The Art Of — Artist Series

DESIGNING MOMENTS IN TIME & CONNECTING with Danielle McGee of Good Look'n

Hello! My name is Danielle McGee, and I own a small business called Good Look'n. We are a New England based design house with a focus in event planning! Good Look'n was born out of my passion for community and the hopes of bringing good people together to share, to love, and to grow. 

I collaborate with clients in the design of opportunities, or rather moments in time where life's most intimate connections are free to take shape. As a culture, we thrive when we connect. When we experience true connection, we expose ourselves to compassion, happiness and most importantly, inspiration.

As a crafter of experience, I use design and the careful curation of props and decor to transform spaces into the style of event our clients envision. Lighting plays a huge roll in my work. Creating ambience is critical in establishing the overall mood of an event. Candles are a great way to introduce a magical glow of warm light. Nothing is more inviting when you enter a room than the warmth of a candle. There is something so timeless about an elegant taper that I just can't resist, they are by far my favorite tool of the trade!

When the tables are set, the lights turned down and the candles are lit, I know the room is ready to go. Nothing is more satisfying in my practice than seeing the look on the client's face when they walk into a finished space for the first time, it's everything!

SHIMMERING FLOWERS & RESTORATIVE MOMENTS with Kaila Jackson of Blue Green Patina

My name is Kaila Jackson. I'm a watercolor artist living on a little piece of countryside in the state of Ohio. My mission is to bring beauty to the world wherever I can.

Flowers are an obsession of mine - the beauty, the whimsy, the happiness they bring to a human, a home, or a life. I buy them, I grow them, I paint them. Usually in shades of pink.

Quiet + Creative Spaces

Before I paint, I set my space. I want a quiet room, a glass of wine or a cup of tea, fresh flowers on my table, and always, a candle. The day of the week doesn't matter. Snow flurries, a thunderstorm, or blue-skies - my requirements are the same.

Within that space I can always decompress. I dip my paintbrush and allow the twisted floral vines of my mind to unravel into swirls and brushstrokes that become shimmering flowers, spilling out of a basket or a vase. Painting is, for me, restorative. I find a sense of calm in my routine and look forward to that daily quiet, my paints, the drink, the flowers, and the candle.

A REMINDER TO LIVE SIMPLY with Brian Rhinehart of Minimalist of Aesthetics

My name is Brian Rhinehart. I'm a lifestyle blogger based out of Chicago, IL. I have always found beauty in the simplest of things such as drinking a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop or traveling to new and exciting places. All of these moments, big and small, have beauty in them and inspire me to be creative and live a simpler life. 

My social media handle Minimalist of Aesthetics started out as a constant reminder for me to stay grounded in life by living simply and putting focus and love into all moments. I wanted to share with others my life through photos in hopes that they too could somehow feel inspired by how I was living. If even one person could like my recent travels or my latest candle obsessions that meant more to me than anything.

 

I realized that I wanted to share more depth and background than my Instagram posts were allowing with just a photo and small caption. It was in that moment that I decided to create my blog, Minimalist of Aesthetics and was on my way to become a blogger. Blogging allows me to have a voice beyond the photos and connect with others. Connecting with people, brands, and new places around the world is what I love the most about blogging. Finding like minded people who share the love and desire to live simply means everything to me.

When I'm creating new content for my blog it comes so easy because I surround myself with things that I love and things that inspire me. My home is where I enjoy blogging the most because I'm surrounded by different elements that bring joy in my life. Elements ranging from a multitude of house plants surrounding my living space, to the soft music playing in the background, or even the new artwork I hung on the wall. However, there is one element that helps my creative process more than all other and that is filling my home with fragrant candles. Candles help me to relax and focus on what I love most, blogging. 

Each day we can find beauty in something. That is what drives me every single day as a blogger, as a creative, as a human being. To live simply, to live beautifully, and to live to inspire others!

 

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SPACES AND COMING TOGETHER with Judy Dill of Life is Better at Home

My name is Judy Dill. I'm a home stylist and blogger at Life Is Better At Home who lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. I'm excited to have recently launched my own interior decorating business, Life Is Better At Home Interiors!

Interior decorating and entertaining have always been a passion of mine. I love creating a theme for a season, a holiday or an event and seeing it come to life! I'm also a wife and mother, so I enjoy creating beautiful spaces that are also functional and family friendly.

Interior Decorating + Entertaining

When it comes to decorating, my two must haves to personalize a space are fresh flowers and candles! Fresh flowers add instant style and class, while candles add ambiance. The flicker and glow of my favorite candle says sit down, relax, and unwind. Adding a simple votive to your powder room or entry table is always a nice touch. Whether I'm entertaining or it's just my husband and I enjoying a quiet night in, candles create a cozy and welcoming space.

I used to get caught up in the idea that everything had to be "perfect" when I was entertaining. I've come to realize it's the coming together of family and friends and enjoying the time together that matters most.

 

BUILDING WARM, INVITING SPACES WITH A FUNCTION with Kristin Lenz of White Arrows Home

My name is Kristin Lenz. I'm a decor consultant, stylist, and White Arrows Home blogger. I live "Up North" in Wisconsin with my husband and five children. I share my love of North Woods Living on my blog. I'm inspired by the outdoors, especially the views from my lakeside log cabin home. I enjoy the outdoors in every season and I style my home to be warm and welcoming for family, friends and guests. I'm passionate about building family memories for my children, decorating, and entertaining. 

"One of the easiest ways to add warmth to a home is through candles. They instantly make a space calming and cozy." 

Cozy North Woods Living + Camp Paradise

My home is a full log cabin named "Camp Paradise," on the shores of a lake in The North Woods of Wisconsin. It is filled with a mix of antique, vintage and new pieces. It reflects nostalgic camp style with the elegance of a grand old lodge. 

A top priority for me is styling and restyling rooms to fit function for families while maintaining warmth and comfort. My spaces have an abundance of cozy spots to curl up with a book, nap, visit with friends or play games. Cozy spaces make you want to linger longer. Candles add a classic touch, whether a votive on a side table next to a reading chair, tapers on the dining room table or pillars on the mantel. 

When choosing pieces for homes I select items that can be used in multiple rooms and spaces. This makes the idea of "shopping your home" fun and budget friendly when restyling a space. I often advise my clients and readers on how to bring something from one room to another and make it feel new. 

I am constantly dreaming of ways to remodel, redecorate and style cottages, cabins, lake houses and homes. I often layer classic aesthetics with modern trends in my designs. I love using white shiplap and light nautical colors or knotty pine walls, plaid carpets and antlers. I use my blog, White Arrows Home, to design spaces for individuals and families to experience the "Up North" and find a retreat where they can relax, recreate and reconnect with themselves and nature.