We've joined an Etsy team...

Just wanted to tell you about a new Etsy team we've just joined...

We've found that there are so many talented artists on Etsy that you can spend many hours just perusing the site and all the wonderful goods. The Design Style Guide helps you target handmade items especially used in your creative home design projects.

Updated daily, the guide features great inspiration and insider information. Sometimes, much more information than what you will see in the actual Etsy listing. The guide also features interviews with the merchants/shop keepers.

Visit the Design Style Guide and poke around a bit. Please let us know what you think.

Enjoy!

Lise

To Inspire Relaxation...

On your backyard terrace or patio... Add oversized pillows, a hand-painted umbrella for shade, glass hurricane lamps with fresh candles, a good book, and a place to rest your glasses.

In your kitchen... Purge all unnecessary items from your countertops. Collect all of your loose recipes and store them in beautiful binders. Plant herbs near the window. Use fresh but fragrant hand soap at the sink instead of regular dish washing liquid.

In your office... Organize your activities before you leave the night before. Keep all your inspiration in one place. Use a desk and accessories that inspire.
Buy new #2 pencils, sharpen them and display them on your desk in an unexpected but beautiful container. Don't take the stress of work with you when you leave.

In your bedroom... Use ambient lighting, include fragrant candles, buy the softest sheets you can afford, get rid of the TV or vow not to turn it on before you go to sleep.

Breathe.

Batik & Ink...

The photo included on this post is of a hand carved ink and batik stamp imported from Asia for our Global Collection. These stamps have been used for centuries to create designs on textiles. You can use ink to dye the fabric directly or melted wax for a batik resist.

I just think these are so cool as design elements for your shelf, desk or table. I could even envision these as a wall grouping in large square pattern.

The three patterns we have in stock are listed on our website - I am so excited to see how you use these! We are buying more designs too so bookmark that page!

Enjoy!

Lise

Artistic Ceilings

I have this issue and I am reminded of it every day that I wake up. My ceiling is bare. It's not flat - I have this decorative trey ceiling complete with trim. But it is still fairly boring and it needs help.

All ceilings should have something interesting to look at. Whether it is an inspiring color or some detail that you like. I think that this is important, especially in hospitals - where there are so many people who stare at the ceilings all day. It could be a surface for inspiration. I mean - imagine if you could stare at the work of Chagall or Michelangelo? That might just make a few people feel better while they're stuck in a hospital bed.

Anyway - I think I've found a stencil company that I'll use. Visit them here: Modello Designs.
They have beautiful designs, and you can even design your own stencil from your own artwork. And that's all I needed to see to make my decision.

Of course there are other ways to create something interesting for your ceiling:

• Paint a mural
• Use wallpaper (The Cheesecake Factory uses wallpaper on their ceilings and niches)
  
• Attach a decorative medallion
• Use interesting lighting - anything from rope lights to decorative chandeliers
  
• Or try glass
  
• Finally, try your hand at decorative plastering like they did years ago. (Be sure to click that link they are awesome!!!)
  

I hope this inspires you to create something interesting for your own ceiling.

Be creative,

Lise

Trends for 2008

I have been looking at the design "trends" for 2008 while we source new products. I've tracked the "hot news" from Europe back to the states. What I find really interesting is how the new products are presented - it's a treat to take a look at what's coming next. Since I love color and furniture I do like to see what's new; but I still prefer to do my own creative thinking; so I am using the list of trends for a creative jump start instead of fully embracing and copying them. So here's a glimpse of what I have seen for design and color in 2008.

Expect more color

We're seeing products that run the color spectrum - these are more vivid colors than we've seen in 2007. In fact, 2007 was all about neutrals, so the industry has almost done a complete revamp when it comes to colors. In a trade preview, we noticed that Pottery Barn has completely dispensed with the darker neutrals and features a rainbow of bright and bold color in their 2008 product line, using white and ivory as the backdrop to let the colors pop. We've also noticed a trend to use color in combination with greys and silvers.

Benjamin Moore has a paint line that corresponds with the Pottery Barn Products. So if you're interested in doing a feature wall in a bold shade, check them out. They still have more blues and greens, than they have reds and yellows; so don't worry about going with a color that is too overwhelmingly bold for your space. The greens and blues are still relaxing colors to use. I am anxiously waiting for the Yolo Colorhouse 2008 color collection to see what they are up to.

Graphics

Ok, so if you haven't noticed in 2007 there were a lot of graphic patterns everywhere. This continues into 2008. They are lovely, but this is an area that I think has the potential to be compared with the Avocado Green and Harvest Gold kitchen appliances from the 70's. So, because I do like the graphic patterns, I may invest. But not in a carpet - I'd go for the wall decals in a bold but removable graphic.

