Loving Lately: Oversized Art

Lately, I've been loving the look of oversized art.  Dramatic and grounding, big art plays a huge role in any room.  Take a look at a few of my favorite spaces featuring art on a grand scale.

Given the space, would you go big or go gallery?

Images:  1./2./3./4./5./6./7.

The Haas Brothers and the Ace Hotel Downtown LA

While at  Ace Hotel Downtown LA several weeks ago,  I took some photos of the random portraits that adorn the walls of its restaurant.  Adding to the hotel's eclectic visual mix, these sketches literally draw you in for a more intimate experience.  Twin Haas Brothers' mini murals serve as a reminder of  historical icons, music legends and political figures and they provide a reflective atmosphere that intermittently takes the focus off the [so cool looking] crowd of diners.  Take a look a some of my favorites images:

Apparently, ever so often the brothers come in to add a sketch or two.  How awesome would it be to see them work at it?

Found Art

Over the weekend, our son Max found an abstract watercolor that I had considered lost during our move to California almost 2 years ago. He actually uncovered it under our guest room bed.  I was super delighted at this discovery, even more so when I realized how good the piece looks in our new place.  Being in itself an amazing mid-century icon, it fits perfectly into our new home.  Take a look:

The Project Room: A Few New Things

One of the favorite rooms in our home is the Project Room (labelled so in the original 1953 architectural drawings we're fortunate to own).  It's the room we play games in, read, nap and watch TV.  To my surprise, I actually kept the built-in cabinetry in its original color:  Cherokee Red.   I'm enjoying the energy the color provides and all the fun accessorizing it allows.  Recently, I added a few things to the space:  an Asian print that fits perfectly in a little nook, a Peruvian throw, a bold patterned pillow and two floor lamps that flank each end of  our lived-in sofa.  

On another note,  I am quite overwhelmed by the amazing support that Cocoon Home Blog is receiving on Apartment Therapy's The Homies Awards.  Thank you so much for all your votes, and please keep  that positive energy flow going my way.

If you like my blog but haven't voted yet, please register here and then click here to cast your very appreciated vote! 

A Creative Collective

Friday night I was invited to participate in an artisan 'guild' meeting.  Craft artists, interior designers, architects, painters and entrepreneurs gathered to share their passions, professions, advice and creative expressions.  I felt honored to be among them.    It was the first time I  publicly introduced myself as a blogger and it felt really good to do so.  I also spoke to my experiences as an interior consultant and botanical designer and I found it liberating to speak "off the cuff" about what I do.

Looking forward to more meetings like this, where I can meet interesting people and broaden my social and professional networks.  Here are a few images from that evening:

Many thanks to ST for inviting me.