CasaSugar

Anthropologie Rings In Spring With Abstract Color

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:41:11 PST

Anthropologie's Spring window displays are popping up everywhere. An ode to abstract impressionism, the installations are drenched in colorful paint. Aside from showcasing painted pieces on every surface available, the brand cleverly incorporates everyday painting tools. Keep reading to check out a gallery of dazzling window displays plus the creative techniques used to achieve the looks!

Source

Artistic Twists on Disney Princesses (and Other Heroines)

Tara Sharp — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 PST

Sometimes that little girl inside us refuses to grow up, like when it comes to our endless fascination with all things Disney-princess-related. While our adult selves may cringe at princess culture and the outdated stereotypes that come along with it, there's just something special about the Disney princesses we grew up with like Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, and Ariel. And they aren't all damsels in distress; the newer crop of the crowned ladies (including the latest, Princess Sofia the First) have attempted to be better role models for little girls. But whether these Disney princesses (or, for the purists, animated heroines) are classics or newbies, they've inspired many creative artists who've transformed them into thought-provoking modern art. See some of our favorite artistic renditions of Disney princesses now!

Get the Look: Brooke Shields's Modern-Traditional Living Room Mix

Elka Karl — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:36 PST

The lovely Brooke Shields just granted Architectural Digest an exclusive look at her Manhattan town house, and I'm in love with each room that's featured. While a portion of the article is on the site, be sure to pick up a copy of the March issue of Architectural Digest to read the entire fascinating exclusive. Shields worked with decorator David Flint Wood on her four-story Greenwich Village town house, mixing modern art and accents with beautiful antique furniture. My favorite photo is from Shields's living room, seen here.

One of the major focal points of the living room is the pair of Louis XVI-style armchairs. A great resource for antiques like this is 1stDibs.com, and I found a near match in these 19th century French Louis XVI-style chairs ($5,900).
Newly upholstered in a neutral linen, they'd become the centerpiece of any room in which they were placed.

Perhaps my favorite element of this room - although it's definitely hard to choose just one piece - is the original Keith Haring painting that was a gift to Brooke from Haring himself. While we can't all be so lucky, we can buy a similar print from Art.com. Untitled ($150), a print featuring three of Keith Haring's works, comes framed and ready to hang.

For the rest of the look - including the French Empire commode, the Lucite-base coffee table, and gilded gold frames - check out the widget below.

Vintage Gilded Gold Frame No 2 by lakesidecottage on Etsy	1STDIBS.COM - Mecox - Vintage Geometric Lucite Base Coffee Table
artnet Galleries: A bout de souffle, Paris, 1959 by Raymond Cauchetier from Polka Galerie	Large vintage detailed gold frame wood by jollytimeone on Etsy
artnet Galleries: Gabriella, 1995 by Michael Gesinger from Photography West Gallery	Lenox "Tuscany Classics" Martini Shaker Set $54 - Macy's
Decorative Bust $149 - Pottery Barn	1STDIBS.COM - Urban Archaeology - Neo-Classical White Marble Mantel
Morten Table Lamp $149 - west elm	Ethan Allen Pink roses with berries $149 - Ethan Allen
Kilimanjaro jute rug $284 - Kohl's	Red and White Decorative Pillows Geometric by PillowThrowDecor
1STDIBS.COM - Olivier Fleury Inc. - French Empire Fruitwood Commode or Chest of Drawers	1STDIBS.COM - Robuck & Co. Antiques, LTD. - A Piemontese Louis XVI Period Carved Walnut M/T Console Table

Artist Cecilia Paredes and Her Wonderful Wallpaper Camouflage

Elka Karl — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:00:32 PST

Peruvian-born sculptor and artist Cecilia Paredes literally loses herself in her artwork, whether she's camouflaged herself as an animal in a work like "The She Deer" or painted herself into her wonderfully busy wallpaper photographic works. Her wallpaper series, completed between 2007 and 2010, are personal favorites of mine, displaying a wit and cheeky sense of humor, as well as a sensuousness, that's infinitely compelling. All of her works explore the concept of identity, and how we are sometimes absorbed by our surroundings, whether consciously or unwittingly.

