I was again reading "Veranda" this morning, and here is another fabric great for wall tile.
I am amazed lately, about things that I talk about , I seem to find in magazines. Truly, when I write this blog, it is just what comes to mind then the pictures seem to be every where..
I was told today by one of my students, I should teach painting on my blog. I think, I would have to do that on another blog. Then I am not sure I'd have the time. I sit at this computer way longer anymore that time permits. I don't seem to use the right labels to get hits. I read about a couple of girls who did a blog for a charity and put up things to auction and had a million hits almost immediately. I wish I was that wise. I am happy to have learned how to do this.
Some time ago, I was talking entrance and foyers. I showed you a picture of an entrance way. Here it is again, for those of you who missed it.
Actually, I guess I didn't show you this one. Tomorrow I will have to take another picture and put it on the blog so you can see the whole table. This is what we called back in the 60's a sofa table. Reason, they were usually put behind a sofa with a small lamp, floral arrangement, stools underneath for extra seating, stacks of books or anything you desired to put on them. Do you still have one? Mine is Country French so I will never get rid of it, but I can use it in many ways. Here, because my Living Room is wide open with a wall of glass behind it and the front doors opposite the wall of glass, my sofa is in the middle, I really needed something to break it up as a divider, and that is the sofa (now called a console table) table
Today you get 2 blogs. I forgot to hit publish on yesterday's, so it was published early today.
We've been covering a lot of ground in our bathrooms and foyers, and a few bits and pieces in other rooms. Id like to hone in on what you can do to things for these and your entrance area with things you have.
First of all, I pull everything together in one place, usually the garage, or even in my living room. I want to redo my front entrance, so I need to look around my whole house and see what I have. I don't need at this time to redo and shrubbery. I have lots of different flower pots and garden items. First I have a beautiful birdbath. It needs painting badly. It's original color was pink, now I think I will paint it beige, or red. Remember, I am thinking of painting my front door red. I have a pedestal that had a sculpture on top, that rusted away in the salt water. Perhaps a gazing ball can be found to set on it. I have chairs, but one need to be reupholstered. There are some directors chairs that are solid wood from my childhood, they need a fresh coat of paint. So I guess step one is to paint. I am going out to get paint today, and start that project.
I found some very interesting paint that glows in the dark by rust-oleum, that I am going to paint a faded imp in. I will keep you informed on all of that. Here are some before pictures: They are very large so you will have to manipulate them.
Today is the 72nd day of my blog. It seems like it was only a week ago. It does take time and planning.
Yesterday a client e-mailed me about some colors she had chosen. I favor, Sherwin Williams paint as I have used it forever. Her painter also likes to use those paints. I didn't have my fan deck with me, so today, I ran to Sherwin Williams and picked out her colors. Too late, her painter started painting the bedroom and she about freaked, it looked neon. Some colors do that. When I saw the chip, I knew she would hate it. She now choose a beige color.
Sometimes it is good to seek help. then a mistake is harder to make. As designers or decorators, we are not mistake proof. Things happen. I love to read what all the different designers say about what they are doing. Only once in my life did I have free reign. It turned out glorious, but that is not the norm. Most of the time, you guide clients.
Some designers love texture and color so much, they develop a "More is More" attitude. the more of anything you use, the more you like it. Again, this is a matter of preference.
We've been talking about foyers. The foyer should be an inviting beginning to your home. I agree, but I believe the entrance should be the inviting thing to your home. Porches are becoming so important in homes today. Pay attention to the front entrance leading to the foyer. Outdoor areas can have some furniture, hanging lanterns, flower pot gardens, even today, programmable candles. I just bought one and am going to try it out.
Inside, minor things such as pictures, mirrors, faux painting, wallpaper ( this used to be the thing to do, and is now the thing to do), area rugs, light fixtures, and ceiling trims or moldings can change an area very quickly. My favorite is crown moldings. They are expensive but add that elegant, important look to any room.
Dark colors make a wall recede. sometimes that is great in a foyer, if you want to push back a wall. They are not a lived in room, they are an entrance. Make it smashing. Large pattern wallpaper can make the area look grand, making it look finished without anything else needed. I love mirrors o dark areas or bright paintings.
Title: Bromeliads
Size: Unframed 22' ht. x 15" w.
Price $450.00
Original Watercolor
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A painting like this in the foyer as colorful as it is, is a real attention getter. The dark background, sets up the color. I will take it out of the gallery and have it framed and put into the foyer, for you to see. Who knows, I may love it there. Perhaps I should start a "Rent a Painting".
Study the area, and jump in with both feet.
A funny thing happened this morning as I was reading an older issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It talked about " if you love it, you will find a place to use it". Almost my motto, "If you love it, buy it". I always find a place somewhere for it.
Lately, I have been moving things around and came across a few things that I even forgot I had. These wonderful little fish carved out of teak. I bought them probably 20 or so years ago. Now they look darling outside on a table, next to my programmable candle.
I would like to develop a technique to make my acrylic paintings work outside on my lanai. I found a beautiful art deco green leaf at a resale shop. It is the same type as some Florida leaves. I want to paint a picture of these and use it with the dish outside on the lanai, over the grill. I am messing around with some things. Will let you know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
