What We’ve Been Up To Around These Here Parts

Posted on November 8, 2010 by libbylu

It has been a busy week, here at the LU Graphics fort. My, my, my has it been busy. Here’s what’s new:

EIGHT stencils now available on Etsy! Go get ‘em!
Wholesale pricing now available! Fill out this form for more info or to receive a catalog.
Fall grand opening sale! Details below!

There is OH so much more to come. Things that get me so excited, I’ve given up sleep, and things so secretive and delicious, I’ve begun lowering my voice in public. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am!

Hop on board and take advantage of this very special and limited offer! I cannot WAIT to see what you do.

All the best,

Libby Unwin
Chief Pretty-Maker

GRAND OPENING SALE!

How would you like a 40% rebate on your most recent stencil order?
I thought you might be interested.

Here’s how it works:

Buy a stencil and use it somewhere. Apply for the rebate using the form link below. Tell me about yourself, the stencil you used, and where you used it. Upload a picture (or five) of your work. I’ll send back 40% of your purchase price. No kidding. That’s pretty much it.

Not bad, eh?

A few terms and conditions:

Pictures must be at least 800×600 (bigger is better), and taken with a digital camera, not a cell phone camera.
At least one picture must include the whole project, not just a portion of it. You can upload up to five pictures, so feel free to send different angles and portions of your project, so long as at least one picture is the whole thing.
By taking advantage of this offer, you agree to let me use your name (first name and last initial only), your location (state only) and your review for promotional purposes. If you have a website, I would be more than happy to link back to you.
One rebate per household/business.
Rebates come back to you via PayPal, no exceptions.
This offer applies only to stencils purchased during the month of November, 2010. Photo(s) and information must be submitted before January 31st, 2011.
Rebate will be given only upon approval of submitted photos and information. I reserve the right to refuse this rebate based on unacceptable, unusable, or incomplete images and/or information.
Email confirmation of rebate will be initiated within 10 days of receipt of acceptable photo(s) and information.
Custom stencil orders will receive a 15% rebate.
Does not apply to wholesale orders.

Ready to go? Fill out the form here.

Wednesday Words: Art Deco

Posted on November 3, 2010 by libbylu

Art Deco

The term “Art Deco” is derived from a 1925 exhibition in Paris, L’Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. This style of art was very popular in the 1920s and 30s and spread across all facets of the art world, including interior design and architecture.

Art Deco cashed in on sultry colors…

Red and Black Master Bedroom eclectic bedroom

eclectic bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

…working geometry into glamor.

Glamour Mirror from the 30s. Buena vista Deco eclectic entry

eclectic entry design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

The geometry that distinctly marks Art Deco lends itself well to glass work. Curves, bevels, and near-perfect symmetry.

Image via sunburststudio.com

From Designed in Glass

This is just awesome. Gotham City meets Art Deco. Reminds me of my early college years when I discovered Prisma Color markers. Art Deco was not only very geometric, but also mirrored shapes within each other, creating a layered effect.

The Chrysler Building in New York City is one of the finest examples of Art Deco in architecture. This has been my favorite building since I was a child (from the line in Annie, “…and if these floors don’t shine like the top of the Chrysler Building, your backside will! You understand?” Gotta love Carol Burnett. OK, let’s focus…). I had the privilege of working two blocks from this glorious place a few years ago and never got tired of walking by it twice a day. Built in 1928 and designed by William Van Allen, it was the tallest building in the world until 1931, when the Empire State Building was constructed. Notice the geometry, the repeated shapes-within-shapes effect, and the perfect symmetry.

Chrysler Building, New York City

Nothing gets my Art Deco-loving heart thumping like a walk through Radio City Music Hall. It is a feast for the eyes, and worth the $20 walking tour, if you’re ever in NYC (I had tears in my eyes the whole time; it’s overwhelming). And if you’re there for the holidays, check out the Rockettes, also a throwback to the 1920s (1925, to be exact). They do not disappoint. (As luck would have it, I also worked across the street from this Art Deco landmark. Swoon!)

Radio City Music Hall Grand Foyer

I find it odd that Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky is not associated with the Art Deco movement, although he was painting during this period and some of his art has a noticeable Art Deco influence.

"On White II" (Kandinsky 1923)

Such a glorious era. I could go on and on with images and music and history about this small span of 20-ish years. Very few time periods have left such a rich, wide and indelible mark on art’s history.

Fall Out of the Ordinary

Posted on November 1, 2010 by libbylu

When the warm weather leaves, warm colors arrive. Oranges roll into yellows and a tint of red is added to almost anything this time of year. Dressing up your home in these colors often screams “Fall!” and it doesn’t have to.

modern kitchen design by Seattle architect Rhodes (Architecture +Light)

You may have fall colors year-round without feeling like Halloween or Thanksgiving is right around the corner all the time.

