Relax at Home with Finn Juhl's Pelican Chairs

This chair is a work of art

I don't usually get excited about furniture but this Petal Chair designed by architect Gulla Jonsdottir is really something else. Originally from Iceland, the designer studied at the Southern California Institute of Architecture before permanently settling down in L.A.

"Petal Chair, 2013" Wexler Gallery

The Art of Buying Art Online: 20x200

Using the motto, Art for Everyone, 20x200 aims to make digital art prints the first step in acquiring an art collection. Jen Bekman the owner and creator behind this online art gallery hopes that buyers will become interested in original artwork as a result of 20x200. "Art doesn't have to be expensive to be good" are some of the words you'll notice while visiting the site and when you browse through the long list of artists (200+) you'll know you're in the right place for buying high quality art at an affordable price. While some may take issue with digital prints of original art the reality remains that many art lovers simply cannot afford expensive originals. 20x200 corrects that problem by making limited edition prints available in various sizes all of them starting at $20 each. All prints are exclusive to the gallery and are signed and dated by the artist.  Profits are split 50/50 between the artist and 20x200 and upon request, some originals may be available for sale. After sifting through the entire inventory I found these to be my favourites: 

1.  Bob O'Connor

2.   Dorthe Alstrup

3.  James Deavin

4.  Jason Burch

5.  Jeff Lewis

 

6.  Jennifer Sanchez

7.   Joseph O. Holmes

8.  Keith Taylor

9.  Kotama Bouabane

10.  Ky Anderson

11.  Lauren DiCioccio

12.  Matthew Tischler

13.  Michelle Arcila 

14.  Jaclyn Mednicov

15.  Michelle Muldrow

16.  Shen Wei

17.  Valerie Roybal

18.  Kent Rogowski

Beautiful Necklace Finds

If these pieces make you want to take out your credit card please don't blame me. They are all so unique that I wish I could have each and everyone of them. I have to admit I've always had a weakness for good jewelry design having once considered the profession myself. And when I look at these lovely necklaces I am reminded once again why I appreciate this area of design so much. The creative possibilities are simply endless.

Odette New York

This beautiful Petal Necklace above in Gold Vermeil was designed by Jennifer Sarkilahti, an artist and jewelry designer from Brooklyn, New York. I really like the softness and textured quality of this piece; it has a nice organic shape to it too.  To see more work from this designer you can visit her Etsy shop or her website at Odette New York. 

And what do you know, this gorgeous Giant Silver Dandelion necklace from Swedish designer Anna-Karin Hallström from Black Daisy Designs sold out two days ago on Etsy.  Just my luck.  For some reason I always seem to pick items that sell out right before I have a chance to write about them.  Anyway, this piece was made to order so hopefully the designer will replenish her shop soon enough.

Black Daisy Designs

This 13 Silver Nugget necklace made from sterling silver is from Julie Nolan a designer from Brooklyn, New York.  It's simple and playful all at the same time.  I also like how these little clusters of silver hang on a long 16" chain.  You can read more about Julie Nolan and her jewelry on Etsy.  I have to add that I love this photograph, I think the background goes so well with the jewelry piece.

Julie Nolan

I can't get enough of this Finger Print Necklace from Alejandra who is the designer behind 2212 Jewelry from Buenos Aires, Argentina.  It's stylish and über feminine.  I only wonder if it's possible to order your own fingerprint to be designed on top. 

2212 Jewelry

While this necklace below might be called a Glacier Necklace, I don't know about you but all I can think of is Cheerios. But in a good way.  It's both adorable and modern and made from recycled African glass.  You can also find it on Etsy from designer Cassie's Shop Clementine.

Shop Clementine

Made from liquid porcelain this Mama Camillia necklace comes from Wapa Studio in Israel.  It is designed by Ady Shapira who is as talented in jewelry design as she is in ceramics. I really enjoy anything white and like many of the other necklaces in this post it has organic written all over it.  But then I've always preferred natural, fluid lines and shapes versus anything remotely geometric.

Wapa Studio

Here is a pretty necklace from another Israeli designer this one from Etsy shop Rio Rita.  I love the little granules on the perimeter of the necklace and all their different sizes.  The pendant is a good size too and the convex shape balances the design very well. The textured quality of the chain is a nice bonus.

