On The Wall: Tina Bernstein from Colour Living

28.02.2014
Interior & Design, Voyeurist
24 Comments

Mel. guestpost1

Well after being missing in action after a fantastic break to Sydney and then returning home only to fall ill for a couple of days, I’m so happy to be back to the blog and with my On The Wall series. My special guest today is Tina who authors a design and lifestyle blog, Colourliving. What I really enjoy about Colourliving is how Tina packages London and beyond to us readers. She’s out and about a lot, most of the time zapping around London on her Vespa with camera on hand. So whether it’s the Paul Smith exhibition (she even got to meet him recently), a holiday to the Côte d’Azur, or an underground vintage store, Tina shares her finds. Her posts are always enjoyable and interesting to read and the moments captured beautifully. Behind the blog, Tina runs a successful business curating London homes and apartments for people to buy and rent with the idea that “quality of life starts with the home.” I couldn’t agree more with that and I’m so pleased to have Tina here today sharing what’s on her wall.

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My flat is on the top floor (roof) of a house so wall space is very limited. However, there are many nooks and I consistently make use of them. Working from home is a must for me as I couldn’t live without my many books, magazines, walls of inspirations, art materials, a whole lot of colour, a roof terrace and a great view! All of these ignite my creative juices on a daily basis and are vital ingredients to my soul being nourished!

I’ve chosen one of these nook walls, in my office space, where I rotate what goes on there.

My love for colours is undeniable but I veer towards the bold and strong. Pastel colours leave me rather cold and don’t evoke any emotions in me. I think it’s a personality thing. I also prefer the more forceful, outspoken and non-ambiguous side to people and that reflects in my taste in art and design too.

Inspiration is everywhere but sometimes it’s really important to have anchors and reminders of what needs doing, who we are, what we love, what we need and what touches us at the deepest level. A wall of inspiration can do all that. Images, words, drawings, little tokens, a colour combo, really anything.

On my wall here, from left to right:

Two postcards of beautiful tribal figures I recently bought on a trip to the South of France. Apart from being a huge inspiration, they serve as a reminder that I still need to write a blog post on the subject.

An invitation to an 80′s Birthday Party in June of a dear friend of mine. He’s probably the most inspirational person I know. John, an artist, has survived cancer three times and still goes trekking in Nepal. No wonder he got this Khadi paper invite to his 80′s done over there.

The Artfact card… I’m a huge fan of these and the word LOVE acts as a statement that there’s nothing more important in life. It doesn’t matter who and what you love, just that you love….

A piece of collage/drawing I did for one of my Vive la Différence challenges on the blog. The theme was Picasso. It’s there to remind me how much I like and miss drawing, painting, sketching and generally making art. I give far too much attention to my camera these days, but it’s just not the same!

A little card sent to me by a friend in France. Seeing the blue sky, water and boats always transports me to wonderful times I spend in the South of France.

I love the Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe series. I actually have one of the prints at home. Bold, strong and so innovative for its time.

A Printic print of when my friend Holly, came to stay with me last year.

Merchant & Mills metal sewing gauge – do I sew? Nope, do I want to sew? maybe… but again, it’s there to point out how important crafts and making things is to me. I happen to also have an obsession with small curiosities like these, little metal rulers et cetera.

There you have it. Mel, I would like to thank you for having me over on Armoire, Pegs & Casserole. It’s been a real honour.

Thanks so much Tina, what an interesting mix with really meaningful stories behind and I have to say that I’m captivated by your Picasso collage!

Readers, if you haven’t already, make sure you pop over to check out Tina’s blog and say hello. You can also keep up to date by following her on the below social network channels:

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Happy weekend!

Mel xx

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All photos taken by and courtesy of Tina of Colourliving 

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24 Comments

  1. Doris

    Oh a little late to this but so glad I came across this great wall. I am also an avid reader of Tina’s blog as I find it so inspiring. It’s lovely to read about the pieces behind each of the individual items on her nook wall. xD

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  4. Holly

    What a neat idea for a blog series! It is interesting indeed to see what people have on their walls. A unique way to glimpse at a person. The items on Tina’s wall are as colourful and wonderful as she is :) The artefact card with LOVE written on it makes quite an impact. I think Tina is quite right about reminding ourselves to do anything we do with love. Love is a powerful thing.

    Glad to land on your blog here Mel!

    Thank you for this post ladies!

    Xx.

  5. Catherine bedson

    Tina, it’s lovely to see the photos and mementos you have on your wall that inspire you daily. The LOVE card is profound as it truly is what we need to do in the world today, just love people. Glad you’re feeling better Mel. xx

    1. tina @ colourliving

      Thank you Catherine. Yes, ‘Love’ all round… that would solve many issues in this world.
      I went to hear Roman Krznaric’s talk on Empathy yesterday at a School of Life event. So inspiring… he always his. I do highly recommend his new book ’empathy’. x

  6. tina @ colourliving

    Hi Alison. Also glad you met Mel… love it when great women come together!

    Thank you… I’m really pleased my lust and zest for life comes across on my blog.
    That Picasso piece really made me realise how much I miss drawing, painting, collaging…. I’ve spent the past 2 years photographing and writing the blog… it’s time to make time for my original love! All I need now is an extra 10 hours per day:-) x

  7. Alison Sye

    Hello Mel,
    So nice to meet you and be introduced to your blog via lovely Tina, I will try to visit often.
    That was a great introduction to Tina, Mel, you really summed her up and her lust for life.
    Great to see Tina’s Picasso piece, as she said it cheers her up in bad weather – which we have had a lot of here in the UK. And obviously thrilled to see myself (thanks Tina) on the Vive La Difference link.
    Alison :)

    1. mel

      Hi Alison. Lovely to meet you too and I just had a quick look at your shop and you have some lovely and original cards! I’m glad you thought I summed Tina up well, she really has a joie de vivre and I can’t get over her Picasso piece! Mel x

  8. Jocelyn Casey

    Hello Mel, It is lovely to meet you and your blog. I am a big fan of Tina’s as well and her inspiration via color is what makes her so unique (for me). She always has a way of combining texture, color and a vibe with everything she shares….everything has a story which I love. Thank you for sharing her work and Tina, thank you for being so colorful and kind!

    Wishing you both a gorgeous day,

    Jocelyn xx

  9. gudy Herder

    There is nothing more interesting than discovering moodboards and art walls of other people homes. And reading the why of it, personal experiences, taken pictures, little gifts and other treasures that remind us of so many wonderful moments. Just another series I love so much, Mel. Tina, please start sketching. Now. xx to both.

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