GALLERY WALLS - THIS OR THAT

If you have been considering adding a collection of photos, drawings, art, paintings or prints onto your wall, there are options for your look.  Either a an organized arrangement of different sized wall art or a very symmetrical no bending the rules version.

Today I bring you two little living rooms...both feel very fall.  Dark greens, browns, rich textures like velvet, suede, cane, patterns ... both feature gallery art walls behind classic sofas.  The wall above is a wonderful mix match of photos, prints and clearly collected items.  The living room below has a more tailored gallery wall with uniform framed botanical prints.

Which do you prefer...?  This or that?

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Source Unknown; Harper's Bazaar

ARTIST BRIAN WILLS & MY LIVING ROOM ART

Untitled Brian Wills art in my living room! (above)

When I put up photos of my living room the other day to get your thoughts on my new COCOCOZY Fence rug, I didn't even think about describing some of the pieces in my living room including the large turquoise painting over my sofa.  Well besides the size of the rug, it was the most commented on piece from my living room in my little cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  I received dozens of emails and a few Facebook comments asking about the origin of the art in my living room.

Well today, I'll give you the scoop.  The work is by the super talented Los Angeles based artist Brian Wills. Brian's work is abstract, linear, modern and fresh. I am truly a huge fan of what he does.

Back in 2003 (I think), my sister and mother gave me the gift of art.  Back then, my sister had been introduced to an up and coming Los Angeles artist named Brian Wills.  She had acquired a few of his pieces. At Christmas (or my birthday...I can't recall), she and my mother felt I needed art in my living room so they gave me a Brian Wills much to my delight.  Well...me being me...so picky...way too picky...while I loved the piece they picked out for me, I wanted to see what else Brian was working on.  I remember, it was a cloudy day in December (or January...oh dear...can't remember anything), and I went to his studio (I may or may have not been with my sister...or I may have been by myself...I have no memory past yesterday...oy va voy).   I walked into the artist's studio, introduced myself to Brian and was thrilled to see there were lots of works in progress.  It was so cool to go into an artist's work space and in a way to see what and how he was thinking through his works in progress.  I spotted this turquoise piece in a corner and I immediately said "I want that one".  It is a huge wood piece...about 4ft x 6ft in size...it is made up of small painted strips of wood...lined up to create a visual staccato of sorts...there is a rhythm to his work that I just love. About a week later after my studio visit, Brian came and delivered the work to my house himself and he installed it...and it has been basically hanging in the same place ever since.  I love it!

I have owned this wonderful Brian Wills turquoise wood and paint piece of art for about 10 years! (above) 

Lexi Brown of Nye + Brown who represents Brian sent me these fantastic images below of his 2013 works.

Brian Wills

Untitled, 2013

Oil, rayon thread on wood

36 x 36 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled, 2013

Enamel, rayon thread, bass wood on wood

24 x 24 in

Brian Wills

Untitled (Blue Cross), 2013

Oil and rayon thread on wood

36 x 36 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled (Peacock Blue), 2013

Enamel, rayon thread, and linear polyurethane on wood

12 x 24 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled (Pink), 2013

Rayon thread, oil and linear polyurethane on wood

48 x 36 in.

Brian's new pieces pictured here range from $7000-$16,000 each.  There are other pieces in his collection not pictured here that start at about $2000 each. An investment well worth it!

If you are interested in artist Brian Wills and his work, please contact:

Lexi Brown
Nye + Brown
2685 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-5215
lexi@nyeplusbrown.com

To learn more about Brian Wills and to read about his last show called Unwound, please click here.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Tomorrow, am so excited...I am going back to Brian Wills' studio for a visit with the artist and to see his latest works!  A private visit.  Woohooo!!   I have invited TE along...he might bring EE.  I am going to see if my sis and my mother want to come too!  Anyone else??? :-)

P.P.S. Must run!  Have a great day!  Still haven't solved my dilemma of what I will wear to the black-tie-wedding.  I tried on a black Herve Leger dress I own last night...one of those bandage dresses...super tight...must do tons of sit ups and not eat for a week to look good in that...back to the drawing board!!!

DESIGN FIND - CRYSTAL CHIC BY JLF

4000 Swarovski crystals artfully designed into one square foot equals an awesome bit of sparkle for the home.  It is art.  It is Crystal Chic by JLF.

