walldecorandhomeaccents Archive Page
Saturday, November 29, 2008

Question:  My home has a family room and a keeping room.  In addition to that, I have a formal living room as well.  Since I already have two sitting rooms, I was looking for a unique idea for the formal living room.  Do you have any ideas? 

Answer:  There has been a trend of making formal living rooms more useful.  You can convert the room into a home office.  You can create a library reading room.  My favorite idea however is a music room.  A music room is most useful if you play an instrument.  But even if you don't you can purchase an old fashioned Juke box or other musical centerpiece.  To decorate a typical music room, I like to make a piano the centerpiece of the room.  In addition to the piano, you can purchase a few wind instruments and guitars for display and hang or place them around the room.  To finish off the decor of a music room, you can hand music themed wall art and a few sculptures to show off in the room. 

This Music Player Table Art Sculpture is a great addition to any music room.  It is also a great gift for anyone who loves music.  At 15"H x 12"W, it makes a bold statement without taking up too much room.  It would look great on top of a wall sconce or on top of a piano.  You can purchase this piece alone or with other coordinating table art sculpture pieces. 


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Thursday, November 27, 2008

MyEstridgeHome.com has recently announced a new website that allows homeowners to share the building process with family and friends. A lot like TheKnot.com, a website that lets guests in on the planning and progress of an upcoming marriage, this new website helps to share the excitement of a new home in the making. Homeowners can take photos of their new home as it is being built and decorated and upload the on their individual websites.  Family and friends can follow the progress.

In addition to sharing the process of building and decorating a new home with family and friends, MyEstridgeHome.com also allows users to view different homes, designs, and decorating ideas uploaded by other users and the Estridge website. 

While this website is currently for the use of families building homes with MyEstridge.com, other homeowners don't have to be left out of the fun.  Anyone can view Estrdigecom designs online. This website will give you lots of ideas you can use to build your home and the virtual home tours will also give you ideas for painting, choosing furniture and even choosing wall art and accessories such as architectural pieces and wall mirrors, and other accents for your home.  In addition, you can use any  online blog such as blogger or wordpress to chronicle the building and decorating process of your own home.


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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Eastern Textiles has recently announced anew recycled leather product called ORGAINICS that is is making available to furniture manufacturers and design firms throughout the United States.  It is made by combining woven polyester and leather in awa y that makes it even stronger than traditional leather.  A polyurethane top coat ads extra protection.  To find out more about ORGANICS, or email at rob @ easterntextiles.net.

Recycling leather is not exactly new.  It is is also available in the form of floor tiles.  EcoDomo LLC has created floor tiles from recycled leather by taking scraps from leather manufactures, grinding it to shreds, and binding it with other ingredients such as rubber and acacia wood bark.  It is then pressed back into sheets that are used to make the leather tiles.  These tiles come in many different colors, finishes, and sizes and are as durable as wood floors and ceramic tiles.

So if you love leather decor and home furnishings and want to ensure an eco-friendly environment, you may want to consider recycled leather for your home.  It is make from left over leather for clothing and furniture production with renewable natural products and is promised to be even more durable than actual leather. 

It is not yet clear what furnishing companies and home interior designers will use recycled leather in making products for the home, but it is likely that you will be able to find it anywhere you can find traditional leather products such as sofas, chairs, home accessories, wall art and mirror frames, and even places you don't expect like wall art sculptures for example. 


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Sunday, November 23, 2008
Question:  I live in a center entrance colonial home and I am attempting to decorate in a way that goes with the style of the home.  I purchased traditional sofas and chairs, and a Drexel Heritage Dining room set, but I am at a loss as to what kind of artwork to purchase.  I don't typically like oil portraits of people but abstract art doesn't fit into the style.  Do you have any ideas? 

Answer:  You have several options for wall art in traditional surroundings that don't include Victorian oil portraits.  You can use wall art mirrors mirrors, architectural relief sculptures, wall art vases and other art pieces that may not exactly be considered art.  If a painting is what you are looking for however, consider this Red Edoardo Wooden Wall Plaques set.

These painted wood wall art pieces are beautiful floral abstract pieces that complement each other beautifully.  Each painting has the same gold and red and gold leaf pattern, but the background  of one is red and the background on the other is gold.  These fine art pieces will fit into any traditional or eclectic surroundings and will definitely work well in your colonial home with your traditional furnishings.


