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Desert Style: Cactus Craze

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photograph by Melissa McClain
photograph by Melissa McClain

We are talking about one of summer’s biggest trends… the cactus craze!  From ceramic sculptures to printed pillows, from candles and mugs to pool floats and oven mitts, and of course the plant itself, it’s easy for the prickly shape to find a place in your home.

The variety in this design trend makes it simple to add some summer desert vibes to any space, no matter the design style, but one of the easiest ways is with a cactus image.  We have rounded up some perfect desert-inspired photographs to bring a modern sun-kissed style to your space. Wherever you are, these cactus images are sure to help bring the warm desert sun and some green to you and your walls!

While the cactus craze is not exactly new, photography featuring the desert plant can breathe new life into the trend with a modern and sophisticated touch.  Each photographer has a unique style and sees something different through their lens, capturing a new angle, color, or detail of the cacti’s natural beauty.

To complete a boho desert style, add a Southwestern rug and other textiles with some leather, wood accents, and spiky greenery to a neutral color palette.  Or if you just want to incorporate hints of the trend, cactus and desert imagery can be a cool way to bring the heat and still keep your space chic.

photograph by Aaron Matheson

All of these featured photographs are available in our Photography collection on our site.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Get the Scoop: Ice Cream Colors

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Featured artwork is “Cotton Candy Dreams I” by Lisa Ridgers

Today’s color trend is inspired by one of our favorite summer treats… ice cream! And with Sunday being National Ice Cream Day, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about the bright, pastel ice cream colors we’ve been seeing in design. The interior design world has been bursting with delicious color this spring & summer, and adding brights & pastels are great way to refresh and lighten up your space, especially during the warm months.

“Daydreaming” by Randy Hibberd (top left) and “Sea Coral II” by Patti Mann (bottom right)

If you are wanting to add some lilac, bubble-gum pink, mint green, or apricot to your space, there are lots of ways to scoop this trend right up. You can go bold and paint your wall(s), decorate with perfect pastel-toned furniture, or start small with décor accent pieces.

And if you’d love to adopt this trend without completely renovating your space or are hesitant to go all out with these yummy colors, adding artwork with these pastel tones to your walls is a great solution.  Sometimes the airy and lighter hues are easier to incorporate into your space and seem less daunting, but they still bring a fun and colorful energy with them.  And with a variety of imagery in these dessert-inspired shades, from abstracts to florals to sunset photographs, you are bound to find a piece you will love!

The beauty of designing with color is that you can express yourself and personalize your space to reflect your style.  So whether you go bold by mixing multiple bright pastels in your room, or start small by accessorizing with one softly toned ice-cream color, decorating with this scrumptious color trend can add just the right flavor.

All of these images are available in our Print-On-Demand collection on our site, and you can search by color scheme, such as Brights and Pale Tints to find just what you are looking for.

Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Have a happy National Ice Cream Day and treat yourself!

Sail Away With Us

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Featured painting is “Home for the Night” by John Burrows

We’ve been seeing a trend from our artists here at Third and Wall.  They’ve caught the sailing bug, and their images have us dreaming of a day spent out on the water.  Take a look at some of their pieces full of blue waves and wind-caught sails.

“Journey Ahead” by Leah Rei

Just look at those dreamy blue waves from Leah Rei!  They are giving us all the heart eyes.

“Charger” by John Burrows

John Burrows is our boat specialist and it was so hard just to choose one of his pieces.  Hint: You should check out more of his work on our website!

“Wind of the Sea” by K. Nari

Sailing with some shimmer! K. Nari combines a couple of trends in her work by adding some metallic to her sails.

“Grey Day” by John Burrows

Like we said, it’s hard to decide on just one Burrows boat, so we had to include this “Grey Day” piece because just look at those chunky waves!

“Hit The Deck” by Liz Jardine

Liz Jardine’s “Hit the Deck” shows off some bright colors and California sunshine.  We could use some of that Vitamin Sea right about now!

“On Course I” by Dina D’Argo

“On Course II” by Dina D’Argo

 

These gorgeous pieces by Dina D’Argo are a dreamy depiction of sea & sky.

“Sun & Sails” by Lisa Ridgers

And last but not least, doesn’t this latest piece from Lisa Ridgers depicting a regatta make you want to just grab some sunscreen and head out for a sail?

We love how a good sailing-inspired painting can transport us out onto the water, and we can almost feel the salty mist splashing on our faces and the wind whipping in our hair as the boat slices through the waves.  These featured works are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  And to make finding your artwork easier, you can search our site by artist or theme, such as Sea & Sky and Tropical & Coastal.

Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Finding The Best Pieces for Over Your Bed

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Your bedroom is your sacred space. It is a place where you relax, unwind, and get some much-needed rest. It is your personal oasis, and its design should reflect all of those things to ensure that you get the stylish sanctuary of your dreams. An integral aspect of that design is the artwork you incorporate in your space, so today we are sharing some things to consider when searching for the best piece(s) for above your bed. Don’t worry, we’ve got you and your bedroom walls covered!

Style:

The style of your art pieces should, of course, reflect the interior design style of your space.  Abstract art is perfect for bringing modern and chic vibes, while landscapes introduce serene and calming feelings into your bedroom.  And photography is a great way to add personal touches to your wall or transport you to a destination, near or far, while you relax.  Once you have pinpointed your dream design, finding the perfect art piece will help you execute it.

Artwork featured is “A New Tune” by Liz Jardine

Size:

Sometimes bigger is better! A large composition makes for a great statement above your bed, and can easily energize or calm your space.  The size of your piece will depend, of course, on your wall space, but always make sure that the image is high enough above your bed so you don’t bump it!

Photograph featured is by Aaron Matheson (Alt v1)

Number:

You can also use the open wall space to add a triptych or a collection of different images. This can help break up a large, bare wall, while keeping the space cohesive. Curate a gallery wall around your bed to incorporate personal photos with your art, or just hang a couple pieces. The sky is the limit (well the ceiling is, but you know what we mean)!

Triptych of “Continuation” by Lisa Ridgers

Color:

Whatever the color palette of your room, the color in your art pieces can help set the mood of your bedroom and tie in small accent pieces.  Blues and greens can have a cool and calming effect, neutrals and browns can provide a feeling of naturalness and comfort, and grays and black can give your space a sophisticated and elegant feel.  Whether bright and vibrant or serenely simplified, color can define your oasis so go bold or stay neutral but, most importantly, make sure it reflects you!

Photograph featured is by Nancy Crowell

 

All of the pieces featured in these photos are available in our Print-On-Demand and Photography collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

From the Studio of Sarah Stevenson

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Sarah Stevenson, and her art, comes to us from Sydney, Australia. With an educational background in media arts and film as well as visual arts, Sarah’s thought provoking work is largely in the form of digital art.  She also enjoys working with acrylic paints, and has begun incorporating 3D elements to her paintings.  She has a vast range of styles but particularly enjoys contemporary abstract styles with an edgy feel.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning? 

I turn on my music, lay out various images that currently inspire me, and set up my canvas whether it be digital or physical.

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

It varies, sometimes just the one, occasionally it’ll be as many as six, but usually it’s around two or three at a time.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on? 

Nature’s Horizon

There’s not specifically a dream project that I have in mind at the moment but I do strive to make work that’s able to produce a strong emotional response from the viewer.  I find making powerful pieces the most rewarding and my dream artwork would be one that encompasses that.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be?

Aleksei Vinogradov.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration? 

I find scrolling through the web is a really effective way to inspire me and get my imagination going.  Whether it be the colours in a photograph someone has posted, or an emotion I feel when I see a video clip, I find it to be a great way for generating various ideas.

How has your art evolved over time? 

Over time the style of my art has changed quite a lot. I’ll be inspired by different styles over time and so the style I chose to do ten years ago has vastly changed to what I’m inspired by at the moment.  My work has become a lot more edgy with more grunge elements over the years.  We’ll see what it’s like in another ten years!

What do you like most about your work? 

Girl With Surfboard

The variety of style I bring to my work and that I’m not limited to just one look.

What is one word that best describes your style?

Eclectic.

Is there an idea you would like to explore? 

I would like to explore the idea of psychological freedom.

What is your favorite time of day to paint? 

In the afternoon.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

I do get stuck on pieces sometime. I find taking some time away from it to clear my head is something really necessary and then often when I come back to it I  can see it a little more objectively and clearly.  Asking for feedback from trusted individuals when I’m stuck is also something I find useful; as well as sometimes looking at something I feel inspired by can also be very helpful.

What is up next on your easel? 

Figurative Abstract

I’m inspired to work on a digital abstract piece next with greys and splashes of pastel, possibly incorporating elements of an adult face just subtly.

 

Sarah’s work can be found can be found in our Print-On-Demand collection on our site.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.