Monday, June 17, 2013

OOTD #1 Dandy in Red Shorts


I've never done an outfit of the day before, especially in a video, so when it was requested I had to watch a few of them on youtube, and they are quite a few for ladies, but rarely do you find one for men. So, hopefully, I did the best that I could do while feeling eyes watching me behind windows of my complex as I pranced around in my dandy outfit in front of a camera. If you like the video, don't forget to spank the like button, comment here or on the video, and subscribe to be the first to get a peek at my tutorials.



 
The jacket is by my favorite local designer, Cigi Guz, who I've interviewed on here before. It's vintage, with reworked buttons and lining. Best of all? It's light weight enough to wear all year. It's definitely a staple piece in my wardrobe that will never leave.
 
 
Don't kill me, but I actually picked up the shorts at WalMart. My cousin is the buyer for the clothing that appears, and since she's taken over the look has changed quite a bit. Plus, these were the first red shorts I could find that weren't cargo pants that actually fit me. Don't try finding these in the men's department, however, yep -- they're lady shorts. Who said style can't cross gender lines? Not me.
 
 
My shoes. Everybody loves these shoes and I got them by fate. My roommate, Denise, bought them, but decided they made her look a little too much like a lesbian and not so much like Greta Garbo as she had hoped. Luckily, we're the same shoe size, so I bought them from her and I have enjoyed the compliments every time I wear them.
 
WANT TO SEE MORE OF MY LIFE? CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM @LABERLYNOFFICIAL

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

WHAT THE FONT?

I'm asked quite a bit about the fonts I use in my designs, for this website, and in my art. I thought I'd give you guys my top five favorite fonts, and best of all they're all free to use. So just grab the ones you like, and if you make something with them, make sure to tag The Handsome Savage's facebook page.

 
Let's start off with my number one font, Tall Dark and Handsome, by QuickStick Productions. It is, of course, the font I use on all my Handsome Adventures. This one, like all of the rest are pretty basic fonts, chosen for something a little off about them, and how readable they are on all projects. This one is in all CAPS, but it does come with all the punctuation marks you'd ever want.
 
 

Nova Solid, is by one of my favorite typographers, Billy Argel. His fonts are always a bit rock and roll, and always easy to read and print on projects. This font is used on my personal stationary and calling cards. I love the big, bold look of this font, along with it's filled in lettering, because who didn't get bored and fill in the openings in letters on worksheets?


Flavia Bocco brought out this swanky little font, called vintage, and it melted my heart. I was looking for something with a vintage vibe, without going overboard, and I found it in this.


This is Board Contest, not a font I use that often, but it is one of my favorite fonts to use when a funky header for my DIY projects is needed. Yet, again, this one is all CAPS as well.


Full Moon on Mars, by Dirt2.com, gives me the filled in spaces of Nova Solid, but wraps it in a trendy exterior. I use this when I'm trying to reach out into the hipster population. It reels them in everytime.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

[MVML.01] Downtown is just Minty

Images from a recent trip to the Mint Museum, in Downtown Charlotte, with my friend (and fellow art snob,) Caylyn.


               
A few selections from the Mint, including the fantastic chandelier by Dale Chihuly (bottom right)
 
Our first street car hotdogs of the season. However, shortly after this, a random homeless lady came up to us and asked us for money. I handed her a dollar, she then promptly asked for a twenty instead. I snatched my dollar back from her. Yeah, I'm that guy.
 
 
This had to be the opportunity of a life time. While eating our dogs, these tourists come whizzing by on Segways. I feel this si the best image I've ever captured on my life to date.
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Pointier Point: Geometric Designs

I have to admit, I have quite the obsession with geometric prints, especially when it comes to triangles. If you guys remember my failed feature wall, I wanted to bring triangles into my home with a bang. It failed, but I still love the idea. So much so, that I wanted to share with you some of my favorite ideas using triangles in your home.


I don't know why it never donned on me to use wallpaper on my feature wall. It would've been simpler. This wall paper is from Custhom's Bermondsey Square collection. These are all hand foiled by the company, which is run out of a garden shed in Peckham, London. It's a bit pricey, but looking at the sample I requested, it's way worth it.



The two images above, show more wallpaper. These are from a photo mural company based in the UK as well, Wall Factor. I think they're fun and punchy and would definitely make an interesting feature wall. I have to admit, I'm quite smitten with their Dark Forest wall mural as well.


This Little nugget of a room was found on Houzz.com. I love it's color combination and use of triangles. It reminds me of grandma's quilt, on acid.


If you're not quite as brazen as I am in the feature wall department, you can always bring in some geometrics in other ways. You can DIY yourself a framable piece out of anything from paint, to paint chips. Too lazy? Grab this one, and many others like it from Etsy. Who needs to craft, if someone else will do it for you? No, seriously, you should craft.

Dig these designs and want more inspiration that floats through my quirky internet searches? Check out my last inspiration post: Florals, for spring? Ground Breaking.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

My very ambitious feature wall (and its failure.)


