My Ideal Bookshelf

One of my favorite gifts to give is original art. Not mine, of course. I love finding artists who create custom paintings. We have a couple of pieces in our living room that I had made for Greg, but I will share those another day. I want to talk about my current obsession, Ideal Bookshelf.

Who: Jane Mount

How It Works: You submit a list of your favorite books. Take photographs of the full spines. If you spot an edition you like better in one of the paintings on her site or blog, make a note. Then she transforms your list into a beautiful 8x10 painting!

I'm also excited that Jane is now offering single book paintings, which is a more affordable way to surprise someone with a custom painting of his or her favorite book.

You can also give gift cards so that the recipient can choose his or her own list.

This would be a really sweet wedding gift if you were to combine a few of each of their favorite books into a single painting.

The artist also offers a number of her paintings as affordable prints! Wouldn't this one look darling in the kitchen?

And in their recently released book, Jane Mount and Thessaly La Force bring to life the ideal bookshelves of many public figures, from Alice Waters to James Franco.

On the http://blog.idealbookshelf.com/, Jane and Thessaly encourage fans to submit their own ideal bookshelves. You can download the form to fill in with your favorite reads. Here is mine:

And here is one I made for Greg (Disclaimer: I picked these books, which means that Greg would likely exchange one or two of these for other titles before he submitted it for painting!)

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

February begins tomororw! Not sure what to get for your Valentine this year? Here are a few ideas to help you think outside the box of chocolates. Put down the iTunes gift card and personalize your holiday!

Chocolate Oyster Shells  

These edible oyster shells are as much a gift of art as they are a gift for the chocolate lover! $32.00 

Meyer Lemon Tree

Imagine making homemade lemon curd, lemonade, lemon-roasted chicken and many more recipes with this valentine that would be enjoyed for years to come! Williams-Sonoma $69.95

Initial Necklace

An embroidered necklace from Merriweather Council is beautiful, understated, and available in any color your Valentine would love! $40.00

The Art of Eating by M.K. Fisher

This collection of M.K. Fisher's writings would be enjoyed by any cook or foodie.
From Amazon.com,  $16.21

Lettuce Candle
Frisky Bumblebee is a local Nashville company. Their lettuce-scented candle will bring the delightful smell of the garden into your Valentine's cozy home! $21.50

Camera Clock

Made from a recycled Kodak Brownie, this clock is the perfect gift for your favorite photographer! It would make a stunning addition to any desk or study. $79.00

Brookstone Towel Warmer

Take the frost off of February mornings with this little luxury. $89.99 on Amazon.com

Bathtub Gin

Another local Nashville company you can find on Etsy! Flavors like Porto+Cherokee Purple and Limoncello Strawberry will dazzle your palate. Perfect for someone looking for a little something extra to round out their Valentine's gift. $12.00

Book dock for iPhone and iPod

Choose a dock made from one of your Valentine's favorite books. I gave Greg one of these last year made from The Hobbit and it looks sleek and stylish on top of our console. It is a great conversation piece for the living room! $56.00

Ticket to Ride-Europe

This board game is a delight! If it has been awhile since you and your Valentine enjoyed a board game night, this game will get you back in the habit! Paired with a home-cooked meal and a bottle of wine, this gift will be enjoyed time and time again. $44.65 on Amazon.com