Artist Spotlight: Niege Borges

I just stumbled across the site The Dancing Plague of 1518 recently. Super cute illustrations of famous dance moves by Niege Borges! So cute. Pulp Fiction is definitely my favorite. View more here.

At Home With: Wolfgang Behnken

Young & Rubican's lead Creative Director allowed the lenses of Elle Decor Italia to peek into his Hamburg, Germany home. It's not the coziest of quarters, but it certainly feeds my love for a white, palate-cleansing house.

What's to love? Well, the herringbone wood floors, layered and leaning artwork, the sprawling back porch, European-height ceilings, and the piles of books and magazines (almost all of which also happen to be the same things I loved in Kate and Andy Spade's New York City apartment- see it again here). Although the Spade's apartment looks completely different, it goes to show you that classic design elements work for every aesthetic. 

*images via elle decor italia

Artist Spotlight: Willem de Koonig, A Retrospective

Originally published in January 1982, Architectural Digest featured Willem de Kooning's incredible East Hampton studio. Since the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan opened their retrospective look into his art last month, AD brought the article and images back to life on their site, as well. I can't get over how secluded and peaceful this place looks- the perfect space for creativity to come to life. See more from AD here.

*images via architectural digest

The Beginning of the End of the Year

It's been about a month and a half since my last post, and that's just, well, not acceptable! This summer was filled with family vacations on Nantucket, beach volleyball, bike rides, concerts (Bon Iver was amazing), surf lessons, and finally learning how to cook and paint! Now that the fall is here I plan on doing much more of those last two things. 

I bought a 48"x48" canvas a couple of weeks ago but couldn't figure out what I really wanted it to be. I've never painted anything before (other than my mother's white bed quilt with red nail polish when I was 5), so it was a little daunting. A recent visit to the LACMA inspired me. Franz Kline's black and white abstract expressionist paintings from the 1950's are my favorite in their permanent collection. There's something so constant and permanent about them. So, a glass of pinot noir and a couple of Coltrane albums later, I had 'Jackson Pollock-ed' the finishing touches. What do you think? I hope your Fall season is as inspiring as mine!

 

Artist Spotlight: Sally King Benedict

I know I've blogged about Sally about a million times, but I just love her work so much. I wish I could paint like this! Her color schemes and subjects are always so amazing. The top painting to would be perfect for my hallway. Read more about Sally here.

At Home with Minnie Mortimer

I'm loving these images of Minnie Mortimer's Malibu home that were featured on Vogue.com. I've been compiling pieces of art, bright, old Vivaldi album covers that look very Lilly Pulitzer, and paintings over the past couple of years in hopes that they will eventually turn into the gallery wall I wish them to be. I love the idea of mixing artwork with found objects, similar to how Andy Spade did in his Hampton's home.

Here's what to love about her space:

- art and books are the focal points of the house, only second to the Malibu location
- oversized windows in the sun room and behind the day bed
- plank oak floors reminiscent of boot flooring bring the outside in
- the gallery wall
- framed photography from the 'Locals Only' skateboarding book in the foyer
- her traditional library/dining room with modern chairs reminiscent of The Miller House
- the seashell chandelier hanging over the coffee tables, again, bring the outside in
- the idea of hanging your favorite dress 'on display' in your closet

*images via Claiborne Swanson Frank

Field Report: The Seven Seas, Nantucket

One of my favorite stores of all time is The Seven Seas in Nantucket, Massachusetts. There's no website for the shop/gallery and there's only one of it's kind- found only on the small island of Nantucket (which makes it such a great little secret!). 

Vanessa Noel is the founder and owner, and she has her shoe store right across the street. She can sometimes be seen between the two shops in the summer months. 

If I were to have a shop, this is exactly what it would be. It's a vintage store filled with the most amazing selection of art and design books, hotel ashtrays (love them), men's Lilly Pulitzer pants and jackets, sunglasses, needlepoint loafers.. ah! I could go on. 

In the back half of the house-turned-heaven is an art gallery that features the works of Peter Gee, a British artist who was active in the pop-art movement of the 1960's. His works are so fun and fit right into the lively aesthetic of the rest of the space. 

I'm heading to Nantucket this upcoming weekend for a two-week vacation and I'll definitely be spending some quality time here... and hopefully coming back with some treasures!

*photos by kathryn ierubino

Artist Spotlight: Claire Loder

British artist Claire Loder creates these quirky ceramic heads. They're kind of strange, but endearing at the same time. I like their rosy cheeks! See more here.

Artist Spotlight: Caitlin McGauley

Loving these black and white illustrations by watercolor artist and illustrator Caitlin McCauley. She created these large prints (about 4' wide each) for Ralph Lauren a few months ago and they currently hang in one of their New York showrooms. See more of her work and adorable blog here.