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Art Interviews

Affordable art: Blacklist’s new limited edition prints

More artful and less graphic than we’ve come to expect from them, Blacklist return with a new limited edition collection of art prints this month titled Sometimes I Always Think Of You, with prices starting from a very affordable $120.

“The collection represents the bond between nature and romance – the visible form of an invisible connection. It talks about the energy of the sea, the ocean, the waves and how we feel connected to the world around us. We always talk about love in our work too and how love is the constant force surrounding us as people,” says Blacklist’s creative director Nathan Johnson.

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‘Night Figures’ art print

Less typographic and slightly less monochrome than previous work, Nathan reveals the new collection was conceived through a fairly organic process. “I have always created for the sake of creating. The foray into more original artwork is just the expression of what I have in my hand to fulfil what’s in my heart. It’s like I can’t escape or control what my output looks like – I just need to be completely honest with myself and do what comes naturally.”

Blacklist print

‘The Restless Waves’ and ‘White Wash’ art printsWhile abstract in style, the colour palette underscores the collection’s coastal theme, which is perhaps typified by the work ‘Bondi Pacific.’ “I love that work because I feel it summarises the energy and beautiful imperfections of the ocean throughout all of the east coast of Australia, not necessarily just Bondi. I’ve used some new materials in this work including charcoal, oil pastels and some different paint pens which help to create this new identity in the work too,” says Nathan.

Blacklist prints
‘In Her Eyes’ and ‘Bondi Pacific’ art prints

Available in editions of just 50, each art print comes signed, numbered and is available unframed, framed or as a canvas print. “We love the fact that you can have a piece of work in your home that is different to everyone else. This aspect is so important to us when creating our work, and helps us stay creative and constantly evolving in what we do,” says Nathan.

'Sometimes I always' and 'Wategoes Dream' art prints
‘Sometimes I always’ and ‘Wategoes Dream’ art prints

And the limited edition Blacklist phase looks set to stick if Nathan’s current enthusiasm is any indication. “We can’t wait to keep releasing artwork in limited collections and keep creating things we love ourselves. It’s the purest form of creating which is why we love it so much.”

Nathan Johnson
Nathan at work

Shop online | Check out Blacklist’s coffee table styling

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Designers Homewares

Our guide to greeting cards you’ll selfishly want to keep

I could count on one hand how many greeting cards I’ve actually liked. For me, they normally go one of two ways: cringe or all cheese! But with many boutique Aussie brands popping up, it seems finally there are some beautiful alternatives on offer. So, have an anniversary, birthday or just a day where you want to say: ‘I’ve been thinking of you’ coming up? If yes, check out the list below.  

PennedBlack: Providing unique and stylish paper goods from a boutique studio in Brisbane, their signature look is hand-drawn prints and foiled typography. Simple but oh so sweet.

PennedBlack

Olivia York: With a passion for all things Australia, Melbourne-based illustrator Olivia York creates whimsical watercolours worthy of framing. On a side note, she also specialises in pet portraits… just saying!

Olivia York

Rachel Kennedy Designs: With a mission to create Australian made, environmentally friendly paper goods with a positive message, Rachel Kennedy Designs is reminiscent of your child’s kindergarten painting… the one you’d actually want to keep!   

Rachel Kennedy Designs

Blacklist: Blacklist have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a design studio. Now stocked worldwide, their greeting cards feature the brand’s distinct hand lettering and graphic prints.

Blacklist

In the Daylight: Celebrating the beauty of common objects, the Brisbane-based brand’s range of greeting cards feature original hand illustrated designs, inspired by the simplicity and uniqueness of everyday items.

In the Daylight

Blushing Confetti: Cheeky and stylish or as Blushing Confetti say “quirky and mostly inappropriate,” their cards are assembled by hand and made with only the highest quality materials.

Blushing Confetti

For Me By Dee: One for the animal lovers, the Melbourne brand’s playful and vibrant characters are full of fun and perfect for children and adults alike. With over 35 characters in their range, there’s an animal for everyone.

For Me By Dee

Emma Kate Co: With hand-crafted brush strokes and splashes of bright colour, Emma Kate Co. create fresh, one-of-a-kind-designs with that little bit of attitude.

Emma Kate Co.

We hope you liked our list. Let us know who you would add!

Categories
Art

Affordable art: The top ten places to buy it in 2016

Given that the affordable art stories are some of the most popular on our site, we thought it was nigh time to bring you a 2016 (well, almost 2017!) update. Incredibly, all of these options come in under $500!

Art Club Concept
With its strong fashion focus, Art Club Concept is the perfect spot to find an on-trend print for that lonely, bare wall of yours. Many of the prints come with optional frames too.

