Today we take a trip into Beci’s World and get to enjoy some of her vintage finds and treasures! To see more of Beci and Raph’s lovely home, be sure to pop over and see when Lucy visited in March 2010. – Jenny x
i’ll say it loud and proud – i am a hoarder! there is a part of me which wishes i was a minimalists, but i’m just not. generally the best stuff i find is from opp-shops and digging at markets – one off treasures you happen upon and are not likely to find anywhere else. i also don’t mind frequenting more expensive vintage stores where they have done the hunting for you.
so what do i like to buy? well pretty much anything that takes my fancy. i think paper goods are my number one thing. i keep most of them in a roughly organised state in my studio – lots of them in these drawers:
i have lots of old cards that used to come in cigarette packets too. the first time i found one was when i was in uni – i thought i’d happened upon such a treasure! i’ve gone on to find out they’re actually pretty common, but i still think they are beautiful. i keep them with my old postcards and photos (in some appropriately vintage tins). i also collect (i think the collecting gene is side-by-side with the hoarding gene) sets of cards – i especially love old educational games and flashcards. stamps are another favourite.
being a textile designer by trade, i also have a few fabrics. one of my favourite pieces – a scarf for travelling, you’ll never need to use that translator app on your iphone again!
…and another favourite find – an old kid’s suitcase filled with handmade dolls clothes c.1965. i brought it from camberwell market when i was pregnant with ari, in the sneaky hope it would help me have a girl. it didn’t, and probably just as well as i don’t think i would have been able to part with it.
my latest obsessions are medicine cabinets (i have 6 so far) and weird decorative plates
i also use vintagte bits and pieces in my ever evolving inspirations walls. i dont only hoard vintage things for my studio, it’s also around my house. i’ve found great kids linen in opp-shops – all the linen on the kids bed is from opp-shops. Also lots of knick-nack shelves, and in the kitchen.
and of course in the living room. vintage bits x arty bits x folky bits x kids art bits = pretty much my favourite decorating combination ever.
Illustration from Beci’s new Book ‘Compendium of Me‘ published by Erm Books (only $20!)
- beci
I love the amount of colour and inspiration in these photos – just lovely.
Good god… That travelling scarf! Incredible! I am so mad for scarfs this example makes me want to scream with excitement!
I love your design aesthetic, the descriptions of your likes was music to my ears and the pictures candy for my eyes!
I wish my hoarding looked as great! Beautiful work and lovely to see the still life inspiration behind the art.
all this colour makes me feel joyous! thank you for bringing it!
Love the travelling scarf!
An amazing use of colour and vibrancy – in everything! Puts minimalism in the corner…
I’m intrigued to see the book – why so cheap? Art is worth so much more!
say it proud!!! love the free expression and the shameless obsession xxx
It’s easy to be inspired when you surround yourself with lovely things. I am inspired by Beci’s housekeeping- so tidy!
I love your designs and the clash/combinations of patterns and colours. Less is never more.
I admire your hoarding skills and love the colour-filled drawers!
Love love LOVE!
Love the colours- a great start to my day.
You are simply a M A S S I V E inspiraation BECI ORPIN!! Love ya work … thank you!!!!
Love your work and your quirky world. That travel scarf is brilliant! Sigh!
Beci – do you reckon we could swap houses?
I love that you find flashcards and old educational games inspirational for your work – haven’t seen those around since primary school days!
Try as I might, I just can’t be a minimalist either! Recently I unearthed a wooden box of my keepsakes and rediscovered 2 of my fave things – a small rubber skull stamp my dad carved when he was a boy and a crinkly but intact empty packet of Hooley Dooleys!! Ah – the joy of stashing old stuff! Thanks for your constant inspiration. Lisa x
BECI! YOU NEED TO STOP POSTING THESE PICS. I am going to faint from envy! Hahaha.. Your home is BEAUTIFUL. And all your collected goodies……….. * inserts a dreammmmmmyyyy sigh……*
I’m starting to realise that I’m a hoarder, I think it’s a trait I’ve inherited from my Grandma. But looking at the amazing photos of what Beci describes as hoarding makes me incredibly jealous! Love the idea of keeping all the paper samples in drawers though, I think I’ll have to borrow that idea. Thanks for the tip!
I love how much colour you use! I find it hard but I am trying to bring more in to my life. Bit by bit, hungry caterpillar style!
Very inspiring, thank you.
What a fantastic riot of colour & fun!!
Such a gorgeous and fun house you have Beci. Love all the colour!!
I LOVE YOUR HOUSE! The medicine cabinets are adorable. All of Bec’s watercolour pictures are amazing. Definitely an inspirational place to call home.
I love the kaledioscopic design – it’s beautiful!
Rain, hail or shine! Beci, your splendid and admirable collection of uncommon treasures inspires a world of colour and creativity that warms the heart and puts smiles on faces – just beautiful!
Gosh, this is an amazing collection of unique finds! Love the colours!
I have a penchant for hoarding quirky colourful things too, but most of mine are squirrelled away in boxes, I need to reorganise my home and display more off my happy-treasures – thanks for the inspiration Beci!! I must get your new book. I must. I must!!!! I will :0)
Gorgeous. I need to rearrange my vintage treasures right now.
So wonderful! ♥ I have to say that I agree with one of the other commenters, you are such a MASSIVE inspiration to me! I love everything about your colorful work and style. Would absolutely love to own a copy of your book.
Love the simplicity and yummy colour of your work Beci. Always a treat and inspiration, and great examples of colour theory which I will be teaching my Yr3 class for art this term. Thanks heaps! x
So inspiring, makes me want to start experimenting with colour
that drawer full of paper ephemera looks awesome, i would love a rummage through it. i really admire your knack of selecting and arranging all sorts of various bits ‘n bobs together in a way they complement each other and seem to make sense. i love studying your wall montages also and generally appreciate your style!
a long time ago i found 3 exercise books full of random pictures cut (from magazines/wrapping paper/newspapers, etc) and pasted in a scrapbook style that a young child must of put together that would date from the late 60′s/early 70′s…it’s one of the most fascinating things i’ve ever found at the op shop…and it kinda reminds me of your eye for imagery.
Ahhhh… This blog is music to my ears! I love everything about it! I too am a failed minimalist & love it…
LOVE!
So much colour, inspiration, goodness…pretty much reflects your artwork
so much colour and fun – great inspiration for the renovation of my study which starts next week!
Beci the photo of the educational cards/games brought me a jolt of nostalgia – we had the same “memory” game set growing up. Amazing how clearly I remember those patterns and images. Wow!