Art + Interiors: Splendid Chaos [Robert Rauchenberg]

Ah Friday, and I am so glad it's here... I recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing The Head and the Heart's Charity Rose Thielen (details soon I promise!) and let me tell you, this girl has style. Our conversations left me utterly inspired so today I am featuring one of her favorite artists, Robert Rauchenberg. I have to say his work has not always been my cup of tea but something that Charity shared made me see his work in a whole new light...

When asked what inspires her, Charity's first response was REALITY. And I think that is exactly what is so intriguing about Rauchenberg's work. His mix of media, found objects and seemingly sporadic palettes are a perfect representation of everyday life's splendid chaos.  

I love Seattle for that very same reason, I am inspired daily by the gritty, organic, diverse culture all around me here. And by the amazing people it tends to attract.

"I think a painting is more like the real world if it's made out the real world." -Robert Rauschenberg



light, end tables and chair via South of Market, pillow wary meyers, rug fort street studios, accessories arteriors home, chair architonic



I love this mix of the elements. The cold metals against the unfinished wood, the hard angles against the uninhibited brush strokes, so much drama is created before any colors are even brought in. And it's the unexpected mix of it all that makes it a room with a story. Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Flower Power [Alexandra Valenti]

Happy Wednesday everyone! I am happy to say we are having some very welcome sunshine here in Seattle this week and it's getting me all excited for springtime! Unfortunately, we still have a few months until things start to bloom but these allover florals will do in the meantime.

photography via Alexandra Valenti, sofa via Anthropologie

Lounging around in cheery yellows and reds? Yes, please! Enjoy...

Working Girl...2.8.11

As most of you know, my life got a bit more hectic and a lot more exciting a few weeks ago when I landed a job with Seattle's Lifestyle Expert, Kelley Moore. There has been so much going on here (and in NY and LA) with projects, events and segments (watch Kelley on the Nate Berkus show) that I could not even begin to share it all with you here but I do have a little close-up of one of Kelley's gorgeous tablescapes in the middle of Bellevue square...

The challenge was to put together three tabletops using only items found in the Bellevue Collection to be on display for a month in the center of the mall. Each table is paired with a stunning piece of Art as well which of course I love. This was my favorite table with the layers upon layers of texture and gold, and the pop of pink in the flowers and menu cards were just the right finishing touch. Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Feeling (Happily) Blue [Mark Rothko]

I just picked up the most recent issue of House Beautiful and though it happens to be their pink issue, I was most taken by these stunningly unique Rock Finials by Hillary Thomas Designs. They give a burst of texture and color that is reminiscent of one of my favorite Mark Rothko paintings.

The allover saturation of aqua blue gives me a lift every time. Whether a huge print on your wall or a little topping on an otherwise neutral lamp, a daily dose of blue skies is a sure fire mood enhancer..Enjoy!

Ladybird: Lord Huron-The Stranger

For those of you in the midwest, this is a tribute to you and your winter wonderland. As a northwesterner we do not get blizzards or snow storms but once a year and our world shuts down, but i do feel a bit jealous that you get to make snow angels more than two days a year. stay safe, keep warm and enjoy this tribute to you!

Lord Huron is a new band out of Los Angles CA and their EP is wonderful. This beautiful video was shot in Michigan and has more of the feel of a movie than a music video. Lord Huron sounds like the music in my dreams, take a peek!

signing off ladybird

from top, abby blaine photography, lord huron video, qqueenofhearts.blogspot, daydream lilly, lord huron video, oh joy, coco+kelley

And as always a little inspiration to get you through those winter days...And coming this week, our exclusive interveiw with The Head and the Heart's own Charity Rose Thielen! Enjoy

Guest Post: FUJI FILES Art + Style [Bridget Riley]

Hi everyone! My name's Cristina and I write for a little blog called FujiFiles, and I'm a fellow coco+kelley contributor with Laura! I was so excited when Laura contacted me to do a guest post here, so I've jumped right in with artist Bridget Riley.

Riley's modernist works give me a bright, happy, retro feel, so I've put together a couple of looks that give me that same feeling!

 Pants, rings, shirt Netaporter, shoes & purse Asos, lipgloss Nars

This outfit includes a few of my favorite things, in a color palette I wouldn't typically think to put together. Pink, coral and cobalt are all so bold individually, I was inspired by the way Riley combined them in a such sophisticated way.

Shorts, hat, shoes Topshop, sunglasses & bag Asos, shirt Netaporter

With this outfit I was inspired by the sail-like shapes within the painting, so I pulled together a look that I'd love to wear on a stylish day out boating. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY: Strataflora's Tusk Earrings

Hi everyone! I am so excited to tell you that the much anticipated GIVEAWAY with Strataflora is finally here! As you know, Amy and I love to collaborate as we have such similar aesthetics and we wanted to do a little something to show all of our faithful readers our appreciation. We put our head's together and decided that the best way to give back would be with personalized gifts from each of us, so we're starting with these stunning tusk earrings handmade by Miss Strataflora herself.

These earrings are so quintessentially 'Love the Daylight' I absolutely love them. They are a little bit organic, a little bit glam. I have to say I seriously considered scrapping the giveaway and keeping these beauties for myself but instead we are randomly choosing one lucky winner, and all you have to do to enter is show your support. Leave a comment and/or follow this blog on either blogger, bloglovin' or twitter to enter, just click the buttons on the sidebar on the right, (or follow on all three for up to three entries!) then leave me a comment letting me know you've become a follower. We'll be accepting entries from now, February 3rd until Monday February 7th when we'll announce the winner. Make sure to check back and see if you are the lucky winner! Thank you for stopping by today, my gratitude is endless for each and every one of you.

Art + Interiors: Motherly Inspiration [Pol Ledent]

Today happens to be the birthday of my biggest inspiration of all, my Mother. I wanted to do a little tribute to her because, after all, any artistic skills and creativity I have, I inherited from her. She has always been a huge supporter of everything I do and encouraged me to do what I love. She put a paint brush in my hand, built me my first easel, helped me re-create my furniture year after year and painted murals on my walls. She introduced me to Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe and Monet. She taught me to be strong and independent and to live with grace and compassion. True inspiration.

My mother absolutely loves watercolors and paints beautifully in them herself, but what I particularly love about these works by Belgian painter Pol Ledent is that they are a perfect mix of our two styles. The earthy, delicate landscapes have a strong element of abstraction to them and that effervescent quality I adore.

lamp arteriors home, chair anthropologie, pillow west elm, wall decor zara home, coffee table hollywood at home, vases crate and barrel, lamp arteriors home

 And this is what it might look like if she and I were to live in an apartment together. Organic, rustic pieces mixed with traditional silhouettes and pops of color. Though that is not likely to happen, it's good to know that sometimes the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree...

I love you, Mom, Happy Birthday!

Ladybird: Warpaint - Undertow

Warpaint is a new to hit mainstream band from LA. What i love about this band is how they have morphed from clean LA look to grungy new york look; they call themselves "progressive brutal" which i have no idea what that means. undertow is one of my favorite songs from this band but the entire cd pulls me in. when watching countless interviews i cannot understand how this band can actually finish a song but maybe the extreem craziness of this band makes them even better. Finally a good girl band, thank you warpaint for bringing the grundge back

signing off ladybird

I have to admit I love grunge. Being that grunge was born is Seattle the trend has never really left here, an oversized flannel has been a staple in my wardrobe for as long as I can remember..is that bad?

photo 1 via fashion toast, art from top: Gerard Richter, Artofdecay, Sam Gilliam

There is just something about that gritty relaxed look that I love, and these works of art give off that same vibe. Of course now that I'm a working girl I don't get to rock this look all that much..Make sure to come back soon for a giveaway with Miss strataflora on Thursday, a guest post from Cristina of FUJI FILES on friday, and the debut of my new series, On the Job with Kelley Moore, see you soon!