Summer is starting to heat up. If you live in my half of the world, it seems to be coming a little slower this year. Just a little more time to get our Outdoor spaces ready for summer, am I right?
Week Two One Room Challenge Primary Bathroom
Affordable Art: It's all About the Hunt
Print by Kristen Boydstun, click image for link.
Welcome back to our series on art hunting. Not all art has to be original – but there are ways to affordably find awesome pieces without hitting the Hobby Lobby isles (we love HL, just not the art).
1. Frame Calendars: No, we’re not talking about the ugly landscape calendars your Dad brought home from work. The paper industry has exploded with Indy and established artists selling their prints – and there is no more affordable way to accumulate 12 high-quality prints than snagging a calendar from your favorite shop. We’ve gathered a few of our favorites below to show you just how cool framed calendar art can be.
Sources of images above cited left to right: 1). 1canoe2 2). Lael Art Designs 3). Erin Vaughan 4). Ellen Artworks
2. Goodwill and www.shopgoodwill.com: Did you even know there was a Goodwill online? It’s a great source for unique and vintage pieces. I know, I know – it’s hard to believe. However, consider the collage below – all pieces are sourced from shopgoodwill.com at the time of writing this blog.
3. Kids art: If you have small children then you may be shaking your head, “there’s no way that mess of black and brown crayon is on display in my home.” But consider providing your children (nieces, nephews, friend’s children) with a pre-approved color pallet and see what they do! We’re not the only one with this idea – check out these prominent design sources displaying children’s art:
From blogger Kate Decorates:
From the lovely HGTV:
4. Facebook Marketplace/Next Door: Wherever your community posts their castaways! We’ve found several pieces of original art on these sites that serve a staple to the room’s design. They key is to search “original” or “painting” instead of simply art.
Your turn! Share your budget tricks when it comes to sourcing art – we love to see what you’re doing!
You Say Pink - We Say Go!
You Say “Pink,” We Say Go
We recently had a client request a pink bathroom.
A pink bathroom? The words felt like a soft melody to our neutral and beige aching ears! For most of us – when we think of pink bathrooms our minds conjure up images of 1950s tiled bathroom walls and equally pink (or perhaps black) fixtures. TO BE CLEAR: the design of the 50s was brilliant and daring; but 70 years of wear and tear beckons us to rise to the challenge to design a fresh interpretation of the iconic pink bathroom.
It’s also February, the month of love. And what says lasting love more than a roundup of our favorite pink rooms? You’re right, nothing. (Make sure you scroll to the end – we’ll reveal the rendering of the #clientpink bathroom).
Dusty Pink Kitchen
When you think of a pink kitchen, this image isn’t what comes to mind? Me neither. We love how the boldness of the pink is used to accentuate the architectural details of this Barcelona apartment. Brick arched ceiling? Sculptural modern island? Yes and yes, please. Click on the image for the full apartment tour published in Architectural Digest.
Image from House Beautiful. Design by Janie Molster.
High Gloss Alcove
Ahhh… cupid’s age-old combination of pink and red. Who knew this high-gloss coral paint would pair so well with a vintage red and white striped settee? Both the windows and seating are classic, so the funky footed table gives the nook a little modern edge, transforming the entire feel. Hearts all around.
Christmas: Green and Red Pink.
Another one by the colorful Jamie Molster. Take the antique fireplace surround, paint it high gloss pink and fill the neighboring shelves with collected treasures. And that’s a wrap for next year’s Holiday decorating plan (do you think the husband will go for it?).
When Words Aren’t Enough: Fuchsia
I can’t get enough of this dining space. The deep color of the walls, the lacquered ceilings and elegant (yet interesting) chandeliers. My favorite element of the space is the large-scale art piece on the wall. With layers of glitz, the painting saves the space from becoming all Hollywood glam: we love a good curated space!
Ready for the Pink Bathroom Rendering Reveal?
Switch out the tile… move the tub… add some wallpaper and cool fixtures… be careful what you wish for.
Your thoughts? We’d love to hear what you think!
Up-and-Coming Artists WE LOVE
Up-and-Coming Artists WE LOVE
Today I’m introducing the first in a series of posts about art: what to look for, where to find it and even some budget-friendly corner-cutting resources.
If you have followed our projects, you know we have a thing for color. And for abstract. But let it not limit us, we know there are all different styles of art that make a space.
We’ll start with highlighting a few artists who have caught our eye:
Tiel Duncan
Charlston based Tiel Duncan has a partiality to contrasting deep hues with pastels. In describing her work, Tiel says, “No matter the subject, I strive to portray a balance of realism combined with loose abstraction, causing one to compliment the other.”
Her original works sell in the $3,000-5,000 range, but Tiel offers an impressive scope of prints, as well as products featuring her work (notebooks, wrapping paper, even a coffee table book!)
Check her out here.