Eco-Friendly Design

This isn't going anywhere, at least as long as there is a threat of global warming - so I'm not sure it can be called trendy. Still I thought we should highlight this here as it is a growing segment of interior design. To highlight, we should be demanding that our products are:

1. from sustainable, reclaimed or recycled sources
2. energy efficient
3. chemical and pesticide free
4. fairly traded
5. comfortable and beautiful

Eclectic Looks

When we hear the word "eclectic" in design we may think of a collection of unmatched furniture, and personal decorative items which are brought together to create a stylish room. Though I think it also encompasses global fusion and the melding of design styles like country and urban. This is the preferred way to design in my book - turn things around and make a personal statement; so I am glad it's being highlighted in 2008.

Ok so back to my remark about the Avocado Green and Harvest Gold kitchens. At one time or another someone decided this was trendy. hmmm. I'll just wrap by reminding you that there are no rules, do what you love!

Happy New Year!

Lise

Teaching in California - Yay!

I thought I'd take a quick break from playing monster-chasing-around-the-house-with-Ethan to tell you about an upcoming workshop I'll be teaching at the Winter CHA (Craft Hobby Association). The workshop will be held on February 12th, 2008 in Anaheim CA.

I will be leading a group of 50 merchants through the steps of creating design boards using the Canvas Home Spacing kit. Suze Orman will be giving the keynote speech too! Can't wait to listen to her financial advice!

If you would like to attend, or have questions about this CHA trade show, please email me for more details! It is sure to be a lot of fun.

Cheers!

Lise

House to Home & Home to House - Which design approach is right for you?

An email arrived today asking for some advice about a new home. The home in question had immediate appeal; which is why made an offer within hours of her first visit. However, the owner is contemplating a sale just six months after moving because it doesn't seem like a good fit for her anymore. She essentially wanted to know how it could be possible to fall out of love so quickly when "there is nothing really wrong with the house."

Without seeing the house I immediately wondered if she had made her house a home. Here is the gist of my reply:

Home to House Design Phase

The Home to House design phase occurs before you put your house on the market. Not planning for this phase may negatively affect your marketing efforts. Home to House Design is normally characterized by the terms neutralizing, staging, show home, model home, and market ready. The space is usually missing family pictures, and custom touches (and by custom I mean any choices having a strong personal appeal that very few will appreciate).

Also missing are shocking colors, anything that will offend the average person, clutter, dirt, and most traces of family life. All the spaces within the house have an obvious function. You may decide to hire a home or real estate staging professional, or a redesign expert to help you with this phase. I don't necessarily recommend looking for an interior designer at this time unless they offer a (lower cost) redesign or staging service. Generally, interior design services are more expensive and normally selected when you want to make a place feel like home. Save the interior design for later. What you want is for people looking at the house to feel like they can turn this stylish model home into their home... which usually brings a quick sale and the new owner now focused on the...

House to Home Design Phase (or, where my caller needs to be today)

Characterized as breathing personality into the space, making yourself at home, and leaving your mark. It also means assessing your space and making changes to suit your personal taste and functional needs. Hiring an interior or creative designer at this stage if you need help is a good move. Also helpful during this phase are organization specialists, painters, faux finishers, closet designers, and artists. But if the Home to House phase looms anywhere on the horizon, I caution you about making extensive and costly changes you'll need to correct later for a quick sale.

Of course, these are only a few general considerations I would use to determine the best approach. (Haven't we have all heard exception stories of a-dog-of-a-home selling quickly simply because it is located in a fabulous area or offered at a great price??)

So - here's hoping that with whatever phase you happen to find yourself in you will...

Be creative.

Lise

Creative Dorm Rooms

So my oldest son is off to college this year. I had forgotten how small, and shall we say, unadorned a dorm room can be.


Now of all my children Chris is the least interested in design; but even he had to admit that he wouldn't mind sprucing up his room. Ah, the last convert....




One of the biggest and least expensive changes we can make is to the walls. Since we're not allowed to paint anything in the room; the next option is to cover the walls and cabinets with removable things. Here are a few ideas:

• Big flags and multiple pennants. Ok this is a standard dorm decoration. You can find a ginormous flag or pennant sets; hang up on the wall with duct tape or velcro, and you're ready for class



• King size (light-weight) quilts and sheets offer a quick fix for drab walls. If the room has those cork hang strips you hang from there with T-pins. If not, attach the fabric with heavy duty velcro strips.





