If you  have been reading this blog a while, then by now you know about my slightly unnatural undying love for graffiti (see here and here). Perhaps I’m a latent graffiti artist, because I love seeing text transformed into bold art and I’m pretty open to any form of creative expression even if it happens on the city streets. So you can imagine that my heart got all aflutter when I saw these beautiful porcelain tiles. Graffiti might be better on the floor.

Making their debut this year at Coverings, these porcelain tile beauties are a part of the Banksy Collection by Peronda, a Tile of Spain branded manufacturer. For use on wall and floor, they come 17″ x17″ and use digital printing technology to capture actual images of  some of  the world’s best graffiti onto the the tile. ( At work, I’ve been reading and talking to reps about digital printing technology on tiles and I’m fascinated by the realistic look .)

Seriously, I can’t get enough; these are art pieces for your space. I get so much inspiration from seeing amazing materials and right and now I’ve got a billion ideas whirling around my head.  All I need now is the right client!  I can’t wait for that day!

So, my dear readers, I’m off to to work then to start the weekend fun! I hope you have a great weekend! I will be out treasure hunting and exploring the urban landscape this weekend. Hopefully, these tiles will inspire me to look  for unconventional beauty everywhere I go.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Jessica

Yesterday I spent half the day out of the office for training. I didn’t see google’s homage to the 125th birthday of textile designer Josef Frank until about 1pm.

Rather touching tribute I thought. It reminded me of this beautiful Tokyo Shop, Ballantyne Cashmere,as featured in Interior Design Magazine in 2006.

{image via nytimes}

{images via girl meets glamour}

The interiors of the shop are architecturally formed and space, with the Josef Frank wallcovering adding visual interest. Frank’s work is imaginative and fanciful and in this space it’s fabulously fun and  over the top. Wouldn’t you want to shop there? But even more, there is something about looking at Josef Frank’s colorful textiles  that makes me want draw.

So this weekend as a belated birthday wish to Josef Frank, I think I will spend a little time doodling and drawing.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Jessica

I think I’m still on vacay time, which means outside of work, I feel the need to slow down, smell the roses. Over the last couple days, I’ve been reading about slow design. Sherwin Williams’ Stir Magazine describes slow design as, “a reaction against the might of the mass-produced and expresses a longing for more culturally authentic and ethically made artifacts”. I think part of this stems from taking the time to shoot and  briefly study old structures ( which I hope to do more of) and my listening to Barbara Kingsolver’s thoughtful book, Animal, Vegetable,  Miracle (which has been the best part of my daily commute in DC traffic).

{image via my shabby streamside studio}

Interior design, by nature is a slow process, but it isn’t always the most mindful of resources and materials, unless the designer or client reflects that philosophy. I love that slow design works hand in hand with sustainable design and that lead me to “discover” The Sustainable Furniture Council a resource, I hope to use often in practice. I also found this great resource on slow design on Remodelista. It reminded me that there are things that I’m naturally drawn to in design and life, that fit into the slow design practice. Antiquing and thrifting come to mind.

This weekend, my goal is to slow down and really reflect on what slow design means to me. I’m thinking I need to incorporate this into my vision board.

Happy Weekend!

Jessica

It’s been rather random and dramatic recently. I’m looking forward to having  some of that beautiful down time that comes with a long holiday weekend. I’ve been looking at one of my favorite books, A French Country Home, by Jocelyne Sibuet, to give me a little soothing inspiration. I thought I’d share some it’s gorgeous images in case you were in need of something really soothing and beautiful too.

Those stairs have me swooning! Sibuet’s Provencal home has me thinking about packing my bags and moving to France. I’m not sure exactly what I would do there but I’m pretty sure I’d figure it out.  In the meantime, I’m going to sit back, relax read a book or two and enjoy this long weekend.

Have a great weekend! I’ll be back on Tuesday!

xoxo, Jessica

Hi everyone! Here we are again at the end of another week. I’ll be travelling next week to meet my brand new nephew. I’m very excited but even though I’ll be away, I’ll be posting. Forgive me if it’s a little irregular.

Anyhoo,  Part 2 of  my photography class started last week. The first assignment was taking photos in black and white, or as my camera calls it, monotone.  Void of color,  I quickly noticed the importance of texture, contrast, pattern, as well as positive and negative space. It was like I was transported to, Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Eclisse. There’s nothing like 1960’s Italian cinema.  Everything is poetic. In fact, the film, let the interiors, landscape and architecture of Rome communicate the emotions between the main characters. There aren’t many words ; the genius is that you fill in the space between the lines.

