design: an artist's "residency"

I love Banksy. His art is thought provoking, edgy, and humorous. And, how can you not like a guy who wears a fake beard and hangs his own art up at MOMA!?!

October 1

October 2

He is doing an "Artists Residency on the Streets of New York" all this month. This first piece has already been painted over, but I'm going to be on the look out for as many pieces as I can find on my trip to NYC next month. As a designer I'm constantly looking for inspiration and Banksy never fails to work his magic on me.  When I lived in NYC, I had the opportunity to check out a couple of his shows. His first official show (and one of my first dates with Mike) in NYC was at the Vanina Holasek Gallery in Chelsea. I had never even heard of the artist, but after that show I was hooked. It was a crazy exhibit full of his rats and graffiti'd images of HRH and Mr. Churchill... 

And then there was his "Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill"... it was so good! I mean this guy is a so good at highlighting the ridiculousness of the modern condition... the chicken nugget cage next to the sausage aquariums. Priceless.  

The Village Pet Store

"Exit Through the Gift Shop" a documentary by/about Banksy, Mr. Brainwash and street art. It's a great film- I highly recommend watching it! Here is the trailer... 

I also happen to have a Mr. Brainwash hanging in my house, fittingly, above the bar.  

Hope this inspires y'all!

And speaking of experimental art, the CASA PINO is working with another Brooklyn artist on KRONOS-1 at the Pino Ranch in New Mexico. We are honored to be working with such creative people, more on that project tomorrow!

Viva los Artistas! 

xo Lea Hart

design: behind the scenes

We are crazy busy and super excited here at the CASA PINO! We are working on the photo shoot for our first collection! Here is a behind the scenes sneak peak of our black + white fabrics....
 

Our little assistants were such a big help! 

These designs will be sold by the yard and as ready made 20"x20" Down Throw Pillows. The shop is coming soon! We can't wait to debut the first CASA PINO collaboration.  

xoxo Mike and Lea Hart

design: a matte black bath

I love black + white rooms. I've professed my love for this high contrast color scheme many times. I hoard b+w look pictures, I blog about them, and they are all over my Pinterest boards. So I decided it was time for me to do something really dramatic. Like matte black dramatic, in my main floor bathroom!!! 

I knew this room could take such a strong color because all the tile and cabinets are white and we are going to add paneling (either horizontal or bead board) painted in a glossy white below the chair rail to protect the walls from water issues. I've been wanting to try out Benjamin Moore's Aura Bath & Spa, which is made specifically for bathrooms, and it comes in a matte finish. So one evening and two coats of Graphite 1603... and voila! I accessorized with a modern striped shower curtain from West Elm, taupey-gray linen hand towels, and a fun little embroidered vintage towel on top. 

I also hung an old photograph from my Grandmother, that hung in her bathroom for years. I like the wood against the black and it makes me smile.  

Aaaaaand I made <----- yes! MADE a custom functional roman shade. I followed the directions for DIY Roman Shades from Made 2 Style, and in about an hour I had a shade that I think is pretty fantastic. The only thing I did differently was to seam all the edges instead of glueing them. The fabric I used is Tahitian Stitch from Lacefield Designs. 

Overall, I'm very happy with how the room and the DRAMATIC matte black color turned out! What do y'all think? 

xoxo Lea Hart

design: new pieces

It's been a busy end to Summer here at the CASA PINO. We are sooo close to launching our new textile line!  And we've had so much fun recently visiting family, exploring the city, hanging out at the park, and movie screenings in the backyard. Check out what we've been up to on Instagram!

I've picked up a few new pieces for the house recently. I'm totally in love with this little vintage leather chair that I found on the side of the road! WHAT?!? I know, crazy, right? Someone in my neighborhood put it out on trash night and I rescued it! After careful inspection, I welcomed him to his new home. I really think this CASA PINO Water Tower throw pillow looks so dang good on it. Don't y'all? Another neighbor's trash is this designer's (on a tiiiiny budget)  treasure. 

And we FINALLY hung this guy up! The house is suddenly feeling more "ranch-y", but like an eclectic East Coast Ranch...? Umm, anyway, I like it. I like it, a lot. 

We found the cow skull out at the Pino Family Ranch and mailed it home, along with some antlers. I think this could easily be the best souvenir ever. 

I have been on a quest for a pair of storage/display pieces to flank the fireplace ever since we moved in. I'd seen a few options, but nothing was quite right. This was my inspiration, I love the pair of simple black bookshelves in this look picture. 

Barbara Hill Design

Even though this interior is way more modern than my own home,  I love it.  And while I don't like tons stuff out, I have a few things I've collected over the years and I'd love to have a place to display some of them. That and the books that are starting to accumulate all over... 

Since I hadn't ever found anything, I considered hiring someone to build a simple traditional style built in. Something like this, we also have small windows on either side of our mantle. 

South Shore Decorating Blog

These would have been nice but I didn't want a project this involved... especially one that wasn't really my style. And I was worried the cost could be higher than I wanted to spend.

So if I never really found a pair of anything to buy and traditional built ins weren't the direction I wanted to invest time and money into... then what?

What I really wanted is this,

The Thinking Tank

flanking the fireplace like this (aww, cute pup).

Aphasia Design Collective

OK, hurray! It is decided!

Then I went to a yard sale last week and found these... a freaking matching pair of simple bookshelves that fit my exact space perfectly! 

They are in pretty shabby condition, but only $10 each.  So I went back to my original idea. I think with a coat of black paint they will look pretty sweet.

And well, I've been thinking about painting the fireplace black too...

 The Brick House

  xoxo Lea Hart  

desgin: enchanted lighting

I found some pretty awesome things at the Ranch this year. I've been wanting a skull forever and some antlers. I also found this awesome piece of dried cactus. Its a Cholla Cactus. When it dries, it looks like nothing this Southern gal has ever seen! This is the piece we brought home from New Mexico, along with all of our other finds. 

As soon as I saw this piece, I wanted to light it. I'd seen these string lights before and thought they'd be just perfect for this project, as they are plug in or battery operated and just thin wire and tiny little light sources. So much better than big bulky plastic wires and bulbs. 

And so I just wrapped the branch tightly and a bit irregularly and her she is... what a beaut! I freak out every time I turn it on! What do y'all think? 

Its art and light! This gal did something similar at her house... I'm forecasting a trend... 

xo Lea Hart