• Shower curtains - WHAT? Yes. Hang a shower curtain with a cool design from those sticky-but-removable wall hangers.





• Paper - This is a really inexpensive option but you need to think creatively. Try your hand with patterns made from post-it notes. Or forget the tedious hanging job and buy several pages (or a pack) of beautiful scrapbook paper. There is a pattern to please everyone. This option is also great for those with allergies, as fabric options may collect dust.



• Fun prints - Convert your photos to wallpaper. Print black and white photos on legal size (or larger) paper and hang with double-sided tape.




• Fabric - You can use fabric as a background or a foreground. There are plenty of discount fabric stores offering great bargains for your quick fix. I love the look of burlap - it offers a natural texture, low cost, and functional camouflage.

• Wall decals - Since we can't do traditional wallpaper; try the large removable decals. blik makes some that are really fun. Including this from the late artist Keith Haring... How's that for unique dorms?


• Plywood - painted of course. Get a big piece of wood and a can of chalkboard paint. Paint a few coats and lean the board against the wall. This is more of a hassle to move at the end of the year than the other options, but can be cool for leaving personal notes and fun drawings throughout the semester.
  
• And of course, you can always make your own art...

I love that I can put many of these elements into the first care package I send off to school. But since Chris is just over an hour away from home; I may pop in one Friday afternoon to hang some wall adornments myself :-)

Enjoy,

Lise

Your design... Bergamo Fabric

Bergamo invites you to design a woven or printed fabric as seen through the eyes of the famous architect I.M. Pei.

Here’s your challenge…your fabric should compliment the current collections of Bergamo Fabric’s Sahco and Rubelli collections keeping in mind how I.M. Pei would see it.So draw, sketch or render a design based on the "Almost Great Moments in Design History" challenge.

Click on the title link to browse the Sahco and Rubelli collections. The winner of the "Almost Great Moments in Design History" contest will be featured online and will receive $1,000 worth of Bergamo fabric of their choice.

Interior Design magazine will be collecting all contest submissions. Please scan your design and either e-mail it or mail a disc to:

Heather Hughes

Interior Design Magazine

360 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10010

heather.hughes@reedbusiness.com

Creative ways to market your work

Hi everyone,

I've received quite a few emails about my last post so I wanted to provide you with a few more details :-)

I know we may have been taught that the best way to license and market your work was to build a portfolio of work with your particular "style" and then sign with an agent willing to rep your work at a licensing event or through established connections. Or the really traditional path of building a body of work to sell through galleries.

But happily for creative nonconformists like me - these are not the only paths to success.

As I've mentioned before your skills as a creative individual are in high demand by just about every business sector I can imagine. I tend to focus on home design, creativity and garden design just because it is my passion - but there are other many other markets that are knocking on our doors looking for artists and creative people like you.

What kinds of services do these companies need? Here are a few:

• writers
• spokespeople
• designers
• product reviewers
• counselors
• marketers
• bloggers
• illustrators
• product designers
• teachers/trainers

And where might your work be seen?

• TV
• Internet
• Radio
• Monthly columns
• Print magazines (worldwide)
• Blogs
• New products
• Classrooms
• Trade shows
• Office buildings
• Homes
• Gardens

The exciting part is that the sky is the limit here. We don't limit you to just providing artwork - there is a lot more to you than that! So, we are inviting you to think outside the box about how you have always marketed yourself. We want to have some fun; use materials in creative ways, brainstorm new ideas, and promote your creativity.

I will be conducting a teleconference soon - so if you're really serious about getting yourself out there in a non-traditional way please send me an email and we'll get you all signed up.

Here's to the good life!

Lise

Art & Design Opportunities

Hi everyone!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I woke up early one morning to find that my hard drive had failed and all my photos and many of my files were lost. Obviously not good... So I've been reloading a bunch of stuff and realized that I forgot to pass on some information that you may find interesting:

First, I have a design team forming for those of you who are interior or exterior designers. There are opportunities to be the first to try new cutting-edge products for a new DIY market and have your work featured in various national print and online magazines. Other opportunities to become certified instructors in a market that is poised to take off like the scrapbooking market has. Very exciting!

And... the next opportunity is for visual artists who are interested in licensing your artwork for decorative fabrics, stationery, textiles, toys, wall coverings, housewares, ceramics, packaging, publishing and more.

Finally, if you are local to Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill NC and have an interior or exterior that you need redesigned or reorganized - we have two very talented design interns who need spaces to work with. They are just establishing their portfolios - so they're very good and reasonable.

If you're interested in any of the above - send an email with your specific interests to information(at)artisticlifestyling.com please include your name and the best way to reach you.