A few years back JLF, a lover of all things sparkle, began making wall art for her friends and family.  She hand crafted and designed several stunning 12"x12" Swarovski crystal encrusted canvas pieces.  As soon as she made one, someone else asked for another.  Before she knew it she was making custom wall art for everyone she knew.

Fast forward to now. The Crystal Chic by JLF name is trademarked, she has a branding partnership with Swarvoski crystals and JLF is producing this handmade art for clients in Europe and here in the U.S.

The patterns are all graphic in nature and each piece is made by hand.  It is like art and jewelry all in one!

Pictured here is the piece that JLF custom made just for me!  A lovely trellis pattern in now rare white Swarvoski crystals.  I haven't figured out where to put it...I tried it on a wall painted in Benjamin Moore Adagio blue in my den and am considering a spot somewhere in my living room or bedroom too.  Every time I look at it, I smile.  Who doesn't love a little glimmer and whimsy?!!

Crystal Chic wall art in my den against a blue gray wall (above)

Or, should I hang the wall art in my living room against a white wall. (above)

12"x12" custom made crystal art in a graphic trellis pattern - $1700 (above)

Crystal Chic by JLF comes in several different patterns.  JLF will work with each client to chose a pattern and color scheme that they want.

A good little DESIGN FIND I think!

Where might you hang some sparkling wall decor in your home?  Where should I put it?  Please comment below!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Went to an L.A. Kings hockey game with TE last night...we went with his friends RM and JM who are visiting from Idaho.  We had a great time even though the Kings lost.  Oh, note to all my good friends and family...just because I went to a hockey game does not mean I know a thing about hockey...nor does it mean I will become a die-hard hockey fan.  Not happening.  Trust me.  :-) #willremaincluelessaboutanythingtodowithhockey

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

MY FOUND BOTANICALS! (AND A SNEAK PEEK OF OUR NEW OFFICE FURNITURE)

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

So...was rummaging through some closets in my tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills this past long weekend...not really cleaning anything out...really just rummaging...looking for stuff...I actually was looking for some stories I had written years ago about my Grandmother.  While rummaging, I happened upon these...

They are botanical prints  that I bought in London maybe 8 years ago.  I bought them at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill while wandering through the market with some friends.  They were about $10-$25 USD each and one of them has "circa 1870" penciled in by the merchant on the back.   If it is true, they are antiques.

I bought these botanicals, brought them back the U.S. to be framed, put them on a counter I'm sure, and then into a closet for safe keeping and then tah dah here they are...years later.

I chose this plant and flower prints for their colors. I liked the tropical plants...the palm tree is my favorite and then I loved the bright orange red color of the mums and the soft yellow of the Acacia flower.

Such a fun surprise to find these pretties...tucked away in a closet...treasure hunting at home I guess!

Which of these do you like? How would you group together on a wall? Do you like botanical prints in home decor or as art? Do tell.

I will get these framed. The question is what kind of frame to put them in? The other thing I was thinking is that I could have them pressed inside a lucite coffee table tray or something...hmmm...thinking... Help!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. COCOCOZY HQ Office Furniture Update - We got some more furniture yesterday at COCOCOZY HQ in Beverly Hills - 2 huge book cases and a desk were delivered yesterday afternoon! Have been waiting for 12 weeks for this furniture to arrive.  I picked out these pieces back in June or May I think...and because we wanted some customization as far as colors it took 3 months for the items to arrive.  It was a game of patience waiting for these goodies.   We also got a cool outdoor table from France a few weeks ago (it is not shown here) and that is our main conference table.  Went straight to COCOCOZY HQ after work last night to see our newest office furniture.  I immediately took these blurry pictures. Reminder...the office is small small small...the furniture just came yesterday...nothing has been put on shelves...nothing has been styled...but I think we'll be able to work with these new pieces.  I like them! Again, sorry for the blurry pictures...it was getting dark outside and the light was low.

Wood desk that arrived yesterday with custom white lacquer and one of my brass vintage Stiffel lamps. (above)

One of the super tall cases I had custom painted for the COCOCOZY HQ...just came in yesterday so we have to figure out our storage bin situation right away. (above and below)

The COCOCOZY HQ is oh so tiny...we now have to get rid of the temporary furniture we've been using -- you can see a bit of it here on the bottom right. (above)

P.P.S. We are still waiting on a few more pieces but wanted to share the latest. Most people who are smart and coy only share the before and after....I can never wait that long...so does that make me not smart and not coy?  Over Sharing Syndrome (OSS) kicking in as usual!! Wooohoooo....! Let me know what you think.



All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY