So if you weren’t at the Jalan-Jalan Preview Party on Saturday, you missed the best party…..

Owner Caye David had her latest imports from Indonesia on display, paired with colorful splashes of expressivist painting by artist Sargam Griffin.   That’s Caye, lower left, with Sargam next to her…..

Sargam’s works were stunning in and of themselves.  Here she is next to my favorite piece – “The Economy” – very free and spontaneous – which I must have for the front entry of my design studio someday…..

Ben Collins, owner of our Nashville Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store, chose this painting of hers, as his favorite piece…..

Her work added color and energy to the more serene, natural palette of the Indonesian furniture.  Ben’s favorite painting paired nicely with these stone stools and table, which would do nicely in some resort setting – as would the artwork…..

One of my favorite guys over at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Ian May, had a favorite artwork too – this abstract floral…..

“It’s happy and sunny, ” he explained.  Which made me laugh – cause that describes Ian to a T!

Another one of my favorite people, Julie Hullett, Concierge, was there too…..

Her favorite piece was this chair – and the carved table - and the huge carved panel behind it.  She thought the chair looked inviting – was surprised to find it was comfortable too.

And a detail of the panel…..

My friend and interior designer Mark DeMayo was there too.  His favorite piece was this wooden coffee table…..

…..for the rustic character in the wood.

And this huge canopy bed stole the show…..

Kim Ivey, an accountant whom I met at the party, called it her favorite thing, because it was luxurious in size,  yet could serve a casual lounge or sleeping need so practically.  I’d say luxurious, yet practical is something you see over and over again with this Indonesian furniture…..

The canopy bed was festooned with wonderful textiles…..

Artist Deanie French, who teaches at Art & Soul, and I vied for this teal patterned one as our favorite.  If she doesn’t take it, I could maybe put it up on a large wall somewhere in my house…..

But I don’t know – I might need the pillows too…..

This stone carved Buddha was Bill Owens’ favorite piece.  Bill has been a faithful follower of Caye’s Indonesian imports since she first opened 15 years ago, and has fitted his entire house out with the stuff!

But apart from the blue tapestry (for my house), “The Economy” painting (for my studio foyer), and the stone stools and table (for the spa I want to design one day), I had a favorite…..

…..this bench sofa.  So simple and happy.  Love the detail carved on the panel…..

“Jalan-Jalan” means “I’m just going for a walk” in Indonesian.  And I felt I had indeed “just gone for a walk” – stepping back in time to a place slower and more serene….. If you need a little bit of “practical luxury” and serenity in your life, this Nashville gem is not to be missed.

Jalan-Jalan is located at 2503 Winford Avenue in Nashville, TN, and is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 to 5.  Check out their website at www.jalanjalanantiques.com.

Sargam Griffin’s exhibit, East Meets West, will be on display at Jalan-Jalan through December 15th.

- marcelle

I have a thing for vintage furniture.  Every now and then I have to swing by my favorite shop in my neck of the woods, Surroundings at 5200 Charlotte Avenue, to see what’s “new”…..as it were…..

This partition is made of a wood frame with a metal latice-work screen in the panels.  The doors in the middle are on hinges.  There is this really cool bit of green patina on the screen, and bits of green paint in the doors, which gives it cool character…..I could  see this acting as a casual room divider in an open, modern space – maybe held in place with metal straps…..

This Parisian bistro table is of very sturdy metal, 30″ round and 30″ high.  Why is that important?  Because it makes an awesome living room or study laptop table – very vogue these days…..tall enough to pull up to and surf the web, maybe drink a cup of tea…..

This large, 19th century African American quilt is just the coolest.  Love the red and light blue set in the soft greys.  Love the almost-contemporary abstract composition.  It’s made of clothing remnants, and you can even see some button holes in it up close.  If I had a big house, I’d put it on a big wall somewhere…..

Surroundings is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.  Tell Jo Ella or Sandy that Marcelle sent you…..

Marcelle:  So today I want to introduce you to my fabulous colleague, Peggy Roberts, a very accomplished up and coming Cleveland artist.  Her breezy, clever and whimsical artwork just makes you want to say “ahhhhh…..” I have invited Peggy to guest blog for me today on one of our favorite shared topics:  Living with art.

Peggy:  Art is a very important part of a home.  It can uplift the  consciousness, welcome guests into the home, add color, create discussion.   In my opinion, when it comes to art, bigger is better, even in a small  space.  Since my personal preference is almost minimal, streamlined  spaces, I prefer a large painting to a grouping of small works.   Groupings tend to look cluttered.

