Colors, Textures, Shapes - Stonework

Texture in Design Collections

There are many reasons I chose this photograph to use in these design series.  We are looking at design strategies for your home that create the magic you love.  In this photo, we have several different design elements at work.

For the next few articles, we will revisit the same photo to get the fundamental idea we want to work with. Today, let's look at the texture in design collections.

I love the texture in anything.  My artwork is full of it.  You can see some samples at the bottom of this article.  But for now, let's talk about how using texture can help you with extra features in your home without much money.

Note in this photo the different textures in a collection.  There smooth, embossed, feathered, circular, square, triangular, shapely, long, short, round...This gives a collection some distinction. Of course. the candle has it's own particular magic :-))

The Fireplace

First of all, if you have a fireplace with brick, (or any wall with brick) you are ONE LUCKY CAMPER.  It adds so much to a room.  Any natural substance that brings the earthy, stable, grounded element into your space brings peace with it.

So if you do have any feature like that - a window sill, a wall, a shelf - use it to its max.  Don't leave it empty and lonely. :-)  And mix it up.  Who says you need to have it look the same for every season?
Winter and summer are different energies and messages.  Use them.

Look at the gorgeous strength of this stonework.  Take a minute to absorb and then I will give you some ideas of how you can incorporate that into your space without spending more than $10!

What is your favourite?   I love them all but the third from the left with all the colour and different sizes and shapes is my ultimate favourite!

How to get stonework into your space on a budget

1. Use it on one wall.  I have one in my studio and I love it!  Look - 

2. Use if on a floor...if you live in a warm climate.  If not, you can always have a neat artsy rug on top.

3. Cover a table with stonework...

4. A fireplace surround...duh

5. counter tops in the kitchen

6. bathroom sinks (especially stonework over bricks)

7. brick in the kitchen on one wall is always awesome.

Where to Get Brick on Stonework on the Cheap?

1. Try Re-Store - the Habitat for Humanity store.  Great deals.

2. Try construction sites - go to the trailer and ask for the Site manager...walk away with a sweet bundle for free.

3. Do the same for home reno's in your area.  Ask nice.  Take cookies.

You probably have a secret stash you know about.  If you have ideas please do share below.

Here is some texture work in my artwork...check out artmystory.com and ggartstudios.com   Thanks!

Pillow Talk Design Strategies

 

Design Strategy On A Budget - Today's topic PILLOWS

Let's be honest, it's no fun to have little or no money.
A person get's hungry. :-)  So if the budget is limited, the last thing we consider a priority is new designs for the apartment or home.

Funny tho, the new designs may perk up your mind and heart just enough, that your inspired self finds the way to make more money appear.

PILLOWS to the Rescue!

My goal in this article is first to surprise you with the different tricks you can use with pillows - so lots of pictures, and then offer a few ways to get more pillows, or different pillows on a string budget.

Here we go!

Don't Buy The Pre-Determined Designer Lines of Linens

PLEASE!!!!!! Don't think this means going to your department store and finding the matching linens that the designer put together..that's ............ok.  But OK at best.
Instead, be on the lookout for totally UNRELATED materials that fit in the color theme you are looking for, and put them together.  That is design your way!  Look below the pics for ideas on how to find them.

Look what happens to just one chair in one corner of one room with thrift store find pillows...it's just one idea in different forms.  Think of all the fun you could have!

Pillow Talk

 First off, I just love this silly chair.  I love the lines.  I play with different looks on it almost every week. As you can see it's in the corner between two windows and is like a highlight spot for me.
So sometimes having font there is really nice...reminds me of things I want to remember.  Along with fonts, I love animal markings in decor. I find them organic and primal, which next to some of my other loves, it's a bit paradoxical.  PERFECT!  It's perfect because it's me.  And your voice will also find an ear when you give it a chance.
The trick is to play play play.
All kinds of factors will impact you - the weather, the season, your workload, your relationships even and especially your memories.  Let them all come shining through in your various design strategies.  Even with pillows.

In this case I just wanted you to see how completely different a different color scheme could shine.  I added the vase of flowers just so you could see what your eye would see if the flowers were in the room also.  Those flowers are real, but to save money, you could have fake ones in a corner even with other things in front of them, layered as it were

Black and white is always a favorite and can be mixed with various designs, sizes, textures.  I find I throw in black and white in almost every room somewhere - even if it's mixed with very different color schemes.  It brings a grounding to the whole scene.  A sense that all is right in the world.  I moved the chair..sorry for the indent in the pic...it was too late by then. :-)

I love this combo..black with various colour schemes and patterns...yum, all next to lines and basic ivory or cream sitting cushion.  Note to vary large design with the small design on the other pillow and then the calm below.

