Watercolour Wednesday's: Shiny Floors

Last term my entire rendering class was done using watercolour, so I have a lot to show you! This week, I'm sharing a practice exercise we did based on page 21 of "Interior Design Illustrated: Marker and Watercolor Techniques" by Christina M. Scalise. This is one of my favourite books that I've had to buy for school.

I love the way this painting turned out and I really feel that the floors look successfully shiny (maybe even a little slippery!). Happy Wednesday.
xox

Term Four Final Project (& Tips for Creating your own Design Boards)

I did it! I survived my fourth project week.
This one was a big one - Each term more is expected of us as our knowledge base grows. I can't believe I'm officially 1/3 done my degree already. How time flies!
Today I thought I would share my final project and some tips for creating professional looking design boards (for all those fellow design students following my blog! xo)

 1. Be consistent. All of your boards should look exactly the same if you were to take all of your images off of them. I like to prepare my boards with a grey background (complimentary to almost anything & allows your work to shine) and a second pop of colour that goes with the scheme of my design. In this case a fresh, minty green.

2.Don't overcrowd your boards. It will overwhelm the viewer and look messy! Also, everything you put on your board should be mounted on a piece of foam core to create dimension and layers. Shout out to the lovely Steph Sterjovski- I used her picture as the perfect 'mint shopper' inspiration!

3. Your first board should always outline your design concept. Use a small group of images & the concept statement. I also like to highlight the three key words that illustrate the feeling I am trying to create with my design.

4. Use a title block at the bottom of each board with your name & class title, board title, and board number.

 5. Your renderings should be the stars of the show. They will pop more if they are surrounded by a black boarder.

 6. Try not to put all of your boards together in one day or by your eighth board things might start getting a little crooked and sloppy (see above ^).

 7. Always dress to match your boards. Just do it.

Warnings: Doing these boards is costly, time consuming, and will result in major 'designer bags'...and not the good kind of designer bags. I'm talking the ones under your eyes here people. Proof is in the pudding:

I'm very proud of how far I've come in one short year!! I can't imagine where I will be when I graduate. This week I am visiting my parents in Waterloo before term 5 starts on October 7th!
xoxo

Watercolor Wednesday: My Coffee Table

This week, I was inspired by my very own space! I think it's because I can't get enough of my new zebra. He is too perfect. Enjoy xo

Watercolor Wednesday

I've been slacking on Watercolor Wednesday the past few weeks and I've been missing it as a de-stresser. Lately I've been feeling very anxious and have been waking up with a sore jaw. Have any of you experienced this? I consulted Dr.Google (I know they advise against this but he gives such great diagnostics and usually leads one to believe they are dying of multiple ailments...I need this heads up!!) and apparently sore jaw in the morning means you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night. I do NOT like the sounds of that one bit. Hopefully the cottage this week will help me relax.

Anyways, I painted this on Monday and woke up considerably less sore on Tuesday. I've said it before, but painting really is a mind clearing process. While it's not a perfect painting, it is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Today's watercolor is inspired by a vignette from the amazingly fierce Kelly Wearstler. Girl kills it EVERY.DAMN.TIME. She is fearless in her designs, and I admire her so much.

Happy Hump Day lovelies!
xo

DIY Large Abstract Canvas

 

 Well guys, I said I would, and I did!

Last week I discussed how my beloved gold perfume prints felt out of scale above my couch. I either needed to add a third one, or do something large and abstract. I decided to go large and abstract, and I had so much fun painting this huge canvas (2'x4'). I didn't do any planning, just kind of put brush to canvas and let myself go.

If you're planning on trying this yourself my tips are: 1. Don't overthink it. 2. Stand back every once in awhile to see where you need more. 3. Choose a color scheme that will compliment your space.

I am so happy with the final result!

What do you think? Love or hate?

xox

Watercolor Wednesday: Pretty Living Room

 Today's painting is inspired by one of my favourite living room pictures. I fell in love with Alex from Things that Sparkle's living room when it was featured on The Everygirl a while back. It's so pretty! I love the balance and height that the pink candles and branches add & my favourite detail has got to be that pink ostrich feather pillow!

Hope you are all enjoying your week!
xo

Watercolor Wednesday: Perfume Display

Today I painted a feminine vignette, inspired by the home of Monika Hibbs. Her perfume bottle display is one of my all time favourites!

via the Glitter Guide

xoxo

Watercolor Wednesday's: Bookshelf Style

Last night I took a few quick minutes to paint this week's watercolor, inspired by my absolute fave room feature in my Design*Sponge at Home coffee table book.

Michelle Adams's entire apartment stole my heart, and I especially loved the way that she styled her bookshelf! If I ever flip my Expedit the other way, I will be using this picture as a styling guide.

And thank you for all the good lucks yesterday. In case you are wondering, the presentation went wonderfully and the design pitch was a success. I wish I could say more, but at this point it's still confidential! Your support means the world to me! xo

Watercolor Wednesdays: Glamorous Desk Vignette

Today's watercolor is inspired by one of my favourite images that I've seen floating around the internet lately. It feels so glamorous and layered and sophisticated and collected.
Does anybody know the original source?

Happy Wednesday!