Wednesday, May 27, 2009

EASY ART

As you look around your own home, are you noticing a lot of blank walls? I will admit that my house has a few of them too. Art is a very personal addition to one’s home and at times a big investment. Soon though, those blank walls start to call out to you for something, anything to make them an attention grabber versus the wall you continually ignore. If this has become one of your design dilemmas and you haven’t had the time or budget to make a large investment in a new piece of art, here are a few simple ways to dress up your walls.

The painted canvas in this image was done by Nathan Thomas, last season’s winner on Bravo’s TV show ‘Top Design’. All it took was dripping/pouring paint colors down an upright canvas. How simple and chic is that!


Instead of a single piece, why not create a collage of images. Here simple black frames with white mattes are a fantastic way to display your favorite photographs. Printing the images in black and white creates a cohesive feeling among the various images. Try varying the frame sizes for an eclectic look.


Did you know you may have your own personal artist among your family? Take your child’s most recent artwork from school and forget about putting it on the refrigerator…put it up on your wall! It instantly becomes the most personal and sentimental piece of art in your home. You can even frame their art and easily change it out when a new drawing or painting comes home from school.


Now go do something fabulous with your empty walls!

Monday, May 18, 2009

LIVING OUTDOORS

With warm temperature in the forecast, I’m so excited to start “living” outdoors. Being that our warm weather season is so short, I, like many others I’m sure, am planning on spending as much time outside as possible! Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular, they are more than just a lawn chair on the patio, they are extensions of your indoor living spaces. People are creating entire “rooms” to relax in and enjoy nature's beauty.


Whether it’s a rooftop urban oasis, a cozy screened in porch or a simple furniture arrangement around a fire pit, there are many ways to make your outdoor living space a fantastic addition to your home. Here are some simple ideas to liven up your outdoor space…


Some seasonal pots to put lush greenery or wonderful fragrant flowers in…




Some cozy pillows that can be left out in the elements and still be beautiful…



Some great furniture ideas other than the old standard lawn chair…



Ways to light up your space…


And make sure you stay hydrated...


Now get outside and enjoy this gorgeous weather and your outdoor living spaces!