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your week!

Lise

Wanna be on HGTV?

I am an HGTV fan. In fact, between Grey's Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters (and an occasional ANTM episode), HGTV is pretty much all I watch.

I KNOW I have some creative readers, and if any of you are saying "I wanna be an HGTV designer", then click here for the application.

Good luck!

be creative

Unpacking My Life

I am living amongst a sea of boxes. (A good illustration of how I feel (including the wine) can be found on Penelope Dullaghan's website.) Unpacking has been an exercise in organized chaos. Meaning that boxes were labeled so they've landed in the right room; but sometimes it is difficult to know just what to do with the contents! I love my new home but I'm finding that some of my art which I created for specific rooms in my other home feels a little out of place here. I suppose that is why my sister Toni told me that I should purge while I pack. This was a good suggestion - I was just too overwhelmed to follow her sage advice. I am still waiting for her bill. (She's the organization queen).

Anyhow in addition to finding some renewed energy and an urge to begin a new garden, I'm also feeling like building more book shelves and painting things in funky color palettes.

It's also time to plan a new manifesting change collage project - as soon as I unpack my art supplies. I wonder where those are.....

Have a wonderful and creative week.

Lise

New Workshop Leader

I meant to tell you all about a newly licensed Artistic Lifestyling instructor. In addition to design services, Marja Chapman will be teaching Fear of Color Workshops in the Washington DC/Northern VA area. You can reach Marja at her website for information on her schedule.

Cheers!

Lise

Style Points: Surprise Passageways

I had one of those recurring dreams this morning. No surprise that it was about an old house that I seem to own. The intriguing part of this dream seems to be the need to explore the home. It was not designed using a conventional floorplan as there are various hidden staircases all around that lead to rooms you might not stumble upon for years at a time.

So this "dream" house prompted me to look for ways to incorporate secret doors into home design. I was amazed to find a few companies that provide faux bookshelves that are really a passage to another room. There are also movable stairs, furniture and fireplaces. That panic room you saw in the Jodie Foster movie is indeed doable.

This design element sparks a lot of creativity. You can make a hideaway art studio, office, storage for valuables, or even a 'secret' passageway linking children's bedrooms; small enough for children to climb inside and dream up lots of fun. Or like me, you can just dream about it, literally.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Lise

Style Points: Household Emergencies

The very idea of home should make you think of safety and security. But it occurred to me while watching Spike Lee's new documentary WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A REQUIEM IN FOUR ACTS that at some point we may all be faced with having to leave our homes without much warning. That thought doesn't leave me feeling secure or safe.

So what are we to do? No matter where we live, we are vulnerable to something, so we should take time to prepare an action or response plan. The HOPE Coalition of America offers a comprehensive guide to help outline your basic financial, medical, and contact information in a disaster situation.

Not only should we plan for the major events like hurricanes, but we should have an organized and accessible area of our home that allows us to respond appropriately to life's everyday emergencies. This is part of good design too - allowing our homes to function for all facets of our lives.

Be well,


Lise
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Style Points: Year Round Decor

While I love the Summer, I do look forward to the cooler months. When thoughts of summer entertaining, cool drinks, and pleasant conversation give way to baking, crafting, and for me, decorating. I can curl up with my design catalogs and imagine a new way of styling all of my rooms.

If I had to guess, I'd say about 1/3 of everyone I know has at least two "looks" for their home. By look, I mean a style that changes at certain times of the year - usually one for the warmer months, and one for the cooler months. These changes may be subtle enough; like hanging a Fall wreath at the front door. Or it may mean a complete overhaul by changing all the draperies in your public and private spaces, and adding pillows, slipcovers and tablecloths in darker shades.

But what if you don't want to change the look of your home? Well here are some suggestions.

• Choose timeless patterns. Ask yourself if you'd want to see this in your home for the next several years, and if you think it will be out of style. If you're unsure, get a second opinion;
  
• Buy the best fabrics - Not all fabrics are constructed with the same level of quality. Some fabrics will drape, launder and feel better than others. If you're making an investment to live with this year round (and year after year), choose better quality - you won't regret it;
  
• Use a sophisticated palette of colors - combine darker shades and lighter ones together. Stay away from colors associated with the holidays. They may seem out of place in the summer; and unless you live in a tropical or beach setting, avoid using all light colors without any texture to add balance and visual interest.
  
• Layer. An obvious example I can give you is for layering the windows - if for example you choose a grass shade or blind, a sheer, and a heavier curtain you've just given yourself a lot more options for changing the look in the future. If there ever comes a time when you tire of the look you've chosen you'll be happy you purchased products to layer over another.
  
