Connecticut Cottages and Gardens: Paper Chase

I had so much fun working with Connecticut Cottages and Gardens to compile wall paper collections for a feature in the April 2015 issue.

I had so much fun working with Connecticut Cottages and Gardens to compile wall paper collections for a feature in the April 2015 issue.  Each collection is based on a specific palette but combines patterns and textures to show a range of possibilities.  I hope you’ll pick up a copy and let me know what you think!

Amy Aidinis Hirsch cover

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Spring Design Books

Design books are a great resource and something I love to collect.

Design books are a great resource and something I love to collect.  I am always keeping an eye out for new releases that might be full of inspiration.   While design books are an investment for me, they make great coffee table books for anyone interested in interior design.  Here are a few new books I can’t wait to browse through.

Windsor Smith, Homefront: Design for Modern Living

Windsor Smith Homefront

Charlotte Moss, Garden Inspirations

Charlotte Moss Garden Inspirations

Anouska Hempel, Ansouska Hempel

Anouska Hempel

Nicki Haslam, A Designer’s Life

Nicki Haslam A Designer's Life

 

Peter Gentenaar

Netherlands based artist Peter Gentenaar works with paper to create huge, undulating sculptures.

Peter GentenaarNetherlands based artist Peter Gentenaar works with paper to create huge, undulating sculptures.  These enormous, but delicate, sculptures grew from Peter’s initial work as a printmaker.  When working on engravings, he often found that commercial paper wasn’t thick enough for his engravings.  He then began to experiment with making his own paper and learned that by using a specific method of beating the pulp, creating sheets with thin ribs of bamboo, and then allowing the pulp to dry, the shrinking of the pulp pulls the bamboo ribs in such a way as to create these rolling, unique sculptures.  In developing his artistic process, Peter even built his own equipment to achieve the results he wanted.

Peter Gentenaar 12Peter Gentenaar 10Peter Gentenaar 5I love the free from element to Peter’s work.  The pieces remind me of sea creatures; very graceful and eloquent.  They have magnificent scale, but are delicate and feminine in a way that is really pretty.  The way color is integrated into the sculptures is just striking.

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Many of Peter’s sculptures are suspended from the ceiling; others are free standing or hung on a wall.  His work can be see all over Europe as well as in Abu Dhabi.  You can see more examples of his work on his website.

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Method Monday

Today’s Method Monday features a neutral scheme based on a grey palette.

Today’s Method Monday features a neutral scheme based on a grey palette.  I love this combination of fabrics and furnishings for the variety of textures.  The use of white elements brightens everything up and the overall feel is modern and sleek, but comfortable.

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