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Friday, November 21, 2008
Leather has made a new resurgence in a time when people are looking for stylish beauty that is also a great value for the money.  Leather furniture comes in many forms from traditional sofas, to Chippendale chairs, to contemporary sectionals and futons.

In a time when people are being more frugal and less impulsive about home decor items, it is not wonder that leather is the 'fabric' of choice.  A high quality leather chair will last up to five times a long as a fabric covered chair and it will look better as it ages instead of worse. 

When purchasing leather for your home you need to first decide what kind of leather that you want.  There are three different types of leather finishes.  Aniline is the softest and most expensive, next there is semi-aniline that has a thin coating on it.  Finally there is pigmented leather with a full protective coating.  They type of leather you purchase will depend on the level of formality in your home and the people who will use the furniture.  More formal environments may want to use aniline leather, while an active family with children and pets may want pigmented leather. 

Leather is also somewhat eco-friendly depending on how you choose to look at it.  It is a by product of the beef business and animals are never killed for the sole purpose of making leather furniture. 

Leather furniture is available for just about every piece of furniture you can imagine.  You can furnish your entire home in leather if you wish. You can also easily integrate leather into your current home design. In addition to sofas, chairs, ottomans, and bedroom headboards, you can also find leather as table accents, and also on wall art mirrors and frames vases, and home office desk accessories.  Pieces of leather also make great wall hangings in the form of abstract wall art.  


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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Question:  I have always been attracted to whimsical furniture and decorations such as contemporary curved sofas, brightly painted chairs, and tramp art.  While I know what I like, I don't know how to make it work in a way that it all looks good together.  Can you give me some tips. 

Answer:  You are right, whimsical furnishings and pop art are great fun, but when put together, you can end up with too much of a good thing.  Here are some ideas for combining your favorite items. 

Start with a neutral color scheme as the backdrop for your fun and creative furnishings and decor.  Choose a calming color from your art piece and use that color to paint your walls and even as the upholstery color for your larger furnishing items.  Your sofa can have a fun design but have still a neutral color. 

Choose a bright fun color or two from your favorite wall art pieces to and purchase accent furniture match.  You don't have to make everything matchy, but just try to stick to the same two or three colors when choosing your fun and whimsical pieces and everything will go together just fine.

If trying to coordinate different colors and styles is too much of a chore to you then stick to all neutrals and add one color at a time until you are comfortable.  If you are looking for tramp art or folk art that is neutral, you can try these Chiara Wooden Wall Plaques set.  They have a pretty whimisical design that anyone who likes simplistic tramp art or folk art would love while sticking to the natural wood material and earth tone colors.


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Monday, November 17, 2008
Question:  I am looking for ideas for my condo apartment.  I love the water and really want an underwater theme, but at the same time I don't want my home to seem too childish.  What can I do to have a grownup version of an undersea theme?

Answer:  Underwater themes are pretty typical for kids rooms, and nurseries, but they can be used for adults as well.  I would start with the background and paint the walls a cool relaxing blue color.  You can even do a very faint sponge treatment over it with shade of blue that is one hue off the original shade. 

Choose neutral colored furniture and accessories as you don't want to go overboard with your blue color.  I suggest white slip covered upholstery, leather, or a combination of cotton and wood.  Add white shelves to the walls and add beach themed accessories such as light houses, sea shells, and Navy Memorabilia. 

For the finishing touch, you may want to add three dimensional wall art sculptures or floor sculptures that fit your theme.  For example, this 37" Swimming Fish Floor Art Sculpture would work very well in an underwater theme.  Place one or several of thesefish theme sculptures in front of a blue wall and you will instantly bring an undersea theme to life that any adult can appreciate and live with.


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Saturday, November 15, 2008
If you are planning to have family over for thanksgiving you should start planning now to make sure your dining room is equipped for a large family gathering.  The typical dining room doesn't allow for an especially large gathering, so you will have to be creative to make it work.  You will also have to gather a few items to make ensure enough comfortable seating in your home and to create a beautiful environment.  Here are some tips you can use. 

Extend your table with a combination of table leaves and smaller tables by putting them at the end of the main table.  Have the table extend into an adjoining living room, or hallway or foyer if necessary.  Use table cloths to make the collections of tables look like one cohesive diningroom table. 

