Designer Showcase

I was lead designer in this showcase of homes project. My project was the master suite, consisting of the sitting room, bedroom and master bath. Proceeds went to support the local symphony.

This was quite a large bedroom, I selected this floral print which showcased 26 colors in the pattern. I then used red, green, yellow and purple as my accent colors. A small room could not handle this large pattern, this allowed the room to have a warmer feeling. First I choose a pale yellow and faux painted the walls which were originally white. I added the light fixture, replaced the carpet from a dark brown to an off white bringing out the background of the fabric. The table skirts and drapes are lined in a pale yellow and green stripe creating a garden escape feeling. There was a surrounding patio which displayed a flower garden making this room feel an extension of the garden.

The sitting room sofa was upholstered in the same yellow and green stripe and the floral pattern lined with the same stripe was then carried through on the half draperies which were displayed on a swing rod giving the room a three dimensional look allowing more view to the garden.

When working with a large room, as you can see, color and a lot of it works!!! The room has a clean fresh yet romantic feel with a softness to reflect a mellow yet fun mood.

Elegant Exposure

Appreciating Nude Art
The subject of nude art has long been in most societies. Nude art is still, however, considered as taboo or a controversial topic despite its artistic value. Though most cultures are generally becoming adaptable and appreciative of this particular form of art, one can say that the holistic acceptance of nude art in most societies has yet to be established. The key to this acceptance is by making people understand what nude art really is all about.

Nude Arts History

Nude art has been around for so long a time, as long as the early civilizations of Greek and Egypt. Nude art back then was established as a form of appreciation of the human body. Although the same definition can be said nowadays with regard to nude art, the art has been so well extended that it not only includes the study of the human body in general but also its specific body parts. The study of nude art was all the more furthered, thanks to the Renaissance and Baroque periods both periods in time that dealt with the discovery of human nature. With this discovery came about the high importance accorded to nude art. Until now, nude art is widely practiced, especially in generally liberal countries such as American and European nations. In some countries, nude art is not as accepted but is on its way to being popularly established.

Real Nude Art

However, nude art has been debated upon by many people because of its controversial nature. After all, nudity is commonly associated with pornography. Real nude art, however, is anything but pornography. In fact, most nude art scholars and critics generally define nude art as a piece of art that provokes emotional sensuality not erotic sensuality. Furthermore, nude art refers to the study of the human body and its specific parts not of the nude person portrayed in the art. The nude person is merely a representation on behalf of humanity in general.

Also, real nude art prefers human in its most raw form. As much as possible, a nude artist would do away with embellishments which are deemed as mere accessories to the beauty of the human body. These accessories do not really beautify the human body in the process of depicting art. Rather, it sullies the beauty of the human nature. For some nude artists, however, this is perfectly acceptable. Tattoos are also accepted in special cases, depending on the nude artists vision of nude art.

In this canvas, which is my favorite, there is a mystery of realizing what it actually is at first. As you focus on the lace, only then does it seem to become apparent that this is a partial nude with grace and beauty.

Shaun Parker is an avid art fan. He has an extensive collection of photos on canvas and he shares his extensive knowledge on the topic to help people find the right artwork for their homes. You can view ideas for putting photos on canvas at http://www.mangoart.co.uk/

Create and Update

This was a comfortable room before, however, it lacked POP. The palette was good but plain. The colors I had to work with, were moss green, beige and purple. First I added purple fringe to a few of the sofa pillows, then selected a moss green, beige and purple stripe fabric which I covered a traditional chair with, creating a focal point along with half draperies on a swing rod for even more dramatics. A painting of moss greens and purple completed the balance.The frame was chrome which brought out other accents in the room.

I then carried the color scheme into the dinette area, introducing a new color and small floral print on the chair cushions. This was a white background with small flowers of purple and of course the green leaves. Fresh flowers were placed in a white vase completing the fresh feel and completing the redesign. Simple changes, yet cost effective.

What's Your Style

What Is Your Home Decorating Style?