• Expect to spend a little on the trend. To keep your look fresh, think about using inexpensive fabrics for pillows or using trendy trims. When you tire of them you can recover or use them in a recreation room.

I've chosen two looks I love. Both of these are from Smith & Noble. An excellent resource for windows & fabrics.

First is the Classique selection. A neutral palette like this is great for year round. These fabrics have a great balance of both darker and lighter tones, it will appeal to both men and women. Plus, the patterns are timeless.

The second look is Canali. This is decidedly less serious because it's got brown detailing instead of black, and slightly more whimsical patterns; but wonderful nonetheless. Although the Filiale fabric in this line leans more towards the trendy side, it is not as trendy as the Deco Daisy in the Loft Living line.

Grab your design books now and enjoy the rest of your summer days!

Lise

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Style Points: Passionate Design

Your bedroom is considered a private space in your home. An area that typically isn't exposed to most of your guests. Even though it is a private space, it still has many functions including:

• Rest
• Reading
• Relaxing
• Watching TV
• Play areas for kids and adults alike
• Eating
• Exercise
• Work
• Convalenscence
• Romance

Romance? What? Isn't it funny that when discussing bedroom design functionality we will often skirt over the idea of the bedroom as an area for romance? Not only in design, but in product offerings - companies consistently skirt around this issue. When was the last time you watched a design program and saw someone designing their bedrooms for romance? Can you pick up a set of sheets or comforter and actually see the description come anywhere close to talk about sex? Designers obviously realize that bedrooms are private areas, used for private things. The history of American designs points to our somewhat passionless Puritan sensibilities. Of course our society has changed in some areas - and yes, we have sometimes gone a bit too far... But this doesn't change the reality one bit.

So, when you're working with a designer, or designing your bedroom on your own, consider all the functions. Here are some tips for making your bedroom into the boudoir you never thought you wanted:

• If you are building - be sure to use solid doors and extra insulation in bedroom walls for sound masking. This holds true for all types of plans, but especially where the master bedroom is on the first floor near public areas;
• Consider both softer wall colors that promote relaxation, healing and sensuality; and romantic tones like red and pink. Clients are requesting blues with a hint of grey because it is so soothing - but you'd be surprised at how many men are amenable to the idea of using pink on walls and in accessories, especially since this often signals that you're thinking about romance (it's an easy sell :-);
• The bed is the focal point of a bedroom. Spend your money here on high quality pillows, and linens. When choosing sheets, buy the highest quality you can afford and make your bed luxuriously inviting, choose down or down-like comforters and duvets for easy laundering;
• Add a round ottoman. Functionally, this piece of furniture is great for resting your clothes for the next day or having a place to sit to put on your shoes or socks. But romantically speaking, it is also a great place to add a breakfast or dinner tray. You and yours can sit on the floor for a quiet and romantic dinner or Sunday brunch.
• When choosing your accessories, be sure to add candles, room darkening draperies, extra pillows for bed and floor and storage for the inevitable bedroom clutter (and to hide your *ahem*... toys);
• Choose art that would be considered more racy, edgy or private for this area of the house;
• Include a few fun games, and other conversation/activity starters. This can be anything from an adult game to journals that hold special thoughts or small notebooks that allow you to leave a romantic thought on a pillow.

Whatever you decide to include, I hope these suggestions inspire you to think about romance in your overall design.

Cheers!

Lise

Nesting

When I come home, I want to stay home. Almost everything I enjoy doing, I can do from home. I've learned the art of nesting pretty well. In fact, when I do go out, it's usually only to a special event - something I can't, or don't wish to duplicate at home. You might think this is some special trend, but I don't think so. People, but women in particular, have long been responsible for feathering their nests to make homes comfortable and functional. So this is nothing new. However what has changed over the last several years are the products and services designed to encourage these activities. You can just about find anything your little heart (and nest) desires. Think about all the little extras that are becoming more commonplace...


- Private Screening Rooms
- Breakfast bars in the master bedroom
- Posh bathrooms fit for a queen and her king
- Craft, sewing, and art rooms or studios
- Sharp outdoor spaces that include glam porches, tropical patio retreats, snazzy deck spaces & artsy gardens
- theme rooms of all sorts
- gourmet indoor and outdoor kitchens, makes even the novice cook look pretty impressive

This short list shows the trend towards investing in making a house a home. And investing in the idea of having a self-indulgent lifestyle. Not self-indulgent in a bad way - but in a way that shows that your needs and wishes, though they may change, can be fulfilled - at any budget.

Be inspired!

Lise

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