Life is full of pleasant surprise, and I was thus surprised when I learned that on of my favorite singers of all times, Leonard Cohen, who completely gets under my skin when I listen to his music is also a painter.

He will be showing from December the 3rd through December 31 at Linda Lando Fine Art

A blurb from the gallery

“Leonard Cohen Artworks”, a visual record of 40 years, is an exhibition of works from Mr. Cohen’s archive of drawings and journals. Mr. Cohen, poet, songwriter and novelist, has maintained a visual art practice since his early days in Montreal and Hydra. Until now, his drawings have been private visual records of things, places, and people captured in his sure and modest hand. Later, these drawings found their way onto CD covers and most recently into the pages of “Book of Longing”. This is the first time the drawings have been exhibited as another manifestation of Leonard Cohen’s talent.

the gallery site has all of the work up, not just a sample, and that some what consoles me for not being anywhere near close enough to go and see the show.

The work is very diverse and interesting… a lot if it is drawn on lined paper, like one would have in a note pad…

Yum.

Source Patricia Grey

I am not much of a wall paper girl, but some times, using it sparingly as a  highlight can actually make the room.

I couldn’t live in a room that was completely covered with wall paper on all for walls with an intense and busy design like this

I would get a head- ache from the constant buzz, I think one needs some empty space to stare at when thinking. For me living in a room like this would be like constantly having the radio tuned in just off the station, so that you get the music along with the annoying white noise in the background, that is enough to drive me to dispair or  nervous breakdown within 30 minutes.

This wall paper, on the other hand, on a small portion of the wall, or in an inset or small partition wall or support column could give a room a focal point and a lot of character without taking over the entire room, and forcing you into its mood, whether you liked it or not.

Like this. A nice focal point to the room.

This is another way to go with wall paper, which is less overbearing (strangely enough) than having a whole room done in a small repetitive design.

All of the wallpapers are available at Target

Source: Freshome

Some things I would kill for. No, I wouldn’t really, its just a figure of speech.

Anyway think of that figure of speech and you will know exactly how I feel about this vintage typesetter cabinet

From Factory 20

Or how about these Boudoir Crystal Ball lamps

They are kind of heavy handed, but I find that if you put them in a room that is designed in a contrast manner, very modern or even earthy, their effect can be astounding.

and last, but not least

Steamline Giordani Vintage Stroller

These are only the tip of the iceberg. You can spend hours going over the photographs and items at Factory 20, or you could just pop over to visit, if you live in Virginia.

Thanks More Ways to Waste Time for the Hat tip.

Even with the rejoicing of the last couple of days, it hard to put aside the fact that the economy is in a recession and that everyone is tightening their belts and cutting back, not least of all the designers clients.

As projects come to and end and the calender fails to refill as it used to, its nice to have someone who is wise and encouraging to Cheer you on and give you Ideas about how to deal with the lean times.

I am part of a networking group, and we are looking into interbuisness cooperations and joint projects to keep our heads above the water, and I am sure that that will be of some help.

I was reading Interior Design Business whom Abbey K spoke about on her blog. The man is insiteful as to all of the falling places someone in the design industry would run into, and how to deal with them. I think his style of thinking/ writing could be group in with the personal-trainer/motivator trend, which I find very helpful and to the point.

I found the following quite upliftingThis is the time to:

Dig Deep. It’s easy to believe in yourself when you’re at the top of your game. It’s more crtical when you’re not

Determine the Destination. Decide what it will take to bounce back - and set goals for achieving it.

Start Dialin.’ Set aside a Power Hour each day to call prospects, clients, ex-clients, industry contacts, mentors, perhaps a coach.

Think Fast. Decide what you can do - now - to create the most immediate income with the least amount of work

Think Back. Recall past successes in overcoming obstacles.

Stay Fit. Excercising your body frees your mind.

Stay Positive. Motivational books and tapes work wonders.

Reward yourself. Treat yourself along the road to recovery. You’re a hero. You deserve it.

I am going to get his RSS. I could use any bit of useful information and creative thinking about buisiness at this point.

Chin up

I have been posting lately about prefab eco homes and and general green, and have taken a fancy lately to recycled art, and think that the whole eco green theme should be on our minds and in our palates, especially given the fact that as designers we are in charge, so to speak, of “stuff”. If that is the case, the “stuff” and spaces we design, should, I feel, be at least a little ecologically minded.

I was blown away by the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple in Tailand, that was built entirely out of recycled bottles and is beautiful.

Over a million bottles were used in the construction of this temple. The monks started collecting them in 1984. everything, from the crematorium down to the toilets in this temple is made from glass bottles.

I love the detail work and the different effects created using the bottles in different ways.Using the bottoms to patterns with circles, and standing and laying them down alternately to create a cross hatch effect.

Via 2Modern