Rio Rita

If you like the use of bronze in jewelry then this Eternity Necklace from Peaces of Indigo is for you.  It has a great shape and texture and there is also something quite subtle about its design that I find really appealing.  To see more designs from Dawanna Young you can visit her Etsy shop or read about her on her blog.

Peaces of Indigo

If you're looking for something different and unique you can't go wrong with this large rose necklace from Blue Serendipity by Jill.  I think there's a reason it's called Je t'aime; it's full of romantic sentiments.  I'm also a big fan of the contrast between the white and burgundy colours. 

Blue Serendipity

This emerald green Tulip Drops necklace below is simply gorgeous.  I like the addition of white pearls just below the petals; it gives it a nice touch.  The piece hails from Singapore and is designed by Maddy whose work is also available on Etsy from her shop Marolsha.

Marolsha

And how about a Creamy Butter Swirls Necklace from Paris-based designer MiniCyn.  I like the shape of this, though I'm still struggling to figure out what it reminds me of, definitely something edible.  If only it was made of chocolate.  I love the delicate quality of this piece. 

MiniCyn

This curved Matt choker reminds me of a graphic brush stroke.  It is designed by Australian designer Melanie McCleary whose work is available on her Etsy shop Anthaus.  This is a really elegant piece of jewelry that is both sophisticated and chic at the same time.

One of the reasons I'm really attracted to this Drop Trio necklace from Lauren Haupt Jewelry below is that it reminds me of one I already have.  Or at least used to have before one piece unfortunately fell off.  If I don't fix it I will have to find a replacement. I first found it on Lauren's Etsy shop, Local Library and I love how it is classic in its design and also charming in shape and size.

Local Library (Etsy) by Lauren Haupt Jewelry

I didn't realize when I started to write this post that it would become an all Etsy cast.  As you can probably tell I'm quite enamoured with the site.  I think there is an incredible amount of talent on there that's just bursting with creativity and waiting to be discovered.  I have plenty more jewelry designs to show you, from Etsy as well as other sites that I uncovered recently but I will have to post them in a bit.  For now, have a good weekend.  I'm off to work on an artist profile/interview that should be up shortly... 

Chic Jewelry

Remember that jewelry post I promised to write?  Well, it's finally here.  After weeks of research, I have amassed roughly 200+ jewelry pieces which are currently saved on my desktop.  Needless to say, I will have to post them over the next few weeks, maybe months.  Here is the first batch starting with a pair of beautiful Ginkgo Biloba earrings in emerald green from Aurélie Bidermann.  If you think they look rather organic it's probably because they are real ginkgo leaves that have been dipped in gold and then enamel.

I don't know about you but I think this ring from Hervé Van Der Straeten looks more like a sculptural piece to me than jewelry.  The craftsmanship is simply impeccable.  Straeten who was once a jewelry designer for Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix now also designs accessories for the home.

Although this bracelet from Isabel Marant is now sold out (sorry) I thought I would include it anyway.  I love red accents as far as jewelry is concerned and this is nice to look at even if only for inspiration.  Maybe if you're lucky you can find it somewhere online.

If you're seeing or reading this post for the second time, you'll  notice that I have changed the Eddie Borgo bracelet to another one from his collection.  It was bothering me all weekend and I decided that I had to change it.  I guess you could say I am somewhat addicted to the edit button on my blog.  But anyway I think this one below works better with this post.  I still chose one of his non-geometrical inspired pieces, because that's generally what I prefer in jewelry.  And I like the mix of gold and black here. 

Jeanine Payer is a San Francisco-based jewelry designer who often uses text from writers new and old to engrave her jewelry work.  These teardrop earrings, available both from her website as well as Barneys, feature a quotation from Henry David Thoreau.

I have a lot more pieces to show you, but I thought I would start small with these six pieces.  And I can't think of a better item to end on than this adorable little elephant necklace from Aurelie Bidermann; just seeing it made me smile.  I hope you like it as much as I did.  I will have more for you later.  Take care for now.

