine totally charmed me. I was lucky enough to spot her portfolio pics in Lonny Magazine and it’s official, I love Lisa’s work!
I would love to see a nightstand in this vibrant shade of mint green. Right now, I’m so all about the star lamps in a pale pink bedroom. Isn’t that soft glow sweet?
Or check out this amazing room in pink by Sixx Design. I love this studio, I first discovered their book Downtown Chic, over a year ago…
Then, there was the amazing Bravo TV series, Nine by Design, about the family.
I wanted to include a few of these because I am drooling over the shades of pink!
Softer with shades of sea foam green and pink can be very soothing. The gray upholstered headboard with a little pattern totally adds to the space.
Soft shades layered in like curtains or blanket in pink also are amazing! My room was pink growing up, but I do not think I truly appreciated it. There are 2 famous kid’s rooms in pink that I’ll be digging around to show you later in the week!
Can’t wait to hear what you think. What are your thoughts on pink and which room do you really love?
I met with my artist group, which was so much fun! and managed to sell some jewelry at Claremont’s Green Market. So all in all, it was one fantastic weekend. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by creative friends. I know I promised on Friday that I would send some handmade inspiration your way. So here’s what I’ve come up with today!
Take a look at MissDPhotography’s green door. I love this photo because it has a total European feeling to it.
You can see all of Denisse’s work at MissDPhotography. Fyi, she also plans to make pendants of her photography, which are truly amazing!
Heres a peak at Jill Bliss’ tree houses, who you may remember from this post.
I like how they can be stacked one right on top of the other. I found these particular prints when checking out Jen Bekman’s company 20 x 200. I think it is such a cool small business and a wonderful tool for artists and interior designers.
I love her style for all of it’s intricacies. Here’s one more interior shot over there that I really enjoyed.
I am also seriously interested in using Exteriors and facades in my own paintings. This one is a work in progress for about a year now.
I enjoyed painting it in layers, but havent quite finished!
David Hockney is another famous artist whose interiors come to mind…
I like how the people in these places become the actors in a narrative. Who are they?…and what are they saying?
Join me later this week, when I come up with some yummy orange sherbet and bubblegum pink palettes for bedrooms!
I recently pulled together a look book inspiration totally and completely by the history and furnishings of Ancient Greece.
Myself having never been, I got really into the images of modern hotels mixed with ancient ruins, and stone sculptures.
Earthy mosaics…
Do you like my model? She’s actually clipped from an ancient painting!
You can not go wrong with a Klismos chair by Saridis of Athens. The seat was traditionally woven leather strapping.
The look book would not be complete without color! Which brings me to my favorite ancient Greek color.
Staying true to fabrics of the time, I used cotton, linen, and leather only. I blended Tyrian purple the color of royalty with lighter sunkissed shades and gray. In ancient times, the purple was made naturally from shellfish, while gray was mixed from soot!
Can you all imagine?!
Lastly, I’m pleased to introduce you to a Greek blog that I truly love Anmarkdesign. Annie gives visitors like me a peak into the world of modern Greece with products graphics and interiors that are so inspiring.
So don’t delay, go and see!
Tomorrow, I will pop in with a few handpicked handmade products for you to see. Then, I’ll be off to the Claremont Green Market for the second weekend!
I think a great thing to learn this Tuesday, is how to build a custom canvas frame. I took a crash course a few weekends ago…when I got desperate to frame an old oil painting for a show.
I have built frames once in the past, but had much more success in a recent attempt at a Shadowbox style frame.
The frame is fairly straight forward framing all four sides with a 1/4″ over hang that adds depth to the 3/4″ deep canvas painting.
You will need:
Several feet (based on the size of your painting) of 2″ x 1″ wood, I chose Douglas fir without knots for this piece. I always buy extra to allow room for mistakes.
It was inexpensive, had a clean looking grain, so I chose it knowing that I had plans to stain the wood.
Water based stain (easy clean up! enough said:)
Wood glue
Canvas painting
Measuring tape and pencil
Miter box and corresponding saw, I found a kit for $14
Total supply cost:$32.92 (I reused stain and wood glue from previous projects)
Here I started with my Birds original oil painting. This one had been taken off the stretcher bars and re-stretched, so I new I wanted to take that extra step and frame it.
Next up, was to measure and make the mitered cuts. All cuts hould be at a 45 degree angle and since my painting is 24″ x 48″ I measured the shortest lengths 24″ then made the cuts using a handsaw. In my experience, I’ve found handsaws to be as accurate as electric ones, just a little extra work. You can see that I clamped down the wood strip to the miter box to be certain that it wouldn’t move while I was working.
I thought the idea of drilling the holes versus using nails was brilliant!…and while I’d love to claim it as my own, I stole it from this fantastic demo by Storyteller Media on YouTube, where these British guys hang out in a wood shop and make well executed frames.
The dowel slides right through the holes gently with some wood glue and dries using elastic bands which pull the corners together tautly.
Once the frame has dried all tape and elastics can be removed. Then, saw the ends of the dowel which snap off easily, then sand until smooth. As a finishing touch the wood frame should be stained and waxed. I preferred an American Walnut stain and wax with Beeswax.
It was resting in the corner of the bedroom because it was on it’s way to the Brentwood Art show!
If it returns from the show. I have just the place for it.
Part of the reason, I’ve been so busy is the research on ancient Greek Architecture that I have been doing. Well, hold on to your hats! because later this week, we will go Greek with inspiration for an authentic Greek Interior and I think you will love it!
As predicted, this past week totally flew past me! I’ve been under the weather all week, but totally forgot about it this weekend the instant LCD went on stage! The performance was high energy and I wouldn’t miss it!! .
Especially seeing James Murphy in a white pant suit for the second time! (first time was at Coachella)
Even thumbed through specs of male pant suits at JCREW, although I didn’t see any of them in white. Maybe that’s more of a summer thing? and we all know it’s always summer in L.A 
Today, I recieved an email from JCREW and they are offering 30% off all FINAL SALE items! So, feeling too lazy to actually go shopping, I thought I’d peruse the clothing from the comfort my studio and maybe do a little purchasing!
This is what I would wear to the LCD concert at the Hollywood Bowl, if I could travel back in time with my new outfits.
Here are a few of my faves from the sale (which ends tomorrow) paired with my favorite lyrics from the concert.
“I believe in waking up together…
…that means making eyes across the room.”
I can change…
I can change,
I can change,
If it helps you fall in love.”
Can you name the songs behind those awesome lyrics?!…or how about guess which outfit I bought?
And this time I was thrilled because they did play my song! You can listen to it!
It’s going to be a fantastic week here!
Spending Friday at the Claremont Green Market with friends MissD and Martin was so spectacular that it inspired me to revamp and recreate a few of my handmade items. The evening was warm and breezy and the proximity of Claremont to the mountains was awe inspiring. Here are a list of handmade goodies that I’ve felt the urge to recreate and recycle over this past weekend.
Later on this week, I promise to teach you how to build a custom frame. I just learned myself and have started to perfect the art;)
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