Still a Decorative Painter at heart, I can’t help but smile at the amazing creations that can come from these three basic elements- paint, brush, imagination. And soon as we hit the street, I’m smiling from ear to ear. Of course, there are shops, restaurants, etc. But it’s the art on the buildings that catches my eye…
The streets are still very much singular in their brick and stone structure, but that hasn’t held anyone back from making their own unique statement.
Even simple touches like the hand painted transom windows in this coffee shop add a comfy touch
Next is the Flea Market in the Fort Greene area…
where the vendors are as colorful as their wares…
Under a bright blue sky, everything looks like it could work in my house!
Old and new, what I like about this Flea Market is that the creativity and presentation reigned supreme. From the organic foods to original art and unusual collections, the overall feeling is pride of ownership and creative expression. That’s so nice!
And as I stroll away I’m thinking about the predominant colors I’ve seen today. Then notice this rare empty space…
and my next color for Brooklyn (see yesterday’s post for the first!):
The adventure continues tomorrow as I explore the Williamsburg area…
The other day, I was in my favorite magazine shop, Juicy News, on Fillmore Street in San Francisco (tell me where you find your favorite mags!). The awning says Barron’s but everyone I talk to still calls it Juicy News, the old name for this cubby of a store packed with big inspiration! It’s where I first found design magazines that are still my favorites today- Objekt, World of Interiors, …
Tell me this doesn't make your heart sing just a little...
Anyway, on this visit an issue of Vogue Living caught my eye…
Notice the molding painted in random unfinished washes of color... I'm in love...
I picked it up and swear I heard angels singing… on the cover is a Paris apartment that’s home to French milliner turned shoe designer, Philippe Model. I flipped through pages of his paneled rooms washed in patches and brush strokes of bright spontaneous color. It took me back to the years in San Francisco when I was discovering my passion for paint…
I painted every surface of my little studio in a different finish- several times! I was practicing, experimenting, playing really as I honed my craft and aesthetic…
Where Philippe painted his moldings, I was actually painting my walls to look like they had moldings and panels. It became a signature style I recreated for several clients in many different colors and styles...
Notice this wall behind the sofa? Same wall as above, different treatment...
I painted the harlequin pattern in three different color schemes. The hallway later became red with a rustic rough finish (with some orange and red harlequins of course!). Recognize the chandelier sans the bottom ring and center drop? (it's in my bedroom today) Even with those pieces removed most everyone had to duck under it to get by... ah the good ol' days
Even my doors got painted... notice the writing on the wall in my bathroom...
This also became a signature treatment. To the left I partially stripped the window trim revealing layers of color beneath a heavy coat of white semi-gloss. I made the little towel holder from the railing of the crib I slept when I was little.
Of course, I was always rearranging my furniture and eventually incorporated interior design into my services, but this is still my first love. I can’t image design without paint or paint without design. I feel grateful to have found my passion. It drives me crazy in the best (it makes me sooo happy) and worst (I never feel like I’ve learned, practiced, or pushed myself enough) ways. I wouldn’t trade that drive for anything.
Earlier this year, I went with my friend, Nona, to an event in Napa that paired wineries with emerging musical artists for a weekend tour that brought people together in a really cool way. I liked the approach so much I decided to try something similar in my own little neighborhood.
I created a Vintage Holiday Shopping event with three local vintage/gift shops- Dream, Willa Home, and Apt 46, and Sophia Cunningham, a designer who offers Holiday decorating, landscape, and interior design services. The event became a Passport to Vintage and really was a fun trip!
Passports provided a map to the stores, a pocket for our business cards, and notepaper for passengers to keep their purchases and ideas organized. The booklets were designed and created by Brown Pigeon at http://www.etsy.com/shop/brownpigeon
We all brought our clients and customers together and invited them to my home to see how I decorate with vintage finds…
…Sophia added her Holiday touch with vintage and vintage inspired pieces curated from both our personal collections and goods from the stores…
and with passports in hand, ‘passengers’ headed out on a tour of the boutiques for refreshments and exclusive Holiday specials.
Megan Lewis, creator of Brown Pigeon also provided custom stamps that we used at every stop. Stamping the guests 'passports' qualified them for prizes and gave us an opportunity to meet and greet everyone. That was my favorite part of the day. Megan Lewis is a San Francisco artist. Meeting with her in person and adding her passion to this event was a great bonus!
Then we headed out on a 3 hour tour of shopping, snacking, and visiting with everyone…
That's Sophia Cunningham to my right. On the other side is my best friend, Krista, and Willa Home owner, AnneMarie Hogan. She's a superstar business woman with big vision for her amazing boutique.
Next stop was to Apt 46 with owner, Melisa Bleasdale, who's shop is always overflowing with beautiful and delicate things
Our final stop was at Dream, where owner Stacy Rhodes turns her gorgeous store into a vintage Holiday wonderland every year.
There were so many highlights; my Dad came! so did some good friends, and hanging out with these talented, smart women over the weeks as we organized everything was just really fun and cool.
Teaming up complementary businesses is a great way to expand business and create a sense of community for everyone vendors and customers alike. Why work against each other when it's so much more fun to work together?
We all brought our distinct touches to the same passion- bringing new life to beautiful old things. What a great day! I’m thinking about doing it again in the Spring, so stay tuned…
Recently, I’m noticing more art, objects, things that make me smile. I have a saying when I find something really cheerful and clever or beautiful at the same time, “You can’t be in a bad mood when you look at that!”
Here are a few things that put me in a great mood…
Dominic Wilcox is one of my favorite emerging artists. Check out his latest work (and his blog, Variations on Normal), Watch Sculptures called Moments in Time.
Jaime Derringer, founder of Design Milk must share my sense of humor, she finds images, products and design that often make me smile. These made me laugh out loud…
I especially love this photo by Vadim Fedotov that appeared on my facebook page. Really, can you look at this and be in a bad mood?
All good in the hood. — with Anastassia Metrikin, April Hullinger, Kat Steinmetz, Diana Furka and Claire Manoogian.
Be on the look out today for art, music, dance, products that make you smile and share them with me. I’ve got another print of this painting for the first person who sends me a link to something that makes me smile…