Gather all of your extra chairs or borrow some folding chairs to make sure everyone will have a place to sit.  Use slipcovers to dress up the chairs that don't match your diningroom set, and use small pillows to make hard chairs more comfortable. 

While table settings and centerpieces are wonderful, there is seldom room for them at a thanksgiving table.  Still,  create one large cornucopia piece will with fruit and nuts for before dinner grazing, and remove it when it is time to serve dinner. 

Add finishing touches to the room by hanging a autumnal wreath on the wall or adding a fall spray arrangement over your wall art.  Place vases on plaster columns in unused corners filled with fall flowers.  Add fall scented candles to your candle wall sconces.  


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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Q: I am looking for artwork that my fiance and I will both like.  He tends to like dark earthy pieces, and I prefer florals and more feminine images. Is there any way we can find artwork that both of us will like with such different tastes. 

A:  In the same way that you would decorate a home to match both sensibilities with having one person choosing the colors, and the other choosing the design, you would also use this compromise to choose artwork.  For example, he can decide that he really wants earthy colors for your artwork, and you can search for a floral peice, in those colors, 

This Adele Wooden Wall Plaque for example, is in rich wood tones that anyone with a masculine esthetic would live.  Meanwhile, the image of the art piece is that of an abstract flowering tree branch that leans toward a feminine sensibility.  This is definitely a wall art peice that everyone would love.  I wouldn't even seem like much of a compromise.  So when trying to find artwork that both you and your fiance will love, don't try to overwhelm them with your choice hoping they will grow into it, but instead look for elements in the piece that you know they will love. 


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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Q:  There is a pop art canvas painting that I am in love with and I want to decorate my home using the artwork as inspiration.  I don't know where to start.  Can you help me. 

A:  Since pop art derives from the 1950's, it makes sense to decorate with 1950's furnishings and accessories.  Pop art furniture is ultra modern in style.  A peice of furniture will be as much a conversation peice as it is a place to rest.  Look for items with straight lines and bold colors.  Avoid classical reproduction items with scrolled legs and delicate carvings. 

Let's use this White Blossom in Full Bloom Canvas Oil Painting as an example on how to decorate your home according to your artwork.  The dominating colors in this painting are white and black. with small accents of red, dark green, and yellow.  In this case, white walls, and black furnishings and dark floors would mimic the dramatic effect of the painting. 

While the style of this painting has a pop art feel, but is not technically pop art, you can use contemporary casual furnishings if ultra modern furniture is not your style.


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Sunday, November 9, 2008
I recently read an article that suggested homeowners take steps to get rid of dated decor. The article suggested a more neutral and modern decor style be substituted.  Readers of the article however were not in agreement.  They insisted that what the writer called dated was actually traditional and that it was the writer who as out of touch, and not people with mini blinds and  and skirted armchairs. 

So what is the difference between dated and traditional? 

There are certain color combinations that I can instantly attribute to a certain year or time period.  For example, if I see burgundy and hunter green walls with matching wallpaper, I think "1995".  If I see avocado green and harvest gold, especially in a kitchen, I think "1960's and 1970's".  When I see plastic on furniture, I think "grandma".  All of these things are dated. 

Other things scream tradition, and are not to be trifled with.  Furniture styles, for example, especially older styles, such as Empire, French Provincial, or Arts and Crafts, and not dated.  They are traditional and classic. 


Here are some traditional versus classic comparisons:

Traditional:  Colorful handpainted abstract art
Dated:  A tie-dye fabric banner

Traditional:  An antiqued metal wall clock
Dated:  A mickey mouse wall clock

Traditional:  An oak paneled office
Dated:  Cheap paneling in a living room

Traditional:  A leather camel back sofa
Dated: A velvet camel back sofa

Traditional:  A drop-leaf oak table
Dated:  a faux marble dining table. 



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Friday, November 7, 2008

Pop Art has come a long way since Andy Warhol's Campbell soup cans and Marilyn Monroe paintings.  Over the years, it has transitioned into something a bit more personal than modern day icons and food items from our pantries.  It is not uncommon to find Pop Art versions of a wedding photo, a childhood pet, or of a new baby displayed on the walls of a personal residence.  While in many ways, Pop Art has become Vanity art, it also has another side. 