A while back, February 27, to be exact, I posted this picture of the feature wall I was working on in my bedroom to my facebook page. It was cool, I loved the design, and my comment box filled up with delightful comments and well wishes on my adventure into pop geometric design. Well, I guess you're wondering how it all turned out, right? Well...Let's start at the beginning.

From time to time, I get this wild hair to do something funky in my bedroom. As a result, I'll change everything in the room. It's a painting extravaganza. Furniture is spray painted. Headboards and numerous trips to Sherwin Williams are made. All of these efforts are to get the idea out of my head. The idea for my wall was inspired by the beautiful and talented, Kelly Wearstler. She did an amazing job of creating this pattern in one of her hotel designs. (See Image Below.)


I had to have it for myself, so I rummaged around my storage shed and pulled out the paints and my 45 degree angle. Starting from the top-center of my wall, I alternated my triangle, tracing it as I went. I continued to do this until I had the entire wall mapped out in triangles. Then the "fun" part started. I taped off random triangles and started to paint. I thought I had it under control, that is, until it took me 3 hours to finish one row of the triangles.

Sadly, four rows in, I got so busy that I didn't have time to finish up the project. I also got tired of coming home and seeing a half finished project. I did what any other well-adjusted guy would do. Finish it? No. I painted over it. So the wall is back to its old self: Teal. Who would've thought, I wouldn't finish that task, besides my roommate, Denise? Probably everyone, but I digress.

Now that my wall is back to teal, and the decision made that I wouldn't have a feature wall, where was I going to put the pops of color and geometric design that I have been lusting over lately? I think I have the perfect fix. However, you'll have to stay tuned to find out, in the next chapter of: The Bedroom Redo.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Amy Bagwell and Kit Kube

Being in the Gallery Assistance class, I get to see some good sneak peeks into what's going into the galleries on the CPCC Central campus. Today, I was lucky enough to catch these two beautiful exhibits recently installed in the Ross Gallery.

 
The work of Amy Bagwell features found objects put together with words to express her inner thoughts. The work features dead bees, Barbies, and all manner of objects used to create her work displayed in her show, "The factories don't install emotion tapes."
 
 
My favorites are those that you have to look through peepholes, much like DuChamps' Etant donnĂ©s, in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A new world is exposed each time you take a look through the portals, one in which you feel, as if, you're reading someone else's diary.

Also joining in on the fun is an installation by Kit Kube, titled: Turbulent Trajectories. I purposely didn't include a photograph of his work. I want to get your interest up with the mystery. It's an amazing piece that you have to take in for yourself. You'll also have to take in the reactions of the people around you.

The perfect time to do this would be at the Reception for these two lovely artists. The Reception for this grouping is on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 6-8pm. So come and check out the work in the Ross Gallery on CPCC's Central Campus (Overcash Building, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. Charlotte, NC 28204)

Want to meet the artists? Well, they're giving a talk as well!
Amy Bagwell's talk will be on May 2, 2013 in the Ross Gallery at 12pm
Kit Kube will be speaking on April 19, 2013 in the Ross Gallery as well at 12pm

The two shows will be on display from April 3 to June 14

Florals, for Spring. Ground breaking.

It's been a while since I've sat down and actually posted something, so I figured, since class was cancelled today, that I would take some time and actually post something to the design section of my site. What was my inspiration, you ask? Spring -- and, yes, there will be florals. Here are some of my favorite floral inspirations for your own Nut Hut.

 
I'm really digging the variety of occasional pillows that are popping up lately, especially those that have a 3D applique. This felt Daniella Dahlia pillow caught my eye while searching for accessories for a class project. The best part of it? It tickles the DIY center of my tootsie pop.  It comes as a downloadable pattern from Etsy for only $6. The perfect weekend project to spruce up your pad. Check it out here.

 
Now this pattern, I found on Pinterest. I could never find out exactly what it was. It could be a fabric, a wallpaper, scrapbook paper, or even a gift wrap. I loved its Art Deco appeal and color combination, not to mention it's kissing birds. It is spring after all. I'm not going to lie, I'd love this as a wallpapered feature wall in a nursery or kids room. Let's be honest, I'd even love it as a back splash in a sleek white kitchen for just a pop of color.
 
 
Take a cue from Betsey Johnson and splash a little pink around your pad like she did. Afraid it's too girly? Add in Pink's bestfriend, Orange, and it's better than Prozac.
 
 
Feathers! Feathers! Feathers! I've become slightly obsessed with feathers as of late. I'm not sure why, but I've had this compulsive urge to run out and buy brightly colored ostrich feathers and do something anything, with them. If you're not brave enough to toss a bunch of feathers into a vase, why not try a vintage print? Why not just try out this print's color combination for yourself? 
 
This, dear readers, is this Anthropologie's Ditte Sofa, featuring Marimekko Bottna upholstery. Curves galore, and bright pops of Kelly green. What more could you ask for in a fabric?