Welcome to the seventh week of my color palette series featuring ARTISTS + MAKERS!
As a bonafide Art History nerd, I love a good still life. But throw in gorgeous handmade paper flowers and I’m ALL IN. Margie Keates of The Lovely Ave is the talented soul behind this hand-cut, -folded, -painted, -pinched, -crinkled, -twisted and expertly-arranged masterpiece called “SAMIRA.”
SLATE BLUE #46494E / BLUE-GRAY #889DA2 / MAUVE-PINK #DDB5A9
MUTED PEACH #E8A37C / ORANGE POPPY #FEA94F
WHAT ARE THESE COLOR CODES? The “hex codes” above are provided as a courtesy for those customizing website colors or looking for general color inspiration. They are not based on paint or Pantone chips. Remember that ink on paper will never look the same as light on a screen. If you like a combination you see, we recommend saving the image and heading to your local hardware store to find paint chips that match. Digital colors will change depending on your phone/tablet/computer screen, so be sure to color match with real swatches. Also, I make up all the color names.
First, I have a confession. I almost bought this. I have been stalking Margie’s IG feed for almost a year now, after she shared a sneak peek of her first still life in December 2017. In fact, I’m pretty sure there’s a comment on that post in which @akulakreative asks if/when this would be for sale…
Well, friends, my stalking paid off because The Lovely Ave Still Life Collection is now FOR SALE! Sadly, my absolute favorite had sold before the collection went live; however, I am still obsessed with “SAMIRA” above. Blue and orange isn’t even my favorite color combination, but the way Margie used that pale blue paper backdrop with delicate blooms in yellow, orange, peach, pink, and white is jaw-dropping. Like I want to redecorate/remodel my dining room or breakfast nook just to hang it on the wall. (You think I’m exaggerating but I seriously sat here at my desk thinking HARD about how I could make it work in one of those rooms.)
Long story short, I decided to shoot Margie an email before checking out with “SAMIRA” in my cart. I’m soooo glad I did because guess what. She’s going to make me my favorite still life WITH a few custom changes!! I have been searching for THE perfect piece of wall art for our home, and I am sooo glad I held out for this. (If you want to see the original it will be modeled after in all its three-dimensional glory, click here.)
STILL LIFE BY THE LOVELY AVE + PHOTO BY ASHLEE BROOKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Margie, not only have you found a way to make exquisite paper flowers, but you’ve also done something NEW with them. As someone who genuinely understands how difficult it is to come up with something 100% original, my hat’s off to you. I am SO honored to be a future owner of one of your still lifes. (Eeeee, I’m still squealing with excitement over here!)
Happy Friday!