5 Attainable Pieces of Original Artwork to Hang on Your Wall

If there was an ever a time to support small artists and creators, this is it.  I know so many of us are spending more time at home than ever so what better time to find some beautiful pieces to look at while we are spending so much time at home.  

Selecting art can be such a hard decision but I encourage you not to take it too seriously. Just find something you connect with and it will bring you joy.

Here are 5 (reasonably affordable) pieces of from artists I've been crushing on...

This dramatic skyscape by KatyLeigh is memorizing whether you see the clouds or not.

You know I'm a sucker for creepy portraits and this girl with bird by Nursel Fine Art checks all the boxes. 

This little crushed toothpaste painting by Kristine Kainer would be perfection in a bathroom.

If you need a piece for your kitchen, I'm loving the fried egg paintings Anna Shevel has done.  Pop art for those who like to cook!

And finally this pastoral painting by Sara Tubens is both calming but hard to look away from.

Any of these strike your fancy? Or do you have other artists you ar crusing on? Please share their work in the comments!

Living Room Glow Up

I know it's been quiet around here. It just felt so frivious to talk about decor when so much more important things were happening. But Christmas time is here so it was time to get decorating. I've been thinking of making a few changes to my living rooom for a while now so this was the perfect time to make it happen. Come on in!

 

Warning: this post is pretty much a present to myself - things Ive been wanting to do for years but always put it off.  Well now is the time people.  What are we waiting for?

New light fixture, who dis?  Yes I finally switched out the big chandy for something more sleek and updated. I'd been lusting over the outrageous expensive RH version for years when I finally found this very similar style from Mooielight and I was sold!  I did come with a bit more assembly then I expected but I'm thrilled with how it looks up. While its not an exact dupe it's very close for a LOT less money.  (I'll share more about it in another post.)

Another new change is this tv area.  I finally got the "Frame" tv and I'm absolutely enamored! I know its just a tv but ain't she pretty!  It hangs tight onto the wall so no unsightly mounts peeking out and will show artwork and photos when not in use.  

And finally I found this wooden mantel shelf that fit perfectly underneath from Decor Steals.  I originally ordered it thinking it would be great for holiday use but I think it adds some interest to the spot so I might leave it up all year round. Last but not least the Christmas bling! Most of it I've had a while but a couple of new additions. Like the little snowy tree I painted myself (follow my tik tok for the how to), the gingerbread sign, the frosted garlands, lighted snowflakes and twinkly curtain lights.  In honor of the Rockefeller Tree stowaway owl, I put some of these little owls in the decor this year too. Something only I would notice but no one is coming over anyway so why not?

Phew thats a lot to take in one post but suffice to say I'm really pleased with how its all came out.  Especially now that we are home ALLLLLLL THE TIME - I really needed to change it up.

If you are still reading - thank you!   I'd love to hear how you have been making the most of the season this crazy year in the comments.

What should I put on my walls? | 5 Paintings You Can Buy Right Now

I often get asked for suggestions about what artwork a homeowner should buy. It's such a personal decision and I believe you should really love the artwork hanging in your home so it's hard to make recommendations without knowing a person's style. But I can suggest some great pieces of art by artists I admire and that's what this post is all about.  Each one of these is original and affordable so they are the perfect way to start dressing those endless empty walls.


Bliss by Jan Burnett is summer on canvas and would look great in so many little nooks.


City Abstract by Robert Frank reminds me of growing up in 1980s NYC (although I have no idea which city or timeframe he was painting)



 Jenny Doh's 654 Sights to See is just a little bit disturbing but also hard to look away. 


Old Fashioned by Lucas Simmons is a stunner in blue and green.



On the Way to School by Tali falls into the little bit odd category but there is something about the shadows and the expressionless faces that capture the eye.  You know I can't resist a good creepy painting.


Anything catch your eye?  Each one of these is an original one of a kind so if you love it, grab it. I'd love to see these beauties hanging in your home so please share!


If you like peeping artists like I do, check out an earlier post about 5 more wonderful artists to watch.

Note: This is not a sponsored post nor do I receive any benefit if you make a purchase.  I just want to support these artists in whatever (albeit small) way I can .

5 Artists to Watch + Paintings to Admire

I have commitment issues when it comes to art.  I love to shop and buy it but I tend not to be able to commit so I have lots of little finds hidden in closets and sitting on shelves.  It's a sickness.

Art can be such a hard decision for decorators but I want to encourage everyone not to take themselves too seriously.  Especially with some of the great work you can now find easily online.  Find something you love and hang it where you can see it.

