sqft gallery

so, a very cool space in Nashville is closing it's doors at the end of the month. sqft gallery, curated by our favorite graphic designer and the creater of the openhouse "look", kathleen losche, has a wonderful last show that you just can't miss, regardless of where you live. thanks to Al Gore and his internet, you can check out the show and purchase any works of interest online.

the show, titled couplets, features two wonderful artists, Lisa Solomon and Aurora Robson.

lisa's pieces for this show focus on representing something frightening and ugly as something beautiful. she has taken the chemical structures of environmental toxins and rendered them using doilies. she delves into the idea that accessible and pretty packaging in our domestic environments can often conceal something harmful. aurora uses junk mail to form beautiful collages that change the viewers perception of an often pesky part of life. like lisa's work, it's about turning the ugly into the beautiful.

i know that i want one of each. sadly openhouse has me strapped ;o) so i'll just have to admire them from afar. enjoy!

20x200

i've been meaning to post about this site for ages. i'm a total addict and perhaps subconsciously i didn't want to share it with the world ;o) but in the interest of small business, i'll let go of my greed and let you in on my favorite new pastime: 20x200

jen beckman, a new york gallerist who i've had the pleasure of working with through artnet in the past, has launched a new venture making great art accessible to all. i first read about it back in october through design*sponge and have managed to accrue a number of great pieces since.

the concept is this: large editions + low prices x the internet = art for everyone.

they introduce two new works a week, one photo and one work on paper. each image is available in three sizes: small editions of 200 for $20, medium editions of 20 for $200 and large-sized editions of 2 that generally run $2000. it's really something for everyone at every price-point.

below are some of the works i've acquired (or been given, thanks Murph). a new edition is released every Tuesday and Wednesday at 2pm. have fun and happy shopping! k&m

sneak peeks

a few images of some great new things coming to openhouse in the coming months. this is just a taste. we haven't even begun to get rolling on new stuff for spring. but these brightly colored items should help us get through these icky next months until the flowers start blooming and openhouse starts filling up again. we're adding a few children's items from blabla as well as some snazzy paper products from susyjack* (check out her blog here while you're at it, it's a fun read) and a whole new group of scents from our super-selling kobo candles. we'll let you know when things get in so you can check them out.

[images courtesy of susyjack*, kobo candles and bla bla kids]

afternoon snack

so, the sneak peak into the new designers at openhouse will have to wait until tomorrow when megan and katie can meet to finalize everything. in the meantime, while checking out some of my favorite daily blog reads, i was inspired by desire to inspire. if you aren't familiar with the blog, it's a veritable schmorgasborg of great design pics. if you are ever stumped on what to do in a particular room in your house or you're just bored at work and looking for a pick-me-up, you'll be hooked. lately i've been struggling with incorporating various textiles and patterns together in one space (i.e. our fabulous Robshaw collection that i want in every room of my house). so i took a cue from desire to inspire and hit the net looking for ideas. below are some great color and pattern combos courtesy of domino that i thought i'd share for others of you with the same problem. enjoy! k&m

back in the saddle

after a nice little break from blogging, openhouse is back in action for '08. december was a great month at the shop and we have SO many to-die-for new items arriving in the coming months.
in the meantime, while retail is quietly resting after a hard couple of months, don't forget to check out the local art scene.



first fridays kicks off the first event of the new year tomorrow night. as always, 1708 gallery has a great show and as always, they never have a preview on their site! how hard is it to upload a couple of images? anyway, head down there and check it out. i'm a fan of Kai Richter's work (shown above) and it can really only be appreciated in person. transmission gallery is a cool new space we're digging as well. "the word made fresh" opens tomorrow night. get a preview here. and lastly, we can't help but like the work of Chet Naylor at ghostprint gallery.

back tomorrow with a sneak peak of some new designers.

this just in...

new ceramics from Perch!

we have new shake-a-leg salt and pepper shakers, tiny baskets (great for ring holders or salt and pepper cellars), basket bowls and O bowls. the first grouping we had in the fall didn't last long, so be sure to get in soon and snag what you can ;o) happy shopping and happy holidays! k&m

this just in...

new work by Diana Fayt. you know, it's interesting sometimes how anticipation can often be more satisfying than that which you anticipated. not so in the case of diana fayt's objects. it's been a long, slow 6 months since we placed our order and yesterday my friendly neighborhood postman delivered the goods. i approached slowly to open the box and very careful began unraveling the bubble wrap so as not to burst my bubble to fast. but there was no need as the vase I held in my hand was every bit the glorious piece I had hoped!

it's really absolutely stunning work. images on-line do it no justice. thanks diana for all of your hard work. i know there were a number of bumps along the road to create our few beautiful pieces and we appreciate it. well worth the wait.

if you haven't heard of her or seen her work, you've got to get into openhouse this week and check it out. the process she uses is very labor intensive and can include up to 13 steps per piece from beginning to end. her work is all hand built with the use of handmade molds. all of her drawings are her own freehand originals on stoneware, using lead free materials. no two pieces are the same.

ny times mag article highlights the handmade

we just had to share this GREAT article in yesterday's New York Times Magazine about the handmade movement, something that openhouse, along with the richmond craft mafia, the bizarre market and other groups are trying to spread in richmond. it's nice to see here's a link to the original article.

and here's a reminder from handmade.org why you should by handmade this holiday season and always! support your local businesses (openhouse as well as all small businesses), support the artists and designers in your community and around the country and the world. let's get back to the basics! enjoy.

Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

pre-christmas sale at openhouse

thought we'd spread the word about the great pre-christmas sale at openhouse. we've marked down most of our inventory 15% which makes for some great deals on items like Lotta Jansdotter textiles, Lorena Barrezueta ceramics, Kim Westad vases, pillows from Three Sheets 2 the Wind, Sharon Spain and PaperCloud as well tea towels, pot holders, cocktail napkins and aprons from Lu Prints, Dermond Peterson and Inleaf.

we have some lovely new designers we'll be brining in in the new year as well as more beautiful items from our current roster of artists and we just have to make some room. our little space in The Shops at 5807 can only hold do much :o)

so if you have someone on your list you just can't seem to find the right thing for, come on by and nab some sweet deals on some one-of-a-kind wares.

daily candy

just a little eye candy from one of our favorite etsy photogs, jennifer causey. i have three of her breakfast prints in my kitchen. her colors are stunning and the randomness of her still lifes are so charming.

we're just loving her newest images. too cute. enjoy! k&m

we've arrived...

we're a week late posting this and there's already a new issue on the stands. blame it on the holidays, but we've just had to much going on lately with the shop, work, school and familial obligations to really be on top of anything ;o) thanks goes out to Katherine Houstoun, a great freelance writer, for her nice little piece on openhouse in this month's homestyle. if you missed it in print, check it out online through the rest of the month.

also, in the spirit of supporting local businesses and local designers, there's a nice article actually on newsstands by Brent Baldwin. it mentions some other nice shops carrying indie designers (sadly missing openhouse) and gives you statistical data as to why buying local is better. enjoy.

Lorena Barrezueta featured seller on etsy

check out openhouse artist Lorena Barrezueta's interview on etsy today! a great way to learn more about what goes into her work. then come by openhouse and check out our selection of her gorgeous wares! enjoy your sunday! k&m

friday night's alright for...

fighting? NO! that's saturday, friday is for shopping, seeing, being seen, drinking, eating. there is so much cool stuff in richmond tomorrow night, we thought waiting until tomorrow, when everyone had their plans, just seemed silly. so here's a friday update on thursday ;o)



the Visual Arts Center will unveil its completed renovation this weekend, december 7-9, 2007! from creating a large creature from plastic bottles to viewing the significant retrospective of sculptor Elizabeth King's work to dancing the night away, Re:Open! offers something to appeal to every friend, student and supporter. Don't miss it!

come to the richmond craft mafia's HANDMADE HOLIDAY SALE, friday, december 7th at 4025 yoga & wellness center.

fourteen businesses from the richmond craft mafia will be selling their handmade items in the beautiful 4025 yoga studios located on richmond's north side. the event is also part of MacArthur's illumination festivities to kick off the holiday season. shop for jewelry, purses, children's clothes and accessories, paintings, pottery, home decor and much much more! free holiday refreshments!

for directions, visit the 4025 yoga website.

or, head on down to historic broad street for first fridays artwalk. check out the cool holiday inspired window and light displays at a number of galleries and businesses. grab a cup of coffee at Lift to keep you warm. maybe a bite at the newly expanded Tarrant's Cafe. people watch and enjoy being a part of the city. bundle up, though, it's expected to be a cold one and possibly drizzly. but why let a little bad weather keep you in on one of the most interesting nights of the month! we'll be out and about, hitting all three of these, so we'll see you. k&m

this just in...

great new graphic wrapping paper for the holidays. 5 fun designs from our newest family member, funnel paper goods. designer Eric Kass creates his original printed patterns in indianapolis on durable 60# white uncoated paper.

openhouse is featuring 5 wintry designs: color urchin, knot tied, uncle bob's pajamas, dottie's decor and rangifer tarandus:

we were charmed immediately by his description of the paper:

'the simple pleasure of ink on paper. that distinctive aroma and familiar testure tickling your fingertips. the material connection between the feelings in your heart and the smile on their face. package your endearing thoughts, well wishes and romantic longings in paper goods designed to elate.'

who knew wrapping paper could sound so sexy ;o)

come check it out before it's gone. happy shopping. k&m