count the inspiration in a single doorway

I wish I could tell you what building on what street, when it was built, who was the architect, and who was the artist behind this beautiful doorway. And don't you wonder about the letter "W?" But alas, I was running late to dinner and only paused to briefly snap a photo with my phone thinking "I have to have this!"

There is so much pattern and design layered in this single piece of art! I love the way more organic elements like feathers and plants have been stylized to become more geometric. I love the dominant use of red and teal (one of my favorite color combinations of all time; see my table runner, kitchen curtains, and let me tell you about my teal walls and red couch ). I think the symmetry is pleasing and appropriate. And you cannot help but notice and love the equally beautiful and complimentary ironwork over the window.

Plus – the color palette! I wanted to pull it out in detail for you and I realized there is even a light pink and a lavender in there too! Along with the warm tans of the stone you have enough options to do an entire houseful of rooms I think.

I do believe I am going to have to tape this beauty into my sketchbook and spend some more time with it!

little pretties at home

Things that make me smile:

my feather collection upon the kitchen windowsill

my five-year-old daughter bought these at the Farmer's Market for me!

a new arrangement upon the shelf – nature + antiques

B is for birds & butterflies: a wall collage

A recent visit to a friend's house inspired me to get going with my vision for hanging a grouping of items together on a dining room wall.

First step was to take the stack of dusty picture frames that had been sitting around since my discovery of spray paint back in the fall and decide what art to put in them. I framed a page from a paper brochure, a page from an old Picasso calendar, ordered an old photo off of Snapfish, and designed a piece with a few favorite Bible verses. Then I gathered together bits and pieces from other rooms of the house.

Next was the arranging. I laid everything out on the dining room table, parallel to the wall it would hang on so I could easily envision the space I had available and how things would look next to the butterfly print I already had hanging. After a week and four or five arrangements I was ready to go at it with a hammer and nails. Actually, to be honest, I have my husband do that part for me! I just art direct!

Once everything was up a few days passed and I had the inspiration to tuck in my favorite bird nest (sideways so you can see the different layers within) and a few feathers. It was just the textural and sculptural touch it needed. Voila!