One of my favorite uses of art  is to anchor different spaces in an open environment.  Here are some  photos from my inspiration file.  I hope you enjoy!

The  entry way or sitting area.  Use art to welcome your guests and to set  the mood for a lively visit filled with intellectual conversation.

The  living area.  We’ve all heard scholars say that art shouldn’t match  your decor.  But this is a rule I prefer to break.  I like the art to  pick up, or even set the tone for the decor.  It seems natural to me, we  are all attracted to certain colors.

Marcelle and her husband do a great job of anchoring the different spaces in their beautiful home with art.

Art can be part of monochromatic room.  Monochrome can be very restful as this gorgeous room shows.

But that doesn’t mean your art has to match.  Art  should be anything you consider beautiful.  Contrasting art can be very  interesting, as can art that pops off an otherwise white or neutral  color scheme.

Like a black and white scheme?  Art doesn’t need to be colorful if you like it more subdued or moody.

Art makes a great conversation piece in the dining room, and can liven up dark walls.

Don’t  stop with just the living area.  Art looks great in the kitchen and dining area.  Anywhere you spend time, you should have lovely and  compelling art to look at.

One of my favorite uses for large paintings is as a headboard.  The art should be something that’s restful.  I like this one because  it’s like sleeping in a tree house!

Here is an example of a  room I designed around a painting.  This room is part of my ongoing  project attempting to show pink used in modern ways.

I am fortunate to be a painter, I have a steady supply of paintings that I can change on a whim.

Here’s one of my favorites.  I love graphic and pop art, and I love the combination of blue and orange pops.

Not a painter?  That doesn’t matter.  I believe every one’s  creative.  Buy a canvas and splash paint on it, or paint it in a solid  color.  I often do this when I am experimenting with a color.  This is  also a neat trick if you are in a rental and are not allowed to paint  the walls.

Art doesn’t need to cost a  fortune.  Check your local library, some libraries have art to loan.   Also check your local art schools, they often have art sales which is a  great way to support local artists.  The Internet also provides many opportunities to buy inexpensive art directly from artisans, such as  Etsy.  Just remember to go big, have fun, and if you love a piece you  can’t go wrong.  I hope you enjoyed this guest post.

Marcelle:  Peggy, I just love the tree-as-headboard.  And thank you so much for all these amazing art-as-decor tips!  I keep reading them over and over again…..  Be sure to check out Peggy’s blog, Creative Influences, where she shares more of her amazing ideas pertaining to home decor and art.   Peggy has an extensive collection of artwork which can be seen in her portfolio on flickr.  Honestly, if you have a need for some artwork to finish out your home, Peggy will work with you to customize something that’s just the right size, shape and color palette.  Now that’s my kinda gal…..

Picture 1.  Image via the Sumptuous Chair
(http://thesumptuouschair.com/chairs.html)

Picture 2.  Image via Line Juhl Hansen
(http://www.linejuhlhansen.dk/kategori/blog)

Picture 3.    Image via Jan Showers  (http://www.janshowers.com/InteriorDesign)

Picture 4.  Image Simon Watson via Desire to Inspire
(http://www.simonwatson.com)

Picture  5.  Image Summer and Josh’s Pumped Up Traditional via Apartment Therapy
(http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/house-tour-summer-and-joshs-pumped-up-traditional-chicago-065851)
Picture  6.    Image David & Marcelle’s  Nashville
Beach  House)
(http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/david-marcelles-nashville-beach-house-house-tour-143944)
Picture  7.   Image via March 2010 House  Beautiful.

Picture. 8.  Image via Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.  (http://www.bnodesign.com)

Picture 9.  Image via Anthology.  (http://www.anthologymag.com)

Picture 10.  The lovely home of Carolyn Quartermaine.
(http://www.carolynquartermaine.com)

Picture 11.  Brian Elston.

Picture 12.  Decor8.

Picture 13.  Rue Magazine.  (http://www.ruemag.com/issues/issue-four)

Picture 14.  Peter Margonelli via Desire to Inspire.
(http://petermargonelli.com/)

Picture 15.  Apartment Therapy.

Picture  16.    Image via Living Etc.   (http://www.livingetc.com/)

Picture 17. The fabulous  painting is by Dee Adams.   (http://www.deedee914.com/about.html)

Picture  18.   Image by Peggy Roberts

Picture 19.  Image by Peggy Roberts

Please note in most cases image credit is given to the designer of the room, not the  artist.  If you know the artist of any of the fine paintings used as  examples, please contact Peggy.  She”d be happy to feature them on her blog.