The home office/studio of one of my favorite graphic designers/bloggers

Designer Fabien Barral's blog, Graphic Exchange, is always my go-to site for design inspiration when I'm starting a new project and feel a little bit of designer's block. He has a way of finding the most stunning work being produced in the graphic design world - especially when it comes to typography. It was no surprise really that his home office, which he shares with his wife in the countryside of France, is as equally inspiring.

Separate work stations provide lots of work surfaces, and in my humble opinion, one can never have too much surface area...

The plants are a nice touch... I have three in my space

One day I'll have space to have a separate table for pencil/ink/and paint, and a separate desk for my computer...

Make organizational tools like filing/storage that are out in the open pretty, and somehow visually cohesive - love these.

Lovely office right? I know I'm a bit jealous.  You may also know Barral from Harmonie-Intérieure, a home-decor stencil company that does some really unique wall stencils.  I did a post on them years ago.

images via Graphic Exchange

An amazing Etsy artist - the evocative nature photography of Nicholas Bell

I don't feature independent artists as much as I would like to.  But there's no time like the present, and I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the talented Nicholas Bell from Knoxville, TN.

His work really speaks to me because of it's sense of peace, isolation, and connectedness to our natural surroundings.  Check it out below:

I love the sense of quiet

These last two are my favorite - so beautiful


Pretty fantastic right?
Check out all of his work at his Etsy shop- Nicholas Bell Fine Art Photography.

Different and inspiring: Awesome Kitchens and Dining Rooms

GORGEOUS

Amazing floors, and I love all the artwork displayed in the kitchen

A nice mix of industrial and traditional

how awesome is the dining room in the library?

all images above via iVillage

another kitchen with a lot of art displayed...and I love the dark wood
via Pinterest

gotta love that "pop" of color the green dresser adds
via Adore Home

A home with simple beauty and understated elegance

It's hard to pull off humble/simple and elegant, but I think this home was successful. Check it out:

eclectic objects add warmth

dark purple is always chic

love how the books are displayed!

a spacious hall with a picture ledge

inspiration simply tacked on the wall keeps the space from being stuffy - and it's so cool how the images extend into the next room

fab. architectural elements

What do you think of this Australian home?

all photos © Richard Powers

Great giveaway for all you art lovers out there!

I have a really great and unique giveaway for you guys.  I haven’t held a giveaway since before I left for Spain, so I figured I’d make the return of the giveaways a really good one. 

The giveaway is a chance to win a framed print of your choosing from the carefully curated print collection at Thumbtack Press.  Thumbtack Press is an “online art enclave that exists to create a community of like-minded art enthusiasts,” and features some really talented artists.  The focus is illustration, which is very near and dear to my heart, as I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Illustration in 2006.  I even recognized names of fellow RISD grads and professors on the Thumbtack Press artist roster!

The new owner personally curates the collection and looks forward to expanding to even more genres in the future. In fact, be sure you visit again in June when they will be launching a new and improved Thumbtack Press site.

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on this post listing your favorite work/artist from the Thumbtack site (I really love the “Randomizer” feature which shows you an array of various artwork), and then make sure you “Like” Thumbtack Press on Facebook.  This is very important because they will be contacting the winner directly this way.  Click here to go to the Thumbtack Press Facebook page and “Like” them.

Below are a few works I really admired

“Born” by Gina Triplett

Ken Wong’s “Stay and I Will Love Thee”

I like anything octopus related..

Linzie Hunter’s  “Spam One-Liner’s: Happy Life”

“Amsterdam” by Matt Mills

“Tree of Joy” by Paul Barnes

Luis Melo’s “Empty Beach” 

You have until May 31, 6 PM EST to enter.  Don’t forget to both comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above "Labels" you will see a number followed by the word "comments." Click on the word "Comments." Or, you will see a link, "Post a Comment," which you click on to comment), and “Like" Thumbtack Press on Facebook.  Good luck!