By now you all know my love for pillows.....It has been a long love affair and I keep finding new and talented artists that make me so happy! Bryar Wolf is a local company in my town and Katie is the creative maker behind the company. I recently had a few African mud cloth pillows made for a client and it was such a joy being able to pick out what I wanted and get them handmade just for her..... oh, and one for me too :)
I love all the beautiful fabrics Katie uses from India to Africa. Her simplicity is eye candy and her sewing is beautiful. I was able to interview Katie and learn a little more about her and her craftsmanship. Please read on!
1. Hi Katie! Tell us a little about you....
My name is Katie Lipson. I was born in Toronto, Ontario. I moved around quite a bit until I met my husband in Bend, Oregon, where I call home now (and will forever!). I have always been obsessed with textiles from all over the world, and love to sew.
2. When did you start your company?
I started Bryar Wolf about 8 months ago.
3. Where do you get your design inspiration from?
I am constantly searching for new fabrics. It is a life long passion, and a bit of an addiction! Nothing like coming across something I haven't seen before! I also attend as many of the open markets I can which helps to see what is currently on trend.
4. Have you always been artistic?
For the most part yes. I have always loved creating! For a few years I was stuck in a corporate job (no fun) and I knew it was not for me. As soon as I got back to my artistic self and back to creating, I was back in my comfort zone.
5. Tell me three words to describe you!
Creative. Optimistic. Light.
My little Lucy is a big fan of our new pillow too!
Have a wonderful day darlings!
xo jennifer
Art...it is such a beautiful representation of beauty, emotions and wonder. I came across Kim Merritt through instagram and then realized something.....her sister's husband was one of my husband's best friends!! Isn't this world so tiny sometimes? And isn't she a beauty!?
As an artist, Kim has a beautiful, fresh and modern look with colors that will keep you looking. Her studio is adorable and I can picture her dreaming and painting away in this space. Take a look....
I Love the airy feel to her studio and the lovely green with fresh plants. What a great space to get creative. I asked Kim a few questions to get to know her and her style a bit and this is what she said.
1. When did you become interested in art and for how long have you been an artist?
When I was a kid I was always creating something. Making cards for people or decorating my room about every other week. When I was 14 I had my first private art lesson. I was curious about painting and had just received a watercolor set for Christmas. I took lessons for the rest of that year and loved every minute of it. I then pursed art in college and graduated with a BA in fine art.
2. Does your interior space reflect you as an artist? If so, how?
Yes, my friends always ask me to come decorate their homes for them. I have an equal passion for art and interior design, which makes sense because they relate so much to each other. I was into interiors at a young age, long before I was a painter. I spent a lot of time thinking up ideas and decorating my space. My home is never completely finished. I love that about my home because its changing with the seasons or what inspires me with my art.
3. What is your favorite type of medium to work with?
My first art lesson was with watercolors. Then later when I went to art school, I started painting with acrylic. I still like watercolor and also mixing in oil pastels into my artwork. Acrylic paint is so versatile which is what draws me to it. I love that it can be thick and textured or watered down like watercolors.
4. What inspires you?
When I am not working or painting, you can find me most days outside on walks or in the garden. I love decorating and reading interior magazines and books. I also have a passion for cooking and creating new, tasty recipes. When I am not at home, I love traveling, seeing new places and taking lots of photos.
5. What is your style in your home?
My style has treasures found on trips, scandinavian design, and a mix of rustic and modern elements. People often say they come to visit, that my home feels very peaceful.
6. Three words to describe you.
Imaginative.....Loyal.....Authentic
Isn't kim's work beautiful? I love her answers and her heart too. My kind of gal! She also is giving 15 percent of each painting sold to clean water. I LOVE IT!!! Please go visit her on instagram and her website and follow along on her beautiful journey.
Have a beautiful day darlings. Hope you have been inspired!
xo jennifer
Coveted Home is such a beautiful space and can I say I have never been in their store front! I so enjoy their instagram posts and I have browsed their website many times. Their colorful items are a mix of turkish rugs, weaved baskets, blankets, pillows and so many gift ideas you will swoon! They just opened up a new instagram page called shop coveted home where you can now purchase items straight from instagram. Last weekend I bought a rug from their pop up insta sale and I already have a new turkish rug in my kitchen! It is amazing how one beautiful item can change a space quickly. Please take a look! Of course, lucy loves it too.
I love how Coveted Home has made such a beautiful space not only in their store but online as well. Now that the internet has become the quickest and most convenient way to shop, it is pretty neat-o to still get that quaint eclectic feeling when shopping even if it is online! Here are a few of my favorite photos from their store recently...
Now if that isn't enough eye candy for you, go check them out here or on their two instagram pages here and here.
Have a fabulous weekend darlings!
xo jennifer
I adore art, especially when it comes to a good gallery wall. A darling wall can demonstrate character, texture and an overwhelming sense of prettiness. I recently gave a Love it styling gallery wall consult away on instagram. It has been fun finding the perfect images for this lovely new client and you can follow along the gallery board here on Pinterest.
Here are some of my favorite gallery walls thus far. Look at how they are styled, grouped and have an overall sense of meaning.
A little love wall in our home....
I have two gallery walls in my little bungalow and the one in our bedroom is my favorite. It has touches of stages of our life together, travel and meaning.
When doing a gallery wall it is up to you how you go about putting up your items. You can choose to display all your items on the floor ahead of time if there is space and then transfer the look up to your wall. You can measure or not, which I do the latter and it actually gives me more of the eclectic look I like. However, you might want a more precise look and cutting out paper of your images and putting it directly to your wall first to get the vision might be more your taste.
