{Inspiration} Visual Acoustics...

In my last post about Mr. Rogers, I had mentioned watching two documentaries last weekend to creatively rejuvenate. Being that it's Friday, I thought I would let you know what the second one was, in case you were in need of some inspiring relaxation this weekend yourself. It was a documentary called Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman. Not only do I love mid-century architecture, but I love photography too. This film will make the modern enthusiast swoon. I have to say, the combination of the Mr. Rogers & Me documentary & this one, was magic. It was a perfect balance in my book.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Father's Day to all of you awesome dads out there too! 

Photo credits:

1) Case Study House #22 via
2) Julius Shulman & Richard Neutra via 

3) Kaufmann House (Richard Neutra) via 
4) interior via
5) interior via 

{Fabric Friday} Lucienne Day...

{Lucienne Day, Image Courtesy Robin Day via Dwell Magazine}

If you haven't guessed already, I love researching & learning new things. My latest research obsession is learning more about the British textile designer, Lucienne Day. I often discover things when I'm too busy to really sink my teeth into researching, only to discover them again later- when the timing is right. That's the case with Lucienne Day. She died last year around this time - which received quite a bit of press. There was an article in Dwell Magazine called, "Britain's Mid-Century Female Designers" that caught my attention last year. I remember reading it, getting excited, then putting my magazine on the towering stack of Dwell Mags in my studio. I never followed up on the research until this week when I repeatedly found her name pop on my search for vintage fabrics & made that connection. I'm such a huge fan of Ray and Charles Eames and Lucienne Day & her husband Robin are sort of like the British equivalent. While I do love Ray Eames' textile designs, I think I'm drawn to Lucienne's designs more....

Miscellany (detail), 1952

Isosceles, 1955 & Forest 1959

Jack Sprat Glass Towel (detail) , 1950 & Apollo, 1950

Calyx, 1951

Rig, 1952 & Strata, 1952

I've always enjoyed reading about creative couples throughout art/design history. I find it interesting to see how they inspire, influence, & nurture each others creative journey. I suppose that's why I married another artist. I also devour information about women artists & designers that paved the way for me to be doing what I'm doing today. I'm sure this won't be the last you will hear about Lucienne Day from me- this is just an introduction, as my research has really just begun. I actually have the exhibit catalog from "Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain" on order- can't wait to get it into my hands. Happy Fabric Friday! Hope you have a weekend full of cool discoveries....

{Fun} Modern Love...

One of my all time favorite images is Mother & Child by a designer on my top 5 list, Alexander Girard. I love the shapes, the palette, the style, & era in which it was created. I'm also a big fan of Valentines day- and the two fit together for me. So, I made an Etsy Treasury last night that was inspired by both. It's all about my love of modern design- past & present. I like looking at it so I  thought I would post it here...

You can view this Etsy Treasury live here. Hope you are having a nice weekend! 

{Fabric Friday} mid-century modern love...

Mid-century modern is one of my favorite design periods. I go completely bonkers for the furniture in particular but the mid-century aesthetic as a whole, really speaks to me. After all, Ray & Charles Eames are my design heros. 

When I think about mid-century modern design, the fabric that comes to mind first is barkcloth. Many of the classic retro fabrics were printed on the nubby cotton fabric that was popular from the '50's-'70's. I have a little collection of barkcloth in my klt:fabric stash. I have used it for pillows, & curtains in our house but have also been know to make a few mid-century klt:plushies as well. I have recently started using solid barkcloth for some thread drawing pillows & mini plush because I love the great texture.

{ fabric photos via  Full Swing Fabrics & Tonic Living Fabrics }

These four "retro" prints on barkcloth are some of my current favorites that are being printed today. But of course, you can always find some groovy barkcloth fabrics at some antique malls and thrift stores too. Sometimes the hunt is just as fun as finding it. On one of my last trips to Seattle with Chris, we went to a few of our favorite junk stores on the search for some mid-century treasures. While I didn't find the barkcloth that I was hoping to score, I found a beat up old Eames chair - and boy was that hard to walk away from...  Happy Fabric Friday - hope you have a swingin' weekend!