glazed and confused

a lot of love for "love"

last week we got a big hat and drew the winner for ruan hoffmann's coveted artist proof from his "much love me" collection. congratulations to christine hanway for being the lucky duck!

your entries- all of you- were filled with affection and some surprising answers to the question:

from the series "much love me" by ruan hoffmann, tell us how/where you would use the entire series?

we thought it would be great to share and learn from a handfull of your responses:

• nancie: "Surrounding a contemporary fireplace insert - like the Dutch used Delft tiles. Whitewashed walls, dark stained pine floors, Shaker furniture. By the ocean."

• tamie: "I am a huge ceramics collector and would use this particular tile in the mudroom entrance to my home, the entrance used by all those who know they are loved upon entering my home. The colorway Is that of my mudroom and I love the idea of being greeted by LOVE."

• joanne: "Feature in my kitchen-would work so beautifully with our Koop designed kitchen units....holding thumbs."

• alexandra: "would use it in the new foyer, to overlook the harbor."

• christine: "I would use the series to tile the backsplash of my white kitchen pantry by the seaside in CT. We only use the pantry to fix drinks and I can't think of a better place to talk about the beauty of these tiles while fixing drinks for friends."

• sara: "I would give them wings and have them regularly flutter around my living spaces. I would make sure to feed and water them, and love them back."

• ellen: I would give the series as a gift to The Cypress School in Petaluma, California, There are forty two students at Cypress and they are all Autistic and have Cerabral Palsy. The school itself is located inside a cold and impersonal office complex, which is the opposite of the students, who are loud, demanding, spontaneous and inspiring. Four students come to my mosaic studio every Wednesday morning and we do quick projects using any materials we can dream up and my crew and I are always amazed with the results. I think ruan hoffman's exquisite series would find a Home Sweet Home in the hectic halls of the Cypress School."

• lauri: "Tile is inherently a facing, building material. In keying off his uninhibited drawing style and his tile saying “today everything changes”…the place to effect the greatest change is at a place of early education. In elementary school, everyday represents change. I would use them as a door surround entering into an elementary school."

• jill: "we are doing a large living room at the moment in blues and white and thes would look amazing as a group on one of the large walls."

• frank: " would first share with all my designer friends and then it would live over my kithcen sink where it would be viewed repeatlly each and every day. i spend alot of time at that sink."

• veronica: "I would love to see this in a kitchen or residential bar application embedded in a reclaimed wood plank basket weave pattern. I think the dark wood and delft style blue would be stunning and the kitchen or bar setting a great place to display this much whimsy."

• arpi: " would lovingly display this beautiful series of tile on a wall in our family room so that each time our family is gathered, we can be reminded of how blessed we are to be together."

• carmen: "Where: Wall tile in my shower. Why: As an affirmation to remind me each and every day that love starts with me and within me first and then ripples out to others in my life and beyond."

• sandy: "I would love these on my office wall- conversation starters."

• brady: "We are in the process of redoing our kitchen. Ruan's "love" "series would finish are kitchen backsplash with the warmth and feel lthat we are passionately trying to create. Whats more soothing than the word love as you're theme and message to your friends and family. Ruan's tile speaks to the soul."

• stacey: "The artisanal quality and blue and white tones speak country house to me. I see these in a kitchen in a beach house or vacation spot on a lake. They would add a handcrafted authenticity to whatever style they accompany!"