Here is a much more formal or traditional kind of mix.  Click on the pic and take a close up of that burgundy pillow.  That pattern is just awesome and for some reason it is organically very sound with the bamboo like look of the chair line.  The fun for me is the little pillow in front, which adds another layer of texture and size.  Again, not all pillows need to be anything like square.  Rectangular is awesome.

Pillows on a budget - Where to find them?

• THRIFT it!  Wow, Goodwill and Savers have amazing selections all the time.  Your area of the world will have it's own thrift stores to choose from.  I try to find the ones I can take apart so I can wash them when I get them home.  But if I only spent a dollar or 2, I throw the whole thing in and if it doesn't come out right...oh well.
• Don't think you need to keep them as they are either.  You can put one inside the other cover if you don't like the covering but the stuffing of the inside pillow is good. You can recover them with material you found at the thrift store.  Look in the sheets and curtain isles for material.
• You can buy fabric ends for cheap at your local fabric store and use them to cover old pillows you already have.  
• Consignment stores have cool pillows...but they can be pricier so not always appropriate.
• You can crochet a covering for a cheap thrift store pillow.  Buy a skein of wool at the thrift store or a garage sale..or even regular store.  You can get them for $3.
• Don't be in a hurry to buy them...Let them find you when you are out and about and they will. Watch for scarfs you like - they make a great pillow covering.  Maybe an old tee shirt?  Life will be full of possibilities once you start talking pillow talk!  

Come see us anytime at GG Art Studios - Affordable Original Art in Every Home!

20 Design Strategies on a Zero to $10 Budget

20 Design Strategies on a Zero to $10 Budget 

Some of us love things to look great but are convinced that it takes a lot of money to make that happen. Here are some design strategies you can do for Zero Bucks or no more than $10.

For the month of January, we are going to look at 20 ways you can freshen up your space.

You won't like all the ideas.  You might only like one out of the 20, and that in itself would be awesome.  Do something this month to make your home be the magical place you love to hang out in!

Sign Up for Email Notification - First Lesson is January 04, 2017

You might want to sign up for the email notice each day (here on the site) so that you are notified and reminded to check for your cheapo design strategy that will add colour, texture, fun, interest, nostalgia or just a good change to your magical space.

Feel free to leave comments or questions below.  HAVE FUN !!!

You can always send photos - I will gladly add them to upcoming posts to show what your magic looks like!

Come see us anytime at GG Art Studios - Affordable Original Art in Every Home!

New Year Magic - Create your Own

Something wonderful is in store for you this year.

I know this for POSITIVE.  Not because I am psychic, a fortuneteller or a magician.  But because you have magic waiting for you every morning when you wake up, and I am convinced you are going to tap in and use it in 2017.

Use the magic of everyday life to create around you, inside you, and for your world.  Spruce up your space with amazing ideas (which I will be more than happy to help with :-) and spruce up your mind and heart with the wisdom that seeks to be known.

Your life is waiting!  Please don't push the mute or hold button this year.

Allow the life of love and magic to whirl around your story and whip up more than you ever dreamed possible.

Let the blessings begin!  For you, and for the world you live in.

Come see us anytime at GG Art Studios - Affordable Original Art in Every Home!

Open the Window Shutter To Magic

There is only one way to change the things we don't want in our life or space.  We have to open our minds, our thoughts, our ideas to something new.  I love this reclaimed wooden shudder which has been chalk painted and had string applied to say...OPEN!  If you don't open the shudder, no light can come in!  Then on the other side it says...Enjoy Everyday Life.  It doesn't have to be special to be relished.  Relishing is our job - life just presents the opportunities! 

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I read a post on Facebook today about the holiday season.  While most people are celebrating with family and loved ones, there are many who have lost loved ones this year and they are suffering.  I sat with one of the most beautiful women at an event the other day and she shared with me that she lost her son this year in September.  She said she wished she could go to sleep for two weeks - my heart broke for her.  Such pain while everyone is insisting we should be joyful.
Then I was reminded of this magical picture I took.  There was nothing special about the surroundings, but this gorgeous flower was peeking through the fence.  Always reminds me of the hope that lies just beyond my present understanding. I did doctor the photo slightly, but the magic is always there, waiting for us.

One thing I know about magic is that you can't keep looking with bored, prejudiced and closed minds.  There is a spontaneous awareness.  It starts like sparkle.  You can miss it quite easily. Start noticing the sparkles you see (feel) within.  Before you know it, creativity and magic bloom.