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Urban Road
We’re big fans of the box framed canvas option at Urban Road – it really does take an inexpensive print to the next level. Urban Road’s collaborations with Shaynna Blaze are a highlight of the range too.

urban-road

Greenhouse Interiors
Featuring the work of popular Australian artists Prudence Caroline, Lisa Laponte, and Ali McNabney-Stevens to name just a few, Julia Green’s Greenhouse Interiors sells a covetable range of original Australian originals and affordable prints.

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Quercus & Co
From art prints to wall stamps, wallpaper tiles and wall hangings, Sydney design studio Quercus & Co make a fabulous array of original and affordable wall art.

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Rachel Castle
It’s no secret that we’re massive fans of Rachel Castle – we’ve written about her fabulous tea towels before. Limited edition, they look fabulous framed up and priced at just $68, they’re a serious bargain!

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Temple & Webster
With a rotating roster of contemporary Australian artists featured, Temple & Webster offer a range of original, high quality affordable art including original paintings, limited edition prints and photography.

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IXXI
Whether you use your own image or choose something from the IXXI image bank (we love the Dutch masters’ work), this innovative art solution is not only affordable but super effective too. Each print comes as a series of individual squares that connect to create a whole.

ixxi

Art Pharmacy
An online store and gallery space in one, Art Pharmacy is the place to find affordable, unique and high quality artworks by Australian artists, both new and emerging.

art-pharmacy

Blacklist
An enduring favourite of ours, from typography to photography, Blacklist can always be relied upon for a bold, affordable print.

blacklist

Hunting for George
Responsible for the popular ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go’ minimalist typeset poster back in 2012, Hunting for George’s print offering continues to go from strength to strength. From typography to abstracts and photographic works, there’s plenty of choice too.

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Where do you shop for affordable art? Is there a website we need to know about? Please comment below!

Categories
Art Designers Interviews

Blacklist return with new products for autumn/winter 2016

Titled Modern RomanticBlacklist’s autumn/winter 2016 delivers more of the wonderful stuff that put them on the interiors map a few years ago. Graphic, bold and affordable, we caught up with co-founder Jaynie Johnson for a chat about the current collection.

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‘The future is now’ print

Modern Romantic was born our of our love for love, and the modern love story. As always, it is fuelled by our passion for great design and high quality production too,” says Jaynie who draws on music, poetry and her own writing as inspiration throughout the design process.

unspecified-4We love the rose gold accents on this greeting card

The latest collection, while featuring plenty of the brand’s signature hand lettering, includes many new product offerings too. “Our plan is that with every new collection we will release new product categories, not just designs. We are so committed to the longevity and evolution of our brand,” says Jaynie who is on a constant search for their next big thing. “Product development is a huge part of our day-to-day roles, the endless possibilities of practical and beautiful products excites us.”

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Leather notebook

Standout pieces from the new range include leather notebooks emblazoned with one of two quotes – ‘Little Black Book’ or ‘Seize the Day,’ notecard sets and smaller sized desk notepads. “The notecard sets contain 10 cards with envelopes and are the perfect wedding thank you card or top drawer necessity,” says Jaynie who regularly explores new and varied printing techniques. “Our frames and stock remain the same as you can’t improve on perfect, and so many of our customers have multiple prints so we like to keep it consistent.” Blacklist’s next collection will see some variations in frame and print size options.

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Blacklist’s range of art prints, stationery and paper goods are stocked in over 200 stores worldwide. Shop the range here.

Categories
Art Homewares

Online shopping fix: Crate & Co.

Stocking some of my all-time favourites like Blacklist, Aura, Pony Rider and Kate & Kate, online boutique Crate & Co. offer a collection of beautiful and carefully curated gifts and homewares.

crate and co

Sourcing locally designed products, founder Ania Cheetham wanted to create a convenient online shopping destination that provided goodies that were unique, high-quality, affordable and supported Australian businesses.

“I believe that your home should tell your story and I created Crate & Co. to help you make it a stylish one,” explains Ania. “I enjoy sourcing locally and discovering new talent and bringing that all together to provide products that stand out from the crowd.”

Originally working in real estate, Ania fell in love with homewares after working with a number of home stagers and property stylists, and since then… she’s never looked back!

Shop online.

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Art Designers Homewares

Page 33 and Blacklist collaborate on a unique light box

Don’t you just love it when two of your favourite brands collaborate?!

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Page Thirty Three, creators of functional artworks and objects, have taken their 2010 release, the Cinematic Light Box, and given it a fresh new twist thanks to their partnership with Blacklist.

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As one of Australia’s favourite stationery, prints and paper goods companies, Blacklist have provided custom lettering and iconography for the Cinematic Light Box.

