Need A New Style? Add Some Layers!

No, not your hairstyle but your home style!

Short on wall space? No problem! Layer, layer, layer. I have a client who has almost ZERO wall space in her new home but LOTS of large art and mirrors so we had to get creative. I LOVE all of these ideas...

Hide some of your bookcase clutter.

This solution allows for some privacy but doesn't block all of the light.

Hanging the art over molding adds interest to the space without taking away from the architectural detail.

*My apologies for the lack of sources. I am trying to be better about this in the new year but these are old photos!

Super Cool Idea!

Of course the same day I say I am going to take a blogging break I go to supper club and my sweet friends tell me how much they look forward to reading my blog each day. Sooo...I'm baaack! Gotta please my fans (lol)! [I still find it humbling that anyone actually reads this!]

This was a super cool idea executed by local interior designer, Margaret Donaldson, in the Southern Living Idea House on Daniel Island a few years back. I have always loved the concept which serves not only as a visual room divider (without making the space feel heavy) while also creatively displaying some family photos in a non-traditional way.

I believe (if I am not mistaken) that it is from Walker Display Inc. If I am wrong, please let me know!

Artist Love

I don't claim to know a lot about art. But I do know what I like! And to me that is all that matters when it comes to purchasing art....you have to love it, be moved by it and/or leave the gallery or shop dreaming about it. Through all my blog reading, I have come across some amazing artists (I love) lately and wanted to share these talents with you.

Teresa Cline Gallery

Twenty Six in her Ocean Moods Collection

Artist Vanessa Briggs

Sunset 10

Etsy Artist Sara Tetley

White Cottage With Orange Door

Etsy Artist ArtAnd

Nude No. 1

Artist Annie Kammerer Butrus

Four Seasons: Winter

And while talking about art, I wanted to mention The Charleston Artist Collective, a website for local artists that want to showcase their work outside of the conventional gallery setting. Each month, the site features artist's interpretations of a new theme and a percentage of the sales goes back towards the community. Go check it out!

Keep It Tight

I love, love, love a perfectly symmetrical and art grouping. But man do I hate to hang them. Hence why I employ Brent Haven of Haven's Framing to come hang them for me. He is great! Not only the owner but he does his own handy work...love that! If you don't have Brent around then there are some tricks to hanging your own. The key is to pre-plan! And a little note is to keep the frames tight, if they are too far apart they look disjointed. It depends on the size of your grouping and the size of your wall but I say no more than three inches apart. Apartment Therapy has a good article here. And do yourself a favor and get one of these bad boys...

I like how these folks have worked the sconces into the art grouping. It adds a little more interest by breaking up the flat grouping with a 3D object yet everything is still really symmetrical.

Simplify

Unknown

Sometimes we over think ourselves.

Art can be this simple. Try using images from a book or calendar.

Asymmetrical Art Displays

Elle Decor

Domino

Designer Angie Hranowsky

Designer Amanda Nisbet

Unknown

I revel in this!!! I am SO symmetrical but I do like an asymmetrical art display (although mine still might be more like Mrs. Nisbet's!). Hanging artwork in this manner is great when you have a mis-mash of art you want to display (especially inexpensive flea market finds or various mediums of art). And I really like that it can evolve over time.

Feelin' Horny?

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

Want one like this? Check out my online store Objects!

~Images: 1) Elle Decor 2) Designer Miles Redd 3) via decorpad 4) Martha Stewart 5) via decorpad 6) Unknown 7) via absolutelybeautifulthings 8) House Beautiful

Displaying Your Child's Artwork

No budget for art? Well there might just be a budding artist in your own home! I love to display the chillin's artwork in my client's homes. It is such a personal touch and it makes the little one's feel so special! Even though I am not a parent, I know that the AMOUNT of artwork one child produces can get out of control so best to have a rotating display. And this article from Real Simple gives some helpful hints on sorting, storing and (ahem) discarding your child's artwork.

A Tack Strip (doesn't ruin your walls!)

Acrylic Box Frames (easy to change out!)

A gallery wall of matching frames. (Makes art look sophisticated!)

I had this bulletin board custom made for a client covered in linen to match the bench in the mudroom and finished off with nailheads and a gallery light to add to the "true artist" effect!

Other idesas: you could decoupage (yes, I said decoupage) artwork onto a large canvas for an abstract effect, use a clothesline which is very simple to change out, paint a wall (or section of a wall) with magnetic paint and attach artwork with bulldog clips. Have another idea, let me know!

~Images: 1) Real Simple 2) via bellemaison blog 3) Domino 4) Real Simple 5) Elle Decor 6) Home Mag 7) My portfolio