Kafkaesque

"Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly."

Franz Kafka

Inspiration: Little Girl's Room

Fifi Lapin and Sonny Bunny Rabbit / Bespectacled Owl / Townscape / Garlands / Animals Print

Despite whatever pressure there is from various angles to give Beatrice an all out princess room? Not gonna happen. In fact, I don't even want her room to be overly girly. I want it to be sweet and simple with space and materials for her to be creative. I want her room to evolve along with her. Because hopefully, this is the room she grows up in- from toddler to child to teen!

Inspiration: Lounge

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So James will have a studio in the garage (which has been enclosed and finished as a 4th bedroom). It's really big and a little odd- perfect for a recording studio/creative space. I like the idea of a relaxed 70s feel, but it's ultimately up to James. He wants to have the walls red and I think this aesthetic would work just fine with nice warm walls.

Inspiration: Bedroom

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James and I have pretty much decided on the color story for our entire house. We aren't moving until April or May so we have time to paint. In the Master Bedroom, we know we want to have RED- probably on all the walls. I like the idea of using bold black and white patterns/prints in conjunction with natural textures such as woodgrain and fur. It should be daring and exciting, but also comfortable. 

via

*likes*

I really love tumblr because there is such a wealth of inspiration and humor. I know I'm behind the times and pinterest is where it's at. Whatever, though, because I still like tumblr. (Although I finally got invited to pinterest -thanks, Beth!!)

Mostly what I post on my tumblr is stuff I want to share with my baby sister, Emma. I hope she checks it regularly. ;)

This makes me laugh:

Blogs I Check Every Day for Colorful Inspiration

Dainty Squid: Kaylah is a pretty cat lady with ever-changing hair color and lots of collections and bright clothes. I love her pictures so much.

image via Dainty Squid Blog

loveelycia: Elycia is a very silly girl! She always makes me smile and she posts some great video tutorials!

image via loveelycia blog

Where The Lovely Things Are: I don't know much about Mallory, keeper of lovely things. But I do know this- She has GREAT taste. And SEVEN different tumblr blogs!

sfgirlbybay: There's always something inspiring here, usually household swoons. Victoria Smith is the girl behind all this visual goodness.

image via sfgirbybay blog

Cakies: Life with three adorable little girls and a bun in the oven. Wearing vintage, making all kinds of things from dollhouses to shoes, growing food for the family, married to her biggest crush- this mama is quite a force!

What are some that you love and you think I ought to check out? (Of course, my favorites list is much, much longer than this. These are just some tops for inspiration...)

Inspiration - Gymspiration

I am so inspired by the crazy teal color that fills our athletic club. There is also a great pink, but I couldn't get it to show up right in pictures. When I say inspired, I mean I've done a number of paintings based on the glory of this color and the geometric lines and shapes I've gotten used to seeing. It's nice to have paintings around the house reminding me to work out. :)

And that's only the ladies locker room. Thankfully, this athletic club retains the original style of the late 70s/early 80s. The machines have been updated (and the entrance/surveillance systems!), but not the colors. I am in love with the pinks and teals and yellows along side woodgrains, metallics and huge mirrors. An added bonus is how nice all the other members are!

Illustration Inspiration: A House Is A House For Me

This adorable book by Mary Ann Hoberman is illustrated by Betty Fraser. I think it is so cool. I want so many pages framed for the kids' room!

...and a house is a house for me!

What I'm Reading

and

I'm interested in Geisha as a subject for my art. Their floating worlds fascinates me. There is so much beauty and mystery, tradition and ceremony. And grace. I love that they leave a bit of skin bare on the backs of their necks to remind us that underneath all the makeup and costumes there is a flesh and blood woman.

Illustration Inspiration: Maurice Sendak

Everyone knows Where the Wild Things Are, but Sendak's oeuvre is so much vaster. Some of my personal faves are:

Outside Over There

Pierre I Don't Care 

and Chicken Soup with Rice.

Illustration Inspiration: Trina Schart Hyman

When I was Emma's age, this is what my imaginary life looked like and this is why I liked to draw...