La Maison Fou

Thursday thumbprint...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:11:02 PDT

Art

Art is a diverse range of human activities and the products of those activities; this article focuses primarily on the visual arts, which includes the creation of images or objects in fields including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual media.

Art has been characterized in terms of mimesis, expression, communication of emotion, or other values. During the Romantic period, art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science". Though the definition of what constitutes art is disputedand has changed over time, general descriptions mention an idea of human agency and creation through imaginative or technical skill.
The nature of art, and related concepts such as creativity and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics.

Wikipedia source of definition

___________________

Some of my now favorite aesthetics of the moment:

Recycled and reused custom art in typography, summer is in swing!

Sold.

Leslie Rowlands Interiors

Kevin Sloan art, which is whimsical and exotic subject matter

Reminds me of another favorite of mine;

the book is a must pancha tantra

A a little modern art.......

Who cannot help but think of Jackson Pollack when the term modern art comes to mind?

Here is a close up of an actual fly in the ointment in one of his larger than life original paintings.

MOMA

Claes Oldenburg

"No artist cooked up a tastier version of the primal Pop recipe than Claes Oldenburg did in New York in the late 1950s and early ’60s."

MOMA

Finally,

Isn't this exactly how you feel some days when the telemarketers continue to call even though you are on the no call list?

izismile.com

May Gifts galore

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:22:28 PDT

May

This month is full of beauty and many celebrations.

Graduation, weddings, spring arrivals and the mother of them all .....

MOTHERS DAY.

Recently, I had the opportunity to select and showcase some very unique and discriminative gifts and accessories from novica

NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites.

We work withNational Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place
to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market.

We have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry
and home decor items on our website.

The NOVICA line is comprised of many types of accessories for men and women, as well as unique decorative items and stylist and chic accessories and clothing items.

Unique gifts for men: http://unique-gifts.novica.com/mens/

Unique gifts for her: http://unique-gifts.novica.com/womens/gifts-for-her/jewelry/necklaces/

Cooking gifts: http://unique-gifts.novica.com/cooking-gifts/

Jewelry box gifts: http://unique-gifts.novica.com/jewelry-boxes/

My selections from NOVICA

Let me say that the presentation was just fabulous and each item came with a handwritten note and description card, wrapped in a very creative way.

The heart in love sculpture is made from recycled auto parts by Lima artist Miguel Mejia.
The attention to detail and the creative vibe is very apparent in Miguel's sculptures.
This smaller selection looks great as a paperweight or just an interesting item to add to your collection of unique and interesting art.

Miguel Mejia

"I had to go with my friend to meet the owner of the truck for which those parts were originally intended, and explain to him they were now part of a sculpture."

I love the simplicity of this sculpture and the recycled structure of this sculpture, it looks great on my desk.The heart is pierced by cupids arrow and is totally in love.

The second beauty is from designer Marilia Guimaraes who

"I try to give meaning to these materials by maximizing their forms, textures and translucency."

Leather wrap bracelet, 'Urban Ethnic Black

Marilia Guimaraes blends ethnic jewelry with urban trends for the design of this bracelet. Double cords of black leather are designed to wrap approximately three times around the wrist in a handcrafted bracelet that fastens with a nickel-plated.The clasp is also magnetic and looks very chic on the wrist.

The fluid and weighty leather straps are very artful and feminine while the magnetic clasp gives a bit of chic to the bracelet. A great choice for jeans or a night out with friends and family.

Finally, my daughter has a younger vibe and chose this leather wrap bracelet.

Hariyono encourages to "Live fully, love deeply and laugh often" in the trendy design of this wristband. The age-old saying is engraved on the wider part of the quality leather bracelet, which is designed to wrap twice around the wrist. Fastens with an iron snap button.

Such a sweet saying with very "buttery leather" and interesting wrap bracelet.For the young as well as the young at herat, as I too have borrowed this bracelet,many compliments!

This too came in a beautiful pouch with a description card and handwritten thank you note.

As each item is carefully packaged and selected by the artisan for it's beauty and simplicity.