With that in mind, here are 5 reasonable attainable pieces of art from artists I've been loving. If you have some artists to recommend (or if you are an artist yourself!), please share in the comments.


Salma Nasreldin creates such fun and eye catching work, it's hard not to be enchanted. This one is called 'Sunshine and Hurricane' and it's a particular favorite.







The gorgeous abstracts by Omar Obaid are mesmerizing.  And he makes them in huge scale which is oh so helpful in pulling a room together without having to find 25 different smaller pieces of art.  One of these is enough to carry a space.



Marleen Kleiberg creates characters I want to know more about. This melancholy (or is she just napping?) piece painted on a wood panel is my personal favorite.




Wouldn't this make a great conversation starter at  your next cocktail party?  Lisa Finch of French Canvas painted this little story on canvas and I can't look away.




Last but not least Camilo Matiz out of Luxembourg is painting dream abstracts in beautiful bright colors that are easy to fall in love with.







Any great artists caught your eye?  I'd love to hear and see more about them.


Non disclosure: This post is NOT sponsored. I just really admire the work and want to support them in any way (albeit small) I can.

Easy Holiday Decor DIYs from Christmas Past

One of my favorite parts of Christmas decorating is unpacking some of little decor DIY's I've created over the years.  They are buried in the older pages of the blog but I love to reuse them year after year. Here are my top 9 that anyone can make with just the most basic tools and materials.

Standing Red Nosed Reindeer  |  Mountain Lodge Sign  | Noel Box

Naughty or Nice Tags   | Modern Painted Wreath  | Toy Workshop Window

Woodsy Advent Calendar  |  Santa Sack  | Stocking Box

What is your favorite item to uncover in your holiday decor boxes?

Hand Painted Floor - Hide Your Ugly Vinyl Floor

A dramatic hallway makeover is completed on a small budget including an original hand painted floor, some modern accents, and white walls.


As you might expect, I love talking decor with friends so when my bestie shared she was working on her hallway, I was eager to see what she had in mind.  She was on a strict budget so she was going to do what she could with the space without spending a fortune.  That included keeping the vinyl flooring that was ahem, less than ideal.  A few weeks later I stopped by and was stopped dead in my tracks with the impressive makeover she completed. I so wish I had a before photo to share but you'll just have to take my word for it that this hardly feels like the same home. Yes, that floor is hand painted.  I don't know how many hours it took but I think "a lot" would probably not cover it.  She did not use a stencil but rather marked out the pattern with car detailing tape.  Hard to believe this is all just old vinyl.



I'm just in love with this space and wanted to share it with you too!  I call it moody in the best way possible. This space tells me something about the owner while still being practical.  While it's small in size, the flooring and the art draws the eye in giving it a feel of more space.  Hooks and a bench make it functional.  The "hello" and "goodbye" give it whimsy and finally, the floor gives so much style.

A Hand Painted Floor Makes Any Space Pop

Hand Painted Floor Sources:

Sherwin Williams Anchors Aweigh
Gold Paint
Brass Chandelier
Brass Pendant 
Mid Century Style Wood Bench
Brass Pilltop Hooks
Wood Panels
Door Decals

What design would you use for a hand painted floor in your home?

For more hand painted projects check out:

DIY Coffee Hand Painted Sign

Painted Scrollwork Dresser

Beachy Bedroom Makeover - Transform Your Space Using Coastal Elements

This beachy bedroom transformation has subtle coastal elements, dark grey walls, a mix of patterns and bright white accents.

It doesn’t feel that long ago but we bought our little apartment on the Jersey Shore more than 10 years ago now.  Our lives were very different back then and this little getaway has changed as drastically as our lives.  We renovated the bathroom and kitchen and carved a kid’s room out of the living room space.  It was finally time to tackle our bedroom.  It had never been a priority before but a restful place to lay our heads has suddenly taken on new meaning. This is how we found it the day we decided to purchase it.



Let’s just say Better Homes & Gardens wasn’t going to come calling anytime soon.  We did a few patches here and there with some Ikea furniture and paint but it never felt like a truly well put together, restful space.



I’m happy to share it’s finally a totally different room thanks to some help from my friends at Hayneedle. The anchor of the room is the Linen Tufted Wingback Bed which is a beautiful shade of navy. As you can see, I didn’t want to go too crazy with the coastal vibe but I wanted to have just the suggestion of the shore.

 

Since there were already a lot of rectangles in the room I wanted to add some more organic shapes and textures.  I started with the using these round end tables in place of traditional nightstands. The walls were painted a dramatic deep grey (BM Kendall Charcoal) but needed a little artwork to break it up. The abstract artwork stopped me dead in my scroll – the perfect shade, organic shape and nod to the sea without being something too on the nose.

