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Daily Delight: Cicada Print

by Lili Zarghami June 3, 2013 8 Comments

Here’s something you’d quickly learn about me if we spent time together in the summer: I have an irrational fear of moths (butterflies are no friends, either). To say it’s embarrassing is a huge understatement. I’m a grown woman! These are small bugs! And this summer I’m trying to come to terms with yet another winged creature that is making its every-17-year curtain call on the east coast, the cicada.

I’m using artwork like this cicada print to inoculate myself. It’s pretty, aesthetically speaking. I can get behind those lovely geometric wings. Art nouveau jewelry helps, too. Throw in a little steampunk and I almost like these critters.

vintage cicada

The Nursery Files: Hanging a Gallery Wall

by Marianne Canada May 17, 2013 4 Comments

Now that we’re closing in on my due date, I’m ready to finish this nursery. The last big project I’m tackling is hanging the eclectic assortment of art I’ve been collecting (and in the case of this monogrammed string art, making) with this space in mind. Hanging a gallery art wall can look overwhelming, but it’s really a snap. Sherry and John over at Young House Love have some great tips for using newspaper templates when hanging a lot of art in a space. In the end, I laid out the artwork on the floor first and then eyeballed it on the wall. I think it turned out pretty great.

How to Hang a Gallery Style Art Wall

I was able to check one more project off my list this week, recovering the glider cushions. If you remember from this post, this glider had great lines but the dingy white cushions had to go. I knew that as soon as I spotted this modern fish-printed fabric that I had found the perfect pattern. My friend Emily’s mom (thank you Teresa!) made slipcovers for the existing cushions and boom! The glider looks brand new for just $30 in fabric costs.

Recovered Nursery Glider

Only a few more last-minute details and then I’m ready to unveil the finished room, not to mention ready to have a baby.

Catch up on The Nursery Files from the beginning:

Featured

Freebie Fridays: Win Original Art From The Tappan Collective

by Liz Gray April 5, 2013 59 Comments

Update: Congratulations to this month’s random winner, Van. Check back on May 3 for another great giveaway.

Now that spring has finally arrived, the time is right to shake up your decor. Along with new paint colors and spring cleaning to-dos, why not update your home by starting an original art collection? It’s easier than you think — and this month’s giveaway with affordable original art retailer The Tappan Collective can help.

The Tappan Collective founders Jordan Klein and Chelsea Neman started their company to make it easy for art lovers (and art newbies!) to easily find and buy original artwork from emerging artists. One lucky Design Happens reader will win their choice from the three original pieces featured in this post. Read on to enter for a chance to win.

Tappan Collective - Win Free Original Artwork

Chefchaouen 2 by Shay Spaniola

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ORIGINAL ART

Weekday Crafternoon: DIY Monogram String Art

by Marianne Canada April 2, 2013 8 Comments

I don’t know if you’ve caught on from my other posts, but I’m expecting a little boy in early summer, and nursery preparations are in full swing. Being a do-it-myself kind of girl, I’ve been thinking up craft projects for the nursery for weeks. I wanted to do something with the baby’s monogram that was a little unusual, and I finally thought of the perfect thing. Why not take straight-from-the-70′s string art and make it modern? I just love how it turned out:

What do you think? I love the graphic impact and can’t wait to hang it in the little guys room. It gives great texture and interest to a gallery wall and is definitely not just for a nursery.

DIY Monogram String Art on Weekday Crafternoon

Want to make your own piece of custom string art? You can download the letter template here. And as always, if you’ve missed any past episodes of Weekday Crafternoon you can find them all right here.

Daily Delight: Porcelain Popcorn With Gold Glaze

by Grant Dudley January 9, 2013 3 Comments

Porcelain popcorn, with a gold glaze? Say what? Say amazing! These sculptures are by LA-based artist Pae White.

Porcelain Popcorn

I would enjoy seeing what Pae could do with other tasty snacks as inspiration!

Daily Delight: Paris Trampoline Bridge

by Grant Dudley November 7, 2012 6 Comments

ArchTriumph is a competition in Paris that asks entrants to submit creative ways to cross the Seine River. Design firm Atelier Zündel Cristea came up with the idea of a fun, bouncy bridge. Though they only placed third in the competition, the idea takes top prize in my book.

Trampoline Bridge

Some naysayers think the bridge is a terrible idea (even dangerous). It probably is, but I can’t get bogged down in those details. I just want to bounce!

Daily Delight: Lucille Ball Duct Tape Art

by Grant Dudley September 20, 2012 5 Comments

If you haven’t heard, just this week I Love Lucy was voted the best television show of all time — beating out finalists Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, All in the Family and Cheers. Everyone clearly still loves Lucy!

In honor of the incomparable Lucille Ball, I’m showcasing this duct tape art piece of the comedienne (that’s right, this is all duct tape) from Etsy shop LivingColored.

MORE: DUCT TAPE IDEAS FROM DESIGN HAPPENS

Lucille Ball

What’s your favorite Lucy episode? Tell me in the comments below!

Daily Delight: Wall Graphics (That Change Under Light)

by Grant Dudley August 11, 2012 12 Comments

Ever hear of this? Me either!

Carnovsky for Blik

What will the kids think of next?

Daily Delight: Vintage Olympic Art

by Marianne Canada July 27, 2012 4 Comments

Today marks the opening of the 2012 London Olympics, and I don’t know about you, but I have Olympic fever. Feeding my obsession? This collection of vintage Olympic posters. Personally, I am charmed by this lady fencer in the Paris 1900 poster, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d go with this dizzying example from the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

1968 Olympics Mexico Poster

Designed by artist Lance Wyman, this poster marries traditional Aztec design with go-go ’60′s pop art. How about you? Do you have a favorite Olympic logo? Will you be watching the Opening Ceremonies tonight? I’ll be on the couch, popcorn in hand, waiting for that torch to enter the arena.

Daily Delight: Bread Spoons

by Marianne Canada July 20, 2012 11 Comments

This unique set of spoons is a project from design student Niels Datema. They aren’t currently in production, but I think they are kind of amazing. Why? Because each spoon is the exact measurement for an ingredient to make a classic loaf of bread.