On the Radar -- Going My Way?

Angela Rekucki Fabric - Bikes n Trikes - Chevron in Multi

OK, so you all know about the chevron trend.  They're everywhere.  And they highlight, to me, the way trends move.  Sort of like the spa blue and brown thing from the past decade.  Something becomes an idea in the very high fashion/elite crowd -- and then it trickles down and down and down.  Something that started with Alexander McQueen or  Madeline Weinrib or Jonathan Adler will end up on all kinds of products at Big Lots and Walmart. 

That's the part of the chevron phase we're at right now.  It's beginning its loooooong journey down the slippery slope to the graveyard of dead trends.  A chevron has been done about every possible way you can do it -- it's been through all its various transformations.  It's been modern, it's been Southwestern, it's been hipster.  Three years from now we'll still see chevron prints on dishtowels at the dollar store.

But don't get me wrong.  I love a chevron.  And they're not a new thing.  Fashion and design have loved a chevron for decades.  So for today's trend post, I thought I could highlight a very anti-trendy idea, and what we Blackbird girls love.   Everything old is new again -- although we love trends, we love classics more.

And although the chevron is on the downward death spiral, we know it won't really go away.  Here's our selections for how to keep the trend alive, with vintage picks!

Laminated Bakelite earrings, from Kitsch Bitch 77 on Etsy, here.

Vintage mixing glass, from Need or Want on Etsy, here.

Chevron cardi, from Mouse Face Vintage on Etsy, here.

Vera dishtowel, from Fuzz and Fu on Etsy, here.

Vintage tunic ,from PD Vintage Boutique on Etsy, here.

Vintage purse, from Vagabond Merchant on Etsy, here.

On the Radar -- Painted Schmainted

The Blackbird girls will paint anything that stands still long enough.  1970s plastic sconces.  Old (ugly) brooches.  Lamps.  Bubble wrap.  Even furniture -- unless the wood is good wood.  Then it's a no-go.  And, yes, somehow, painted furniture is (still) "in" fashion.  But...

Blah, blah, blah.  Painted furniture.  Been there, done that.  BO-RING!

We DEMAND a change.  Shake it up, people!  Welcome pattern and texture and color into your life!  We're presenting these options to you, our readers, today, to inspire you to paint greatness.  Step away from the white paint and sandpaper.  Realize that "Shabby Chic" starts with shabby.  Dive into the paint chips and pick something other than a neutral.  Or a pastel.  Try red or royal blue or canary yellow or kelly green or tangerine or ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME!  Invest in a stencil (or make a stencil).  Buy some painter's tape.  Rub your little creative brain cells together!

Just remember two things -- 

First, pattern:

Chevron

Stripes

Everything!!

Try just accenting the legs with pattern...

 Second, color:

Not so traditional anymore, eh?

NEON!

Just bright tops, hmmm...

Now, put it together and paint EVERYTHING!!

Trunk, headboard, baskets, dresser, frames, vase, keys in the artwork...it's all painted!

On the Radar -- Bright Tribal

I've been finding myself drawn more and more to the look of tribal patterns.  I, of course, love ikat and suzani prints/weaves (who in the world hasn't been in love with them for the past few years?), but this spring, things are getting a little looser.  That's when I really love design -- when something gets trendy for a while (like ikats and suzanis) and then, a few years later, it gets reinterpreted.  Reimagined.  Design takes over an old idea and comes up with super fresh and bold looks. 

We Blackbird girls love our home at Etsy, and we really embrace that culture of handmade/vintage over mass production.  I can also tell you that when in comes to buying for myself -- I am pretty picky.  I fall in love easily, but it has to be TRUE LOVE before I buy it.  I love all the tribal things I've seen, but when I purchase it, then that's a good sign.

I found this designer, Layla Amber Handmade Creations, from England on Etsy, and I HAD TO HAVE her wooden feather necklace.  What does it have?  A fresh take on a tribal pattern...  Here's a similar brooch from her shop:

So I started looking.  Lo and behold, it's happening everywhere for spring!!  Natural leaf bracelets with playful spins on tribal prints:

Mara Hoffman, Spring 2013

Fun, bright prints!

MSGM, Spring 2013

Even for the home!

From City Girls Decor on Etsy

Geometric and graphic!

Coaster from Wanelo.com