Do you have framed prints, but lack the inspiration required to display them on your walls?
A link to the Better Homes and Gardens website came into my inbox today, with some beautiful photos and information about how to display art in your space.
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/hanging-wall-arrangements/
Cut and paste the above url into your browser to take you there. Check out the 14 photos and inspiring description of how to get the same look in your home.
Enjoy personalizing your space with art!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Play the fun Colour Sense game!
Do you want to find out what colour palettes you prefer based on your personality, values and senses?
Take the Voice of Color by Pittsburgh Paints color sense game. Click on the link here to find out your colour preferences.
Enjoy. And have a colourful day!
Take the Voice of Color by Pittsburgh Paints color sense game. Click on the link here to find out your colour preferences.
Enjoy. And have a colourful day!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Budget Friendly Wall Art
While looking at Style at Home from August, 2010, I came across an interesting article written by Bethany Lyttle.
The piece showcases an almost completely white guest space decorated by Colleen Sawatsky, in a vintage inspired West Coast cottage. On the white wall behind the classic, white slip-covered sofa is a beautiful piece of eye-catching art on canvas. The background of the artwork is white, with large-scale, graphic, fuschia pink flower blooms on stems blooming across the canvas.
Who is the artist? What exactly is that? What's going on here?
Upon closer look, the details state the origin of the art. It's made from beautiful fabric stretched over a frame. Oh my gosh.
This can easily be created by anyone. Simple, inexpensive and beautiful.
From Michaels craft stores or XS Cargo end-of-line stores you can purchase blank canvases stretched over frames. Check out the local fabric stores for beautiful designs or order fabric (made to match to wallpaper) from a wall paper store to stretch over the frame. Keep in mind the width of the fabric. You'll want it to be at least two inches wider all around the outside frame measurement so you have something to staple under at the back. When stapling, make sure to turn under the cut edge and keep it flat on the back so when it's hanging on the wall, it will hang flat.
That's it! Easy.
Beautiful, original wall art made by you, the artist!
The piece showcases an almost completely white guest space decorated by Colleen Sawatsky, in a vintage inspired West Coast cottage. On the white wall behind the classic, white slip-covered sofa is a beautiful piece of eye-catching art on canvas. The background of the artwork is white, with large-scale, graphic, fuschia pink flower blooms on stems blooming across the canvas.
Who is the artist? What exactly is that? What's going on here?
Upon closer look, the details state the origin of the art. It's made from beautiful fabric stretched over a frame. Oh my gosh.
This can easily be created by anyone. Simple, inexpensive and beautiful.
From Michaels craft stores or XS Cargo end-of-line stores you can purchase blank canvases stretched over frames. Check out the local fabric stores for beautiful designs or order fabric (made to match to wallpaper) from a wall paper store to stretch over the frame. Keep in mind the width of the fabric. You'll want it to be at least two inches wider all around the outside frame measurement so you have something to staple under at the back. When stapling, make sure to turn under the cut edge and keep it flat on the back so when it's hanging on the wall, it will hang flat.
That's it! Easy.
Beautiful, original wall art made by you, the artist!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Beautiful Decor - whatever your financial position.
A statement I heard a couple of years ago: "Decor isn't about money - it's about your heart and how you bring that into your home"
I love this. Sure, it's easy to have a stylish, beautiful home if you have the proverbial money tree growing in your backyard.
But, for most people, we have to make do with what we have, saving up for the things that will make our spaces more beautiful and functional in the future. We have to think hard about how to achieve that harmonious, put-together look.
Sometimes we need to be creative about re-using and re-purposing items that we currently have, or items that we can easily find.
Rescuing items from the curbside can be an exhilarating experience. To visualize them with a fresh, updated status. To liberate them with a coat of paint, new hardware, glass tops, whatever they need. Right before your eyes they transform into a brand new custom piece which adds personality and vitality to your space for almost free.
Personally, I've surprised myself on many occasions when I've been walking in the mornings on curb-pick-up day. I've found many wonderful surprises which I've carried or dragged back home. Eventually I've embellished and improved these pieces to become functional, beautiful parts of my home.
Whether you pick from you money tree out back, or carefully plan for those necessary, long-lasting quality items, or you creativity morph pre-used items into useful, beautiful pieces for your space, there are great design possibilities for everyone at whatever position you're at.
Remember, it's not about the money. It's not about spending a lot of cash on beautifully designed expensive things.
It's about representing your heart and personality in your home. It's about thinking, planning, reusing, re-beautifying.....and mostly having fun with your stuff!
I love this. Sure, it's easy to have a stylish, beautiful home if you have the proverbial money tree growing in your backyard.
But, for most people, we have to make do with what we have, saving up for the things that will make our spaces more beautiful and functional in the future. We have to think hard about how to achieve that harmonious, put-together look.
