Black and white abstract art: a history lesson {Franz Kline inspired}

I've been asked by so many people about art and I just wanted to take some time out to share a little bit of information. Most people, so I thought, knew about the origin of the black and white abstract popularity happening in decor right now. You see, the original paintings were done by super talented artist Franz Kline during the time of abstract expressionism. He created a unique style all his own. Kline used ordinary house paint & house painter's brushes to create his large strokes. While his paintings were appreciated in the art community, they have been made incredibly popular now. I personally believe that he is one of the most influential artists in decor and design right now. Take a look at some interiors with his original paintings. . .

Now, in the past few years, we have seen this type of art in almost every home. West Elm came out with a fantastic Franz Kline inspired collection. I never got my hands on one, but I was out thrifting the other day for a client and I found one of them and it inspired me to write this post. 

Its such a great piece. I ended up not buying it because I love creating this type of art for my own home. I really enjoy creating art, it zen's me out. I made this one for my black and white striped dining room. ( Sold when I moved to a lovely reader, I'm missing it already)

I also love this one I did for above my sofa in my Austin pad. 

You now see black and white abstract art everywhere in almost every home. Here are a few of my favorites. . .

I love this DIY by the Interior Collective & also this DIY by burlap & lace blog. 

Remember my post about my shopping trip to Wisteria? They have a great set of black and white abstract prints, framed in lovely clear frames. Get them here. 

Title image: Style me pretty // Inspiration images: 1) trendenser.se 2) design daredevil 3) unknown 4) @melanieduncan77 5) interiors porn 9-10) Lonny Magazine 

My latest design muse: Axel Vervoordt

I love to learn. I swear I could take a class every single day and never be done enjoying learning new things. Especially in art & design. I guess its the creative dreamer in me. Speaking of creatives, I was reading the latest Vogue Issue, you know the Kimye one. It was actually pretty interesting for me to read, especially because quite surprisingly I learned that I have something in common with Kanye West. He mentioned one of my favorite designers, Axel Vervoordt. He is an antiquarian, interior designer and really just an all around visionary. My aunt who is also an antiquarian introduced me to his work a while back and I have been inspired by his neutral, timeless yet collected interiors. While, its not really obvious in my work, his rooms so inspire almost everything I do. This book of his...just blew me away. I could look at his work again and again and still find something new. 

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brooke giannete

living room

What excites me the most, is that my newest client, a young sophisticated bachelor is really having me incorporate neutrals and natural elements like this in his home. So, I'm really getting to play with mixing my edgy glamour & this soft yet luxurious look. Now, one thing I have learned most from his is the art expressions. Pay attention to the movement in his art choices...the way he mixes artwork is almost like art itself in the way it plays with the room.

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outdoor experience

bedroom look

There is a new meaning to all white everything. There is also a way he works with the darker colors that looks just as beautiful.

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table setting

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Do a little exploring his work on your own. He really creates gorgeous interiors. His books Timeless Interiors & Living with Light are my suggestions and will probably be the next on The Decorista Book Club.

images all found here.