Etsy Shop of the Month: Watercolour Workshop

Floral Watercolor Wallpaper

Being a child of the 1980s and 90s, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really love the current wallpaper trend sweeping the home decor scene. (Whatever, I'm calling it a scene.) I never understood the appeal of wallpaper in the past, due to its installation difficulty, the types of boring and/or dated designs that tended to be available and, of course, the torture of eventually removing it. Why would anyone go through all that?!

This, though, is not your grandma's wallpaper, and I actually mean that literally. The tiny florals and muted shades of yesteryear - funeral home chic, really - are now replaced by bright, oversized prints and contemporary designs. I seriously doubt your grandma would've plastered her walls in an ice cream cone print. I remember mine having a more serious fruit print in the dining room that I desperately wanted to lick, like in Willy Wonka, but feared the vintage glue and, you know, shame of it all.

Cactus Wallpaper

Ice Cream Wallpaper

Watercolour Workshop offers beautiful modern designs, courtesy of a husband and wife business duo. Their colorful prints range from big, bright blooms to lively little lemons. The best part? Their wallpaper is removable. Yes, queen, your heard me right. It's a peel and stick process that allows the PVC wallpaper to be easily installed without messy glues, and removed when the time comes. I'll take it!

Lemon Wallpaper

Geometric Wallpaper

They also offer fabric wallpapers for surfaces that require it, and custom sizes to make your not-so-perfectly rectangular walls easier to cover.

I love the look of a printed statement wall, especially if you're not quite ready to dive in to a fully wallpapered look. This also seems great for renters, as it is removable and allows you to give some custom personality to your space without painting or making permanent changes. Or, if you just like to switch up your space frequently, you can more easily go from carrots to triangles to a mountain view. Options, baby.

Carrot Wallpaper

Flower Bouquet Wallpaper

Vintage Print Wallpaper

Boho Floral Wallpaper

Rainbow Triangle Wallpaper

Follow Watercolour Workshop on Etsy

All photos via Watercolour Workshop

Have you ever seen Watercolour Workshop before? Are you in or out on this wallpaper trend? How much do need an ice cream wall, like, yesterday?!

OBSESSED: Maps

Maps are not only useful, but also beautiful and I've harbored a not-so-secret cartography crush as long as I can remember. If placed near an actual map I can literally stare at it for hours, noting locations of placed I've only heard in passing or memorizing the capitals of lesser known nations in case I ever need them on a Jeopardy appearance.


The wash of colors, the ocean, the old fashioned symbols and lines, the minimal modern approach - maps can be done in any style and still look timelessly cool. My obsession is partly knowledge-based and partly design-based, but the unique combination of smarts and style that is inherent in a map is truly unmatched. (You have no idea how hard I had to refrain from writing "unmapped" there instead. You're welcome).


Here are some of my favorite map pieces, so you can see they're not only beautiful, they're versatile!


World Map Shower Curtain

World Map Necklace

Road Map Bangles

Vintage Map Bunting

NYC Subway Map Dress

Embroidered US Map Necklace

Road Map Pendant Light

Florida Coffee Table

World Map Vinyl Wall Decal

US States Love Map

xoxo,
Michelle

ROUNDUP: Weekly Links 12/18/11

Here's what I'm rounding up this week:
Kitty Wigs

You can actually buy actual wigs for actual cats. Also - can we talk about that blond wigged cat's come hither stare?!
Lisa Frank Clothing Now Available (!)

If only I could combine my Lisa Frank enthusiasm circa 1993 with my grown-up salary to meet in a magical place (perhaps atop an ice cream sundae in outer space?) where I'm allowed to buy out the store and live my life strictly in fluorescent crew neck sweatshirts and t-shirts featuring kissing dolphins. 
Pugs with Courtney Stodden Tweets

Everyone's (least) favorite teenage bride is now the subject of a hilarious and disturbing Tumblr from some genius who thought to combine her overly sexualized (and overly thesaurus-ed) tweets with adorable pictures of pugs.  
Baby Legs Salt & Pepper Shakers

I'm thisclose to becoming one of those people who collects salt & pepper shakers, and ModernFX on Etsy isn't making it any easier with these cool yet totally creepy baby leg shakers.
Cards & More from Chirply

Chirply offers cards, notebooks and more featuring cool, diverse artwork from independent graphic designers - you can even submit your own!


xoxo,
Michelle

ROUNDUP: Weekly Links 11/27/11

Here's what I'm rounding up this week:


Kotik Precious Metals

This beautiful and eco-friendly jewelry is made from a colorful array of bottle caps which have been bent, twisted and flattened into too cool rings, necklaces, pins, flowers and more.
The Slutcracker

This burlesque retelling of The Nutcracker tells the tale scene for scene with a decidedly racy twist. Described as "sexy freaky" this show is a holiday must for those in the Boston area.
Easy Removal for Glitter Nail Polish

As much as I love glitter nail polish, taking it off is nothing short of a nightmare. Thanks to Pink Sith for sharing this ingenious method which requires no deep scrubbing efforts - just some polish remover, cotton pads and foil. Plus, you get to make your fingers look like tiny baked potatoes!
Amazing Treehouses

These amazing treehouses prove that living indoors is totally overrated.
Helvetica Monopoly

Keep it simple and sleek with this Helvetica Monoploy - a dream for any designer.


xoxo,
Michelle