Artful Interiors: The Power of Green

As you may or may not have noticed, I've been contributing to the brilliant design blog, Design for Mankind, curating 'Artful Interiors' for a while now and I wanted to share some of them with you here...and since I've pulled inspiration from the whole spectrum I thought I'd start with some pairings in one of my favorite feel good hues, mighty green...

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The color of female empowerment, green makes a room instantly fresh, modern and invigorating. I think I'll be painting my next thrift shop find in this happy hue...Enjoy!

Colored Daylight 11.15.11

Happy Tuesday my friends! Lately I've been gravitating towards teal and kelly green. [And when I say lately I mean this entire year] In fact it happens to be the main palette in my home and having painted a center wall in this deep teal, I'm thinking I need a bright green door to complete the transformation. It feels rich and decadent without feeling too feminine...

Yves Saint Laurent 1971 / Vogue UK

  coasters / shoes / pillow / earrings / clutch / bracelet / rain boots /chair

And always on the lookout, here are a few of my current favorites from around the web for dressing and living in this gorgeous color combo...Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Manic Malachite [Aili Schmeltz]

Happy Monday readers! I apologize for the lack of posts last week, I'm a bit buried in work right now but I just couldn't stand to stay away any longer. Blogging inspires me and is always a great way to rejuvenate and refocus when things are getting out of control for me. One artist in particular that has been on my radar and motivating me to create is Aili Schmeltz. Her mixed media works both flat and sculptural play with spacial boundaries in such an intriguing way...

art by Aili Schmeltz, rug via Martha Stewart The Crafts Dept.

 I just can't get enough of these acid bright greens right now. It's nature's palette with the volume turned way up, not to mention that green is a color of female empowerment. And this rug is blowing my mind. Believe it or not, it is made out of FELT. That's right, the crafting geniuses over at Martha Stewart have done it again. I'm thinking a spin on this idea might be a wonderful addition to my bedroom wall...now if only I could get some extra hours in the day...Enjoy!

Art + Interiors: Everyday Beauty [Paul Cezanne]

"We are all given 24 hours a day. It's the only fair thing; it's the only thing that's equal. It's up to us to determine what we do with those 24 hours. We can waste them, or we can choose to consistently fill them with good."

I sincerely believe that every day is a gift but we all know that with work, school, homework, commutes, or even when we just didn't get enough sleep, loving life can be a challenge. For me the work of Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne is a colorful reminder that beauty is everywhere and that everyday is what you make of it.

"Genius is the ability to renew one's emotions in daily experience"

-Paul Cezanne

"For an Impressionist to paint from Nature is not to paint the subject but to realize sensations" -Paul Cezanne

From top left, end table Arteriors, Wallpaper Architonic.com, vases Mermaid Hut, chair Arteriors, wallpaper Graham & Brown , end table Arteriors, chest Four Hands, chair CB2

This look is complete eclectic indulgence. I simply collected pieces that attracted me in a palette that energizes me. I love pulling from the hues of nature and turning up the volume a bit. The repetition of circles and squares ties the mix of pieces together for a look that is fun, lively and completely unique. Just what I need today for a little attitude adjustment :) Hope you enjoy!

Art + Interiors: An oldie but a goodie [Van Gogh + Kelly Wearstler]

It is hard to deny the influence that Van Gogh has had on the art world. He was not afraid of color, he was not afraid to paint what he saw rather than what he knew to be accurate, and most importantly for artists for years and years to come, he developed a style that was all his own.

I love the energy in his work. The fiercely bright colors in constant motion create an atmosphere that is both vibrant and alive.

Live in it...

There is one Interior Designer that for me possesses many of the same qualities as Van Gogh's work, the one and only, Kelly Wearstler. Much like Van Gogh, she has boldly developed a style that is all her own. She has paved the way for designers to use vivid colors, play with scale and contrast, and let their personality be expressed through a space. She also happens to decorate with as many shades of turquoise as Van Gogh painted with...

photos via http://www.kwid.com/

Greens, blues and yellows tend to be the palette of colors I live in so I would post up in these spaces any day. Though I've never been lucky enough to be in one, Wearstler's spaces seem to just envelope you in a work of art, and for me, that is what its all about. Enjoy!