Mary-Catheryn Baker
If you’re looking to add a little whimsical to your space, look no further. Mary-Catheryn of Copper Corners Art credits her bold use of color and subject matter from her childhood in South America. You see chickens as a subject? Likely inspired by the local foul that slept in trees. Cows? Yup. Reminiscient of cattle that roamed the sidewalks.
In her words, “Each painting that I create is vibrant, colorful, textured, and intricately layered.”
Original pieces sell in the $1,000-$2,000 range, but Mary-Catheryn also offers a robuyst selection of prints that can be ordered framed, on canvas, or paper.
*If you like paintings of adorable dogs, you really must check her out.
Rose Pearlman
What is this gorgeous texture? Rose Pearlman is a punch needle artist. It’s true – she uses yarn to create these beauties. While many of creations are described as rugs… we just can’t imagine stomping all over a masterpiece. Wall hanging, anyone?
If you’re crafty, try her punch needle kits and she offers a series of craft tutorials at Read My Tea Leaves.
David Abbott
David Abbott is based in Bristol, U.K. He uses paint, collage and drawing to create his layered landscape pieces. To view his available art, visit Circle Contemporary art gallery, and to view his past work check out his website or on Instagram. Isn’t the use of color just beautiful?
The Pup is Moving In! A Product Guide
Choosing Pet Products with Form & Function
It’s official! We’ve added our very own mascot to represent us here at Swatts & Co! Introducing Tootsie Roll Watts, a miniature golden mix. After much back and forth on the right time to add a canine to our family, we decided “more is more” so why not take the plunge? Like, now. And I’m happy to report we are several weeks in with no regrets.
With that said, puppies come with a long list of gear that will take over your house. In the spirit of pets, family and good design, we’ve put together a few ideas for the tasteful pet parent (or just those wary of tin bowls and oversized dog beds). Some are pretty, some save space - but the curated items below were selected to prevent your home from being mistaken as a PetSmart return hub.
Food & Water Dishes
If you’ve ever had to fill water bowls, you know there’s a 78 percent chance some of it will spill over before it makes it to the floor. If it does make it to the floor - by some acrobatic feat - without spilling, the pup will surely take it upon itself to dribble and spill water until your unsuspecting socked foot mops it up. One of my favorite custom features in our Lake House project was designing with that inevitability in mind:
It’s a Pet Water Station!
Minimal spills, slips and splashes. Tucked at the end of the island, how great is this for functionality?
Yet for those of us without the foresight to plumb a watering station, there is still hope. Below is a roundup of some pretty and functional products for your pet basics:
The Modern Diner: A food and water dish wrapped in burl wood? A thousand times, yes! This is simple, sleek and keeps the dishes off the floor for an easy sweep around.
Elevated Ceramic Bowl: Add a splash of color or two black goblet-style pet bowls side-by-side for a sleek look. The design created visual interest and texture - a win-win in our book!
Bubble Auto-filler: Not only does it look like it should belong to Astro from the Jetson’s, it’s also functional (see spilled water complaint above). The bubble automatically refills the pet bowl based on consumption and limits trips to the sink.
Concept all-in-one dog station: You could buy this compact pup depot - or you could have Swatts & Co design one just for your space! We love how the food storage, distribution and other pet-catchalls are concentrated in one space.
The Crate:
In a small space, crates seem impossible to hide. As it turns out, there are few alternatives to the metal grate with four walls. They key word is few. Below are a few options you likely didn’t find at the pet store:
Yes, it’s custom build (sorry, no purchase link)! I can’t make the beautiful-dog-crates-do-exist argument without showcasing the endless potential of custom builtins. This pale blue setup by Bria Hammel Interiors creates a beautiful yet out-of-the-way space for your little buddy to snuggle up while you’re away.
Crate Credenza: If you have space issues, look no further than a credenza crate. Not a lot to talk up about this one - it’s high on the function, but form is delightful too.
Globe Crate: Take the concept of a crate, then bend it and mold it until looks like a mod sculpture. That’s just what Philly based Go! Pet Design did. Each crate is handmade and hyper-locally made. To order one, reach out via the website above!
Walnut Patterned Crate: A statement piece, as long as your pup isn’t a big chewer. We’re hoping a powder-coated option comes soon.
Dog Beds
What better way to entice the pup to stay off your human furniture than offer it it’s own comfy abode? Ask me in six months, but as of right now, I’m a no-dog-on-furniture kinda gal. Here are a few fun ones that caught our eye!
FeltnPet pom dog bed has everything: warmth, color, three cozy walls. What a delightful pop of color to brighten any space!
Boissonneault Pet Cave: The only problem with this snug little abode is keeping your children from taking over it. We love the felted feel and leather details.
The Flat: Okay, okay. You’re right, we couldn’t say no to the muted chartreuse green. Am I wrong?
Hunting Pony: It’s the dog version of a giant braided blanket, and who wouldn’t want to curl up for an afternoon nap?