Sometimes we need to be creative about re-using and re-purposing items that we currently have, or items that we can easily find.
Rescuing items from the curbside can be an exhilarating experience. To visualize them with a fresh, updated status. To liberate them with a coat of paint, new hardware, glass tops, whatever they need. Right before your eyes they transform into a brand new custom piece which adds personality and vitality to your space for almost free.
Personally, I've surprised myself on many occasions when I've been walking in the mornings on curb-pick-up day. I've found many wonderful surprises which I've carried or dragged back home. Eventually I've embellished and improved these pieces to become functional, beautiful parts of my home.
Whether you pick from you money tree out back, or carefully plan for those necessary, long-lasting quality items, or you creativity morph pre-used items into useful, beautiful pieces for your space, there are great design possibilities for everyone at whatever position you're at.
Remember, it's not about the money. It's not about spending a lot of cash on beautifully designed expensive things.
It's about representing your heart and personality in your home. It's about thinking, planning, reusing, re-beautifying.....and mostly having fun with your stuff!
Friday, September 10, 2010
How to buy a Sofa in a nutshell
In September many of us begin to think about starting new interior design projects. The weather is quickly turning cold and we're moving to the indoors, cocooning once again.
Now may be the perfect time to purchase new, comfortable upholstered furniture. If that's in the plan for you, here's a quick how-to.
On the inside:
1. Wood Type. The best wood for frame construction is hardwood maple. It's more durable than plywood or particle board.
2. Connecting pieces. Dowel joints and inserts are by far the best connectors. Staples are an inferior way of joining the arms, legs and body pieces to the frame.
3. Legs. For a good quality sofa, the legs will always be connected to the frame or bolted on. Whenever a sofa has screwed on legs, the quality isn't as high.
4. Springing. The finest manufacturers use web and coil springing, hand tying the coils together with strong string.
On the outside:
Determine what colour upholstery and wood will be as satisfying several years down the road as it is today. Choosing a neutral hue, will give your furniture long lasting appeal. The dusty rose of the 80's was short-lived, but sand, white, black, and grey tones will have longevity and will satisfy. If your space needs colour, you can always bring it into the room with pillows, throws and accessories.
Determine the texture of the couch, whether leather, or fabric depending on your taste and lifestyle. A solid colour will show dirt more quickly than a small pattern. Treating a sofa with Fiberseal to protect against stains and spills will extend the life of the furniture surface.
Classic furniture styles don't follow short term trends and usually include features such as moderate arm size, crisp, tailored lines and classic arms.
Fabric will eventually wear and tear with use, and re-upholstering the furniture later will make the investment in the furniture pay off. A well-made quality sofa will cost $4000 - $6000, but the frame will last for life.
Enjoy looking at several retail stores for your furniture. Don't be afraid to sit and lie on the couches. Test them for comfort, and for length if you are tall and hope to be napping on them! New furniture adds new, updated visual appeal to your room.
My bet is that you'll end up being very satisfied if you take the time to plan and purchase these important elements to your space.
Now may be the perfect time to purchase new, comfortable upholstered furniture. If that's in the plan for you, here's a quick how-to.
On the inside:
1. Wood Type. The best wood for frame construction is hardwood maple. It's more durable than plywood or particle board.
2. Connecting pieces. Dowel joints and inserts are by far the best connectors. Staples are an inferior way of joining the arms, legs and body pieces to the frame.
3. Legs. For a good quality sofa, the legs will always be connected to the frame or bolted on. Whenever a sofa has screwed on legs, the quality isn't as high.
4. Springing. The finest manufacturers use web and coil springing, hand tying the coils together with strong string.
On the outside:
Determine what colour upholstery and wood will be as satisfying several years down the road as it is today. Choosing a neutral hue, will give your furniture long lasting appeal. The dusty rose of the 80's was short-lived, but sand, white, black, and grey tones will have longevity and will satisfy. If your space needs colour, you can always bring it into the room with pillows, throws and accessories.
Determine the texture of the couch, whether leather, or fabric depending on your taste and lifestyle. A solid colour will show dirt more quickly than a small pattern. Treating a sofa with Fiberseal to protect against stains and spills will extend the life of the furniture surface.
Classic furniture styles don't follow short term trends and usually include features such as moderate arm size, crisp, tailored lines and classic arms.
Fabric will eventually wear and tear with use, and re-upholstering the furniture later will make the investment in the furniture pay off. A well-made quality sofa will cost $4000 - $6000, but the frame will last for life.
Enjoy looking at several retail stores for your furniture. Don't be afraid to sit and lie on the couches. Test them for comfort, and for length if you are tall and hope to be napping on them! New furniture adds new, updated visual appeal to your room.
My bet is that you'll end up being very satisfied if you take the time to plan and purchase these important elements to your space.
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