Here in “Colorful Colorado”, we are blessed with blues, purples, and whites this time of year. It may just be a colorful segue into winter, but it gives us a small handful of softer hues to play with.

stayaspensnowmass.com

Inspiration isn’t hidden here. It explodes out of the earth in beautiful snow-capped mountains. As the air gets more crisp these next few months, all the colors of the landscape surrounding the mountains are defined by the white and sky-blue backgrounds.

rockymtnc4c.com

Libby Unwin Designs Featured in Better Homes & Gardens DIY Magazine!

Posted on October 20, 2010 by libbylu

I was shocked and honored when Alluminare contacted me and told me my patterns were featured in Better Homes And Gardens’ quarterly publication, Do It Yourself.

I am so incredibly humbled and grateful for the coverage and want to thank the editors and Better Homes And Gardens for including my patterns along with the amazing designs from Khristian Howell. I love the way they used the patterns!

You can find all the looks featured in Better Homes And Gardens at Alluminare.com

(I’d also like to point out that they used wall stencils to decorate this room!)

Baby Mine…

Posted on September 27, 2010 by libbylu

If you follow me on Twitter, you saw the big announcement: there is a small person on the way! This has inspired countless hours of brainstorming, researching and planning. For parenting tips? No. For pregnancy help? Nope. For decorating!

I began my hunt in my usual shopping places and noticed a few things:

99.9% of baby stuff is BROWN.
Baby stuff is very muted. Everything from Easter egg pastels to all shades of tan/beige/ecru.
Baby stuff is…babyish. To quote Stephanie Corfee, “I like a sophisticated nursery…an extension of the rest of your home. ” Animals with bubbly heads? No thanks.
If you’re having a girl, you have oodles of nursery decor options; if you’re having a boy (as I am), you have about 1/3 the options for bedding.

I took issue with all of the above, and determined I would make my own bedding (the defiant artist, of course). I wanted to be creative with the colors and theme, instead of pulling an insta-nursery out of a bag. I figured the only way to be creative was to do it all myself. I chose this pattern and colorway (currently available at Spoonflower.com):

I love the teal + baby blue + green + silver colorway. Then I realized: I’d have to sew. Like, everything. I can sew, my mom sews beautifully and taught me well, but frankly, it’s one of my least favorite things to do (and thus, probably won’t get done!). Isn’t that why God created glue guns?

While I was trying to come to grips with the massive amount of sewing in my future, my husband was searching for bedding as well. A little background: he builds model airplanes — the kind that are historically accurate and extensively detailed. On top of that, we both have a love for vintage. And what did Husband find? Vintage airplane baby bedding (I kid you not). The hunt is officially over!

I love the red + navy blue + sky blue + silver + dark yellow colors and the vintage flair. Way to go, Husband!

The nursery will not, however, be without a hefty bunch of DIY (I can’t help myself): Husband will be building several models to hang from the ceiling, and I’ll be building a Roman shade for the window. The furniture is white, the walls are a soft sky blue. I’ll probably add a red lamp and possibly a red rocking chair cushion for color punches. I’m looking around for posters of 1930s airplanes, I’d love to find a nice rug for the middle of the floor, too. Light, airy, but not too brown or too babyish. We’re excited.

And The Winner Is…

Posted on June 22, 2010 by libbylu

Billy Hobbs of Rogers, Arkansas! Billy won the Alluminare Design Challenge on Home Workshop! Congratulations, Billy!

Here is his winning pattern:

And this is how Christopher Lowell described it:

Depending on color choice, this could easily go from organic to pop art. Its range is calm and sensual or upbeat and highly graphic depending on chosen contrasts. I like its non-gender specific attitude. Its flow and movement give it a contained animation. Its soft, pod-in-water-like suggestion could integrate well into both global-organic modern, traditional and pop or young and hip spaces.

Billy will now be inducted into the league of World Class Designers on Alluminare.com. He also won a $300 gift certificate toward any of Alluminare’s fabulous products.

The runners-up were: Renata Rubim, Maria Cheek and Nicky Martin. Congratulations to all!

In light of recent developments, this post has changed to congratulate a new winner. I stand by Homeworkshop.com’s decision to adjust the outcome.

Time To Vote!

Posted on June 15, 2010 by libbylu

Have you voted in the Alluminare Design Challenge — Top Ten & Voting with Christopher Lowell? Well get yourself over there and do it! A new World Class Designer is soon to be named — have your say!

Alluminare Design Challenge

Posted on June 7, 2010 by libbylu

I am pleased, honored, thrilled, and completely beside myself with excitement at having been invited to be a judge in the Alluminare Design Challenge on Homeworkshop.com. 475 delicious patterns were submitted from around the world, and the one and only Mr. Christopher Lowell has narrowed them down to ten finalists. Keep an eye on Homeworkshop.com — within the next week, voting will begin and another designer will be inducted to the World Class Designers of Alluminare.com! Good luck to all!

New Pattern: Venice

Posted on May 4, 2010 by libbylu

While traveling through Venice last month, I was struck by the Islamic influence on the city’s architecture. Such lovely peaks and curves, so unique to that culture.