Posts from — June 2008

Some of you may be wondering where we are at this week. Jaime and I took the week off, the first time this year!!! My husband, Bart, is speaking at Kid Blast at Lake Guntersville, Alabama. We have had so much fun! The church has been so awesome and welcoming. It’s right on the lake too. Yesterday, we had the privilege of riding a jet ski out on the lake. I must say, it felt like we were kids again. Thanks to everyone at Lake Guntersville Church for having us. We had a BLAST!

Later, I will post some pictures that Bart and I took as we drove up and around the mountains here. The lake side homes are so gorgeous. I’m dreaming of retirement!!!

The Jeff Hindman Band worshipping and leading worship during Kid’s Blast. This guys are simply amazing. Have you heard them sing worship? We were blown away!

Okay, it took months before my husband Bart finally talked me into creating a blog. And he was right, I do love it. Jaime and I have met & gotten to know some amazing and very inspiring people because we entered into this crazy world of blogging.

Well, Bart did it again. “You need to join Twitter, you will love it!” “I need to join WHAT,” I said immediately.

So I checked it out… and guess what… he was right! I found some old friends I can now communicate with instantly. I found new friends and still finding new friends. It was so easy and took no time at all. And best of all, you don’t even have to be a techy to understand how to join.

Click here if you want to be in the know up to the second of what I’m up to. I’m going to get Jaime in on this too someday!!!

On another note…

What do you think of my chair? Jaime and I are constantly and maybe obsessively checking our local thrift stores, junk stores and flea markets for treasure. Jaime saw this on the side of the road awaiting the garbage truck. Seeing the hidden potential it had, of course she snatched it up just for me! I wish I had a picture of what it looked like originally. Just imagine dirty, crumbly and almost rotting away. Now it’s one of my favorite items in my home! Thanks Jaime!

We’ve shown you this mantel before, but now we can show you the whole room!

We did these walls for our client to give the room a warmer feel in the home. Her house is somewhat of an eclectic cottage style. This room was painted a cream and need a little boost, so we added a bruised faux effect on the walls.

As you can see, the adjoining walls are painted a dark brown, so the glaze on the walls helps to unify the open floor plan!

What do you think? Do you like the walls? Part II of this house is coming up this week, we’ll show you the kitchen cabinets and island!

Mondays are good again!

Monday just might be one of my favorite days of the week. Is that weird?

(1. Image courtesy of House Beautiful 2. Bags available at Cherella 3. Spot On dinnerware at FishsEddy)

I know, stereotypically, Monday’s are the worst day of the week. However, Jaime and I decided during our holiday break to take Monday’s off again. No, we aren’t slackers. But usually our job is pretty labor intensive and on the weekends we are too pooped to do the chores and errands we need to do. So we decided to make our Mondays available for that, and it has really helped our creative side of what we do.

This outdoor room I found over at House Beautiful is exactly what I would love in my back yard. Bart and I have been in our home for four years now, and we are just now getting to the outside decor and landscaping. Our backyard is pretty big, but very desert like. He finally agreed to build me the pergola I’ve been wanting over our patio , and the decorating ideas are just spewing out of me now! I cannot wait to be able to relax outside.

I saw this photo of this handmade bag and hung it on my inspiration board in my office. I had forgotten where I found it, and then my sister sent me a link to Cherella over the weekend. Isn’t this bag fabulous. Her fall line is so pretty as well, you must check it out.

Have you heard of Fishs Eddy? Oh my, artful dishes galore! The Spot On collection shown above is one of my favorites, but they have many many more different pieces with different designs to browse through and buy.

Okay, I’m creatively inspired now by all these pictures and products. Can’t wait to paint, paint, paint!

Coming up this week… Jaime and I have some pictures of a finished an eclectic cottage kitchen we can’t wait to share.

Yet another busy week for Off The Wall…

Jaime and I have been painting away on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, tub surrounds all the while building & painting frames and filling orders. Thank goodness it’s time for some weekend rest! Hopefully we will have some new pictures for your viewing pleasure next week of our faux work.

