Artist Spotlight: Fine Art Jewelry & Metal Work by Kat Cole

One of the more exciting parts of my job at Interiors by Jacquin is having the opportunity to meet so many talented artists and designers. My recent studio visit at the home of artist Kat Cole has not only re-invigorated me, but also inspired me to bring you more behind the scenes artist interviews.

You will love the work of Kat Cole. She is a fine art jewelry designer and metalsmith creating work that uniquely mirrors the built environment. You will notice inspiration from industrial surroundings blended with Cole's colorful aesthetic. 

An enjoyable time chatting with contemporary jewelry artist Kat Cole in her plant filled home. 

'Boundary Lines Loop' necklace, steel, 2017. Kat Cole.

Kat Cole is currently a full-time studio artist based in Dallas, TX and is the co-founder of Jewelry Edition. She has been a presenter at Yuma Symposium and Craft Boston, she teaches workshops nationally and has exhibited internationally. You can watch our inspirational, on-camera interview at the end of this post. 

'Built #2' necklace, steel. 2016. Kat Cole.

(Left) 'Boundary Lines Shadow' necklace, steel, enamel. 2017. Kat Cole. 

(Right) 'Urban Color #2' necklace, steel, enamel. Kat Cole.

After admiring Kat Cole's jewelry design, we turned our attention to her amazing indoor garden!

Her one-of-a-kind work is sold online and in stores at Jewelry Edition as well as other retailers. You can find a full list of Kat Cole's jewelry retailers here. I look forward to adding Kat Cole's creations to my jewelry collection in the future! 

Kat Cole's stunning broaches were my favorite! I loved the originality, colors, and movement of the metal. (Above: 'Urban Color #1' broach, steel, enamel, 2017. Kat Cole.)

'Old Well' broach, steel, enamel, found object, rubber 2015, Kat Cole.

I had a lovely time chatting with contemporary metal artist Kat Cole in her plant filled home recently. It is always a bonus when you make a fabulous artist friend at the end of an interview! Follow Kat Cole on Instagram for further contemporary art inspiration.

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Entertaining with Style: Paper Ave parties with paper flowers!

It has been too long since our last Entertaining with Style feature! I am so glad to have more hosting and party inspiration for you, especially as we approach the holidays. Today creative business woman Donna Tran of Paper Ave shows us how she decorated her most recent party, a 2 year business anniversary celebration! Paper Ave is a company that sells artistically created crepe paper flowers as well as hosts fun flower making workshops. Here is a peek at her recent event. 

My name is Donna Tran-Corona and I am the artist and owner of Paper Ave, a business that specializes in colorful and cheerful handmade crepe paper flowers.  The business was officially established in October of 2015 as a side-hustle and after getting married and moving to Huntington Beach a year later, I decided to pursue the life of a creative entrepreneur full-time and what a ride it has been!

When my friend Deanna from Smoke and Brine Co. Warehouse reached out to me to teach a workshop at her new venue, we decided that it would be a ton of fun to celebrate Paper Ave's second birthday there by hosting a celebratory workshop to mark the occasion. Here's how I planned this exciting event!

Having a design background has really helped me be comfortable in working with colors and I definitely wanted to use bright colors to create a fun, colorful and festive environment. Our guests included long time college friends, new friends who I have met from past workshops (this was their 3rd one with me for a few of them!) and a few vendors who have been such a crucial support within my business. 

Each attendee at the Paper Ave workshop was provided with their own kit that included the templates, crepe paper, floral wire, vase, moss and additional supplies. Our paper flower kits are always packaged with a labor of love to make opening each kit an enjoyable experience on its own.

For party decor, a colorful bouquet with various handmade paper flowers including peonies, roses, dahlias, and little wildflowers were used as centerpieces, paired with white vases to allow the colorful flowers to pop. Custom cookies inspired by the workshop were made by Jennifer Tee based out in Irvine, CA and they were the cutest keepsake for everyone (almost too pretty to eat!).

What's a birthday party without some delicious bites and drinks along the way?  Deanna from Smoke & Brine. Co provided the most beautiful and colorful platter filled with various cheeses, fruits, and nuts and it was a perfect match with our DIY mimosa station (champagne, sparkling cider, orange juice and some fresh blueberries and raspberries). 