We have now had our NOVICA items for several weeks and not only enjoying them immensely, but their beauty and simplicity compliment the person wearing the item.

______________________

Now, for the really exciting part of the NOVICA experience.

In order to spread the word about our new NOVICA
Curation effort - a feature that lets everyone create their own curated
collections of products, with the option to add mood shots from our ever
>growing image library - its like Pinterest… only more responsive, and all
for a great cause!

You can see what customers have curated here:http://www.novica.com/curation/

Collections and items are cleverly and creatively put together on curation boards while bringing awareness to the artisans and their handmade goods.

There are also prizes and contests at NOVICA through the curation boards.

I hope when you need a special gift this May you might look to the NOVICA website and send a handmade treasure to someone who is important to you.

Gift certificates are also available in various increments as well.

There’s a creative spark inside everyone, and armed with a NOVICA gallery, anyone can become a curator! As part of our community of art lovers, we’re sure you have a strong regard for the success of small artisans and their workshops around the world.

Happy Shopping!

Monday, rack it up.

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:46:04 PDT

Monday Bliss

Teal walls and leather in this living room.

Round top antlers in a basket from Holly Mathis Interiors.

These large antlers hung over the archway are from Charles Faudree.

A funkier version for this living room.

A traditional element used in so many different styles.

I am liking the paper mach / cast type these days.

Golden Gate

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:54:09 PDT

Enter.

In the Gray

E.D.

Pierre-Yovanovitch

A little golden glam has been on my mind these dayz.

Stone cold..... but cool.

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:19:22 PDT

Marbleized.

A recent project has my head swimming with the possibilities when I saw this NYC bathroom done in Lonny magazine.

The walls are papered , not the real Mc Coy.

I think that I have some wallpapering in my near future.

I am also digging the black wall to the rear of the bathroom entrance, a gallery wall.

grayish luv...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:24:43 PDT

Greis

Light, dark, muddy, taupe, bleuish, lightly grayed,or sprinkled with a soft gray cast...

things are looking grey even on a sunny day.

I will have mine with a side of turquoise, pleeze!

Lovely light greyish walls with botanical's and a washed turquoise dresser on the side.

Image P

Sitting pretty & pink

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:11:15 PDT

Sssss.....

Spring has sprung in the entry way.....

Last May, while in NYC I spied these old vintage chicken coop feeders at ABC Carpet & Home which were lined with votive candles. I had found these aluminum cups at an estate sale this winter and filled them with pink and white carnations for spring.

Not to be overshadowed, this $3 modern chrome chair has been transformed into a slithery seat for a modern office space.

Once a red pleather and industrial upholstered mess, this modern desk chair was transformed into something for a more modern space.

A diamond in the rough so to speak, it only needed a little imagination to slither out of it's old skin and into something exotic.

Leslie Rowlands Interiors

Partners in crime..

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:43:39 PDT

There were two.

It is always a treat to capture someones love on canvas.

This time the subjects could not be farther from one another.

Beauty

Meet Miss Ruby

I only call her this because after meeting with her mother she said the same thing.

A perky little cocker spaniel with gorgeous color.

Brains

Meet Miss Hazel

Miss Hazel was a Schnauser mix who was highly intelligent and loved her sister, mommy and daddy.

This was a memoriam portrait of sweet Hazel, who lost her battle with cancer.

Hazel's mommy said she was intuitive and full of thoughts and spunk!

Then there was one, Miss Ruby is the queen of the castle these days, but mommy may be looking for a friend for Ruby. Mommy is a very dedicated volunteer to Going Home a local animal transport and relocation group.

Psst! Don't tell Ruby.

10 and counting!

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:31:10 PDT

a magic number

Wishing my partner in chaos and the best shop dog any artist can have.

Fully vested in the biz and you have come a long way, baby!

To many,many more.

Drabby Hues

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 07:02:02 PDT

Drabby & Comfy

Tall ceilings, dark moldings and shiny surfaces....

DPad by P

Back in the saddle, so to speak.

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:54:38 PDT

Breathe.

It has been a few posts ago, this really caught my eye and I love the end result.