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Entitled Artist Collaboration No.1, once the limited edition run is sold out, Page Thirty Three will partner with a range of other artists to continue to create truly unique artworks for the home.

The Artist Series Cinematic Light Box goes on sale 25 May (though is currently available for pre-order) for $440.

Shop online.

Categories
Art Covet my coffee table Kitchens

Covet my Coffee Table: Nathan and Jaynie Johnson of Blacklist

Photos by Jacqui Turk

Welcome to the home of the talented, lovely and photogenic Nathan and Jaynie Johnson who own Blacklist, one of our favourite places to buy affordable Aussie art. 2014 was a great and busy year for them, including renovations and the birth of their gorgeous son Dare (pictured), their second child.

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“We have lots of books on our ottoman that we like to use as inspiration and to relax. We have Lero Grannis, an encyclopaedia on palms and lots of books on fashion around,” Jaynie says. “We get most of our books online from The Book Depository. We also have a Mad Et Len candle which we bought from Island Luxe in Bangalow (one of my all time favourite stores).”

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The pair bought their child-friendly ottoman from Charbella in Cronulla. “It’s handmade in Africa and we love it as it’s the perfect height and is easy for the kids. We didn’t want anything that they could knock as coffee tables always seem to be the perfect height for kids to hit their heads on. We also love that we can move it out of the way super easy and it doubles as a seat and foot rest when we need it to,” Jaynie adds.

The couple don’t always have a coffee table/ottoman so they needed a flexible and easily moved piece of furniture. “Sometimes we love to have it out with some of our treasures on display, and other times we just like to have the space in front of the lounge to play. It’s definitely part practical/part décor.

Nathan, Jaynie and baby Dare, at home in Cronulla
Jaynie, Nathan and baby Dare, at home in Cronulla

“We tend to not put glass on it, but we do like to leave items on it as we encourage our kids to not touch things that they shouldn’t. Dare is too young at the moment to try to grab things but Willow has always been brought up with the encouragement to not touch certain things and she has been very self controlled with it. We obviously ensure anything potentially dangerous is out of reach, such as antlers!”

Nathan and Jaynie have just finished renovating their kitchen and loved hosting family in it for Christmas. “We haven’t had an oven for four years,” Jaynie reveals. “We took ages to decide on what we wanted to do with the space but finally enlisted the help of our architect friend and the amazing ITF cabinetmakers and we have come up with a more than we could have hoped or dreamed for kitchen. We are about to start designing our bathrooms and then we will be almost finished with the house which is very exciting for us. It’s been a sloooooow process.”

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The Johnsons’ home has a colour palette of black, white and timber and they love bringing in different textures. “Essentially, our interior style at home now is sophisticated seaside grunge!”

Jaynie’s favourite places to buy homewares include eBay, Les Interieurs, Water Tiger, Major Minor for linen and Retro Wombat in Thirroul.

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Excitingly, Blacklist are about to launch The Black Factory. “We are currently turning an industrial warehouse into a hub for creatives with a photographic area, meeting rooms, desk spaces in an awesome mezzanine and warehousing, so we will be taking applications for tenants from early-to-mid January,” Jaynie says.

They’re also launching their first greetings card collection and journals in February at Life InStyle Sydney. Not to mention a new art print collection, Not All Who Wander are Lost. “We are eagerly awaiting the new year as it brings with it so many new opportunities and we can’t wait!”

See all our featured coffee tables.

Categories
Homewares

Olivia’s Fab Four Insta-Finds 10.12.14

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Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.

olivias fab four 30 interiors addict

Here are this week’s gorgeous products (clockwise from top left)

1. The Basic Step, $115, from Marble Basics. @marblebasics

2. Baudinii – Rizz cushion cover, $75, from Sparkk Studio. @sparkkstudio

3. C’est La Vie Gold Foil Print (large), $119.95, from Blacklist. @blackliststudio

4. Faceture vase in nude pink by Phil Cuttance, $390, from The Minimalist. @minimaliststyle

 I’ll be back with more next week! Olivia x

Categories
Homewares Kids Rooms

8 accessories for the ultimate tween bedroom

Designing a tween bedroom can be hard. Having a 12 year-old sister myself, I’m well aware of the need for things not to be babyish. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to be on the receiving end of that scrunched up nose, ‘What were you thinking?’ expression when you bring them home something new!

Hopefull, these beautiful products will help (and I even got my sister to give them a once over and in her words: “They’re so cool!“).