A gallery wall should be a fun experience, and a place that you will enjoy for years to come. If you have any questions are need help starting one, visit my Love it Styling section and shoot me an email.
Have a beautiful day darlings!
xo jennifer
A little spring birthday party was had at my bungalow awhile back and I thought it would be fun to share a bit how I enjoy throwing simple parties. Of course, it is always a party around here with my active boy, even though he was not present, his baseball bat made the photo!
I love to cook, but when it comes to simplifying I enjoy sourcing out to a local bakery when needed. I had a few friends that were gluten free, myself vegan and of course the lady of the day did not have any restrictions so I was able to get some extra yummy things for her. I had different types of tea and baked goodies and that is all we needed for a good time.
I adore my new sign by letter folk. It has come in handy so many times and I know a lot of parties are going to be seeing it! I also adore this little mouse and hedge hog from the first photo. These creatures from Target are seriously the cutest and such a simple touch to any party!
My happy birthday sign I found on etsy years ago, but if you look for handmade felt birthday signs you will find something similar. Another favorite party shop I love is Shop Sweet Lulu. They have such unique party finds and you will love browsing their sweet party selections.
On a total side note, I love colors and silly me likes to match my clothing with my home decor. I don't do it on purpose, but I did notice in the photo above some similarities in my dress and home. Do you tend to stir that way too? Or go totally opposite? My skirt was bought at one of my favorite store's is my town, Vanilla. It is a hip place with all different types of clothing and accessories and is online as well. When you have a party, even a simple small one, it is fun to wear something pretty!
Even lucy loo enjoyed the party and had a nibble at a baked good.
Enjoy your day darlings!
xo jennifer
I have a heart for small business and for pillows.....well maybe a slight addiction to pillows. They can seriously make a space look fab in an instant. A favorite girl of mine is Jody of Indie bungalow. Her style is fresh, on point and beautiful. The textile patterns she uses are just yummy and hip and I would take her whole store and put it in my bungalow if I could! I love how Indigo is being used in so many patterns and styles. So.much.fun.
Take a look....
Isn't her place fab too? A perfect spot to read, relax and soak it all in. Now go visit her here and have a wonderful day darlings!
xo jennifer
Our bungalow is an open floor plan and it is all new to me. If you are considering an open floor plan in your home here are a few of my thoughts.
- I love having a place for everything that I see when I walk through the door. All the beauty that I have accumulated throughout the years right there!
- I enjoy seeing my family and knowing what my kiddos are up to. It helps this mama out and the kids have no idea I am on mama watch when they are on their ipads.
- When I am cooking I get to look out past the living room into the outdoors with our big windows. Even though our space is small, it feels bigger with all the natural light we get.
- If you want privacy with an open floor plan, you must go to your bedroom to get that convenience. Depending on how you look at it, it can be a positive or negative.....I choose positive folks!
- Sometimes it can look like clutter if everything is out, the kids are playing and I am cooking. I have to remember that this is LIVING! So, I think it is more neat-o than not.
- I love color and seeing it in one big space makes me happy.
- I get to see my kiddos a lot, and as a mama who has struggled with infertility what a blessing it is!
My thoughts on bungalow living and an open floor plan. It has been such a fun challenge and I am grateful everyday we get to live like this for now!
Enjoy your day lovelies.
xo jennifer
Keeping it minimal.....have you ever had those thoughts running through your head? I must keep that, I must give that to someone in need...I need to throw that item out!!! I tend to lean on the side of cleaning out my closet on a regular basis, maybe too regular...
We moved from a 3500 sq foot home last July into a 1485 sq foot home. Keeping it minimal folks. I thought my husband was going to have a panic attack the first night in our new bungalow. I was beaming, smiling ear to ear and he was seriously thinking, this is unbelievable. We live in a town that has become popular, and in case more expensive to live. It was a blessing selling our larger home and we decided to live small and save, travel and be close to one another.....literally.
It has been such a fun challenge for me to keep things at a minimal. When I shop now I have to stop and think, do I really need that? Will it function in our home? Will it look cute, but drive anyone else in the family nuts? My husband is incredibly tolerable and has allowed me to be creative in our bungalow with everything and it has been such blessing for me.
Living small has its challenges.....but I am loving them. Whether you live in a large home, a cottage or an apartment take on the challenge! Look around and ask yourself, does this make me happy? Do I need this? What would make this space more functional? More unique? Start making things happen. Keeping it minimal is the goal and the ultimate goal is happiness.
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A piece of artwork given to me by my lovely husband....and of course lucy usually makes it into my photos!
A piece of art is an amazing way to change up a space. It can add a different look, texture and feel to the space without having to spend more and use your budget wisely. I have started switching out my art in my entryway to give it a fresh new look every month or so. Of course my wallpaper from Hygge and West makes this space look unique and inviting. I adore this company and if you are on the hunt for some fantastic wallpaper choices, go visit their site.
A piece of art can tell a thousand words. This painting was done by my grandpa when he was 11 years old. Yep, it is so remarkable as he became a world known scientist from the University of Washington. I love this piece and it has become a staple in our home.
I love how art can add a personal and meaningful touch to any home. If you don't have many pieces, be on the look out. Stores like etsy and minted are great places to start your art shopping. I love finding art from ones you know as well. I will be showing art from my precious daughter soon!
Have a lovely day darlings!
xo jennifer
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