May

17

nathalie lete for anthropologie

Nathalie lete was born in 1964. She lives and works in paris. She brings her poetic painting techniques to the tabletop and textiles, a true parisian artist who does intricate crewelwork of sinuous deep-sea dweller slinking across sofas. Oversized plates are painted with stormy waves and a sailing ship evoking fantasy and touches of humor.

SOURCES: Rachel.Photo, Flickr, Anthropologie

Soon you will even be able to wear her art on Summer dresses and skirts. Her strong brushstrokes fade from one side of a skirt to the next. “She works in many ways, mixing different techniques and mediums, illustration, ceramics, textile and painting… She is inspired by her travels, but also by the mixing of vintage toys and old engravings of flowers and animals. Her work is colourful, naive and poetic, sometimes strange, to the point of tending towards art brut. Her world is nurtured by popular and folk art.”

Nathalie Lete is a true inspiration. She is inspired by her childhood and travels. She takes her inspiration and talent and brings it to furniture, clothing, and the tabletop!

Are you an artist? Bring brushtrokes and watercolor to your table settings on the linens and menus. Are you a musician? Incorporate CD’s and music onto your tabletop. Are you a foodie? Fuse veggies and fruit into your tabletop arrangements.. There are so many creative ways to blend your vision into your wedding day and table setting. Just stay inspired and true to you.

Apr

13

These are a few of my favorite things…

Filed Under Art | 5 Comments

Bright flowers, Rob Ryan tea towels, paper sculpture

Apr

2

Illustrated Wedding Albums

Filed Under Art, Photography | 10 Comments

We have been talking a lot about hand illustration, and how nothing can really beat the art of a pen and pencil. We love being given the opportunity to hop off the computer keyboards for a few hours and break out the easel for our clients, whether it be custom comic programs or invitations.

When we discovered these wedding albums designed by Mango Red it reaffirmed the brilliance of good old-fashioned illustration, especially when it pertains to tying the knot. Why would the custom artwork stop at the invitations? Why would it not spill over into the wedding albums as well? I mean, this is some of the most important artwork you will collect as a couple so why not ensure that your wedding day art is just as fabulous as the framed pieces hanging from your walls?

MangoRed appropriately call them their ‘Pimpin Storybooks’, the first one designed for a creative couple JP & Cielo.

This second album is a bit more muted with a plethora of floral illustrations for couple Pol & Jackie. Not only would this album be proudly sitting on my coffee table, but I would definitely be framing this first illustration!

MangoRed says “Every detail has been given attention from the smallest curve to the hardest stroke. Individuality of every art form is essential to its creator. Every storybook is a testament of artistry and passion to deliver this art form right to the hands of the customers. Keeping the flare for ingenuity and striving to be always different, we strive to be a constantly evolving entity that aims not only to satisfy but also to exceed your expectations.”

What a talented team. The illustration is brilliant, the photography is breathtaking, and the layout of the storybooks are stunning. What a combination of beauty to have as a keepsake.

Nov

17

Real Wedding Design Process: Modern Palm Springs Graphics

Filed Under Art, Inspiration to Creation, Lollipop Invitations, Weddings | 6 Comments

The devil is in the details! Every event that we do, we ask our clients a series of questions to ensure we do not overlook any unique design details that would make the event extra special.We also meet with the couple at the venue to do a walk through and later create a detailed site plan with the location of every table, chair and floral arrangement!

For Val & Garth’s Palm Spring’s wedding we created mid-century looking graphics to highlight the catering and other fun features! To jazz up the existing bar we built a lemonade stand around it and had a keg corset with the sign “Cheers for Beers”. We provided chic custom Mr. and Mrs. Lemonhead cocktails in both ‘his’ and ‘hers’ versions (one pink and one yellow!)

Retro food tags for the Vegan feast were created and played off of the same comical tongue-in-cheek dessert signage.

Instead of a traditional ceremony program we illustrated a comic in the story of how Val & Garth met and fell in love. Each comic was tied with an adorable polka dot ribbon and was given to guests. They were totally shocked! We even have Val & Garth in their wedding attire in the last frame!

We were inspired by the Warhol style Pop Art in the house and implemented it into our design by turning Val & Garth into masterpieces themselves.

Nov

10

The Art of the Party: Turn your Event into a Masterpiece

Filed Under Art, Dinner Parties | 3 Comments

There is a true “art” to throwing a memorable event. Serving great food and setting the appropriate ambiance and mood with music and lighting are just the first steps. Introducing guests to one another and ensuring that the entire night has an inviting and welcoming feel are also important for a successful party! Hosting a fabulous affair is truly an art form. But what about infusing actual art pieces into your event? Throwing a wedding or dinner party in an actual art gallery or even having painted and illustrated pieces of art as part your decor, from your chairs to your coasters. It not only provides added visual interest and intrigue for your guests, but is a flawless way to showcase a true reflection of you!

Even formal wear can be transformed into a sculptural masterpiece. All dressed up and nowhere to go? This tuxedo sculpture is the work of Greg Lauren, the nephew of Ralp Lauren. It is a meticulously hand-crafted garment made of painted paper!

Give guests artistic favors that they will re-use, “Kensington high street water bottle”, a printed image of an old London transport poster designed by Arthur Watts and seat them on reclaimed chairs with original picturesque oil paintings or hand covered in vintage maps! Create your own works of art by personalizing throws and lampshades with photos and illustrations. Serve food on bone china plates with nostalgic illustrations or illustrated melamine dinner plates.

Throw flowers into a bowl hand decoupaged with vintage stamps or prop mini bud vases on top of a cubes covered in vintage stamps! Drink from custom ceramic mugs with custom graphics and set them upon coasters that feature original artwork. Last, mix fun vintage mannequins and couches covered in playful, whimsical fabrics around the event. The best part is that all of the art from your event will transform into masterpieces for your home afterwards!

To really bring art into your affair hire a muralist to encase your space into a large life size drawing or hire a highly skilled artist to come to your party and do live painting and drawing on the spot! Not only can your guests watch the artist turn the event into a piece of art, but it will make a great colorful keepsake afterwards! Artist Marta is based in France and has painted everyone from Prince Albert II to Sir Elton John!