Thursday, August 6, 2009

Obsession: Claire Coles Design

Sometimes, when I'm deciding what to share with you all, I bring up the imagery I've seen that I simply cannot get out of my head. Some time ago, I ran across Claire Coles designs on the ever inspiring blog, Design Lovely. These wallpaper designs simply will not leave me alone-they're gorgeous.
Claire Coles designs consist of stitching vintage wallpapers together to create a collage type design.
She also creates work on porcelain...these pieces make me uncomfortable for no explainable reason other than the stitching takes function away from the cup and adds a tactile element that I've never seen before (on a cup!). Being uncomfortable with a piece of work is NOT a bad thing...so please don't read me incorrectly.
What I wouldn't give to have one of her illustrations hanging on my wall! The detail and texture is astounding.
Look at the layers of color in that bird...
{see the full portfolio here}
Thank you Design Lovely for giving me something else to become obsessed over.
What do you think of these designs?
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27 comments:

  1. Dallas ShawAugust 6, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    thanks for the name drop yesterday xo
    dallas
    http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

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  2. SwethaAugust 6, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    I like the second one, the horses are done amazingly.

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  3. Iva MessyAugust 6, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    These are so captivating. I like them a lot. It's so unique, that she stitches vintage wallpapers together. Remarkable. I have never seen cups like that before. I would love a set, especially the one with the detailing on the inside, even more spectacular, in my opinion. I think the detailing and textures are wonderful. This is a beautiful post!

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  4. AnonymousAugust 6, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    These are beautiful! I love the tea cups! Her work has such a lived-in, homey feel that is just wonderful.

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  5. drollgirlAugust 6, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    so beautiful and romantic! and i bet they would be very fun to touch! love them.

    LOVE

    THEM!!!

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  6. Michelle MarieAugust 6, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    I'm a big fan of anything to do with birds and that last piece is simply gorgeous!

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  7. AnonymousAugust 6, 2009 at 12:08 PM

    How romantic! I adore those teacups :-)

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  8. nevinAugust 6, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    These are beautiful!

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  9. ABSOLUTELY NOT MARTHAAugust 6, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    beautiful indeed!

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  10. Diana August 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    those tea cups!! borderline want and need!

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  11. High-Heeled Foot in the doorAugust 6, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    Wow they are beautiful! Great find. I love design lovely. Always full of wonderful things.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 6, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    What incredibly gorgeous wallpapers. I'm already picturing them on a few walls of mine :)

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  13. YansyAugust 6, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    I love them as well. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  14. Kasey at Thrifty Little BlogAugust 6, 2009 at 3:55 PM

    Those details are amazing. Beautiful!

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  15. GabbyAugust 6, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    LOVE the wallpaper...so gorgeous. And I totally get what you mean about 'uncomfortable'. I would love to have those cups on display!

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  16. LenoreNeverM♡reAugust 6, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    Simply brilliant!
    Le sigh...

    ~xo*

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  17. FROM THE RIGHT BANKAugust 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    The first one looks like a pencil sketch with color over it. I always love things like that.

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  18. christinaAugust 6, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    Amazing. I love admiring artwork of artists that I'm completely incapable of dreaming up myself.

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  19. MissBlissAugust 6, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    TRULY DIVINE. How wonderful... love those cups and the last two pieces, I suppose the stitching speaks to me since I learned to cross stitch as a kid and loved it... ;)

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  20. MissBlissAugust 6, 2009 at 10:38 PM

    btw, i see similarities between the art of the woman and your picture!!! they are right next to each other on my screen and what similarities!!! :)

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  21. GabbiAugust 6, 2009 at 11:33 PM

    I love her work and the idea of collaged wallpaper! The cups are a little confusing aren't they? Wish I could see one in person now...

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  22. julesAugust 7, 2009 at 12:52 AM

    I love the one of the lady. And I totally agree with your statement about the teacups. I think anything that evokes some sort of emotion in you is worth another look.

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  23. ######August 7, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    love these christina...the colors are awwwwwwwwwww good.

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  24. Rachel FollettAugust 7, 2009 at 4:54 AM

    I am so happy that you find her work inspiring as well! To be honest I cannot get her lovely designs out of my mind as well. I visited her website recently again and got stuck there for awhile. Such talent!!

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  25. BonBon Rose Girls KristinAugust 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    Although the cups might not be truly functional, I would love to put them in the hutch I'm refinishing!

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  26. Atomic LolaAugust 10, 2009 at 3:12 PM

    Love these items. I'd love them even better though if they were curtains. I love curtains.

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  27. NxAugust 10, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    These are incredibly beautiful, especially the design in the first photo - lovely colours.

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