The Sofa as Art

Who needs art with a sofa like this? The Francine Sofa at Anthropologie, on sale for $999.95 from its original $2,998.00, is digitally printed with a reproduction of a watercolor by the legendary Vera. Quite the showstopper.

Calligraphic Art-Cy Twombly

It seems that every design blog has done a post on chalkboard paint and how to use it in your home. Ideas have ranged from the obvious walls to your refrigerator, placemats, and even eggs. I am a huge fan of Cy Twombly and his calligraphic art. His work is a favorite of mine and I love seeing it at the National Gallery of Art every time I am there. I even did a huge canvas for my living room that is my version of a Cy Twombly that has been featured on a couple blogs using a gold paint pen on a white canvas. I especially love this Twombly piece above. It occurred to me how fun it would be to buy a large canvas, paint it with chalkboard paint, and try my own Twombly with chalk. Why not try your own? You can change it or redo it anytime you want. People have asked me this before, but these need not be quotes or real words-just random free form scribbled letters strung together-don't over think it-just let your hand and the chalk go. Twombly's calligraphic works are primarily pencil or crayon scribbled on paper or canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago has an exhibition of Twombly, one of our greatest living American artists, in its new Modern Wing, now through September 13th. 

The Shopping Bag As Art

I read an interview with Karl Lagerfeld in which he said that he has always loved beautiful shopping bags and could never bear to throw one away.  This was his inspiration for the Chanel leather shopping bag totes that are all the rage this season. I'm sure he is not alone is his love for gorgeous shopping bags.

I too love beautiful shopping bags and display some in my dressing room. Among my favorites are the orange Hermes, the chocolate brown and white striped Henri Bendel, the lavender Bergdorf Goodman, the chocolate brown Louis Vuitton, the blue Tiffany, the shocking pink Betsey Johnson, the green and white striped Kate Spade, the dalmatian print Inn at Little Washington, the pink Thomas Pink, the white Chanel, the always changing but always chic Neiman Marcus. 

This top photo courtesy of Australian Better Homes and Gardens via Simply Natural shows shopping bags framed as art. I think this is a charming idea for a dressing room. And please, no comments about worshipping materialism-this is recycling! What is your favorite shopping bag? One of these iconic ones, or perhaps one from a local store of yours. I'd love to hear....

(Photos courtesy of Flickr, Simply Natural, and Australian Better Homes and Gardens)

Happy Valentine's Day

Hearts are not exactly my style, so here is my favorite painting by my favorite artist Elliott Puckette, and my favorite color with my wishes for a Happy Valentine's Day to all my new blog friends. The painting is available at Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York and other works of this amazing artist can be seen on the gallery website at paulkasmingallery.com.