I’d like to take a little observational side street on this grand Faux & Design Road Trip we’re on together.  You see, whenever I am proposing a finish to a client or making a custom sample, I always try to think “Is it beautiful?”.  Even if a client is on a budget, we give our best since A) There is something gorgeous to be had at any price point, and B) I would want someone to look out for me in the same way.  What goes around comes around, trust. 

I just noticed that subconsciously, the sibs and I pick out every day items using the “Is it beautiful?” theory…and they are usually patterns.  (I really have a thing for pattern this month, don’t I?)  Here are just some of the things I noticed around the studio office:

My sister discovered these at Ikea and was immediately smitten.  They are now our work desks.

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File folders — I truly can’t stand the plain vanilla ones.  These are the ones I use for my client commissions and they actually inspire me to think more creatively…I mean, just look at the top “woodgrain” file…heaven!  Who wouldn’t love a similar pattern on their wood beams? 

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For myself, I searched and searched for a laptop bag that wasn’t just industrial black or even just a plain color.  When I saw this bag at abbi, I though “Voila!”.  (Unfortunately, when it came in, my brother took one look at it and said “Well, that effectively takes care of me ever helping you carry your laptop.  Don’t even ask!”  Was it the pink?) 

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In our studio, if it can’t run it’s probably going to get painted.  Here are some gallon containers (quarts not pictured) we fauxed in different finishes and patterns for a trade show.  Of course, we didn’t think about what we were going to do with them afterwards, LOL!  Now, we sometimes pour touch-up materials in them and leave them for our clients with our contact information on the top lid.   They love them and take care of them - which is great because the products, should they need them, stay fresh for years.

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I suppose I could find even more evidence of “pattern-mania” if I looked harder.  If you take everyday items and just make them unique or give them a beautiful color design, it lifts your spirits up.  Who wouldn’t enjoy that? 

5/26 UPDATE:  I didn’t think to add where we purchased some of these items - sorry!  I’ve added them now. :) The folder information is in the “Comments” section.  Enjoy!