The Beatles!

Great music. Fun and excitement. Hope and happiness. 

Love. 

Happy 50th anniversary of The Beatles' arrival in America. 

*****

jojharisun.tumblr.com

celloprints via Etsy

Sochi 2014

Today marks the opening day of the 2014 Olympics! To celebrate, we are featuring some official Olympic artwork that is actually inspired by the 1980 Moscow Olympics. These figures, each representing an Olympic sport, have been reimagined for the 2014 games with bright-colored patterns.

This Ski Jumper is our favorite. Doesn't he look like he is taking off?

Here are some other cuties. 

To learn more about this project, click here, and to see all of the pictograms, check out the Sochi Flickr site. 

Here's to a wonderful Olympic games...let's hope for lots of Gold!

*****

all images via Flickr

Heart Art

Love this very personal heart art. 

The Etsy site suggests doing this for couples, but wouldn't it be great with kids' fingerprints, too? Perfect for a sweet (and can never be replicated) Valentine's Day gift.

*****

Couples Valentine's Day Personalized Art by FlutterbyePrints

Counting My Lucky Stars

You know those days that start off incredibly productive, but then something ridiculous comes along to stop you in your tracks? Well, that very thing happened to me last night. I spent a busy day working, only to have my hard drive crash at the end of the day. Grrrr...so frustrating!

After an initial panic phase, followed by a yoga class, I'm in much better spirits and have put this little setback in perspective. This is not a tragedy. It will be OK. I am incredibly lucky.

So, while this might not be the post I originally intended, I can share with you a beautiful reminder of just how lucky we all are.

Wishing you a wonderful day! 

*****

Count Your Lucky Stars by The Lepolas via Keep Calm Gallery

Happy Birthday!

On this cold and snowy day, what better way to wish Mindy a happy birthday than by wishing for pretty flowers and springtime to come quickly!

Happy birthday, Mindy! Wishing you fun, fabulousness, flowers and warmth in the coming year!

*****

Meadow by Snow & Graham

Vintage Inspired Flash Cards

I am still in love with the idea of decorating with flash cards (see my posts here and here) and I just found the sweetest vintage-inspired flash card designs while shopping on Etsy last night.

From Gaddie + Tood, these flash cards feature the prettiest little illustrations. I love them the most in this gray color palette. And a touch of glitter is even an option!

Wouldn't these cards be so beautiful displayed in a nursery? They would make a great gift, too! Shop for them here. 

*****

Alphabet Vintage Flash Cards from Gaddie + Tood via Etsy

Abstract Art

I'm a big fan of abstract art. But art that looks like something I could do myself? Even better. Wouldn't something like this be fun to use as inspiration for your own masterpiece?

Found in the lobby at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, it would look great hanging above a couch or even above a low headboard.

The graphic quality and contrast between the light blue background and black is what first drew me to this but wouldn't it be lovely, too, if it was a little more subtle in, for example, a light gray and white combo?

*****

artist unknown
photos by The Pink Chalkbaord

Happiness

There is nothing like a new find from Etsy that can make my day. Case in point? This lovely hand-lettered print that is full of happiness.

Smile—and have a happy day!

*****

Pride and Prejudice Quote from Hey There. design via Etsy

Boden Ads as Art

Remember this post about using magazine ads as art? Boden's latest catalog had some beautiful pages that made me think of that.

Aren't the patterns pretty? They would look great with a photo cut out and placed over the text. Then simply frame the ad/photo and you'll have a unique, beautiful piece to add to your gallery wall!

*****

ads by Boden

The Type Collective

For all of you type lovers out there, boy have I got a treat for you. These type explorations turned art from The Type Collective.

There is so much design goodness here! Here is just a sampling...

You can view the entire project here. 

*****

all images via The Type Collective

Show Poster and Lettering by Alex Beltechi
Amazing Ideas by Koma Sinistro
Luck by Andrei Ograda
Nothing is truly simple by Alex Beltechi
No Sleep Till Brooklyn by TaseDan
Anno 1988 by Alex Beltechi
Don't Grow by Alex Beltechi

A Gallery Wall from Schoolhouse Electric

Have you seen the Fall 2013 catalog from Schoolhouse Electric?

It is so, so pretty! I just want to live in the world they have created. (You can check it out for yourself, here!)

Anyway, this spread in the catalog caught my attention because I am always looking to see how stylists create gallery walls. The options are endless and I like to see the things that other people choose to display together, and this one here works so well. 

I particularly love the "Let it Go" wall banner in the center. I have been eyeing this piece for awhile and love how it fits in here. 

Isn't it so simple and sweet? Check out these other wall banners from artist Ashley Brown Durand. 

I think these could be the perfect addition to a beautifully-styled gallery. 

*****

top three images via Schoolhouse Electric (featuring the Let it Go wall banner)

bottom three images from Secret Holiday Co. via Etsy 

Stay True

It's OK

Yes

Calendar as Art

Recently I was telling a friend of mine about one of my favorite ways to decorate walls – taking pages from a calendar, framing them, and grouping them together. I did this in my NYC apartment with a calendar of black and white photography of flowers. It was my mom's idea and it looked great. If you think about it, it makes sense – if the images are cohesive enough for a calendar, then they will be just as cohesive and look great side by side on the wall.

CB2 must agree with this train of thought, too. Check out these beautiful graphics taken from an original screen-print calendar by Philip Sachs and Amy Fierro.

The calendar is available for purchase as are the walnut frames shown here. Use the calendar in 2014 and then frame them afterwards. But hurry – the calendar is a CB2 Edition LMTD release of 150. They won't last for long!

The Curious ABCs

Have you heard of The Curious ABCs?

The Curious ABCs was created and illustrated by Kevin Lindberg as a way to teach his sons how to read. Equal parts artwork and learning tool, these ABCs are now available in a hardback book, an ipad app, and as prints for your home.

Click here to pledge to the kickstarter program and receive some great items in return!

Thanks to Christie for introducing this to me!

Not So Subliminal Art

Happy Friday! As you head into the weekend, I thought you might enjoy this little piece of art I spotted last night. I was reading a great article about the new Ace Hotel in London (decorated with lots of locally made, hand crafted objects), and this photo of one of the guest rooms caught my eye.

Do you see that little print on the far right side of the ledge?

It totally cracks me up! Not that I need any encouragement to spend money...but what an irreverent touch! Brilliant. 

You can see more of Ace Hotel's latest London outpost and their unique approach to hotel design here. 

Have a great weekend!

*****

images via AFAR Magazine

Finding Beauty

Inspired by this post, we thought it would be fun to start a new series on The Pink Chalkboard called Finding Beauty. Here is where we'll share the beautiful things that we stumble upon in our day-to-day travels. These images make us happy and we think you might enjoy them, too.

First up is this street art hanging in Philadelphia, just a block or two away from Brooklyn Flea Philly. I can't resist rainbow-colored art!

*****

image by The Pink Chalkboard

Dreamy Beach Scenes

The next best thing to going to the beach is staring at these dreamy paintings by artist Isca Greenfield-Sanders. Get carried away by her amazing portfolio here. 

Have a great weekend!

*****

all images by Isca Greenfield-Sanders

Five Swimmers

Body Surfer
Bather
Daytime Firework

House Portraits

My friend, Jamie, recently found this image and sent it to me.

Love! 

Talk about house proud, why not display your home on your wall? I totally want one of these and in my search, came up with a bunch of different options.

And then I saw this one that is my hands down favorite.

So well said!

*****

from top:
unknown
J Press Designs
Little House Shop
Rebekka Seale
The Art of Michelle

Rebekka Seale - A House is Made