Benign Objects

Bunny & Dandelion

2012-01-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

Love this cute student project from Annie Chen. She created it for a textile company, but I also love it for a photographer that specializes in photographing children or maybe a children's clothing store. It would be fun to add come other soft colors to the palette, as well.

See more of Annie's work here.

Rooms on My Radar

2012-01-25T10:15:00.002-06:00

Great use of pattern and tone. From Pinterest.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Love all the textures and tones going on here.

Not big on the color of the couch, but everything's working in a casual way. From Better Homes & Gardens.

Loving the mix of patterns. From here.

Elegant and still cozy. Sarah Richardson's home. From House & Home.

Some Wednesday inspirational eye candy for you all. I have a lot of elements to make a great room, now I just need to figure out how to put everything together this weekend. The family room is tops on my list.

Fabulous Free Fonts

2012-01-23T08:20:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share this great list of new free fonts from Smashing Magazine that I saw last week.

J'Adore Paris and Aloha Nui Loa Invitations

2012-01-18T09:12:00.000-06:00

I was pretty excited (though I'm still struggling with some sort of sinus thing) to wake up this morning and see that some invitation designs I did were chosen as editor's picks over at Minted. And yesterday I got an email from Martha Stewart Weddings. I hope this means that all sorts of good things are afoot.

Featured!

2012-01-13T08:57:00.001-06:00

I know I've mentioned it before, but I get such a kick when the brides I've worked with (like Mary, and Becky and Alison!) send me gorgeous pictures featuring my printed hankies. So I was super excited when the very lovely KK sent me a message to let me know that her absolutely gorgeous wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty, and that the handkerchiefs I created for her were featured as well. Look at the gorgeous bouquet and the pops of red against the navy. Stunning.

-Photography by Whitney Furst for Laura Ivanova Photography.

Happy, happy birthday!

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday, so I'm going to take today and tomorrow off to relax a bit and catch up on some things, which seems a little paradoxical, but necessary! I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We have another great You Pick giveaway coming up soon--it's my birthday present to all you wonderful readers.

-photo from ubercuteness' tumblr here.

Pretty 2012 free printable calendars

2012-01-11T08:59:00.000-06:00

As usual, I'm running a little behind, but I couldn't resist sharing these freebies. The top one is a full year calendar created by Jessica Nielson that you can download for free at 101-woonideeen. (I spotted it at Bloesem).

The other calendar is a monthly calendar I created for you guys. It's pretty and feminine with a touch of light color. You can download it and print it out by clicking "Read more" at the bottom of this post.

Just download the above graphic to your desktop and print on 8.5 x 11 cardstock!

2012-01-10T09:07:00.002-06:00

Love this colorful and very layered branding by Cadena + Asoc. for CIELITO, a Latin American coffee house.

-via

Windy Lane Studios

2012-01-09T09:50:00.001-06:00

I came across paintings by Kai Samuels-Davis in his etsy shop, Windy Lane Studios, while catching up on some blog reading and was immediately drawn to the muted colors and quiet moodiness of the paintings.

They feel like winter to me, even though it certainly doesn't feel like winter down here in the South. I am completely okay with that, too. I sure hope you all had a great holiday season!

Share

Attention to Detail: Curtis Jinkins

2011-12-19T09:05:00.001-06:00

Curtis Jinkins has a gorgeous portfolio of work for his studio, The Neighborhood Studio.

Ohh-la-lovely!

2011-12-16T09:35:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday! Today I'm very excited to announce the launch of OhhLaLovely, a repository of the loveliest things from around the Internet: interior design, fashion, beauty, accessories, art & design, wedding, food, DIY projects, flowers, printables and more. I wanted to create a space for all the wonderful eye candy I come across every day to reside and a way to share it with you all in a more timely fashion than the typical blog posts. Ohhlalovely is updated throughout the day with the freshest finds so there's always a bit of loveliness for you to rest your eyes on. I hope you'll check it out and maybe even subscribe to our feed or our newsletter which will feature our favorite bits of loveliness, special deals and freebies!

Burnham Design, Beautiful

2011-12-13T08:44:00.000-06:00

Isn't this office divine with all the natural light?

Plenty of space to spread out.

Baby as art piece. Cute.

I'm a sucker for nooks.

I love this idea for my own stairwell. Check out the beautiful tiles on the stairs.

The Lot C sign really makes this!

Love the play of color here.

I just discovered Burnham Design's portfolio and it's full of lovely stuff, though my favorite might just be their offices. I've really got to get to work on my office. Maybe we need a post of awesome office spaces.

"We Got You Somethin' Real Nice..."

2011-12-07T08:57:00.001-06:00

If you recognize the quote in the title of this post, you need this Christmas Vacation wrapping paper from Monkey Ink Design. Boy, that movie is right up there next to A Christmas Story for me: instant nostalgia.

Mary and Jonathan

2011-12-05T11:04:00.001-06:00

Mary was another client who was just wonderful to work with. She used the custom printed handkerchiefs as her Save the Dates and then my Love is in the Air balloon suite, which she had letterpressed by Green Pea Press. These gorgeous images are by White Rabbit studios, and you really should see the whole thing over on their blog here. Such loveliness!

Foundry Collective

2011-12-02T08:17:00.001-06:00

I posted about Foundry Collective's gorgeous packaging work for Urban Wine Works (above) on The Dieline the other day, but I wanted to share another project I really liked. They created the logo and letterhead for Ace Outdoorsmen and I think it's, well, ace. :)

Some Lovely Packaging

2011-11-30T08:16:00.001-06:00

I love when my clients send me photos of their finished pieces! Becky is a wonderful overseas bride I worked with. She wanted to use navy ink and I just *love* how it turned out against the red flowers. So gorgeous. Alison is my lovely Georgia bride. We printed brown in on plain white scallop-edged handkerchiefs with beautiful rustic modern results. These girls were so wonderful to work with and added some gorgeous touched to their handkerchiefs!