I am seeing more of this lately when I think of R & R.

A place with new and vintage come together.

source unknown

Measure Up!

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:47:31 PDT

Gloom and Gray

The skies are full of raindrops and water puddles!

Not bad if you are wellie bound and looking for some puddles to pounce in!

A good day to treasure hunt and find and seek.....

Today's find:

Vintage surveyors ruler, fun and cool letters and no.'s

The middle section slides up to measure for highs and lows in the topography of the road.

Great patina and great signage

Leslie Rowlands Interiors

Spring Break March madness...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:13:28 PDT

Progress in person:

Kanyan Lewis

Stylist and HGTV star, his home via Anthology magazine here:

Anthology

This is the quirky and fun upstate NY home with all the twists and turns of unpredictability.

I love the unexpected and wit of this home.

Modern Americana at its finest with a little rock and roll to spice it up and make it unexpected

The flag in all its glory and the man in the felt hat..... responsible for all of the inner beauty

Global stand and placement of arrows in this room is an awesome staged room, very child like

Pics by Seth Smoot via Anthology magazine

Wednesday wonders...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:10:45 PDT

Wonderously witty...

Lord Berners paints a portrait of Mrs.Betjeman and her Arab pony at his home in Berkshire.

This photograph shows surreal filtering of into the real was captured by Michael Weeks in 1938.

Photo courtesy of OKL

Almost there....

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:53:43 PDT

Weekend in sight...

Great zig zag carpet from flor

thinking of how I luv these orange H boxes.

Manequins

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:30:03 PST

Wearable art

Some finds and some keeps from the weekend.

Neutral Palate

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:43:54 PST

Yummy Neutrals

A great little view with lots of interest and minimal color

Cold, with a chance of sunshine rays..

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:11:46 PST

Brutally cold.

It's officially wintery weather here and to keep the weekend going with much needed warmth

It seems as if the season has turned and old man winter is having fun with the seasonal changes

I am thinking full on parka is in order for the remains of the day!

Good weekend.

Friday Fun Day

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:49:36 PST

TGIF

LOVING THIS ARRANGEMENT OF LIGHTS,DARKS AND TEXTURES.

Loving the oldie but a goodie vignette from M.G.

Weekend in the making..

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:42:14 PST

It's almost here, already and once again

The Weekend.

Looking forward to lots of fun & finds!

Pics R.B. Flea Mkt

Winter weather,bring on the wellies!

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:40:39 PST

Pull up those bootstraps!

Rain is the big story of the day,turning to snow soon.

Oh, Happy Day!

Orkney Flwrs Pic

Sunday Styling.

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:19:30 PST

Sunday, the day of rest.

Styling a new acquisition from the weekend hunt for unique home accessories and items for the biz.

What started off as an adventure for adding unique items and pieces for my own home has turned into a venture for acquiring unique pieces and items for the home for unique and out of the box thinking clients.

I recently was asked to be a featured vendor in the 3rd Vintage Market Days in May 2013.

Check out the website and some past days and vendors pics from the previous events.

So excited for this event, and I am bringing some unique items for the weekend SALE.

Mark your calendars if you are local, it is sure to be a unique and exciting event!

Some elbow grease and a little goo be gone and this old rolling rack is on to a new lease in life and a new career as a pantry shelf on wheels!

It was first purchased for my studio but after further review it is going to move into our new pantry area this summah....so even if you do not have an exact place for a re purposes piece think functionality and what other ways something can be used for or re purposed for utilitarian usage.

The rack, freshly scrubbed and styling BEFORE.

The shelf is resting on the wall of my kitchen but will eventually reside in a pantry area.

A little addition of usable items and some textures make this rolling rack a new repurposed piece.

The wall has been a work in progress and a study in color and texture.

I am still playing around with the final finish.

The bread board have been picked up here and there, Green Giraffe II, TA Lorton ,Tulsa Flea Market

and River City Trading Post in Jenks.

While a wine connossier I am not, my better half has really been interested in and trying different merlots,cabs and is really enjoying South American malbecs.