{l’eclisse images from chicago sun-times and film log}

My photo assignment also inspired today’s choice of interior which also reminded me of the film. Rich in texture and pattern but void of  hues, the  Dallas loft of Alice Cottrell has a bit of that spare 1960’s cinematic feel. It’s got romance, but a lot of it is left up to you to fill in the blanks.

Having torn down many of the walls to create openness and room to breathe, it doesn’t look like this space could be 700 sq ft does it? According to the Elle Decor article furnishings like the custom 16 ft sofa play with the eye’s spatial perception, also making the room look larger.  Also, I believe the Castiglioni Arco lamp also plays with the eye’s perception of the room. Also I can never get enough of the Womb Chair and that stunning damask wallpaper.

{images from elle decor and alice cottrell interior design; photography: jack thompson}

Cottrell created a poetic dialogue between the building’s 1960’s architecture and the interior space, while keeping it modern and livable with some romance thrown in for good measure.  Luckily she left enough room for us to create the rest of her gorgeous loft’s story.

I’m off to work and get camera happy…

Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo, Jessica

Hi everyone! We made it to the end of another week and hopefully you will get the opportunity to have a bit of you time. Today I have some Fun news. I’m doing my very first Design Wonderland Giveaway courtesy of Rugs USA.  I look at as a thank you for reading and being awesome as well as a fun way to jump start the weekend. I’m giving away this Rug Market Cotton Jersey Shag Rug in White. The size is 20″ x 32″ and super soft underfoot.

{here’s a shaggy closeup of your future rug.}

So how do you win? All you have to do is leave a comment on the this post by Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at noon. Simple, right? I’ll pick a winner at random on Thursday and announce the winner next Friday.

Because of the giveaway I excitedly decided to look for shaggy inspirational ideas. Here’s two that I love…

{images via material girls, elle decor}

I love the texture that shag rugs adds to the floor, be it used alone or layered.  Anyhoo, I have my fingers crossed for you! Good Luck and Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo, Jessica

On Monday, I spoke about hitting a creative road block. Funny thing is, I’m happy I hit it because now I’m taking the time realign myself with my dreams. And I’m very thankful for that opportunity.

Here’s a few things that I’m doing to move past the block:

1.  For inspiration, I’m exploring design portfolios of designers with whom I’m less familiar. I love this graphic red room by Bibi Monnahan.

{image via elle decor}

2. I’m continuing to explore the bounds of my creativity.

{image by tim walker via visual streak}

3.  Slash everything.

It’s not what it seems. Most of the artists that I admire do more than one thing and do them well. For certain, I know I want to be one of those people who is a designer/(fill in the blank)/(fill in the blank). I’m working on the designer part and the slashes.

Most importantly to me is that I never give up on my dreams and that I push harder through the obstacles. So, this weekend, I’ll be  planning, scheming and plotting  a new course for myself.

Do you have any creative plans for the weekend? Let me know…

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,Jessica

I have no idea what the weekend holds! But going into it, I’m soaking up the visual inspiration from these photos by photographer Melvin Sokolsky. They are so playful and fun!

{images by melvin sokolsky via susi.a and style bubble}

Shot for Harper’s Bazaar, I love the composition, the play on scale and the vintage 1960’s fashions. You know that’s my favorite combination.

This weekend, I’m off to play, dress up and dance on a chair or two (just kidding, well…sorta). All in the name of inspiration of course…

Happy weekend!!!!

xoxo,

Jessica

Now that it’s the weekend, I’m having a wild fantasies of  hopping on a bike to have a  picnic for one!

{image via veronica webb}

I’d pack my lunch in this amazing picnic bike basket. I’m thinking turkey and brie.

{image via kate spade}

I’d also need a small box of macarons, as a snack. Yum! And I can’t forget the Marimekko napkins I made.

{via wasabimon}

Of course I need the perfect setting, to inspire sketching or picture snapping. This Dutch tulip field would be lovely…

{image via the daily mail}

…but I’m not being picky. I’ll be happy to frolic in the lovely spring air anywhere!

Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo,

Jessica

Happy Happy Friday! I hope to get out and enjoy the lovely weather today, tomorrow and Sunday! Yes that’s right its a full exciting weekend ahead in Design Wonderland.

Today, to celebrate the dreamy spring weather, I thought I’d leave you with a beautiful dreamy inspiration image that I found wandering around the internet. It combines two of my favorite things furniture and fashion, so you know I totally love it!

{image found here}

So I’m off! Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday with some new design adventures.

xoxo,

jessica