09/29/2017

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone â€“ and Happy National Coffee Day! Although every day is National Coffee Day in my house. After a few busy weekends of birthday parties, family trips, and other events, I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. It’s supposed to be cool and crisp here this weekend, which sounds absolutely perfect after a couple weeks of summer-like heat. Yay! But in the meantime…

One of my favorite DC murals: the heart wall at Union Market! Photo by me.

…a few links for your weekend!

Kind of obsessed with this family Halloween costume inspired by school supplies!

Madewell is offering up to 30% off through Monday â€“ and they never do sales! I’m really loving this sweater, this bell-sleeve top, and this drapey shirt, and I’m highly considering getting one of these sweater coats.

Yay! We finally have a Jeni’s ice cream in DC!

It’s Premier Day over on West Elm and their family of brands â€“ today only! I’ve got my eye on this gem cut brass side table, this copper oil and vinegar set, and this gorgeous floor lamp. Plus, get free shipping with code PREMIER!

So into dark exterior house colors right now

Loving all the bright colors in the latest collection from Oscar de la Renta

BTW â€“ are you on the mailing list for Common Room Studio? We’re getting ready to announce our first workshops and events! You can also follow us on Instagram here!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Obsessed with this colorful DIY Matisse-inspired cut paper garland

Oooh! Hot pink watercolor wedding invitations

Behind the Stationery with Tiny Bones Press

Wedding stationery inspiration for brunch weddings!

Well Said Type: Raindrop

I made a video using the Samsung Galaxy S8+ â€“ the camera is so good!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend â€“ I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

09/26/2017

Bohemian Hot Pink Watercolor Wedding Invitations

Yes way, rosÃ©! These bohemian hot pink watercolor wedding invitations by Kacey Munson of Hoopla Love feature funky hand lettering, hot pink watercolor washes, and an abstract floral painting. So fun!

From Kacey: When Nia contacted me about creating a bold and colorful suite for her “Rustic Bohemian” October wedding, I was thrilled. It’s not every day that a bride requests hot pink watercolor washes and messy hand painted lettering for her invitations, but it’s just the kind of style that I love to work with. I started with a watercolor floral painting that I digitally edited to create an edgy abstract look and we used that as the border for her save the date.

The focal point of the floral art was shades of pinks from blush to hot pink, with some pops of more rustic tones, like ivory, grays, greens and wine tones to contrast. Paired with black painted freehand lettering and a kraft envelope, it really captured the rustic boho look.

When someone asks me to create a whole coordinating suite including a save the date, I typically start with one central design or artistic element and try to carry the look throughout the rest of the suite â€“ without being too repetitive or matchy- matchy. These invitations were designed around the abstract floral of the save the dates, and the pattern was incorporated in the RSVP postcard and wedding details card.

The pink ombrÃ© watercolor wash in the invitation card looks so crisp and striking when paired with black painted lettering â€“ it might be my favorite element of the suite. The RSVP postcard really ties the entire suite together, combining both the abstract floral design and watercolor wash in subtle, different ways on each side of the card.

I always say that invitations are so important because it gives guests an idea of the look and vibe of the celebration. Nia and Adam’s fun, colorful, edgy and unique invitations almost had me asking if I could come to the wedding, too!

Thanks Kacey!

Design: Hoopla Love

Printing: Printech

Hoopla Love is a member of the Designer Rolodex â€“ you can see more of their beautiful work right here or visit the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Hoopla Love

09/14/2017

Calligraphy Inspiration: Nikki Ornopia

Hello everyone! September feels even more like a happy beginning and a new rhythm now that I’m a mama to school-age kiddos. So I thought I’d start here with this pretty print by a favorite calligrapher who’s new to the scene â€” and full of fresh inspiration. Here’s a peek into the work of Los Angeles-based calligrapher Nikki Ornopia. – Jen

Nikki is a self-taught calligrapher and she’s also ambidextrous! So all the work she’s shared here was done with her right hand, yet she’s a true lefty. How amazing is that! Nikki said, “I found in the beginning how difficult it was to letter with my left hand. I wanted to control the brush. I then thought, hey Iâ€™ve written with my right hand before letâ€™s try that! The rest was history. Using my right hand for lettering allowed me the freedom of being more relaxed when I letter, and I noticed the letters were coming out SO much better.”

I love how Nikki incorporates watercolor into her calligraphy! Those watercolor garlands above are so sweet and these place cards have such a dreamy vibe to them. Nikki shares that her lettering style mixes simple and modern bouncy cursive and handwritten letters.

Look at how adorable these baby milestone cards are that Nikki created! So fun and unique.

Here’s a peek at Nikki’s favorite project that she’s worked on so far â€” a first day of school sign! This canvas piece was done for a kiddo who had just begun kindergarten. Nikki shares, “It took about 3 hours to finish with waiting for the watercolor to dry in between, but it was just an overall amazing project.” What a sweet keepsake!

Nikki works on traditional wedding calligraphy projects, too. (Of course!) I’m always a fan of the white lettering on brown paper look.

What are her favorite calligraphy tools? Nikki shares: “My main tools that I use are fine tip brushes. I also love using fine tip brushes for painting leaves. I love the precision details I can create with those types of brushes.”

Many thanks to Nikki for sharing her work with us! I hope your September is off to a happy start!

Photo Credits: Nikki Ornopia

09/13/2017

Illustrated Honeysuckle Vine Wedding Invitations

If you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to summer, we’ve got some wedding invitations for you! Designer Rolodex member Amanda of Wide Eyes Paper Co. designed these stunning illustrated honeysuckle vine wedding invitations with a custom hand painted envelope liner as the main focal point. Along with the custom envelope liner, the invitation suite features an earthy green and kraft color palette and subtle rustic touches to honor their outdoor wedding venue. So pretty!

From Amanda: This sweet little three piece letterpress invitation suite is surely going to make it hard to say goodbye to summer. Rebecca and William wanted a simple two color invitation that captured the elegant beauty of their outdoor wedding in New Jersey. We created a whimsical design focused around illustrated honeysuckle vines and subtle rustic details. The letterpress cotton card stock added the perfect texture to the earthy color palette.

We loved working with the couple to create the RSVP card, details card, and adorable â€œgood morningâ€ card to make sure that every important detail was covered in style for the lucky guests of this rustic wedding.

Did we forget to mention the custom watercolor map? There is no better way to give your guests a lay of the land than highlighting all of the spots that are close to your heart. We included many landmarks that are special to the couple such as the location of their first kiss and first sailing adventure to the iconic Normandy Hotel.

The custom floral watercolor liner and wood engraved tags were the perfect finishing touches to this whimsical invitation suite, with the wood engraved tags and natural twine adding a dose of rustic texture. We chose vintage-inspired floral postage stamps to enhance the natural feel of the invitation set.

Thanks Amanda!

Design: Wide Eyes Paper Co.
Letterpress Printing: Clove St. Press

Wide Eyes Paper Co. is a member of the Designer Rolodex â€“ you can see more of their beautiful work right here or visit the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Kelly Wild

09/08/2017

Happy Weekend

My heart and thoughts are with the people in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the Caribbean islands this weekend. I lived in Florida from 1992 to 2002 before moving to DC, and even though I’ve moved away and my family has since moved out of state, it will always have a special place in my heart. If you’re in Irma’s path, please stay safe and know we’ll be here to help however we can. In the meantime…