Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

Sid Dickens Memory Blocks


Sid Dickens, a brilliant artist, in front of a wall of memory blocks that he and his team of artists create from his studio in Vancouver, Canada. The memory blocks are hand-crafted in plaster and each have unique designs that are hand painted and stained as well as gold and silver leafed. As you can see there are images reflected from a deck of cards, letters, floral, spiritual and architectural motifs.
Each year he unveils new collections and retires some. The blocks are not inexpensive but after retirement, values have been known to increase quite handsomely.
 I admired them for many years before starting a collection of my own.
Each are given a name, this is Empress.
Harlequin - retired
 Mozart - retired
 French Crest
 Medieval Cross 
 Watermark - retired
 Under Stars - retired
 Screen Passage - retired
Naturlich

My preference are those that are black and white or more neutral in color rather than those painted in brighter colors and I like to find those that are or nearing retirement.

I have the Star of Zanzibar - retired on my bookshelf waiting to add to the wall collection.  Just need two more!


For an example of how a value can increase, Chess Pawn (not in my collection!)
is for sale on ebay.  She's a beauty for sure.

Do you have something special that you like to collect?


Moore Designs is here to help you create the home of your dreams.
E-design available.


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Lines and Colour!


The blogaratti - I think the Visual Vamp came up with this term (if not please let me know) - those of us in the masses that blog - are filled with some amazingly talented people.  One that I am especially in awe of is Michelle Morelan,  A Schematic Life.  She is an interior designer from Canada and does the most fabulous renderings of her projects and has done some for a few of our blogging friends.  I envy her talent and seriously would like to take some lessons....too bad we don't live near one another, I would bug her to teach me!

Joni's living room, French design in Texas


New York City commission


Velvet and Linen front door


Lounge by Debra Geller




Bedroom by Patricia Gray



Patricia Gray's townhouse (a surprise rendering from MM to PG)


Today marks Michelle's 200th post on her blog,
what a great milestone, congratulations Michelle!
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Wood Turning

I learned something new today!
 At first glance I thought these to be such beautiful "glasses" but much to my surprise upon further investigation, found that these are made from wood in a craft called "wood turning."  The artisans, the Moulthrop's (3 generations of men) work from their studio in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.  

A single bowl can take as long as 12 hours at a lathe over several weeks or months, carefully shaping the wood with customized tools, then applying five layers of finish.

The result gleams as if it were polished stone...

...showcasing a tree's beauty.

Private collectors and museums including the Metropolitan and the Smithsonian will wait whatever length of time to get one of these gems.  

Each has its own look and sell from $350-$15,000. They can be found in many galleries across the country. Visit here to see the Moulthrop's website and see if there is a gallery near you.

Do you have just the right place for one of these beauties in your home?


text taken from ForbesLife
pictures from website

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Bayou to Bay and Beyond

Continuing on my little road trip last week, I left my friends in New Orleans and traveled to Fairhope, Alabama, which is on the eastern side of Mobile Bay.

My friend Becky and her husband have recently built and moved into their dream home which sits on 7 beautiful acres.

The gardens are still filling in....

Isn't this a gorgeous lap pool? We had breakfast out there and it was so peaceful. I visited at the perfect time because I could just begin to feel the heat and humidity. I wilt when it gets too hot.

Screened in porch off the living room overlooks the pool.

Living area, still looking for just the right area rug to pull all the colors together and a sunburst over the art over the fireplace. Becky's husband's daughter is an artist and her work can be found all around their home. All the walls and trim are painted the same color for an endless wall look.

Love this color in the dining room. We agreed that the chandelier needs to come up a wee bit. That sucker weighs a ton, so it might be a while! While I was there we were discussing linen double pinch pleated drapes - same in the living room which has 20ft ceilings.

We were playing too much and I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. Travertine tile throughout the main floor, except kitchen and keeping room which have beautiful wood.

Here we are...don't you just love the fixture above the front door? I wish I had gotten a shot of the door...wood and iron...gorgeous.

We took a drive down the road and went to The Art Warehouse in Foley, AL, go here to their website.

Oil paintings of many different sizes are bought from all over Europe and the prices are very reasonable. There is a style that would fit into every decor from traditional to uber contemporary.

After you have chosen your art, go into the frame room and pick out a frame from one of the many styles. In a matter of minutes your oil will be popped into a frame of your choosing. I found many I would love to have taken home, but my car isn't big enough. I am going back with measurements and will have them shipped home.

We kept heading west to Pensacola and found "Duh"! So many great things to make your house a home!


copper pots...

gorgeous zinc table...

I spy a gorgeous chandelier...


Very old banker's chair which is actually comfortable...I tried it out!



The linens on this bed are actually Linen! So beautiful, very expensivo.

They have a great garden area...lots of pots to choose from and the plants to go in them.

If you find yourself on the Gulf Coast, I urge you to check these places out, you won't be disappointed!

Whimsical Art




















From the time we are young we are given
different opportunities in life. Mine at the
age of 10 was to begin learning how to play
the 'cello. My mom always thought it was a
beautiful instrument. Without any piano
training and no "musicality" at all,
"Twinkle Twinkle" took much imagination
for those listening. But as the years passed
I improved and went on to college to major
in 'cello performance. When I saw this painting
from FiFiFlowers I knew I just had to have it!
These colors are great, love the black and
white striped drape! Look at the wonderful
detail.


















When I was a girl I had a bike much like this,
basket and all!



















This reminds me of the bike I rode in Hilton
Head, SC, this summer with my girlfriend ChiChi!
She and her husband and my hubby and I are doing
a group ride in June from San Francisco north to the
wine country and back!
I love the pink and black...my road bike has the same
colors!

I am very excited that these paintings will be in my home
soon!