Occasionally on Instagram, you discover people who possess rare talents of exceptional design and good taste. Dana Mahnke is no exception. At first, I was drawn to her blue and white chinoiserie ornaments. Sadly, by the time I discovered her, it was too late to place my Christmas order. I then fell in love with her pictures of pet portraits, her everyday photos of her timelessly designed Virginia home, and more recently, her photos of chinoiserie, monogrammed, and tastefully designed hand painted eggs.
From all of her photos, it is clear that Dana is a true artist of her craft. This native Virginian was raised to appreciate the beauty of her surroundings, always admiring Chinoiserie in the traditional colonial decor from a young age. Even with raising two children, Dana would do pen to paper illustrations as a time passing passion, which quickly turned into more formal portraits that were hung in homes throughout the country.
Despite a battle with cancer, she continued to keep her strong faith, humor, design, art, and love of all things blue and white her passionate priorities. She owned a shop in Williamsburg for a period, and now spends time working on watercolors of whimsical prints, as well as ornaments and eggs that range from pink and white to blue and white in color. Her chinoiserie, topiaries, monograms, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and other patterns are all hand painted with great diligence of design. Dana can also make any custom creations of your liking…a potted boxwood perhaps?
Dana also plans to combine her love of chinoiserie and sweet pups with blue and white chinoiserie dog bowls and canisters launching soon! I personally couldn’t be more excited for that!
Her work speaks for itself, and her Etsy shop, Indigo Home, will become your new favorite bookmarked web page. It is apparent from the photos that Dana surrounds herself with visual delights and creates beauty in blue and white.
Click pictures and links to purchase. Happy Shopping!
In Dana’s home, a lovely display of her blue and white patterns. She has been mesmerized by the stories of the Blue Willow Minton china since she was a young girl.
Flawlessly executed, her blue and white patterned china makes the perfect backdrop for her hand painted eggs. This style egg arrives with a stand (not all do!). Makes for a excellent display on a vignette or a luncheon tablescape.
A monogramed egg of blue and white. What a sweet and thoughtful gift for a hostess or to appear in an Easter basket. She also paints these in a superb pink!
On this 6″ egg, Dana painted a beautiful home portrait. Awe inspiring and divine detail!
I love how her eggs looked paired with traditionally dyed eggs. A fun juxtaposition!
Now, my favorite pink and green eggs. How fabulous are these for a luncheon setting?! Dana displays them so beautifully in her place setting.
An up close look at the detail and precision of which she paints to create!
Why should ornaments just be for Christmas? Here, Dana displays her blue and white ornaments in a pot of hyacinths on her dining table.
Spring time in Dana’s breakfast room. A larger view of the potted hyacinths mixed with chinoiserie ornaments. So classically chic.
A display of her pattern variety of hand painted ornaments. Could you imagine a tree of only these?Definitely a tree of dreams!
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Ornaments painted in blue and white of King Charles Spaniels next to detailed potted topiaries.
A perfect three tiered topiary ornament. A great party favor on tablescape any time of year!
A sweet tree display in her daughter’s bedroom.
A fun display of pink and white chinoiserie ornaments. How fun would these be in a girl’s room or for a ladies luncheon?!
The buffet table in the Mahnke’s dining room at Christmas. She changes her decor to include seasonal touches.
One of her pen and ink sketches. The details of the home and landscape are impeccable.
Sweet notecards she can create. Just think, this could be your pup on display! If my pug could sit still for more than 20 seconds, I would have them in a heartbeat!
Dana created this delightful watercolor of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is so very talented with the brush!
Sweet pet portraits in watercolor would make a thoughtful gift for any dog loving friend.
The artist and talent behind Indigo Home, Dana Mahnke. A true southerner with a flair for living!
Of course, Dana would have a potted boxwood on her own snowy front steps! So perfect in every way!
