New Alphabet Wallpaper Designs


All Designs are based on the alphabet above which I created in 2006


A mock up of the reversed out Black + White alphabet wallpaper.
A perfect backdrop in the home of a graphic designer or writer!



Red + White Alphabet


Orange + White alphabet

Here are some wallpaper designs I've been working on. They are still in the prototype stage ie. You can't order them yet! Let me know your favourite colour combo.
All work is @ copyright Alanna Cavanagh 2011.
Please do not reproduce without permission. Thanks!

Inspiration: Living Etc magazine + Fornasetti


Isn't this studio/office amazing?
I love how the utilitarian furniture is contrasted with the very whimsical Fornasetti pieces.
And don't you think everyone should have some storms clouds + a naked roman lady looking over them as they work!

While working on some pattern samples yesterday I went through a big stack of Living etc magazines for inspiration. In the January 2011 issue there's an amazing piece on the home of Barnaba Fornasetti (the son who took over the design house after the death of his father Piero)
The photos took my breath away and went right up on my inspiration board!

Little Home Reno update + Some thoughts on Colour


We started with this....

and now it's lookin' like this

I know i know... it looks like my last bedroom!
Walls are Ben Moore Chelsea grey
Pillow by Judy Ross

Ok so it has been ages since I posted a reno update so here's a peek at what's been going on Chez Alanna. I put in two walls to create a private bedroom and a large vestibule. Painted the bedroom Ben Moore Chelsea grey as usual and got a new bed! Next step is to get an upholstered headboard which I'm hoping will pull the room together.

Isn't this stunnning?! LOVE the mustard headboard.

I was gonna go very neutral with the headboard in a nice grey in felt or linen but after seeing the beautiful photo above i'm inspired to do the headboard in a fun colour that will really pop off the grey walls. Am thinking either a mustard as in the Judy Ross pillow or my all time favourite colour: limey chartreuse.

*Dear Readers - Your feedback is most welcome in this serious matter.*
(Please note the irony of that statement)

Now that's a grey!
Photo from the marion house book

Colour note: The Chelsea grey is ok but am now wishing I'd gone with a more dark slatey grey like in the dreamy photo above. I think the paint might be Farrow and Ball's Down Pipe.
Looks much better huh?
I say Learn from my mistakes Dear Readers!

ps. I very much wish I didn't have a mind that obsessed about colour so much... but alas I do.

and pss. I found the bathroom photo on a great new blog The Marion House Book which is written by an Exhibit/ Interior designer and fellow West - Ender Emma Reddington. Emma has really great style - reminiscent of what one finds in the British Decor mags like Living etc + Elle Decor UK plus... she loves greys + blacks! Highly recommended.
(Thanks Kim for turning me onto Emma!)

Inspiration: Anthropologie



Close up
Took a field trip to Anthropologie yesterday. Very inspired by the giant paper flowers on the second floor. Am thinking it'd be fun to make some of these for my apt! What a great way to bring a sense of whimsy to a place.

Looking at these animal masks also gave me a craving to do some paper mache. I think getting covered with flour + newspaper would be a welcome antidote to spending so much time in front of the computer.