Coastal Elements Give A Beachy Bedroom Vibe

For lots of extra storage as well as a warm infusion of natural wood, we put this long 8 dresser chest of drawers along the long wall.  This thing holds sooo much and looks lovely doing it.

 

Finally, my absolute favorite addition is this modern update on a wingback chair.  Tucked in the corner, it’s the perfect spot to flip through a magazine or put on your sandals before heading out.


I’m so happy with this beachy bedroom now that I catch myself peeking in there every chance I get!

Beachy Bedroom Source List:

Bed  

End tables 

Artwork

Dresser

Chair

Rug

Bedding

Drapes

Disclosure: Some of the products featured in this post were provided by Hayneedle but all of the opinions expressed are my own.

For More Bedroom Makeovers Check Out:

Shore Bedroom Makeover

Girls Bedroom - Grownup Sophistication

Reading Corner aka "Mom Nook"

One of my oldest friends has been renovating her bedroom for an eternity so when I had the chance to work with Hayneedle on small furniture project, I immediately thought of her space.  She is a hard working mom of two energetic boys and I knew she could need nothing more than a little corner just for herself. 

For complete list of items used, check out the source list here.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Hayneedle but all opinions expressed are my own.

Oh Christmas Tree...

If you had told me 10 years ago about how much I would love having a faux tree, I would have definitely scoffed.  But I'm a convert now. There is just no beating the ease and convenience of a faux tree - no needles to sweep up, not watering, no lights to untangle. Best of all, I can put this up the day after the Thanksgiving and I don't have to worry about having a dry tree come Christmas. This year, it got even easier with a Balsam Hill Flip Tree.


Noble Fir Flip Tree  / Copper Berry Picks  / Fur Tree Skirt

The base and about 2/3 of the tree is on wheels, you simply roll it out of the bag, flip it over and connect the top piece. No wires to find, no untangling lights. I literally pulled this bad boy out of the box and had it done in minutes. Not having to get my husband to help me put it up made us both merry!


This tree has their LED candlelights and its beautifully bright and shiny. I love how its nice and bright even in the daylight but of course the evening it when it really sparkles. Aggie was super excited to come home to this surprise.

Thank you to Balsam Hill for making life so much easier for me and providing me this tree.  I definitely was happy to have that extra time back!

Advent Calendar: Yay or Nay?

Tomorrow is December 1 - the traditional start of the advent calendar countdown. Let's just say I'm not ready. Lucky for me, my children won't notice if I start a few days late.

Even though its a bit of hassle, I sort of loved my DIY rustic antler advent calendar  I did last year.

Of course there are so many great ideas elsewhere too.  Really simple versions like this advent calendar in a jar from White Gunpowder, a super simple ornament version by Casa Haus, or a sleek modern approach from Journey into Creativity.  But my most favorite one - both for ease and function is from Live Laugh Rowe.  She took a linen over the door shoe organizer and made a fabulous one.  Not only is it easy but the pockets are nice and large so you can put all kinds of things in there which is great for multiple children or when you don't want to have to worry too much about size.  Love that!

What about you? Do you do advent calendars at your house? And if you do, who has it all ready to go and who is scrambling at the last minute like me?

Anna's Bathroom Renovations

I'm sorry to be wrapping up Anna's renovation series because her results are just stunning. ICYMI her kitchen and dining room transformations are amazing.  But all good houses have to come to an end right?  So to wrap up this series I'm sharing both her master and guest bathrooms.



Beautiful right?  Even more impressive when you consider the before photos.


As you can see, she reconfigured the space a little bit to make the master bigger and the guest room smaller but I love her choices.  Thanks to Anna for sharing!

Guest Bath Source List

Vanity | Custom Made by Hedgehouse

Vanity Hardware, Med Cabinet & Sconces | Restoration Hardware

Countertop | Polished carrara marble 

Sink | Signature Hardware

Faucet | Newport Brass Fairfield

Toilet | Toto

Door hardware | Emtek

Wall Tile | Classic Tile Brooklyn carrara subway & crown trim

Floor tile | Carrara basketweave 

Wall Color | BM Paper White

Master Bath Source List

Vanity | Custom Made by Hedgehouse

Countertop | MSI Quartz in Arctic White

Sink | Signature Hardware

Vanity Hardware | Rejuvenation

Bath & Sink Fixtures | Rohl

Toilet | Toto

Medicine Cabinet | Fresca 

Wall & Floor tile | Venato Carrara 

Vanity tray | Waterworks 

Wall color | BM paper white

Stool | Serena & Lily