A Wall Of All That Makes You Happy

My adorable smilin', chicken raising, open minded client, allowed me put holes in her walls!  We recently worked on her family room, addressing the furniture, the window treatments, and now it was time to think about the finer details-creating interest on the walls.  To keep the warm cozy feel we envisioned, we raided her basement and found sentimental artwork.  Why buy art when you have a variety right in your own place!!

I love the eclectic feel of bunching together art pieces that wouldn't necessarily 'strike up a conversation at a dinner party'.   Works that don't just look pretty, but have meaningful history behind them.  You may have some pieces in your own home you can use.  Maybe you just have to look past the current frame and/or matting.  We reframed a few prints, and it made a huge difference!!  It's as easy as 1,2,3,4!!!

This is how we did our wall gallery.........

STEP 1

First we played around with the pieces on the floor until we found a combination that made us smile.  

STEP TWO

We began by finding the center of the wall and sticking a piece of painters tape there.  

STEP THREE

We hung the largest piece of artwork first, right where the center mark was.

STEP FOUR

After that, balanced the smaller pieces on either side.  Add drama and color by adding plates, plaques-any fun 'out of box thinking' decor to spice up your wall gallery!  We used paper mache animal heads from West Elm.

I celebrated the new look and our hard work with iced coffee from Wawa.  

This room will be done soon (still waiting for our end tables and one more picture that is at the framers').

DIY Framed Fabric As Art

Frustrated from not finding artwork that works for my client's newly renovated family room, I turned to a great DIY stand by - Framing Fabric!  If you have a fabric store nearby, check out their selection.  You will get a one of a kind art that has texture!

Such an easy project (I mean it!).  I bought two frames that hold an 11" x 14" photo.  Then I picked up a yard of two fabrics I liked.  


*tip - before getting your fabric cut make sure the pattern you want to display is part of that cut.  This is especially important if your pattern is large.  As you can see from the photo above my pattern repeat was large so I bought the whole yard, but your project may not require an entire yard!

Iron your fabric to get all the creases out and run a lint brush across it.  Then, knowing what part of the fabric you want to display, cut the fabric to fit into the photo opening plus an inch at least on all sides.  


Place the frame on the floor, glass side down, and place the fabric piece on top of the glass.  I used packaging tape, pulling it taught all around, then put the frame back together.  


See how beautiful they look in my clients newly renovated family room CLICK HERE!

I did this same DIY project two years ago for another client project using Thomas Paul fabric (if you want whimsy, try his patterns).   

Tomorrow night I am going to present my two art pieces to my clients, as well as a whole mess of beautiful decor, to complete our renovation.  I will keep you up to date on how it went!!!!

P.S. strange happening today: I was asked if I am Chelsea Handler's sister at a rug store.  Yes I am known to be a bit witty, but clearly I look nothing like her, and have nothing in common at all with her.  Things that make you say 'hmmmm....' is all I can say!

p.p.s. - Chelsea, if you read this, do you need an interior decorator who likes to cook burnt pancakes?

Artists That Rock Beyond Time

My Grandfather was an amazing painter (oil and watercolor). He worked and lived art. He was the one who took the laugh lines out of old celebrity photos, touched up movie posters, and added the cup of Folgers to the still photo of the man in the suit and the mother of three. This was all before computers could touch up anything. In his spare time he created many inspiring pieces. He always smelt of ink and the tips of his fingernails were black. He was an incredible source of creativity for me. When he passed away he left me his collection of pipes and books on some of the greatest artists including Degas, Picasso, Chagall, Lautrec and Corot to name a few. I love sitting down with those books and reading them cover to cover. I get a bit carried away on the subject but I am a lefty and truly appreciate how incredibly talented they are. Last year I spent three and a half hours at the Philadelphia Museum of Art by myself and didn't make it through all the exhibits. Below are some of my my 'Old School' favorites. Enjoy!

Edgar Degas- 'The Star'
Love the point of view -he was looking down on her. And the colors. This is pastel on paper.



Pablo Picasso in his Rose Period - 'At the Lapin Agile (harlequin w/ glass)'
Interesting fact about this painting: Picasso shows himself dressed as a harlequin, which, in the 19th century, symbolized artistry. The guitar player in the background is assumed to be Père Frédé, owner of the Lapin Agile and father of Margot Frédé, the woman with the crow. What is he thinking..and what is she thinkg?




Marc Chagall - 'Vision de Paris'
Chagall is known for his abstract post-impressionist style with biblical undertones that embodies a deep passion for life. I admire the color combinations and whimsical strokes. He captures pieces of diff. scenes in one picture.



Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - La Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge w/ Two WomenLa Goulue Arriving at the Moulin Rouge with Two Women
His artwork is loved by many. He used bold strokes. I love the overly confident snooty facial expression.


Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot - Canteleu Near Rouen
Known for his landscapes. I just plain like how realistic his trees look. Seriously, he has a steady hand & shows his passion w/in each piece.

Decadently yours,


Shoshana

Bits and Pieces of Designer Love From Last Week

It is Friday night and I am in my work out clothes contemplating getting on my treadmill (have been thinking it over for an hour).  I am so lame because I just shut my client folder at midnight.  Has been a great week though and, so much to catch up on.  Then to bed I go because I am checking out an antique show tomorrow morning at the Ice House in Bethlehem; so fun.  

I just want to share some cool things I am digging from this past week.  They are pieces of design projects I am working on, and well just fun stuff.  First and foremost is Sara Jane, who has begun working with me.  Welcome to the LYR team Sara Jana.  I will blog about her soon so you can get to know her.

I love it when a plan comes together (go A-Team), and this design plan for Michael and Christine in Saucon Valley, is looking great!  I checked on their window treatments and had to share with you two of the drapes because I am in love with the patterns, colors and textures!  

Next, I saw this blingy mouse and ear phones at Staples and had to buy them.  I did it for my daughter (yeah right)!  She was very impressed with me.

Also, I recently finished a design plan for a client looking to add some fresh whimsy to her family room.  Love these fabrics we chose for her new sectional; so yummy (like bubble gum!), and an ottoman in burgundy (so soft).  

Took a trip to IKEA and I really want to use these red chairs some where, maybe my basement......

And I was so excited to see this frame gallery at a clients' because each frame is tiny but together they look large and in charge!  We painted the walls a soft blue and added a chair rail and vertical trim.  She had all of these small hand painted works of art kept in a box.  They were so beautifully detailed and had meaning to my client so we made a tight pattern on the wall and she nailed them up.

She also had this amazing metal art piece in her home.  We placed it up front and center over the sofa.  Large works of art look great over a sofa because they balance each other out.  Don't mind the tape strips on the sofa arms, she is actually doing a genius thing-they are special tape strips used to get your cat or dog to stop trying to scratch or sit on the furniture.  And she says they are working so the strips will go soon.  She bought the strips at her local pet store.

OK, so I was called to help a client move into a brand new town home quickly; to paint and furnish it ASAP- so we did it! But when it came to finding a window treatment for her bathroom, she wanted a window treatment that allowed as much light to come thru as possible and needed it that day, so Speedy Gonzales style, I grabbed one silver grommet drape from Target, a tension rod... 

I laid the drape out then cut it four inches longer than I wanted it hang in the window.

I folded the extra four inches in, used stitch witchery to hem it (you know that I don't know how to use a sewing machine right?), and hung it up!

Took less than an hour!

And lastly, I am slowly working on P's office (hubby)........

I blogged about the changes so far (CLICK HERE).  I am adding a memory wall using all the memorable photos and awards I can get my hands on.  I really love this idea and will show you how it all looks soon!  It is a great way to take all those mismatched framed items you have in boxes, and put them together to cause a great dramatic statement.  So eclectic!


Well time to get on the treadmill, or have a glass of wine!

Simply Sentimental Or I LOVE IT

If someone handed you the Mona Lisa would you hang it up in your living room? Of course you would!!.....with flashing arrows around it. Everyone knows that piece of work and it is worth $$$$$$$$$$$$. Of course you show it off…….. but would you truly love looking at it everyday? Or maybe a $50 framed poster of a bright yellow lemon is more inspiring for you. Who cares what it is or what it cost.

Every home should tell a story about the people that live in it. Their loves, talents, and interests. What does yours say about you? I am talking about the rooms flowing from one to the other through color, texture, style. I am talking about adding personal touches including photos, artwork, and special mementos. Spending time in rooms that include items you cherish and truly enjoy. Years ago I read a Feng Shui article that stuck with me. It included a story about a very large painted portrait of a family member that had been handed down generation to generation. The great great great cousin that now housed this special and large artwork, placed it right over the fireplace mantel in her living room. No one really stepped into the room for fifteen years. Fifteen years! Until a Feng Shui expert came in, recommended taking the portrait down and placing it somewhere else or giving it to another family member who would enjoy it more. Once the artwork was replaced with something the owner enjoyed, the room was used once more. The moral of the story is 'don't place anything in your room that doesn't make you happy.' Priceless information :)