Trying to Play Catch Up:: Happenings
I thought I would catch you all up on some images that have been in front of me lately. It is funny to me....June was one of the busiest months on the books....well at least since I turned in my book manuscript...but nevertheless, I feel like I am just now catching my breath. In the month of June, my son graduated from high school, I launched a new website, a hardware line, and a furniture collection....I helped plan and decorate for Gigi's 90th birthday party (which was a family reunion as well!), and then went on a week long vacation out to the Pacific Northwest. Any one..or two of those things would have made for a busy month....but all of it together was a bit much. However, it seems to be the way that I work best...although I am trying to work on really pacing myself and being even more intentional with my time. What seems to happen, is that I go really hard and push towards the finish...meet all the dead lines...walk away super satisfied....but am seriously ready to check out and not pick up a computer or paintbrush for the next three weeks!So, for all of you who have hung in there with me through the thick and thin (or completely invisible)...thank you. I see you, and I am so thankful for your presence.The "Only the Light Moves" collection, and all of the custom knobs are now listed on Knack's beautiful (and super user friendly) new website here!See you again soon...I promise!Cheers,Barb Blair
Only the Light Moves :: White Sideboard
There is always that piece that just grabs your heart and tugs...hard. Well, this was that piece for me. I created this piece for my Summer collection "Only the Light Moves" along with 8 other pieces of furniture...and it was truly a pleasure to create each and every piece. I try not to pick favorites, but it was hard not to favor this one due to the fact that this style of furniture is my favorite style of furniture to buy and paint, and the knobs are a design that I have had in my head for a while! It has been so cool to see the memories and visions come to life in the form of gorgeous handcrafted hardware!The knobs on this piece were designed by myself and local ceramic artist Jennifer Bedenbaugh of Crave Studios. I am really into indigo at the moment, but even more than that....this design was based off a lightning storm that my family and I watched out over the ocean while on vacation last Summer. The white is for the sand dunes, the indigo blue is for the ocean, and the gold is for the flashes of lightening that absolutely blew us away.So....yes...sometimes picking favorites is unavoidable, but I have to admit....that while my heart was overjoyed today as this lovely lady was loaded up and taken off to her amazing forever home....I had to swallow the lump in my throat. Gonna miss this frosty beauty!Now, I'm looking forward to the Fall/Winter collection which will launch the first week in November! I'm super excited about the designs and hardware for this collection!xo,Barb Blair
testing 123....hello?
15 projects, full page bleeds, real people's homes, lots and lots of gorgeous photographs by Paige French, and writings about home and what shaped and influenced my design ideas.I am so very excited about my new book "Furniture Makes the Room" which comes out this Spring!Are you ready?xo,Barb
knobs :: good vibes and great collaborations
My friend Lily and I have talked and dreamed about creating a ceramic knob line for years now....but timing and details did not come together... until last Fall. I had been thinking and thinking about what my next step in furniture would be, and where I wanted to head....and all of a sudden it hit me to pursue the knob line again. When that moment hit me, I became determined to not stop researching until I figured out all of the parts and pieces. It is a lot of work and time to get something new running and off the ground, but I am so glad that I pushed through and surrounded myself with talented friends in this venture because already it has been so rewarding. The time spent with my friends creating, literally made us giddy. We have all become so busy with our own businesses and families that we seldom have time to hang out and just create anymore. This project brought us all together again and it was truly a treasure.I love to collaborate with other artists in order to create truly unique furniture designs, and have done so before with Annie Koelle, and Eric Benjamin which resulted in incredible landscapes and statement pieces. I have come to prefer the texture of the oils and charcoals and exclusiveness of working with other talented artists. It all goes back to what is original, what is unique, what makes my work stand out and feel truly special and beautiful. No detail is ever not worth it to me and pulling out all the stops every time is my constant goal.After several conversations, meetings, many inspiration boards, and all of my crazy thoughts and ideas...and believe me there were lots.... we were off and running! In these photos, which were captured by the amazing Paige French, you will see the heart and soul that went into the details of this furniture knob collection. Jennifer Bedenbaugh of Crave, Lily Wikoff of Lily Pottery, and TJ Breil are the three artists that I chose to collaborate with for this first furniture collection called "Only the Light Moves" and I could not be happier with the results. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for these human beings that are just pure gems.Look for more and more as we lead up to our party on June 27th where we will celebrate the launch of our brand new website AND furniture collection "Only the Light Moves".Cheers,Barb
creativebug :: free pass
If you all have not checked out my classes on the creativebug site .....now is the time! Part 1 and Part 2 are available now...and in a few weeks Part 3 will release.. and it is all about wallpapering on furniture!There is a free pass promotion going on now, so click here and enter promo code SUMMER2015 to take advantage of the goodness! There are so many things to see and learn on the creativebug site! Fill your summer with creativity and make beautiful things!
forward :: growth
This says it all.They don't call them "growing pains" for nothing!There is beauty in safety....but not when it means staying still ....when you should move.xo,Barb
a magical day :: creating with the best
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of collaborating with some really amazing people! Rachel Faucett of Handmade Charlotte contacted me about a new paint line making its debut and wanted to know if I would paint and create with her! Would I EVER! Rachel is one of the most creative, energetic, hilarious, and generous people that I am privileged to know....and any chance I can get to spend time with her is A ok with me!You can read all about our day together here, and if you want the full scoop on the new paint line visit here for the tutorial and the deets!Head to your local Walmart to pick up some paint, and know that I painted this entire dresser with ONE bottle....which will cost you all of eight bucks! The clear wax is amazing too.....probably on of my favorite new products. It pours out and applies very much like a polyurethane! How cool is that!?Thank you Waverly, Plaid, Walmart, and Rachel Faucett for a super fun time.....and thank you Paige French for the amazing photography! (as always!)Have a great weekend!xo,Barb
the eyes are the window to the soul :: learn to see
image via pinterest
I ran across this quote recently and thought it was so good. It is so cool to have people in our lives who can see and hear beyond our words. People who see that the light has gone out of our eyes, people who can hear the difference between what we are saying and what we really want to say.It is also really cool to be THAT person. To be the person who can see and hear when those you love need extra hugs, words of affirmation, extra time, permission to be sad, a bag of groceries, a cup of coffee.......the truth spoken in love.....the days are fleeting, and only what we invest in others will truly last. Take the time to truly see others....to hear them...and to love them.xo,Barb