Before moving to new space, I was trying to spruce up my home studio. One eyesore was the big shelving unit full of all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes of containers. My easy solution was to hit a couple of Goodwills, gather up different sized baskets and vessels, (hopefully not the same ones I had dropped off a couple of years ago) and spray paint EVERYTHING the same color–off white. It completely calmed things down, visually. And for my easily distractible self, that’s a good thing.
Not to say you should attempt to DIY a pair of lamps from scratch, but if you were so inclined, it would be nothing short of a creative romp with materials like wire, beads and so on to design a fun and functional home furnishing like these two lamps. Designed by Marie Christophe, the pair would add a lift to any room.
Practically speaking, I wonder if they have enough weight in the base to ensure stability. No matter on this gray and gloomy morning, they make me smile.
Photo Image:Lisa Fontanarosa Collection
If I came across a similar set of molded plywood chairs that were truly vintage, you can bet I wouldn’t risk messing them up by experimenting with paint, fabric, decoupage or the like. However, sometimes you come across a really cheap set of knock-offs that are crying out for your artistic alteration.
This mixed and match set strikes my fancy. I love the mix of color and patterns and how they blend so well. If you find a set of cheap chairs that have good lines, grab them! With some painters tape, paint, fabric and decoupage, it’s easy and fairly simple to create your own uniquely designed set.
I’m searching for the source of this photo. Let it be known that it’s not mine and I have no rights to it. I will give due credit when found.
I love easy to make pieces of art to freshen things up a bit. I love the simplicity of pinning a starburst pin on a piece of dark fabric and framing it. You could do all sorts of variations on this idea. Perfect for a little spot on a shelf or bookcase. Sometimes our eyes just need a fresh treat.
I can’t find the source of this photo and post, so if you know, let me know so I can give full credit.
Silhouettes aren’t going anywhere and besides, parents and grandparents just can’t seem to get enough of it. So, I trekked into the archives and scrounged up this quick tutorial to show you one of the all time easiest ways to make your own heavy duty hangable silhouette.
Lucy, my best friend Anne’s daughter, posed for a quick photo one day and I proceeded to make silhouettes of her in all different types of materials. I even painted a giant black on white silhouette on canvas for them to hang in their living room.
For this unusual piece, I used one of my favorite discarded materials – one end of a discarded electrical spool, a yellow and white flowered blouse from Goodwill and a large piece of black felt.
Here’s my tutorial posted over on Curbly and I just came across it posted on Arts and Crafts Life.
Then I painted some…
Then I couldn’t stop, I had to go one step further and add a touch of color with some black and red houndstooth ribbon.
I also did these three canvasses for a client who was in the middle of an extreme renovation trying to change her uber modern architecture house into a traditional one. I didn’t have the heart to tell her it would never work. She did get herself three traditional silhouettes. Oh, and that baby boy! I think I actually teared up, he was so adorable.
Silhouette pet pillow love:
I’m not usually drawn to art with quotes or cutesy sayings, but when I saw what local photographer and friend, Mary Kissel, designed for her son’s college room, I revisited my policy. Her messages are practical and useable ideas that have come out of some of life’s hardest knocks.
Mary’s recognizable portrait photography graces the homes of a virtual Who’s Who list in Indianapolis. Always evolving and open to new inspiration, Mary creates from the heart. I love this girl! She’s one of those friends that you talk to and come away feeling like you’re on the right track. Take a look at Mary’s work at MaryKissel.com. I especially love the unposed shots. The black and white prints are available in 12″ x 18″ prints and 5″ x 7″ desk size prints.
They’re warm and fuzzy, yet served up with ironclad good sense.
And here’s Mary’s thought behind it all”
Local artist and friend Nancy Keating of Mosaics Garden has gone and done it again. She takes unexpected items and just goes wild with luscious Italian cut glass and tiles. See her blog and more of her work. You can even purchase this work of art for the singer/songwriter in your life.