Category: ‘A’ for Art

Artfully Walls Giveaway

I’ve written about Artfully Walls before (on Babble), and now we’ve teamed up for our 24 Merry Days giveaway! Artfully Walls does a fantastic job of creating cohesive gallery walls that are ready to go, but you can also buy individual pieces or create your own collection. For today’s prize, I created two collections (a $500-600 value), and chose the print sizes, framing options, matting, arrangements, and even the backing wall color (Symphony Blue and Sparrow, both by Benjamin Moore). All the winner has to do is choose a favorite and then hang ’em up!

The first grouping I put together features an abstract print by Britt Turner framed in black, a photo by Catherine McDonald, also framed in black, and a stretched canvas portrait by Tali Yalonetzki. Feminine, with plenty of pink — you know I want this one, right?

Ah, but I also love my second arrangement. The frames are a little glitzier here in gold, with a grouping that includes an illustration by Anat Maoz, a photo by Catherine McDonald and another by Sivan Askayo, and a stretched canvas print by Emeline Tate-Robertson.

Either collection, in full and framed, is up for grabs to one lucky winner to be chosen randomly. The giveaway is being run via Rafflecopter and is open to US residents only, so follow the instructions for multiple ways to enter below. Good luck, and remember to check 24 Merry Days for new prizes each day from now until Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 5, 2013
Black and White Wall Art for the Kitchen
I didn’t like the white walls in the kitchen until I added our big black and white print. Now the walls look intentional instead of forgotten. I would love to recreate the print for you as a free printable for download (it wouldn’t be difficult), but it doesn’t feel right. I know the quote can be attributed to Candice Bergen, but I don’t know who created the print, or when. Instead, I’ve rounded up a few options for black and white wall art that would feel right at home in my kitchen — and maybe yours, too.
1. OMG CAKE
2. Like Ron Swanson, I want you to give me all the bacon and eggs you have. (Wait, wait…)
3. Butcher Prints (set of 3)
4. This cute flag conversions tea towel, designed by Shanna Murray is no longer available, but the idea of framing it was so cute that I still wanted to include it here.
5. This conversion tea towel could be a good substitute for the last one.
6. This triangle tea towel would also look fantastic on display in the kitchen.
7. These pretzels are making me thirsty. (Maybe he had a different interpretation!)
8. Kitchen Cooking Print
9. Newgate Bubble Clock
February 18, 2013
Traditional Art Gift Guide
I’ve been working with Art.com, and they’ve just released several gift guides for the holidays. I’m usually drawn to a quirky, modern style, but today I’m sharing my take on traditional art.

I chose each of these paintings (classics by the like of Manet and Whistler) because they excite me, but also because I could see them appealing to a wide range of people. I kept family members in mind, asking myself “would my mom like this? My grandma, or my uncle?” as my litmus test.
1. The Louvre and the Seine from the Pont Neuf, Morning Mist, 1902, Camille Pissarro
2. Room of Flowers, 1894, Childe Hassam
3. Branch of White Peonies and Secateurs, 1864, Édouard Manet
4. Mother and Child on a Couch, James Abbott McNeill Whistler
5. On the Beach, Edward Henry Potthast
6. Venetian Canal, John Singer Sargent
This post was sponsored by Art.com. Find your art. Love your space.
November 16, 2012
All-American Art
I saw the video below when I was in San Francisco a couple of months ago to meet with the Art.com team. It’s beautifully done, and the music swells at just the right point, but more than that, it shows how much pride they take in their framing process.

And here’s a bit of exciting news: Art.com is hosting a giveaway this week for a $500 shopping spree on their site! Follow them on Pinterest to be eligible and abreast of all the details.

Inspired by their American craftsmanship, I pulled together a few of my favorites from their Americana collection. (You know, so when you win that $500 shopping spree, you’ll have some ideas about what to get.)
This post was sponsored by Art.com. Find your art. Love your space.
October 22, 2012
We Are Art

I’m part of a group of 25 bloggers that are partnering with Art.com. We met up with their team in San Francisco last month, and we were all impressed with their new video (below). It’s pretty amazing.

(That kiss!)

Everyone in attendance chose a piece of art that they loved beforehand. I (coincidentally) chose something by Eisenstaedt, the same photographer that took the famous photo of the sailor and nurse kissing.

Uniformed Drum Major For University of Michigan Marching Band Practicing His High Kicking Prance – Alfred Eisenstaedt

Each of our pieces were hung, gallery-style, in the San Francisco space of The Bold Italic. We took turns standing up to discuss why we chose what we did and I’m sure I gushed and stammered on when it was my turn, but the gist of it was that I love Eisenstaedt’s Drum Major photo because it makes me happy. It’s pure joy! I don’t know if that prancing drum major could exist in the same way today, but in that moment, those kids behind him think he’s the coolest person alive. I have a huge framed print of it coming my way, and I think it will go upstairs, near our bedrooms. I feel like that kind of joy needs to be around all of us.

Art.com just launched a major redesign, and we were able to discuss the changes they’ve implemented when we met with their team in San Francisco. Had you been on the old version of the site before? It was fine if you already knew what you wanted to find (they boast the world’s largest selection of art), but it wasn’t easy to browse and it wasn’t much to look at. The new site is gorgeous, and it’s set up for exploring and finding new art. I especially love the curated collections. I’m creating a gallery (you can too), and I’ll be sure to share it with you when it’s ready. Until then, I’m having fun adding to my virtual collection.

This post was sponsored by Art.com. Find your art. Love your space.

July 9, 2012
New Art Above Eleanor’s Bed

I planned a mini-makeover for Eleanor’s room a while back. It took a while for her polka dot wall vases to get here, and then longer still for me to finally get everything hung on the wall, but it’s finally done! I’ll show more of the finished room soon, but first, here’s a shot of the new art above Eleanor’s bed.

I laid it all out on the bed before putting it up on the wall so I could play around with the placement. The cat hanging is a vintage Tammis Keefe tea towel hung on wooden dowels, the lowercase ‘e’ was from Anthropologie and the uppercase ‘E’ from Urban Outfitters. I got the wall dot vases in an online flash sale, but they’re available directly from Chive, and the screenprinted flower is by three sheets 2 the wind.

June 19, 2012