Dark and Cozy

2011-11-29T08:02:00.001-06:00

Via West Elm

Interior design by Jimmy Stanton, photo: Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Via

Via sfgirlbybay; she used Benjamin Moore's gravel gray

by Michelle Hinckley, via


Via

By Jimmy Stanton via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

I can't find a design credit for this one; if you know, let me know.

by Fluegge Interior Design, via

Alaina Kaczmarski, via

I've been obsessed with dark paint lately, but I have to admit I'm a little nervous to do an entire room that dark. I did our family room dark initially and really couldn't make it work for me. Maybe I should start with our powder room?

Be My Bridesmaid Handkerchiefs

2011-11-21T08:37:00.001-06:00

This is one of those projects that's been on my to-do list for quite awhile, so I'm so glad to finally cross them off. I've had many brides ask me about creating handkerchiefs for their bridal party, so I'm happy to finally offer the first of my bridal party handkerchiefs, the "Be My Bridesmaid" handkerchief. I made up a sweet and simple poem, played around with some different layouts and came up with this. You can check them out and get more details over in my etsy shop here.

Scrapwood Wallpaper

2011-11-11T09:12:00.001-06:00

Scrapwood wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek: yay or nay? I'm kind of on the fence. I think I'd have to see it in person, but it looks pretty cool in the photos. We currently have painted over old skool paneling in our family room and I like that fine, but I'm not sure about a wallpaper. What do you all think?

-via

Gimme Shelter

2011-11-09T10:16:00.000-06:00

This is a repurposed trampoline. Cool, huh?

I love how Pinterest often serves as a gateway to wonderful places you would never have found otherwise, like this dreamy board by Pinterest user, Michele Rothwell. That top pic is really calling my name. I love all things cabin.

You Pick Giveaway: 10 Under $25 Winner

2011-11-08T11:17:00.000-06:00

And we have a winner! Melissa, our first commenter, will be receiving the West Elm Perpetual Calendar. I'm not going to lie, that one was in my top 3 faves. Congrats Melissa, and thanks to everyone for entering. We'll be doing another giveaway next month.

Malcolm Gladwell Collection

2011-11-07T08:39:00.000-06:00

I absolutely devoured all of Malcolm Gladwell's books, so when I spotted this illustrated collection of three of his best-selling books designed by Paul Sahre and illustrated by Brian Rea, I started drooling. Maddeningly, the article does not give any information regarding when or if these lovelies will be available for purchase.

And, oh my goodness, today is the last day of the You Pick: 10 Under $25 giveaway. Enter before 5 PM CST! The winner will be announced tomorrow.

-via, photos by Brent Taylor.

Did you see this? Up by Jawbone

2011-11-04T09:33:00.003-05:00

So have you all heard about Up by Jawbone? I can't decide whether it's super awesome or super creepy...or maybe a bit of both.

Here's this gist of it: Up is a system that consists of a small wristband and an engaging App for iPhone and iPod touch that work together to track your daily activity, sleep patterns, and eating habits helping you live a healthier life. UP, originally previewed at TED Global, also integrates a social experience and open content platform to motivate you with personal and team challenges tailored to help you achieve your goals. It costs 99.99. So do you all want one? Are you going to get one? What are your thoughts?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my YouPick: 10 under $25 giveaway before Monday afternoon!

You Pick Giveaway: 10 Under 25

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Good Morning, dear readers! Welcome to the inaugural You Pick Giveaway. I select 10 of my favorite products under $25, you leave a comment letting me know which product you'd love to make yours and if you are the winner, I'll have it sent to you. See bottom of post for product info and links.

The Giveaway will run until Monday 11/7, 5 PM CST, at which point a winner will be chosen and announced the following day. More ways to win: Post a link to the giveaway on FB and add an entry to the comments. Post a link on Twitter and reference @BenignObjects for another entry in the comments. So you can potentially enter your name three times. :)

Please make sure I have a way to contact you in order to get your shipping address. I will have the product shipped directly to you. Due to the nature of this giveaway, there can be no refunds or exchanges given.

The goods: Assorted Lucia Soaps from Burke Deco.com; Palomar's Crumpled City Map from A + R Store; Alphabet Tote from Village; Face Mug from Uncommon Goods; Noble Handcrafted Tahitian Vanilla Bean & Chamomile Blossom Matured Maple Syrup from Mikuni Wild Harvest (teaser: this beautiful packaging will be featured in my upcoming book out August 2010!); Vintage Camera Pencil Sharpener from Fred Flare; DIY Moss and Lichen Terrarium Kit from Etsy seller Teresa's Plants and More Store; Knit 13" Laptop Case from Urban Outfitters; Wooden Perpetual Calendar from West Elm; Equestrian Polo Necklace from Etsy Seller (and personal fave) Contrary.

**Please note: I have not been paid by any of these fine companies to promote their products, I just pick the things I like (or, more aptly, would like to own myself).**

On the Drafting Table & Giveaway news

2011-11-01T08:09:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share some new designs I'm working on. Sometimes it gets a little lonely designing by myself so maybe you guys can act as my colleagues and let me know what you think about the designs, fonts, colors, etc.

***Also, I'm super excited to do a awesome give away tomorrow, so please stop by. I won't say too much else except that the winner will have LOTS of options. See you tomorrow!***