Pop Art has also found a home  in nature motifs.  If you love the idea of decorating your home with visions of green grass, blue sky's and flowers, but find landscapes far too boring, you an turn to pop art floral paintings instead.  For instance, this Skyblue Daisy in Full Bloom Original Oil Painting is the perfect solution. 

This 32 X 32 inch painting is has pop art elements with crisp bold lines and bold black background that makes it stand out as a magnificant focal point.  The realistic dew drops and fine detail add an element that makes the floral design seem real.  This canvas wall art painting is part of a series so you can purchase several to turn your home into a pop art floral paradise. 


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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Web based decorators  are on the rise in the midst of a few level of frugality for homeowners.  Instead of paying the cost of more than $50.00 an hour for a decorator to spend in their home, and in local stores shopping for and with them, they are preferring to pay a flat rate fee for a virtual decorator to send them floor plan mock-ups, paint swatches, and furniture web pages. 

This is because people feel they need designers to guide them in the decorating of their home to make sure they don't mess it up, but they don't want people holding their hands.  Sherry and John Petersik, for example provide an e-decorating service in which they provide color suggestions, and solve design dillemas for people over the internet.  It is a thriving business because people need help. 

Online virtual decorators have the ability to choose wall colors, give fabric and upholstery suggestions, and even find clients great furniture bargains.  They use questionnaire to determine a customers sense of style and go as far as to recommend accessories, wall art, and even floor sculptures for their home.


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Monday, November 3, 2008
When the art on your walls is the most striking thing in your home, you don't have to worry about other small details.  The reason for this is that the viewers' eyes will automatically be drawn to the most striking items in the room, and everything else will be secondary.  This is why I like to create an art gallery effect especially in a home where  order is not always possible. 

To create an art gallery effect in your home, you need to choose a wall or series of walls where the art will be featured.  You can choose a wall with a two story ceiling and visually stack the artwork, or you can create a long wall and display the artwork in rows.  You can also do a combination of the two. 

Next, you need to find the right artwork for your home display.  Of course, you would choose something that you find striking and that gives you a good feeling.  It can be personal photographs, in black and white with black or silver frames.  You can display hand painted photographs in wooden frames. Another option is to purchase and display oil paintings on canvas.  As long as each painting is related to each other is some way, your art gallery wall will look professional.  You can of course do a different arrangement on different walls.

This Gorgeous Yellow Iris Canvas Oil Painting is a good candidate for an Art gallery wall.  In fact, I would purchase 3 or 4 of this art piece and display it in different positions.  This particular piece of canvas wall art is 32" X 32" in size and will make a wonderful display piece on it's own or with similar paintings.  It works well as-is in a contemporary or modern setting, and you can add a frame and use it in a classic or traditional setting as well.


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Saturday, November 1, 2008
All of the rules of home decor says that you should start with a neutral background when decorating your home.  Especially if you are planning to resell your home within a reasonable timeframe, vibrant color should not be one of the building blocks of your home's decor. 

The problem is people hear this rule and assume it means that their home should remain colorless unless they intend to live in it forever.  This is not true.  All it really means is that your flooring, wall tiles, and other items that can't be easily changed with a coat of paint or a slipcover remain neutral. 

That leaves your wall color, upholstery fabrics, accessories, and furniture for you to go crazy with.  In other words, don't be afraid to add color to your life.  If you like bright furniture and bold surrounding, by all means, go for it.  Your options are endless. 

You can start with the latest release of paint colors.  The paint trends for 2009 include brilliant shades of blue such as a light aqua called Quench Blue, a bright Zany Pink,  a brillian Gambol Gold, and other shades of blue, pink, and yellow. If bright walls are a bit intimidating for you, purchase a chair, or slipcover for your couch in an equally brilliant color. 

If you want bright color, but don't want to worry about re painting and hiding your furniture when it is time to sell, consider adding brilliant wall art to your home.  For example, this Single Pink Daisy Hand Painted Oil on Canvas will add brilliant color to your walls. 

This hand painted flower print is breathtakingly brilliant with its black background and stunning detail.  It is 32" X 32" in size and can be hung in any room from commercial, to living rooms, to kids rooms.  It is extremely  versatile and will be a great addition to any wall.


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