Etsy Explorer: Hometown Love

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love living in Kansas City. I’m from a small town in central Illinois and I loved growing up there, but at this point in my life I’m so thankful that I live in a city like KC. There’s so much to do here: live concerts, festivals, sporting events, lots of shopping, and so many good restaurants and bars.

So if you love your hometown and/or your state as much as I do, why not express it in the form of some great art? Etsy has many amazing artists that have created some awesome prints in the form of map art, paper cutouts, skyline silhouettes, and much more. And if you don’t live in Kansas City, don’t worry: just about all of these shops have art for cities all across the country.

From top left: Missouri State Letterpress, Paper Parasol Press / Kansas City from Liberty Memorial, alibubba / Kansas City Skyline Watercolor Poster, Inkist Prints / Kansas City Map, Paper Finch Design / Kansas City, MO print, Albie Designs / KC Cut Out City Scape, Cropacature / Kansas City Print, Evelyn Henson / Missouri Map, Paper Finch Design / Union Station, Art by Joseph Dalton / Kansas City Travel Print, Just a Bit Outside

Which of these do you love? I’d be thrilled to have any of these in my home, but I think my favorite is is one by Albie Designs.

For a DIY option, check out my DIY State Love Art!

Etsy Explorer: Abstract Art

I’ve found that I’m really attracted to abstract art lately. I’ve never owned any abstract art; my favorite art in my house are my photography prints by Alicia Bock.  But I’m loving these colorful, free form paintings on Etsy.

"Laura" Canvas Print by Michelle Armas

“Wisteria” Original Abstract Painting by Jennifer Latimer

"Flower on wall 01" Giclee art print by siiso

“I had a dream” by Elena Art Studio

Original Abstract Painting by Linda Monfort

“Cool Sea” 4 by Ava Avadon

"Poppies Land” by Hina Sayani

What do you think about abstract art? Any favorites in this group?

Etsy Explorer: A Daily Dose of Inspiration

Hello friends. Today I’ve got a small case of the Mondays. I feel like I could lay on the couch and watch Downton Abbey all day (not that I’ve already watched three episodes in a row or anything). But with one of these cheerful inspirational prints around I might never succumb to the Mondays again.

Always Believe That Something Wonderful is about to Happen

The Best is Yet to Come

Bridesmaids

“So Very Happy”

Roald Dahl

Ayn Rand

Treat Yo Self

Etsy Explorer: Ron F#@*ing Swanson

Today I got an email from The Midland by AMC theater about their upcoming events, and I was pleasantly surprised that Mr. Nick Offerman, aka Ron Swanson from NBC’s Parks and Rec, will be performing in KC next month!  Parks and Rec is one of my favorite shows, and Ron Swanson is certainly one of its best characters. 

Apparently I’m not the only one that thinks so either.  Etsy is full of Swanson-themed merchandise, from posters to t-shirts to magnets and beyond.  Here are some of my favorites: 

“You had me at meat tornado”

                          DIY Ron Swanson cross-stich kit (because who wouldn’t want to            cross-stitch Ron Swanson’s face?)

“Never half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing”

The Swanson Pyramid of Greatness Tote

Cross-stitched tea towel, “Give me all the bacon and eggs you have”

Every single one of those items make me smile when I see it.  I think I have to go to Nick’s show.  Now I just need to convince the hubby to take me…

Etsy Explorer: ‘Merica

As you may have heard by now, tomorrow is election day.  I’ve got my fingers crossed for my favored candidate, but no matter who wins tomorrow, life in America will go on as usual.  If you want to show your love for America in your home here a few items from Etsy that should do the trick.  Hope to see everyone at the polls!

US Typographical Map

Chalkboard USA Map on Vinyl Decals

Hand Embroidered Map of USA

US Flag iPhone Case

Map Art Print on Paper

U.S. Love Map

USA Ornament Wreath

USA Love Print

US Postage Magnets

Original 1930’s Map of USA

It’s All About Balance

Every room needs to be balanced.  It creates a visually pleasing space and it makes us feel at ease and comfortable.  Rooms that feel “off” often lack this key principal of design. 

There are three different types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

Symmetrical balance is easy to spot.  You can draw a line down the middle of the room and each half will be the same.  Symmetrical balance is also called formal balance and it can make a room feel more formal. 

photo via House Beautiful

photo via Kelly Wearstler Interiors

Asymmetrical balance creates a feeling of equilibrium without being exactly the same.  This is done by using pieces of similar size and/or visual weight to balance each other within a room.  Asymmetrical balance is also referred to as informal balance.

Emily Henderson does asymmetry very well.  See how the TV stand balances out the sofa and the two chairs balance out the sliding glass doors across the room.

This room, also by Emily Henderson, features a great asymmetrical art wall.

The last type of balance is radial balance.  This is balance based on a circle.  Think of the spokes on a wagon wheel.  Radial balance is often seen as dining chairs and place settings around a round table in a dining room.

photo via Emily Henderson

photo via Kelly Wearstler Interiors

And that kids is your interior design lesson for the day. 

It will probably be your only lesson of the week as I will be busy studying for tests in both my interior design classes on Thursday.  I’ll try to be back on Friday with something fun! 

Wuv, Twue wuv

Today’s post is not at all related to design, but it is related to something I wuv very much: The Princess Bride.  The Princess Bride is my favorite movie of all time.  I was about five years old when I saw it for the first time and I’ve seen it approximately 347 times since then.  Just kidding, that’s obviously an over-exaggeration; the real number is probably 250.  I even made Ben go see it with me on the big screen for Valentine’s Day this year (best v-day ever!). 

The Princess Bride also happens to be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and there have been a lot of events and press to celebrate it.  Like this incredibly amazing reunion photo from Entertainment Weekly:

And this fun article about fun facts learned at last night’s 25th anniversary screening of the film.

EW has another longer article about the stories behind the movie here.

I would have loved to be at the live reading of The Princess Bride that took place last December in LA.  Paul Rudd read the part of Westley, Mindy Kaling read the part of Buttercup, and Cary Elwes (the original Westley) read the part of Prince Humperdink.

For those of you would love to take a piece of The Princess Bride home (other than buying the newly released Blue-Ray version), Etsy has some great items, like this sweet and simple print from AsYouWishPrinting

This cross stich kit from DisorderlyStiches cracks me up

 

And this Iocane Powder print is kind of awesome tooSo, my lovely readers, what do you love most about The Princess Bride?

Etsy Explorer: Design by Nick Morrison

I randomly came across Nick Morrison’s shop the other night when I was browsing Etsy and I am a fan.  He recreates posters inspired by movies, TV shows, and books in a modern, graphic way.  The posters are very simple but very effective.  Take a look at some of my favorites.

Aren’t they great?! His posters also happen to be buy 1, get 1 free right now if you’re interested in any of them.  Mallory, I could see these in your new movie room!

Etsy Explorer: Life’s a Beach

For anyone that’s spent the last two weeks in the 100+ degree heat like we have here in KC you know that summer is in full swing.  Summer means trips to the beach for a lot of people, but not for me this year.  That doesn’t mean I can’t experience a little bit of the laid back beach lifestyle at home though.  Here are some beach themed home décor items I rounded up on Etsy.  The thing about beach décor is that it can get really cheesy really quickly (think seashells glued to random crap), so I wouldn’t recommend decorating a room with more than one or two of these items unless you’re obviously going for a beach/nautical theme.  For source information or to view the item on Etsy just click on the pictures!