Do your friends and family say your home looks nice because you are an excellent home decorator, or are they just being polite? Take the home decorating style quiz to find out if your home decorating style is as inspirational as people say. Whether you are a decorating diva or your home decorating style is akin to a bowl of oatmeal, this quiz can show you if you are inspirational, average, or utterly boring. Which home decorating style are you?

Take a fun home decorating quiz at lifescript.com. Once you have taken the test, it will assist you in making themes for your redesign projects and or relate your likes and dislike to your designer.

Nature's Designs

This picture is worth a thousand words in itself.

Generally a tree branch, large foliage or flowering foliage branch's, length can vary from 20 to 70 inches, will make a beautifully dramatic statement in your home.

A single branch can add visual impact as a backdrop to medium flower arrangements. Large floral arrangements can incorporate several long branches for dramatic accent. Unusually shaped tree branches or clipping a branch from a budding tree such as a red bud and placing them in different heights in a tall glass vase is one of my favorite centerpieces. Add a few silk limbs with greenery for color.

These arrangements are particularly dramatic in a large room and rooms with high ceilings. I purchased silk palm leaves and placed them in a clear vase with unusually formed stems from my yard which transformed an otherwise understated table into a focal point of beauty.

Another favorite is to fill a tall glass vase with deco balls then add stems. In a kitchen you can add artificial fruit and stems.

Mix and Match Pattern Fun

Texture is often overlooked. Pattern is not so much overlooked, as feared! Many people are afraid to use pattern. They don't know how to mix and match patterns, so they avoid them all together.

This can often result in a very bland, and uninspiring room. This is a shame, because as a general rule it doesn't cost any more to buy a fabric with pattern than a solid color. With pattern you get a lot more impact for your money.

The frugal decorator is conservative with pattern only in the large pieces, such as overstuffed furniture. Pattern does become dated faster than solid colors. It is best to use it on items like pillows, throws, and even area rugs, which can be moved, and wear out sooner.

There are a few basic rules to follow when mixing and matching pattern. Keep these I mind, and you shouldn't have any trouble. Skilled decorators are able to violate these rules and get away with it, but for most of us we need to keep within these parameters.

All the patterns in the room should be easily distinguished from each other. None of them should be similar to the point they look alike. For instance, you do not want to use two large floral prints of similar color near each other.

Use a variety of prints, including floral prints, stripes, and geometric shapes.

Contrast the size of the design in the patterns. If you are using a LARGE floral, add a fabric with a SMALL stripe or geometric print.

Have a similar color in each piece of fabric. If one of the main colors in your room is sage green and you want to bring out this color, make sure this color is in each fabric piece that you add.

Be aware that your eye CANNOT retain color. This is why decorators ALWAYS work with swatches of color. Do what you can to have samples with you of patterns and colors in your room when you go to buy coordinating items.


Pattern makes a room more exciting, and gives it more character.via About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money! Article first published at www.allthingsfrugal.com

Romance and Lace

Embroidered or Lace Drapes. These always look nice in old fashioned type living rooms or in bedrooms. They have a romantic, old fashioned feel to them. You can find them in many colors, yet white and shades of white seems to be the most popular. Pictured here is a soft treatment using the ultimate in black for that romantic touch.

Sheer drapes have a classy appeal to them. These can be used alone or can be paired up with other thicker drapes.

Pinch and pleated drapes come in a variety of different types of fabrics including chenille, velvet and even cotton polyester mix blends.

Silk drapes are often made from silk. Yet, you can buy silk drapes that aren't sheer looking. Some are simple cut and free flowing. Yet, other silk drapes are adorned with ruffles, giving them a more romantic feel.

Floral Finale'

Flowers are a great choice for fabrics and patterns in your home. They may show up in just a few pillows or can be used as wallpaper, drapery fabrics, upholstery, and accessories.
Besides the restful, garden feel these patterns impart, most floral patterns feature a variety of colors that can be matched and coordinated with solids, plaids, checks, and stripes.

If you’re doing a garden room, or just love garden flower prints for decorating, these tips on decorating with floral's will give you ideas on how to create a terrific color scheme, repeat the colors in your space, and support the theme with accents throughout the room to complete a total garden escape.