Keep clicking to take a closer look at these works, and head to ArtNet to learn more about purchasing Cecilia Paredes's work.

Dolan Geiman's Salvaged Wonders

Angela Swinderman Elias — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:00:00 PST

It started off with a whale – actually with an image of a particular whale that appeared on Dolan Geiman's NYIGF booth announcement. After eagerly clicking to his Etsy site and flipping through the first couple of pages, I became hooked. Dolan's work includes paintings, collages, constructions, and limited-edition reproductions. Using a curious assortment of discarded finds, items found in nature, and household objects, he creates pieces that feel utterly modern yet reflective of his country roots. Aside from running an Etsy shop and participating in nationwide art fairs, Dolan works with international retailers, interior designers, art consultants, and hotel developers, to wholesale his work, create window displays and commissioned pieces. Keep reading to check out a handful of my favorite pieces from his collections!

Textile Field Invites You to Sit and Stay Awhile

Elka Karl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:03:19 PST

I love artistic takes on the concept of bringing the outdoors in, and designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec did just that when they created the Textile Field Installation at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last Fall, as part of a collaboration with the textile company Kvadrat. The project was recently nominated for one of the Design Museum's Design of the Year Awards.

According to the designers, Textile Field provides:

An invitation to lascivious reverie. Our intention is to propose a different, casual approach to freely experience what can be a quite intimidating environment, such as a museum. We conceived an expansive, coloured foam and textile piece with gentle inclinations to produce a sensual field on which to comfortably lounge while meditating on the surrounding Raphael Cartoons. Everyone can immerse into this temporary installation, for a minute, an hour or more, that is the idea. No efforts, no apprehension just contemplation.

Click through for more photos of this gorgeous and restful design installation.

Cool Idea: Create a Secret Storage Box With Artwork

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:00:40 PST

Storage items keep us from staring at the clutter, but what keeps us from staring at the storage? This clever DIY solves this design riddle. It's, of course, a secret storage box!

A wooden box, framed artwork, ruler, pencil, and a couple of screws are all that you need to create your own sneaky clutter stash in just under an hour! Simply place your box on any high surface, such as a shelf or mantel, and smile with knowing satisfaction every time you pass your favorite piece of art.

Source

10 Personalized Prints For Your Modern Nursery - All Under $80

Kate Stahl — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:51:36 PST

Your baby's room deserves some art that's as 21st century and unique as he or she is, and with the help of one of our favorite sites, Etsy, it's easy to achieve! We did some digging and found 10 personalized, modern pieces of art that are contemporary, cool, and easy on the wallet - all weigh in at less than $80 and most are less than $30. Now you have no excuse not to give your nursery a new look for the new year!

Desire/Acquire: Modern Circular Painted Artwork

Elka Karl — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:00:00 PST

Painted in 2002 by Gary Lang, Circle Ojai #1 ($65,000) is a gorgeous, massive - at five feet square- work of art. I was immediately struck by the movement and colors in this piece, and while I covet it (immensely), it's quite likely that its price point will eliminate it from finding a place in my home art collection. Luckily, you can replicate this painting's look for only a few hundred dollars. Keep reading to see how you can get the look of the modern, circular artwork

Link Time: Unusual Ways to Hang Art, DIY Milk Glass, and Fashion-Inspired Color Palettes

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:57 PST

10 no-frame ways to hang art. - Houzz
Five great gadget storage systems. - Real Simple
Check out some fabulous collections. - Apartment Therapy
DIY your own milk glass. - Craft
Fashion into home decor - love these colors! - Stylelist Home
12 design visionaries to watch in 2012. - House Beautiful