Hirst at Tate

I really do need to focus more of my blog on art --of all kinds. There may be about one billion different forms of art, and every one's tastes are subjective. You'll see people at gallery openings saying, "WTF?" when the next person strolling by says, "Wow, that's amazing!"

While in the UK, I got my fill in Edinburgh of the masters...Italian Renaissance, Impressionists, etc. Some of these masterpieces took painstaking years to complete. While in London, I wanted to see the Tate Modern. It's an iconic art museum that had several headliner showings. We decided on Damien Hirst. Why? Well, it was a complete departure from what I'd normally view, and challenges you to think and see things differently.

First, I will say that I was disturbed by pretty much 99% of his exhibit. I do believe he is more of an exhibitionist than anything. I'll leave out the flies, rotting meat, severed animals suspended in liquid and cigarette butts. I couldn't look at half of those exhibits. His butterflies were another story...it truly blurs the lines of beauty and death. Hirst likes to draw out the fact that even under the most beautiful circumstances, death is inevitable. Morbid, yes. Challenging, yes.

Now, even though we weren't allowed to take photos, we snuck a few in. This is a mosaic piece made of all butterfly wings. It was mesmerizing. He even has wallpaper now in this print. The colors are soft, and what could be more beautiful than butterfly wings? Well, then you think that every wing came from what is now a dead butterfly. Hmm, maybe sad after all.

These poor people had no idea they were in the way:-)

Close up.

Looks exactly like stained glass, right? Nope, more butterfly wings. I was a little concerned about exactly where Mr. Hirst got all these precious wings. I did a little research and turns out PETA hasn't been thrilled with his work and is outraged. From what I know, Hirst hasn't provided any answer about how he obtains the butterfly wings (and I don't want to know about the other animals) -- specifically, whether they were killed for the sake of art or collected after they were already dead.

On a prettier note, here are two of his pieces at the Byblos Art Hotel. Amazingly, his wheel art on the right has no death or ugliness about it...it's just paint!!

Unique Wallcoverings

It seems walls are becoming art statements as of late, and they run the gamut from textured, painted, gold leafed, stone composite, watercolors, etc. Here are a few unique tastes.

Quartz geo stone type look.

Black Crow Studios Watercolor paper and canvas colorings.

This looks almost like an old patina that has slowly worn off over the years.

Maps used as wallpaper.

This textured rope/fabric wall looks like it was sewn together.

And, of course grasscloth, which is everywhere right now in all colors. This is by Philip Jeffries.

In the Mood for White & Navy

White & Navy Fall 2012 by gildedmint on Polyvore

I feel like I have been seeing a lot of rich blue/navy paired with white for interiors lately. So, I felt inspired to pull together a mood board living room based off a few photos.

Living Room #1

Living Room #2

Splurge vs Steal Nightstand

In addition to throw pillows, I hate spending money on lamps. I know some designs really require an investment, but really just a plain ceramic lamp with a brass bottom? Same with a nightstand in a certain draper style look, in white and with a height of at least 28"? You guessed it, I couldn't find anything close to what I wanted with this criteria within spending reason. Now, the Robert Abbey lamps aren't really that bad, but when you need two matching ones, it can be steep. The Jacqui nightstand, well, is way overpriced in my opinion. Let's start with a couple of rooms that inspired me:



Below were my Splurge and Steal picks for this look.

I went with my 'Steal' option and got pairs of both, saving me over $1,800! Six brass ring pulls from online and gold spray paint for the bottoms of my lamp completed the look.

 I get a lot of questions about what I use for my DIY projects. For gold, I highly recommend the Rust-Oleum Metallic brand. As with any metallic, I have learned to get a spray clear sealer as well to prevent any from rubbing off in the future.

My nightstand and lamp in soft whites. I like to be lulled to sleep...soft, serene...no bold colors so went with a very light room color scheme. I did matching sets on either side of my bed, but no full picture yet until I get my accent pillows picked out:-)

No White After Labor Day?

Although archaic and not applicable anymore, the adage of no white apparel after Labor Day still sends fear into many when they pick up those white jeans or slacks. So, what about interiors? It's not like you can just snap your fingers and swap out a shade for a room. Again, it's a stupid old saying in my mind, so here are some fab interiors in all white worth noticing with a little bit of my UK trip thrown in.

White walls, ceiling floor, rug and furnishings with a touch of blue in pillows.

Various shades of white for a very french country/cottage feel.

Don't fear, I'm not going to post 90 more white kitchen pics:-) I like the white lacquered floors here.

Dreamy Whites blog takes white throughout her cottage and farmhouse. Super pretty and warm

You would expect a bath to be white, but I like this vignette because it's classic, modern and pretty all at the same time.

Our hotel in London...the Hempel. All white and modern. 

The Lobby which they tint up at night in pink or purple with ambient lighting.

We had no idea when we booked Hempel, but their garden was the location for the wedding scene in Notting Hill.

 We were a little weirded out by our room I have to say. Super spacious and a suite, but we felt like we were on a space station with the massive doors and all white narrow halls.

White on white for their gallery downstairs. I knew I liked this place...think I need this for my office...or my house since my art has taken over the entire place at this point.

Indigo Lane

Just like fashion, there seems to be a new 'it' color for interiors popping up every change of season. With fall on tap, navy and indigo seem to be emerging in art, furniture colors, walls and fabric. I think it's the perfect color to swap in for the colder months without seeming dreary or too dark.

 Love this high gloss dresser.

Another dresser as featured in Rue Magazine. 

 Restoration Hardware is even ditching their subdued, dark French Country with a little indigo set against white and light wood.

"Viola" painting has a beautiful array of colors and indigo statement.

Via Traditional Home. A deep indigo upholstery and accents in rug and windo panels.

This Mod Undercurrent painting would be a perfect addition. Love the gold.

Hmm, that wallpaper is definitely inspiring a painting!

A House Beautiful makeover..check out the batik rug.

More Mint Please

Happy Sunday! Here are a few more wonderful interiors and baubles donning some mint:

I love the colors in this room...soft, peaceful with just a touch of color.

I love large bracelets with a geometric design and a little color.

Caitlin Creer Interiors.

Soft mint walls and fabric shade.

A darker mint applied to a console cabinet.

I am in love with these shoes with the gold heels and soles!

The brick in this room was painted with Benjamin Moore's Cool Mint 582.