Framed Doily Gallery

OK people, I did not let my decorating ADD get in the way of completing this project, I am done (for now) and sharing.... I did not shoot a bunch of how-to photos or make a tutorial, this was a simple, no-brainer project.  All that was required were a handful of black frames, some large sheets of black paper (both from Michaels) and a collection of crocheted doilies.  No fancy steps or instructions, just cut the paper to fit the frame and insert the doilie, simple....  I did lay things out on the floor before putting nails in the wall, but even that was not too complicated as I only had 5 frames to hang.

Here is the wall, sad and unadorned for almost 5 years:

 

And my low cost, use what you have and make it work solution:

 

Overall, I am pleased with how this wall turned out, I plan to add to it over time and will tweak the accessorizing of the table etc. I like the graphic pop of the black and cream and think this gives these old doilies a new life, what do you think?

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!

Change your accents, change your look!

Last week I showed you some of my favorite  items from Viva Terra, today I thought it would be fun to show one of those items with some other room basics and two different looks created by using different accents.  I do little things in my own home to change things up by season or when I simply need something to feel new, but I love the idea of having different artwork, window treatments and accessories for one room so that the change is more significant.

Since budget is always at the forefront when I do a room design, changing accents could be as simple as "shopping" the other rooms in your home.  Having a well planned color scheme throughout your home will help in enabling you to do this. A shift of color, texture and style can keep a room fresh and interesting.

For this design, the foundation is the woven leather rug and a sleek leather sofa with chrome legs.  The subtle gray wall color and more rustic feeling tables help tie in the rug.  Lamps are something that are also easily changed, but for this plan, I chose to keep them the same.  The two different looks I was after are achieved by following the textural and overall color thread on the warm side and picking up on the grays, metals and more modern lines of the sofa on the cool side. Enjoy!

Genova Side Table, $298
Steele Leather Sofa | Crate&Barrel, $2,999
Belgian Farmhouse Floor Lamp | Classic | Restoration Hardware, $584
Barneys New York Ibiza Throw, $365
Buttonwood Curtain, $208
Zinnia Camel Pillow, $139
Williams-Sonoma Home | Nito Weave Vessel, $138
Mum Silver Pillow, $119
Maeve Harris 'Umber View II' Framed Canvas Artwork | Overstock.com, $112
HAND PAINTED CIRCUS STRIPE VASE - SHORT- Lazy Susan, $110
Williams-Sonoma Home | Chunky Pomegranate Embroidered Pillow, $98
Williams-Sonoma Home | Indian Flower Crewel Pillow, $98
Handloomed Silk Window Panel | west elm, $79
Bijoux Dots Pillow Cover, 16"x16", Natural/Gold | west elm, $34
Pier 1 Imports - Ivory Throw with Flange and Ruffles, $30
VivaTerra - Scrap Leather Rug, $10
VivaTerra - Recycled French Bottle Lamp, $10
French Heritage
ferm LIVING US: Pillows & Tea Towels > Knitted Floor Cushion (Yellow)
KEISARINNA GRAY
Shades of Gray - Gray Paint - House Beautiful
Waterfall Woven Wood Shades Online at The Shade Store
 

 What do you do to "change it up" in your home?

What to put on a bare wall?

I get asked this question all of the time, and take it into consideration whenever I am designing a room.  There is no simple answer other than making sure whatever you use is something you love and enjoy looking at.  Often times the decor of a room will be inspired by a piece of art.  Other times art is the finishing touch.  My tastes go towards not taking it all too seriously with formal paintings and more traditional art (maybe because this is not in my budget, nor usually in that of my clients), but injecting color, humor, texture and interest in the mix.

My CSIL (very Creative, fun to work/be with, Sister In Law) recently asked for some thoughts on art as a finishing touch  in her master bathroom and here are a few things I suggested, all very affordable, some even perfect DIY projects...

1) Framed collage of photos

2) Stretched canvas of interesting fabric

3) Large photo canvas

4) Silhouettes in lieu of family photos

5) Framed scientific drawings or botanicals

6) Mixed media

7) Framed maps,  antique or new, of favorite places

1 | 2 | 3 | 4| 5 | 6 | 7

What would you choose for your walls or for the wall in this bathroom?  There are so many different directions and solutions for bare walls that is a subject which deserves much further discussion, so stay tuned for future posts.