In the meantime…

Jen, a fabulous jewelry designer, has interviewed Jaime and I on her blog, JLC Studio. As a part of her Weekly Win It series, you could when one of our Zebra Table Top Frames. Click here to check it out. Hopefully you will enjoy the interview as well!

We also want to send Melissa over at The Inspired Room a big Thank You for featuring our shutters and garage door as a part of her post on Outdoor Rooms: Curb Appeal. Do you subscribe to her blog? Melissa has great daily reads on Authentic Living, wonderful decorating tips, and inspiring stories. If you stop by, be sure to tell her that Off The Wall sent you!

One of our daily blog must’s is PVE Design. I just love Patricia’s artwork. Her illustrations evoke a sense of childlike innocence and peacefulness. Her artwork is always sophisticated and beautiful. Even if you haven’t directly visited her website or blog, you may have seen her work elsewhere… she’s done many banners for some very popular blogs and designs for other companies.

Tell us a little about yourself & pve design.

About me, I am an artist, with a penchant for creating and inspiring an artful life. A mother of 3, master of one dog and CEO of my own home. Married to a wonderful man, type A guy! I am one of seven children, born and raised in Kentucky, moved to NY when I was 22 for a career in Fashion.

Five years after the birth of our twin sons (now 15) I chose to leave my glamorous fashion design career to focus on being a Mom and to also solve my passion for creating on my terms. I always have loved using my hands, and my career, although I loved it, I was getting further away from the physical act of creating. I was more of a director and had many people to give direction and to create product. I wanted to be more hands on at home and in my work. It did not take me long, before I began crafting, illustrating, painting and I began doing little jobs while my sons were sleeping, in school or even with them in tow. Everyone around me told me to open a shop but I knew of the long hours, the headaches and I wanted to reach a wider international audience.

The internet was the obvious choice to open a web site to showcase my design services. My work has traveled to far-flung places and I have made some incredible contacts. I am in hopes of getting a book out, a licensed line of fabrics and some products to help other artists reach for the stars. I believe in giving, in faith, in living a kind and spirited life.

Did you always know that you wanted to do this as a career?

Yes. Even my drawings from a young age were a clear sign for a career in Art or Design. I began college in Art Education and then switched to Fashion.

I still love teaching and have several private clients that bring me joy. I believe in sharing and inspiring others.

What inspires you?

Strength, Weakness, Courage, Kindness, Smiles, Life, Babies, Teachers,Yarn, Fabric, Buttons, Things, Flowers, Taste, Fashion,Friends, Family, A blank canvas, a vintage scarf, a butterfly…. Chic is where you find it. (Bonnie Cashin said that, and I think she was smart!)

Things call out to me and I gravitate towards finding beauty in everyday.

Attitude Gratitude!

Do you have a favorite piece that you have created? Why is it your favorite?

A favorite, that is tough, but I do have many. Like a parent always replies when one of many a child asks, “Am I your favorite?” A parent cannot love one more than the other. Love is abundant. I often feel less than satisfied with something I have created and then later look back and say, Wow, I made that. I say that about my children too!

What is your favorite quote?

Oh, I have many favorite quotes, but my favorite would be,

T’is the gift to be simple. t’is the gift to be true - A Shaker proverb. One of my favorite spots in the world is Shakertown in Kentucky.

Also, Do what you love, love what you do - My Father said this a lot. I am not sure where he heard it… but it is true.

How do you feel that being an artist has affected the way you view life?

e v e r y t h i n g!

Being an artist is honoring the unique way each of us view life. Artists need to share and inspire one another. Blogging does this across the miles, all viewpoints provide a unique and beautiful voice for the Universe.

If you could offer one thing to encourage or inspire a young person wondering how to live a meaningful life, what would you like to say?

