Tuesday, 20 October 2009

The Rebirth of the Botanical


Botanicals are all the rage these day but we've come a long way from the framed prints from Redoutes Roses we all had on our walls in the 80's. I must have framed hundreds of those pages for clients in every color and variety. Today, rather than perfect images of beautiful flowers the exotic and more interesting botanicals are getting the spotlight.





Bold colors or subtle hues are fine as long as the composition of the overall print is interesting. www.Panteek.com is a great source for antique botanicals. They have a very diverse selection.



I'm absolutely in love with these fantastic antique griege prints from Gutenburg.org. These would make a stunning statement in any room.


This years Kips Bay Show house was no exception with Bunny Williams placing this pair of vibrant botanical paintings front and center in her space.


The colors in these images are just breathtaking!



I'm in love with this entire artichoke series.

They are very reminiscent of Georgia O'Keffe's paintings


The brilliant mind behind these painting is Scottish born artist Sarah Graham.


She seems to be bringing new life and vitality to an age old art form that dates all the way back to the Egyptian culture. Her huge oversize charcoal drawings and paintings lend themselves to modern and traditional interiors alike. There is a universality to the natural subjects that she paints. I think we will be seeing a lot of her work in the future.



If you're looking for a readily available source for botanicals, purveyor of fine art and blogger extraordinaire Soicher~Marin is the place to go. They have a fresh take on the traditional form with these prints done in a light blue silhouette.



Or, check out my personal fave, these black and white reproductions of traditional colored prints.


If the real thing is more your style take a trip over to Velvet & Linen and read Brooke's post about preserved botanicals.


No matter what your style I think botanicals will always be a staple of the design trade. What amazes me is how one subject matter can be interpreted in so many unique and beautiful ways.

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Positive Thoughts for a Friend

Vicente & Me at the Fall World Market Center Reception

Please send some good thoughts and prayers to our blogging pal and all around nice guy, designer, Vicente Wolf who has been in the hospital for the past two weeks with a bad case of pneumonia. He blogs about it here but says he is on the mend although still in residence in the hospital.

You can send him a get well message here.

Monday, 12 October 2009

Book Giveaway ~ And The Winners Are..................

Paris Hotel Boutique

Thanks to everyone who enter the giveaway - I wish I had enough free books for everyone!

The three winners are:

#11 ~ Tonya Strong
#20 ~ Donna Cash
#56 ~ Shelia

Congratulations winners ~ Please email me at: jackie_vontobel@msn.com with your mailing address and I will send your new copy of The Design Directory of Bedding to you .

numbers generated on www.random.org

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

The Design Directory of Bedding ~ Giveaway!!


The books are here so it's time to give a few away to some lucky readers!

I'm giving away three copies so just subscribe to my blog and leave a comment about why you want my book, and you're eligible to win!

If you are already a subscriber please just leave a comment telling me why you want my book and you will be entered.

Winners will be announced on Monday.................Good Luck!

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Going Pink ~ Breast Cancer Awareness Month


In honor of breast cancer awareness month I am going pink in solidarity with other bloggers including the awareness ringleader Mrs Blandings and I'm showing off the first pics of my beautiful Pink Pagoda Pillows!!!!



They are so gorgeous, I wish you could see them in person. But you will be able to soon because the website is almost finished and ready to sell my new collection....



You'll be able to take home these beauties as well.


I love, love, love my peacocks. I am so happy with the way the pillows look. You have to see them to believe it.



Here are some of the fabrics ready to go. I hope to be able to go live with the site in a few days. Stay tuned for the big announcement...

See other "Pink" blogs here....

Wednesday, 30 September 2009