Feathers + Pillows

My love affair with Aussie design and art continues.  I spotted these feather textiles from Elkhorn Design on Etsy several months ago and I knew it was only a matter of time before they ended up on this blog.  I love everything about them especially the orange flavour.  It just makes me want to visit Australia even more; there's so much creative talent down there.  Unfortunately, it's so far on the periphery that we hardly ever hear about it.  I certainly plan to add more artists and designers in the future so stay tuned.

They make table runners too, check this one out in a beautiful mustard.

But I have to have the orange one.

For a neutral pallete there's a nice white and gray combo.

And here is another lovely pillow.

New Magazines You Have To Read

We have some more creative talent to look forward to.  I just took a peek at High Gloss Magazine after seeing it on the lovely Elements of Style Blog and I simply love it.  There is such incredible variety and talent on display here that I can't wait to see future editions.  Have a look for yourself; I think you will be as impressed as I was.

Another great design magazine comes to us thanks to an introduction from Design*Sponge which interviewed the magazine's art director, Bri Emery, today.  It's called Rue Magazine and it's a complete feast for the eyes.  I'm adding both of these great mags to my Favourite Sites links you can easily find them again once new editions are issued.  Enjoy!

Holiday Wish List

Here is my list of favourite things for the holiday season.  Whether you're looking to treat yourself or a gift for others I hope you enjoy my curated Wish List. 

1.  The first is a porcelain bowl from Boston artist Isabelle Abramson.  I don't know about you but I love all things white and these are just beautiful.  Whether you display them on their own or overflowing with some Fuji apples they're sure to add a touch of elegance to your home.  The cost for this one below is $250.  You can purchase these from her website or through Etsy.

2.  Like many art lovers I have a long list of artists whose paintings I would love to own: Cy Twombly, Caio Fonseca, Ingrid Calame and Elliotte Puckette are just a few that come to mind.  However, most of them are just a little bit beyond my price range if you know what I mean.  Besides I promised myself that the first work of art I ever purchase (if I'm ever in the position to do so) will be from Ewa Stryjnik a Polish-born Toronto artist who I first discovered while still in university.  This is Garden Series #141 and you can find out more information about the artist from Trias Gallery in Toronto.  Price upon request.

3.  I don't normally purchase olive oil because of its bottle but this one from Dean and Deluca is impossible to ignore.  The design is so simple and appealing that I'll trust that the oil is just as good as the design. The cost for this Antico Frantoio Muraglia 'Intenso' Extra Virgin Olive Oil is $48. 

 

 4.  I'm definintely in need of a new laptop case and this one from Diane Von Furstenberg is both chic and classic.  I love the Mariela print.  Available from Netaporter or from the DVF website for $135. 

5.  If you like watercolour prints you'll love these cushions from UK design firm Bluebellgray.  This one is available from their website for £80.00.

6.  I already have one of these and I love it.  Whether you're a designer or you just like to doodle this Wacom tablet is just plain fun.  It comes with Corel Painter Essentials 4 and Photoshop Elements 7.0 for all of your artistic needs. Cost $219.99 approx.

7.  I love this necklace from jewelry designer Lara Adrienne.  She uses the most beautiful gemstones and mixes together amazing colours.  If you like this piece you have to check out her earring collection available from Etsy.  This necklace sells for $750. 

8.  If you read fashion magazines you have probably heard of Maryam Keytani, a Toronto artist turned jewelry designer whose unique pieces are carefully crafted from unique finds such as ribbons and tassels.  Prices start from $250.

9.  If you're looking for something really original this sculptural piece is sure to become a conversation piece. Designed by UK designer Jill for Maisy and Alice it's also available from Etsy for $38.  Made from recylced plastic it is handmade and has the texture of lace.  It measures approximately 40" and comes ready to hang wherever you dare to daydream.

10.  I really wanted to recommend Cambodian black pepper but trying to find some online became an impossible task.  So my last item of equal measure is Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood.  If you're not familiar with this Japanese writer you need to pick this book up asap.  It's such a treat to read and one of those books that'll remind you of your 20's and stay with you for long after you finish it.

This list was almost too much fun to compile.  I can't wait to do it again soon enough for another occasion.

Happy Holiday Shopping everyone. If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear from you.