Life is not about what you have, it is about being and giving and trusting that the Universe will provide for you. Share and give freely. Devote your time to a charity that you feel strongly about, take good care of your body and feed your soul with great art and books. Live a life of faith, one that you can stand alone and be humbled by. A simple humble life is of utmost importance for worldwide peace. Kindness and compassion can change the world.

It wasn’t hard at all to find inspiration this week. We had so much fun Friday working on our frames in the studio! I love when we are able to end the week that way… a fabulous creative high!

While surfing the web this weekend, I found these wonderful wine stoppers at Napa Style. Aren’t they fabulous?!?!? These are made from antique and vintage door knobs found at antique stores and flea markets. I want them all, of course.

I found this colorful gate door, designed by architect George Israel, at Southern Living . I love everything about it, from the design to the colors. Having a gate door like this is definitely a bold chose, but what a great way to set the tone for your home, if you dare!

I’m finding myself loving the orange and yellow color combination. It just shouts Summer! You can find this and many more summer wardrobes over at J.Crew.

So once again, I might just be the last person to know about an amazing designer and artist, Kim Parker. I actually have seen some of her work before, I just never knew who was behind the art that I was always drawn to and wanted in my home. Her colors are so vibrant and bold. She’s not afraid to be whimsical and bright!

Now with a new book, Kim Parker Home, she offers an inside view into her creative process. And if you are a visual person like I am, you will love the abundant photos throughout the book.

For some time, I have seen and loved her prints like this one. I just love the mix of colors and the whimsical/bohemian style of her work. And wouldn’t you know, this one is named after one of my favorite colors, Turquoise Garden.

So, as I was searching the web for this print, I found a bundle of little Kim Parker lovelies that I never even knew were available. And wouldn’t you know, I really am in need of them all!

Currently, I am in the process of redecorating my bedroom. Okay, I’ll be completely honest, I am always in the process of redecorating!

I have been on the look out for some colorful, artsy throw pillows to go on my new all white bedding. Are these not perfect? I think I will take several of each one!

But just wait, check out these beautiful rugs! I have been looking for a rug too. No… really! I may just have to wait on one of these, but can’t you just imagine walking on these gorgeous rugs every day?!?!? For more of Kim’s rug design, go on over to The Rug Company.

And just recently, Kim teamed up with Spode and introduced her new dinnerware collection. You can find these at your local Macy’s Department Store.

Have we shown you are new line of Cafe Stripe Trio Frames? We did several of these, introducing them to our customers at Arlington In April a few months ago. The first batch we did sold out immediately!

We created a striped version available in two different color options. Pictured above is my favorite, an intense chartreuse green, cream, brown, and a beautiful teal. Below, we have the Cafe Stripe Trio in brown, the perfect raspberry red, a great golden yellow, and the prettiest shade of green. Each frame has the charm of an old distressed piece of furniture that was found and saved! This frame includes three 5 x 5 frames, all available with hardware and glass.

If you like the frame, but need something a little less bold, go with our Solid Distressed Cafe Trio. Pictured below is black, however, this Solid Frame is available to be customized in a color you prefer for FREE!

Jaime and I have been completely swamped with kitchen cabinets. I’m excited to say that this morning, I am off to the studio to work on Frames!!! We have several orders to fill before next week is over. The Cafe Trio Frame has become very popular, so we will be making several of these little lovelies today! I can’t express to you how excited Jaime and I when we know we are headed to the studio specifically to work on our products. We are exhilarated beyond belief!

One of my all time favorite bloggers, Melissa of The Inspired Room is hosting a Drive By: Around The World this week. She has asked that we take some snap shots of homes, gardens and/or landscapes that we find inspiring and beautiful. I have seen Drive By posts before and always thought what a good idea, but this is my first time actually doing it for myself. I must admit, it was fun! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed doing it.

This house has to be one of my all time favorites in the Memphis area. You can actually find this on our portfolio on our website. This house used to belong to a builder that we do faux work for. Can you spot our work? Of course, the exterior doors. Isn’t the Spanish Style of this home just intoxicating?!?!?