Design with your Heart

Hello, hello! I apologize for the recent sporadic posting here on Please Sir. This summer turned out to be busier than I anticipated and unfortunately real job responsibilities must come first. As much as I need a paycheck, I also continue to think about the quote above created by the talented (and super sweet) Suzanne Cabrera from an open [sketch]book. There must be truth in it, and I think Suzanne and I are determined to find it. I want to get my design groove back and start to create from within. As many of you know, it's so easy to get caught up in ruts and lose your creative focus. My hope is to find peace, truth and happiness along the way.

I know it's been crazy, but I hope you hang in there with me! In the meantime take in the wise words above and feel free to share your personal creative dilemmas and strives below. We could all use a little motivation!

Link - an open [sketch]book

TsuruBride

I have a big crush on the metallic leather accessories created by TsuruBride. The Orwell clutches are adorable, unique and make a great conversation piece to your outfit. Because sometimes the best accessory is an animal (faux of course)!

Link - TsuruBride found via DailyCandy

Lisa Sherry Interieurs

A post from Coco+Kelley led me to Lisa Sherry Interieurs, a North Carolina based interior design studio creating new visions for residential and commercial interiors. The owner, Lisa Sherry, spent years in the fashion photography industry as a set designer and photo stylist. Lisa's style has been aptly named Casual Luxe because of her beautiful interiors and unexpected touches.

Be inspired and try these key features in your home like:

1. A collage wall of collections. Add sculptural elements like classic candle holders or antlers to give the wall more dimension and interest.

2. Create calmness with a simple, neutral palette and edited accessories. Add your wow factor with antique and new objects, organic textures and a touch of glamour (hello pink satin headboard!).

3. Go dramatic in the bathroom with a fun and creative mural. Using monochromatic colors (example above - gray, cream, black and silver) will make the mural pop and keep it sophisticated.

I'm feeling very inspired by Lisa Sherry's work and I hope you do too...what will you try first?

Link - Lisa Sherry Interieurs

Dan Estabrook

Working exclusively in 19th century processes, Dan Estabrook produces intimate, yet compelling photographs that illustrate the beauty of long forgotten methods. The Anthropy Arts Photographer Series beautifully documents Estabrook's design process and evocative salt prints, which explore personal issues such as love, sex and death. The final results are more than photographic prints, but highly personal and engaging objects.

I find his work truly inspiring because there is a deep connection between his subject matter and photography process. Estabrook says, "I want to make it not so that my work is interesting printed in another method, but that it wouldn't make any sense at all if it were printed in another method." I'm such a want-to-try-everything personality, so it's refreshing to see a current photographer thrive in a specific medium such as historical photography printing. Estabrook understands what works for his vision, and that in itself is a talent that takes many artists years to accomplish.

Links - Dan Estabrook / Anthropy Arts Photographer Series Video

Spleth Cups

Artist Tom Spleth creates an array of unique cups made of porcelain and beautiful animal drawings. Each month he adds an animal to the list in order to complete an alphabet of animals sometime in the future. You can also personalize a cup by selecting one of ten different cup bottoms including a triangle, hexagon or fluted pentagon. Spleth's cups are non-toxic, dishwasher-microwave safe and provide happiness and intimacy to the daily act of drinking. I can't say enough about these charming cups...oh did I mention they are made in North Carolina?!

I'm partial to the alligator, but which animal would you start your collection with?

Link - Tom Spleth

Ethnic Finale: South America

Over the last two weeks we've explored ethnic fabrics and accents, and before our journey comes to an end I want to share with you where my ethnic curiosity started...South America. Several years ago my friend and I took a month long trip to Peru and Bolivia. Two blond-haired gringas in a foreign country filled with history, textiles and a little danger...yeah, it was pretty damn amazing. I came back with piles of fabrics, a TON of photographs and a new appreciation on life. I still have wondrous thoughts about my trip, and I hope you too can find ethnic and living inspiration in the selected photographs below...

From the vibrant color combinations and textural patterns...

to the architectural elements.

From the culture and people we embraced. By the way, the boat was completely made of reeds (including the islands!). Don't you want a rolled reed bench now?

To the new perspective gained from the Nazca Lines and mountainous farm land.

From the details found in boat necessities and spiritual rock stacks.

And of course, to the amazing sites we explored like the famous Machu Picchu.

Here's to embracing, discovering and adding ethnic inspiration into your daily life...