The top of this aluminum rack was perfect for resting some bottles of wine.

I was also over the moon for this tag on the front of the rack, a great logo and visual impact.

More layers and textures for display

A lasting orchid after the blooms, as you can see I am also still pondering my fabric selection for the windows..however I have found a great local seamstress.....

this West Elm fabric is gray and whitish cream.

Loved the logo and colors of this scale and olive mortise and pedistal

This was a great KC Nell Hill's find, very sculptural.

The wall after the second window was added and yes there is an exposed beam and unfinished plastered walls, color is important and I am still thinking of my options.

Styling

fin

This was also another find, a feeding shallow pan.

Chocked full of spices and kitchen essentials.

The cow was a Targay find and houses that sweet Irish buttah.

No, those corks were not from the weekend, I am hoarding them for something special!

In recognition of Oscar night I could not help but include this pic of vintage style.

Life Magazine with A.H.

Have a great Sunday,

A little star struck...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:16:50 PST

The Hunt

Normally when you find a great book or decorative item the chances of actually seeing a designer in action are far and few between.

However, this afternoon Nate Berkus was browsing the aisles at RCTP http://www.facebook.com/pages/River-City-Trading-Post/128001817212558

Photo was courtesy of RCTP Rick Boyles vendor,my uncle and a fellow dealer at RCTP.

While in Tulsa,Oklahoma launching his new fabric line at our local Calico Corners store he spared

some time to rummage and hunt for a coveted treasure of sorts..

Mind you,his assistant took home a treasure and as for Nate, I am not sure on his treasure hunting but definitely he was in the know on antiques and junking local.

The newest postcard from the design cutting edge arrived the other day,

I knew there was something that drew me to this image.

Of course I was coveting the architecture, those details and the fabrics were intoxicating to say the

least......

Yes, Nate.

It seems like only yesterday when my friend Lori spied his new book,shared the coveted read.

I was engulfed for most of the Christmas holiday reading and studying the book.

Not only a great read but an eclectic and somewhat star struck array of celebrity and coveted interiors.

And now,fabrics and more greatness from Nate.

Hooray!

Of course you can peruse the pages of FB or go to the source at Calico Corners to see whats new and what there is to recover. Just in the nick of time..

So, I will leave you with a smile and an interesting office by none other than

Snow dayz...

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:19:25 PST

Finally.

Though school was still in session,between the flakes,ice and rain the weather managed to sprinkle the laws and flood the streets with snow and slush.

There is beauty in simplicity

We have been waiting for some white stuff and the past two days we got our fix!

For those of you who have followed the evolution there is something about cold weather and home improvements.......

Closing the gap, and changing up the entryway.

More to come, break out those wellies as the snow is a melting!

Floor Me!

noreply@blogger.com (La Maison Fou) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:32:01 PST

I have been floored!

Having art beneath ones feet is nothing new or even a rarity.

Painted floors have been in existence since the days of dawn, gracing those as far as the desert sand, to flooring across the pond, all the way from a California sun to a high rise on Park Avenue.

I was however a bit floored at the depth and layers of this stained completed floor with a numerous layer of color and textures.It literally is a work of art beneath your feet.

The magic is the way that the stain brings out the imperfections and only enhances the overall feel and look of the floor.

In the beginning stages this floor had your average bit of residue, a little bit of latex paint and some undetermined amount of "hunter green" undertone which showed itself on more than one occasion.

Yet, a little elbow grease and some etching and thorough cleaning and ta da!

After a thorough scrub and rub a dub dub;

Pretty in it's own right, bare bones and a nice clean scrubbed look.

Top it with a sealer and this could be your only investment.

If you are willing to roll the dice and you are a believer in something you may not be able to see until the end then this would be your next step;

A cola stain,layered with many coats for durability and color absorption.

WARNING:

Not for the faint of heart; must be able to believe in the concrete to work it's magic.

The cola infused floor with a wet coat of sealer.

Really a transformation with deep rich results.

This floor is kid & pet friendly just mop and go!

Loving this flooring option, I am thinking of the color choices.....

and where do I need some concrete?

Happy President Day.