Design Always Repeats Itself - Tent Edition

Tent Room
Kingston Lacy
Dorset

Napoleon's Bedroom at Malmaison
Percier & Fontaine

Tent room. It's been done.

- Grace

Artwork of the Week: Wave

Wave by Bernard Pras

Yesterday was my dear dad's 69th birthday, so here I am thinking of him and all of the times he's taken me to the great museums to see their most famous works of art. Years ago I discovered dad has an affection for the Japanese woodblock print. Today I found a reboot of one of the most famous, Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, in the form of a photograph by French installation artist Bernard Pras. Pras recreated the image below using a precise configuration of found objects and everyday detritus, then photographed the arrangement head on. From any other angle it just appears to be a random conglomeration of junk, though still interesting in it's own right (see below below). So today I celebrate the man who taught me how to appreciate art and see beauty from every perspective. Thanks, Dad. You're the greatest. 

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai

Side view of Pras' Wave

- Cathleen 

[Images courtesy of the artist's website, www.bernardpras.fr, and Wikipedia] 

Countdown to Summer - #4

Alright Spring, enough is enough, this is DC and in DC by mid-May it should be blazing hot with humidity to match... what is going on?! If you don't live in the area, I'm complaining about the weather. It has been gray and in the 60s for weeks and I've had enough. All my leggings (I don't wear jeans, don't ask) have holes in them from being over-worn and I am seriously ready to break out my shorts and sandals. In the spirit of my countdown to summer, here is my #4 pick - a gorgeous color block maxi dress from Anthropologie. 

Aquatint Maxi Dress
Anthorpologie
$398

Awesome dress I could see myself lounging around in on hot days. Adorbs, but with the usual prohibitive Anthropologie price tag of $395.... ouch! 

Think summer, people, think summer. 

- Grace

The Bangles

Arc Bangle by Another Feather 

$64 from Need Supply Co.

Because it's just another manic Monday I have rounded up some simple yet totally excellent bangle bracelets, one for each member of the band. 

(Yes, there were indeed originally five Bangles. I had to look it up too.)

((Woah! Did you know Manic Monday was actually written by Prince?)) 

Rele Bracelet by Fay Andrada

$110 from fayandrada.com

Twisted Brass Bracelet by Fort Standard, New York

$40 from Magpie & Rye

Arrow Bangle Bracelet 

$18 from RecocoNYC via Etsy

Ponti Bangle by Ursa Major 

$920 from The Cools

- Cathleen 

Industrial Pipe DIY

So, speaking of projects, I did FINALLY finish my painting my bookshelves and I’ve been walking around in a glow of self-congratulations. And since I still have about thirty-five projects left that I’d like to tackle, I’m hoping to keep that momentum going.

I recently took down the horrible curtains that were hanging in our living room- sheer white drapes with white embroidered flowers *ugh*- which have been there since we moved in almost a year ago. (It takes me a LONG time to get moving on projects.) Since I took them down, we’ve been living in a fishbowl because I haven’t found suitable replacements. Until... 

West Elm Industrial Pipe Curtain Rods

... I found these curtain rods, which I LOVE! I was going to go ahead and bite the bullet on them (I’ll need three for my living room) but I wasn’t quite ready to cough up the $200+ for curtain rods. 

Looking around for other sources, I found tons of instructions for making them myself. I assumed that they would look pretty homemade, but all the tutorials are easy and the final result looks great.

All the pieces I need!

Spray painted copper

Hammered Metal spray paint

So, now my weekend plans are laid out for me: cleaning and spray painting iron pipe fittings into curtain rods! Wish me luck because I’m definitely putting all my eggs in one basket here. 

Good luck to you and any and all DIYs that you’ve got on the horizon. Or just relaxation if that’s your plan!

Happy Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

Weekend Plans? Going, Going, Gone!

Have you ever gone to an auction before? I don't think I would have except that my husband works at an auction house. His auction house, Sloans & Kenyon, is having a Vintage Fashion, Couture, and Jewelry auction this Saturday and it looks like it's going to be great! Here are three of my top favorites from the online catalog:

Celadon Green Evening Dress
1930s
Estimate $100-$200

Robert-David Morton Pink Rose Print Dress
1970s
$150-$250

I see Mad Men's Megan Draper wearing this dress. 

Vintage Gold-Toned "Chainmail" Evening Jacket
1970s
$200-$400

This jacket is so bold it begs to be showed off. 

Check out the entire digital catalog on the S&K website and if you want to bid on something but aren't local you can always do a phone bid or bid online via ArtFact. 

-Grace

Artwork of the Week: Scholar

Scholar by Claire Desjardins

30"x 60", acrylic on canvas 

Such a vibrant and optimistic painting from Montreal-based artist Claire Desjardins.  

You can see more of Claire's work on her website: www.clairedesjardins.com

- Cathleen