Archive for May, 2009
Visit Allison’s Paintings shop.
I can’t help it. I still think there are gnomes living in these jars. I’m serious — I really do. Every time I see them I get excited — I want to peer in and wait for miniature people to peek out of their houses.
Moss Terrarium No. 131 by madebymavis
I also get excited because it’s one of the few DIY home decor projects I think I can actually do. You can follow easy instructional videos, or awesome vintage how-to books — terrariums are pretty easy to make. The fun part is deciding which vintage glass container to house yours in.
You can also experiment with size. How about a nice terrarium necklace?
Inexpensive, handknit pillow cushions. Incredible! Visit Strikk here.
Hi everyone! Nicole of Lillyella here with a new Style Swap. This week we move back indoors with our Style Staple, the Red Rose Pillow by pillowhappy. I find one of the easiest ways to inexpensively change the look of a room is by using accent pillows and there is great versatility in a design like this. Not only is it unique and beautiful but it looks equally as charming in a sophisticated sitting room as it does in a cheery teen bedroom.
Style Staple: Red Rose Pillow 1. Fall Ribbons Print 2. Summer Shades Hand Woven Runner 3. Rustic Bench
Style Staple: Red Rose Pillow 1. Custom Monogram Wall Decal 2. Alligator Scallop End Table 3. Dorset Floral Duvet and Sham
Best part, this pillow is available in different colors — you can make a bouquet! And be sure to check out all the other pillowhappy designs for more unique and inspiring pieces. Which is your favorite?
Until next week, stay safe and be happy! ~ Lillyella
About a week ago, I received a lovely email from Mod3rn Art and I became immediately interested in the simple silhouettes of the jewelry. How cute is that teapot necklace? After browsing the site for a bit, I became downright obsessed with the gallery section that showcases various images of artists studios, called IStudio. There are tons of great artists featured, like Yellowgoat, Lila Ruby King, Makool, Kimberly Rose, and a lot more. Visit the Mod3rn Art shop, blog, and gallery.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the kind words about my recent BHG feature. And in the spirit of shameless promotion, I just did an interview with Rebecca of Made By Hand for papernstitch and it is now up. We talked about a lot of things. And I would love for you to check it out if you have a minute. Visit Made by Me here.
This week on Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks, we head back to our walls and tabletops to explore a new take on and old standby – the Modern Photo.
Most of us grew up with photos hung around the house – in hallways, or on end tables, emphasized as a single item, or clustered in groups. Typically these were family photos – school pictures, sports remembrances, family vacations. Photos are a way to stop time in its tracks, a way to remember those gone and to catch a happy time like a lightning bug in a jar. But the modern photo takes this idea and twists it, adding an aesthetic that is at once full of feeling and harmonious with the clean, simple styling of the modern home. There are many types of photography available online, with a huge range in price, so you should be able to find what’s right for you. Abstracted and cropped images of botanicals make you take a closer look, while architectural photography emphasizes the geometries of buildings and other structures. Closeups of everyday objects can add texture to the inherent flatness of a photo, while black and white images tend to have great depth of feeling. Landscape photography ranges from large-scale horizons to green enclosures. People and animals can be seen in new and interesting ways, not just the straight-on portrait shot.
When purchasing a photo, generally you want to look for contrasts in light and dark – images of all one tone can look flat when placed on a wall. Be sure the image is either crisp looking or intentionally blurry. Check the descriptions for printing methods – you want photo paper, and preferably pigment inks. When framing the photos, take a few things into account. Choose a frame that does not pull your eye away from the photo, but lets it stand out. If you plan to group photos on a wall, use the same frame for all, or group images by theme or style to tie them together. A horizontal or vertical row of crisp black and white images can add a visual line you may be lacking. Or a shot of color may be just the thing you need to liven up a wall or countertop.
Spend some time looking at modern photography, and find a look that intrigues you. Keep it in mind the next time you take that family photo – crop in a bit more, take the photo from a new angle. Learn to use some of the simple photo-editing programs to give your photos that modern look. Those family photos never looked so good.