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Clockwise from top left

1. Clam Lamp, $155, from Have You Met Miss Jones.

2. Studio Lisa Bengtsson Hugo Poster (A3), $35 (also available in A4), from Norsu.

3. Dorte Agergaard Water 50cmx50cm cushion cover, $95, from Norsu.

4. Keep Calm and Listen to Music, $16.95 (also avaliable is 50+ different phrases and colours), from KeepCalmShop.

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Clockwise from top left

1. Sir Stag Small Wood, $19.95 (also available in five other patterns), from Typo.

2. Daisy Peace Giant Wall Flag, $399.95, from Blacklist.

3. Bolivian Frazada Rug/Blanket, $298, from Leif.

4. Melway Removal Mural Manly, $619.95 (available in your choice of address within Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane), from The Wall Sticker Company.

Categories
Art

Isn’t it time you got all that artwork framed?

Decorate your home without the need of a hammer or drill and without damaging your walls with 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips, which hold up to 7kg. Visit go.3m.com/loveyourwalls/ for decorating inspiration and the chance to win some great prizes.

 

There are certain jobs we all struggle to get around to: sorting out the spare bedroom, organising the laundry cupboard and, in my case, getting artwork framed.

I finally framed this precious Megan Hess illustration of me as a bride to be

The cluster of cardboard tubes in the corner of my home office has been getting out of hand lately. And it struck me that it’s all kinds of wrong to purchase beautiful things for your walls and then leave them rolled up where you, and nobody else, can enjoy them. So I got tough with myself and promised myself I would get at least 3 things framed this month. This has at least made a dent in the collection (I swear those cardboard tubes are breeding!)

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Interiors Addict

Blacklist’s Nathan Johnson collaborates with his brother on limited edition prints

Nathan Johnson, one half of Blacklist with wife Jaynie, has collaborated with his photographer brother Matt on some limited edition prints.

“He recently did a trip up to Noosa to shoot a long boarder from California, Danbe Peterson,” said Nathan. “When I saw his photos, I thought it too good to pass up, so I did a bunch of artwork over the shots and we released this one print as a small edition of 10 only, hand signed and numbered.”

Blacklist X The Sea Life - FLAT 800px

What a talented pair they are! Prints cost $159.95 including shipping in Australia. Buy online.

the sealife blacklist

 

Categories
Interiors Addict

10 places to buy affordable art, updated for 2013

Everyone’s idea of affordable is different but for the purposes of this post, I’m talking art for under $500 and, in many cases, under $100! All Australian and available to buy online from the comfort of your own home. 

Blacklist 

These guys, husband and wife duo Jaynie and Nathan Johnson, remain in my top 10 because they continue to produce fantastic affordable prints and wall flags which are always featured by the glossy magazines. They’re also really nice people, and that’s important too!

Blacklist Cross My Heart frames

White Horse Home

A small but lovely collection of prints and wall hangings, available to buy online from $49.95. Grab one of their gorgeous Fig & Melon candles while you’re there. Delicious!

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Interiors Addict

Blacklist and Birdy & Me collaborate on limited edition print

You should know by now that I love the work of Blacklist’s Nathan and Jaynie Johnson. As affordable, Australian art goes, in my opinion, you can’t beat their prints and wall hangings.

daydream believer

I also admire the work of illustrator Kelly Smith of Birdy & Me. She specialises in fashion and her most recent collaboration was with jewelery designer Samantha Wills (and yes, without wanting to sound like too much of a sycophant, I love her work too!) on her stationery range and packaging for the latest Zodiac collection.

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Art

Behind the scenes at the photoshoot for Blacklist’s latest collection of Cross My Heart art

I’ll make no bones about it. I’m a huge fan of Blacklist and they’re one of my first ports of call for affordable art. So I was delighted when they shared some exlcusive behind the scenes images from their recent photoshoot for their new collection Cross My Heart.

Blacklist Cross My Heart frames

Almost entirely black and white, it is still instantly recognisable as their popular work and I’m already getting in a panic about which one I’d choose for myself. I love the flexibility of having something monochrome because it usually goes with everything and in any room! And I don’t need to remind you how much I love typography in all its forms. Hello, word nerd!

So why is this collection called Cross My Heart? “We believe in the power and romance of promise,” says Jaynie Johnson, one half of Blacklist with husband Nathan. “Cross My Heart saw us create something that was different from anything we’d ever done; a collection about promise only using a monochromatic palette.” (Well almost all monochrome, we’ll come to that later…).

Blacklist Hold Tight flag

Nathan and Jaynie, known for being a couple of romantics, were reflecting on the simple things, on contrasts and ultimately what mattered most. “As with everything we create, there is always an element of hope: as with the night, joy comes in the morning. So the final pieces we created were the colourful, hope-filled, ‘peace & love’, they are the lights at the end of the tunnel… the last page of the story.”