Spotted: Paul Villinski & Beer Can Butterflys

My sister called me after Monday's episode of Gossip Girl raving about the new bedroom that (most likely) Christina Tonkin created for Serena's new college bedroom (let's look over the obvious fact that this is NO college bedroom) and instead I want to bask in all that is wheat colored grasscloth, wainscotting, upholstered green and white fabric bedframes and the most noticeable thing... art by Paul Villinski, commissioned for Gossip Girl

Please excuse the TERRIBLE iphone shot of the TV on "pause." It kills me because it's not even the best view of the installation, but that damn DVR refused to stop on the best millisecond of screen time and the episode is not available, nor are any pictures on google -- it also kills me that the walls read as pink, because they are the most wonderful, inviting wheaty-gold.

When I first saw this particular piece, I was reminded of the artist Andy Goldsworthy. If you're familiar with his work, he uses materials in nature to create a pattern like this from found and natural objects. A few examples are below, but really, photographs are all that a person could take home because it's all temporary and created in the environment.


So when Villinski's artwork was shown on GG, I was totally bananas for something that uses this design on a wall and is 3-dimensional. I think artwork in residential homes is so predictable sometimes, but something like this, it's amazing. Seeing his portfolio, it's pretty incredible what he does with (drumroll) aluminum cans. Yup, he makes every one of these butterflys from our old D-coke cans, using some metal snips and a lot of filing.

Wouldn't this be amazing in a child's bedroom?

This one above is actually made from vinyl records

A similar application as to Gossip Girl, but the difference between how the two rooms read is amazing: one comes off as potentially a little cold, whereas GG's was totally warm and chic.

So there it is. My mind is already spinning as to how I could do something similar in a room, potentially on wood panel for portability. Of course it's not Paul Villinski, but then again, I'm no Serena Vanderwoodsen, maybe someday, right?

p.s. I'm going to keep a lookout for photos of the bedroom from Episode 3, season 4 and update this post in the future if something turns up. I'll keep you posted.

Mary McDonald - Statement Art

I love Mary McDonald.  She isn't a one-look designer.  She can do calm and serene or whimsical and bold.   I'm always amazed at her variety when I look at her portfolio.  Regardless of the look - it's always chic and comfortable.   

Right now I'm loving her commercial project,  The Luxe in Bel-Air.   The best part?  The art. She blew up black-and-white photos of shells and added a wash of sepia.  The result is unique and graphic yet warm and inviting.  It's a refreshing take on the usual black and white photo galleries associated with most boutique hotels.  

It's a great idea for a statement wall in your house.  Forget the black and white photo gallery and go for something with more impact.  

The best part is that you can create whatever you want.  Your kids, flowers, shoes, landscapes - whatever suits your fancy and your style. 

Start snapping.