Thanks to everyone who entered StyleCarrot partner Minted’s $100 Minted Affordable Art Print Giveaway. I just picked the winner. It’s Emily L.! Emily and her husband (whom I happen to know because they both taught my son in elementary school) have toddler triplets. Seriously. Two girls and a boy.
In honor of their little rascals I’ve chose ten child-appropriate art prints. Congrats on your art prize. Emily. Let me know if you need help picking anything out. Minted has lots of affordable artwork, especially art prints for kids.
Since I’m spending the month on the Outer Cape, curating a collection of whale artwork seems fitting. I’ve never actually been on a whale watch, I’ve never read Moby Dick, and I’ve definitely never worn miniature whales on a belt—not even in the ’80s—but I’ve live in New England long enough to appreciate the whale.
My son spent his entire third grade year learning about whales and whaling, though admittedly I didn’t accompany the class on any whaling museum field trips. I did however buy him Don Carney’s Timid Whale print at 20×20. After the boys broke the glass with a football I moved it to their bathroom, where it lives happily.
Here are 13 not too preppy whale artworks—children’s art and grownup specimens—from a variety of artists and shops, including StyleCarrot partners.
Husband and wife design duo Bob and Cortney Novogratz are at it again. There latest effort is the 9 by Novogratz bedding and bath collection at Walmart. The line includes bedding, beds, and bath accessories in their signature bright, geometric pops of color. The pieces are great for kids—the couple have seven of their own—and extra vibrant grownups.
Bob and Cortney Novogratz masterfully layer pattern and color, but of course the throw pillows, shams, duvets, towels, and shower curtains work perfectly as accents . The collection also includes furniture—painted metal beds, upholstered beds and headboards in stripes and solids, tufted storage ottomans, solid color sofas, and chevron armchairs.
I discovered Brooklyn-based site Uncommon Goods, which launched back in 1999, when I worked for Store Adore. I perused it all the time, especially for environmentally-conscious and handcrafted gift options. For some reason it had fallen off my radar for a while. They emailed me recently. I learned that the company’s lowest paid worker makes 50 percent above minimum wage—as good a reason as any to start shopping the site again—and that they donate to a number of worthy non-profits, including organizations for women, hunger, and the environment. I was also reminded of its selection of selection of cute gifts, including a whole bunch of whole bunch of personalized gifts, like jewelry, pillows, and books. There’s also affordable artwork. I posted a dozen of my favorite artworks from Uncommon Goods below.
I just reconnected with a dear friend, Jessica Biales. Last we spoke, she was a single attorney in New York City. Multiple years, guys, and cities (even countries) later, she has a super husband, beautiful daughter, and has turned her passion for photography into a full-fledged pursuit. Her photo collages, many aimed towards children, are playful but not babyish, with crisp images depicting whimsical images (calico elephants anyone?) in realistic settings. These are my favorites:
