Rethinking the Look of Things No. 65 - Tattoos

If my kids saw my browser search history lately they might get a bit worried about Mom because the word "tattoo" would show up in excess. Ever since I came across the Dan Gold tattooed leather chair (see my blogpost "Gotta Love No. 56 - Skulls & Tattoos") I've been distracted by the idea of tattooed leather home decor. Just how could this be tastefully integrated into high end design? Well, hello my fellow idealists! 

Meet P. Tendercool, a bespoke handmade furniture company that tattooed the leatherback of one of their side chairs with inked serpentes. Go ahead and stare, I know I did. Then I thought let's take that idea and transform some so-so leather toss pillows with some ink. A leather round bolster is the perfect canvas for the art of a tattooist. 

Meet Oliver Sweeney, a tattooist who takes the canvas of British men's shoemakers and tells a story in tattoo art on the leather finery. What more perfect shoe for the groom than a pair that boosts a tattoo that says "My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me". Love the shoe. Translation to our home - forget the black and white typographic wall hanging - put this bit of sweetness on a tattooed leather kidney pillow and add it to the favorite chair.

And Oliver Sweeney's custom Ben & Jerry's tattooed flavor list? Totally need tattooed on a leather barstool in the kitchen. Then how about your favorite drink recipes tattooed on the inside backs of leather barstools at your home bar? Yes!

Just how far will one go? I mean one either has no tattoos but stares in wonder at them. (Ahem, that's me!) Or one dips their toes in the tattoo pool and gets a small one tucked in a secret spot. Or there are the ones that jump full body into the art of tattoo. In home design - let's keep it a toe dipper version. Tattoo art in home design - less is more in this blogger's opinion.

Meet Article.com who handed over a leather ottoman to their local tattooist and received back a convo piece for the home. 

The stunning art of embossed leather has been an element in home design - let's shift and rethink the look of things and consider tattooed leather elements in our home.

Once you start rethinking the look of things - in this case tattoos in home design - it blows your mind. Ponder, delight in the possibilities, and then reign it all in and choose wisely. 

Sources: P. Tendercool, Article.com, Oliver Sweeney, Gessato, Red Bubble, Neiman Marcus, Etsy, The Fuller View

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 64 - Redefining the Easel

The easel, a word derived from the German language, is defined as a self supporting wooden frame for holding an artist's work. I'd like to redefine the easel as anything that supports art in our home. So it could be an actual easel or let's rethink it.

I love the use of a furniture piece as an redefined easel. This furniture piece can be one that the actual art is propped onto or; how about sitting beneath it,  supporting the art without even touching it? 

A bookshelf that supports the art piece inside or outside its shelving is brilliant! There is something about art being displayed in a manner other than just hanging it on the wall because it brings all the colors of the room together. Reconsider that art piece truly being unique by rethinking where it is placed. Think actual easel or think the definition of easel and find a supporting piece that holds the artist's work.

Interestingly, the word easel is a synonym for donkey. The beast of burden. Like a fine wine pairing, the art and its "easel" must be carefully thought out. Just as the artist studies his blank canvas on the easel so must the art owner study the perfect perch. Is it a settee? Is it a console table? Is it a chair? The supporting "frame" that hold the art has a burden to partner, but not steal the show.

Whatever you choose to support your art piece it almost becomes the period at the end of the sentence of meaning of the art. Or the exclamation point! The supporting role piece provides the quiet completion of the art.  

When one chooses to prop a art piece it provides for an interchanging of favorite art pieces of the same size. Allowing one to enjoy a "new" art piece up close and set apart for a time and then another holds its spot to start the process all over again.

How will you rethink the easel for your art piece? Be inspired!

Sources: Home Bunch, Remodelista, Room for Tuesday, Rustic Chic, Vicente Wolf, Veranda, Tumblr, Apartment Therapy, Domino, House Beautiful, Pinterest, Etsy