Loren of Four Things Paper provided the 'Gather and Graze' calligraphy signage as a beautiful backdrop for the food and drinks area. Some fresh florals and a number 2 gold balloon were used to celebrate the occasion as well. I also paired live greenery with my colorful paper flower hoops, which made a great backdrop for people to gather in front of for photos. This party was so much fun to put together and a great way to celebrate 2 years for Paper Ave!

Here are my top 10 tips for your next festive celebration:

1.  Don't be afraid to use colors!  Colors have always been an inspiration for me and I just think it can be used to create a fun, festive and happy environment!  There are many places to bring in color, from the centerpieces, decorations and food to name a few!

2. Simplicity goes a long way.  It also makes it easier for yourself, and cleaning up afterward as well!

3. Have a DIY drink station so people can control how much alcohol they'd like in their drink.  Also provide non-alcoholic alternatives.

4. When working with a colorful set of flowers for a centerpiece, use a contrasting lighter vase so that the flowers can really pop.  Wooden slabs can be used to help create levels for the various centerpieces.

5. Create name cards for guests so that groups can be seated together.

6. Decorative paper plates help provide a nice pop of color and makes clean-up a cinch as well.

7. Adding a touch of greenery by each setting makes a great decorative detail!

8. Grazing platters allow attendees to have something to nibble on throughout the event and party.  

9. Have a fun backdrop so guests have a place to take photos at. You can even assign a unique hashtag for social media so you can use it to look back on photos that your guests take!

10. Provide a fun and unique keepsake that guests can bring home with them.

Interested in having your next event or dinner party featured in our Entertaining with Style series? If so, email me with details of your event!

Paper Flowers: Paper Ave // Venue: Smoke & Brine Co. Warehouse // Grazing Platter: Smoke & Brine Co. // Calligraphy: Four Things Paper // Photography: Rachael Smith Photography // Custom Cookies: Jennifer Tee // Paper Plates: Harlow and Grey (purchased from Happily Ever Etched)

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Colorful Hand-Woven Furniture from 'A Rum Fellow' Design Studio

'A Rum Fellow' design studio project for a Soho Hotel, featuring their textiles on a custom headboard.

If you've been reading this blog for a while then you know that I love woven and embroidered accents, whether that's an amazing embroidered top or a truly unique piece of upholstered furniture showcasing a stunning woven design. A Rum Fellow design studio is crafting cutting edge woven and embroidered textile designs for furniture and home decor accessories, bringing contemporary energy to this traditional craft. I am loving their unique approach to upholstered furniture! Hand-weaving and embroidery is the key to making each piece of A Rum Fellow furniture feel truly special. 

Whaley Chair, Copii brocade and linen 

Kurt Olsen Lounge Chair #31

One of the best things about decorating with embroidered and hand-woven decor is that you can't go wrong whether you're selecting a bright and bold color palette or a more neutral palette. The textures in embroidered and woven designs pop regardless of the colors used, making even the most neutral embroidered designs shine. Check out this stunning neutral living room featuring a sofa upholstered in A Rum Fellow hand-woven textiles. 

A Rum Fellow design studio project for a Country Home. 

Brocade and ikat Kai Kristiansen Chairs

A Rum Fellow design studio project for Crosby Street Hotel.

I also can't get enough of A Rum Fellow's unique headboard designs, each featuring a different textile from their studio. However, my absolute favorite piece from A Rum Fellow is this amazing multicolored armchair designed for a home in Provence. A Rum Fellow is quickly becoming one of my (many) new favorite brands!

A Rum Fellow design studio project for a home in Provence.

A Rum Fellow is a London-based design studio founded by Caroline Lindsell and Dylan O'Shea focusing on hand-woven textile designs. This great team crafts textile and furniture designs that effortlessly blends the contemporary with heritage design, all from a unique global perspective.

