Peter Max Fascination!

My fascination (...or maybe fixation is a much better word) with Peter Max and his artwork began when I was in high school.  My art teacher was giving us a lecture on how the art of Peter Max wasn't really "that good" and that we should strive for being so much better.

Of course, that peaked my curiosity and thus began the fascination.  Since that time I have slowly built up a collection of pieces.  Some are posters, others prints, yet others originals.

My first Peter Max was a poster that I purchased at the Washington DC celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Moon Landing in 1989.  I waited in the rain for his signature and after what seemed like hours, I finally got it.

The poster hung in my elementary classrooms for many years ... until we moved!  Years passed before I found it ... my daughter had taken it, framed it, and still has it now.

My next Max was from the Liberty series and was quite a bit more pricey than my $10 poster.  It was originally in a black frame, but, I had it reframed when I purchased the second one (below and right) from the series so that the two would match.

You might not think about Peter Max artwork and the bungalow style in terms of decorating.  You know, with the neon colors and what some consider to be the one-dimensionality of his work.   ... but, here's the result--different, quirky, and very "conversational!"

About three years ago, a traveling Max exhibit was scheduled for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.  I told myself NOT to even go to the reception--where there were pieces for sale and yes, Peter Max would be on hand to signed purchased pieces.  ... of course, I did go and this was the result:

This piece is from the Hearts series.  Do you see the lips with pink gloss?!  It now sits on top of a bookshelf in my home office.  ... and this is what Peter Max wrote on the back:

After purchasing the Hearts piece, we also purchased the commemorative poster of the event and had it framed.  The poster hangs next to another commemorative poster from the last time that Peter Max exhibited at the Tennessee Museum at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in the 1990s.  Both pieces are in the loft.

The last Max we purchased was found among a bunch of other posters and framed pieces at a local art gallery, The Arts Company.  We absolutely love this old poster because it is a commemoration of the Clinton/Gore gala in 1993--which we attended!!!

As a New Yorker living in Nashville, I found something that may be of interest to fellow N'villians...it seems that Peter will be unveiling a portrait of none other than Taylor Swift--this weekend! Here's a rendition (awesomely psychedelic, don't you think?) as well as a few news posts for your interest:

Taylor Swift Goes Pop Art With Peter Max

Celebrated Artist to Unveil Portrait of Taylor Swift

For more Max extravaganza and his glorious explosion and use of color, visit the web site at:  http://www.petermax.com/  

... you'll want to break out in ...all you  need is love...

...in search of another Max--somewhere, somehow!
 

Purple haze...

The Color Purple is currently on tour and this weekend it will be playing at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).   

I have seen the movie and look forward to the musical...but...I started to think of purple--all of the combined shades, and how this color can be incorporated into decorating.

The first thing that came to mind was purple in nature and how those colors can be integrated with paint colors, furniture coverings, and table displays.

With the impending spring weather (it must be coming soon), I looked in my iPhotos library of pictures searching for  "all things purple."  Many of the pictures were taken in our courtyard over the years or while we were traveling. 

 James K. Polk garden and Courtyard Lillies

Irises in the Courtyard

 Grapes in Napa Valley

Table arrangement at Samoset Resort in Maine

After a quick search, I found several great examples of decorating with purple. Here are a few from the HGTV site:

This is the color I painted a bathroom in our last house.  The half bath had cherry cabinets with brass fixtures.  I thought the room would look smaller with the dark color, but it made it actually appear to have more depth.

I also found that home items in different shades of purple are pretty popular!  Here are a few:

 Light Amethyst bedding from West Elm

Marimekko Saarni bedding from Crate and Barrel

Andrea low pile rug in purple and Tanja Broya duvet and pillows in purple from IKEA

It is quite possible that purple remains one of those colors that brings back quirky memories or maybe my affinity for purple comes from PeeDee, the East Carolina University mascot (1987, 1989 alum..., Go Pirates!) and the fact that I wore purple for about four years!

If you get a chance, read The Color Purple, or catch the musical if the tour comes to your city.

Thinking about the rich variations of purple and all of the possibilities makes me think about where I can incorporate a shade or two in a room, by adding textiles, planting in the courtyard, or even as a glaze for pottery!

As Jimi said, purple haze all in my brain...

Breakfast in the "burbs!"

We return to the "burbs" to check out a breakfast area that has organically evolved over the past six years.

The breakfast area in our current house is narrow and long and--like most breakfast areas--adjoins the kitchen.  Originally, the walls were painted in a neutral khacki.

When the house was being built, we asked the builder to install a real brick wall using the same bricks that were being used on the outside of the house.

Because the builder could not get an adequate amount of the first choice brick we ordered, we ended up with really cool reclaimed bricks in Georgetown pattern.The reclaimed bricks came from Alley Cassetty Brick Company. 

The brick wall in the breakfast area now became the focal point for the room--giving it more depth and an urban feel (...pretty cool for a suburban bungalow!).

My husband selected and ordered a mission style light that was installed above the table.

Next, I set out to find just the right color red paint for the walls.  After many bad attempts, I finally found a color that would not detract from the brick.  I selected Ralph Lauren Thoroughbred collection, Hunting Coat Red. 

Because of the narrowness of the breakfast area, I had to find a rectangular table and chairs.  I found a set at a local furniture company that was only $199.  The mission style dining set in dark ash seemed sturdy and well built for such a slo

But, after a year I thought I  needed more color!  So, I purchased four red leather pullman chairs from Pottery Barn--each costing twice as much as the original breakfast set...but they look great and added just the color needed to make things ... spicy!

Red leather pullman (above). 
For the floor - Crate and Barrel's Jupiter carpet for additional color (below).

Later I found placemats at Pier One that reflected the same circular pattern on the rug.  The plate in the center was thrown my by husband and it resembles the Japanese pattern called mishama.

I also added a small buffet to hold cookbooks and pottery.  The buffet is the same mission style as the table.  The wall color here looks much more pink than in "real life," but you can see how crazy any type of red paint can be by this picture!

And...the finished room...

We use several different types of dinnerware including red stoneware--no longer available from Pier One, PB White, and Sausilito in natural (Pottery Barn).

...and there you have it... breakfast in the "burbs!"