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Ideas for Incorporating Color-block Painting at Home

Image via SF Girl By Bay

Color blocking is the visual style of pairing blocks of solid colors in often-unexpected ways. Color-block painting can be quirky, refreshing, and surprisingly luxe in an interior space. From Piet Mondrian’s primary-colored paintings to the emergence of 1960’s Mod fashion, color blocking has proved to be a lasting trend. Based on the concept of placing bold colors together for an eye-catching effect, this colorful technique is not only for fashion. Applying pops of color to your walls could be just what you need to invigorate your space.

Image via Vtwonen 

Image via Design meets Style

The color-blocking concept often brings to mind bright and contrasting hues, but the color and design possibilities are virtually limitless. Consider the whole spectrum of the color wheel; both saturated and toned-down hues can make a big impact. Pastel colors can breathe new life into a room, while a neutral shade can make an elegant, streamlined addition.

Image via Avenue Lifestyle

There is also a lot of room to play with shape and design. Large swaths of color can take the form of one painted wall, door, ceiling, or perhaps horizontally divide all your walls into two shades. Think about experimenting with diagonal and vertical lines as well for a dramatic emphasis. Playful geometric shapes such as circles and triangles are also an interesting design element, and achievable through the use of stencils and painter's tape. There are so many options to consider when decorating with color block painting, and the effect can be whatever you choose.

Image via Enter My Attic

Image via The Decoist

Make sure to incorporate objects in the room that mimic the color or shape of the color block painting, for a feeling of harmony and unity within the space. If you decide to go bold with a circular shape, other round or circular shaped elements will be pleasing to the eye and create a coherent flow.

Most importantly, think about the particular colors that bring you joy. Incorporating your favorite hues into your life space will put a smile on your face each time you enter your home.

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Artist Spotlight: Painter & Illustrator Christine Lindstrom

Artist Christine Lindstrom paints beautiful floral and abstract works of art for sale on her uplifting online boutique, Mai Autumn. Mai Autumn not only sells original artwork, but high quality giclée prints, stationery, home decor, and commissioned paintings, as well. Christine's lovely artwork will lift your spirits and beautify your home. 

"Whole", acrylic painting, Christine Lindstrom (2011) 

"Bloom", painting by Christine Lindstrom 

Christine's painting "Bloom" happens to be one of my favorites (see above). It's just the kind of painting I'd like to have around to cheer me up. Christine has this bold floral painting available on throw pillows, wall tapestries, and other home decor items, so it's easy to introduce this vibrant painting and others into your home. You can shop Christine Lindstrom's throw pillows and tapestries through Society 6.

"Fall", watercolor painting, Christine Lindstrom 

 Shop Christine Lindstrom's artwork merchandise here!

Follow along on Christine Lindstrom's artistic journey through her Instagram page or visit her colorful online boutique, Mai Autumn. 

Catch up on the entire Artist Spotlight series here!

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Resort Style Decorating at Home

It's Monday and you're likely thinking about how much you could use a vacation. If you're like me, you're far to busy to disappear for a vacation whenever you need one, but there is a solution! Why not create a resort-style retreat at home? That way you can enjoy a little rest & relaxation in a beautifully decorated space ANYTIME! I've put together a stay-cation inspired e-design to get you motivated and inspired. You can shop all of these finds and create your own vacation destination at home. Just hover your cursor over the image and each individual item will be hyperlinked with a shopping tag for you to click. I am loving this new technology! Now it's easier than ever to beautify your home. 

And if you want to make it even easier, hire Interiors by Jacquin to decorate a space in your home for you. You can find more information on my e-design services here. 

Here's how it all comes together...

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I Spy... Colorful Marimekko!

From homewares to textiles to fashion, Finnish design house Marimekko always delivers a healthy dose of color, which I so often crave. This season, Marimekko shines yet again with their punchy home decor and bold designs at their recent Paris Fashion Week runway show (Spring/Summer 2016).  Enjoy a look at Marimekko's newest creations with this fab dose of color to brighten your day!

And here's a peek at some of Marimekko's previous collections, which are just as bright and whimsical. Each design has so much character on it's own, and as a collection.  I imagine that every Marimekko print has a unique and special back story, making each Marimekko piece more curious and desirable, especially for those of us on the hunt for truly unique gems. 

Head over to the Marimekko website to shop their fabulous, patterned creations.  They are sure to beautify your home and your closet!

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