Creative Play
The Thieving Magpie - Love that Name, Love the Art!
Meet Richard Dunbrack
Richard creates furniture and folk art sculpture. His work brings to life the very idea of living creatively in artistically designed spaces.
Enjoy!
Lise
Free Gift for Y.O.U.
pssss. hey - you... While the blog has my favorite design and art ideas, to really stay abreast of all the new workshops, classes, surprise gifts, and events, please feel free to email me and join the newsletter list.
As a special thank you, I will send you a link immediately to a free gift.
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Natural Home & Garden looking for your green home or garden!
Natural Home & Garden features 10 to 12 houses (about two per issue) each year. They are looking for homes that are built or remodeled using cutting-edge, sustainable building methods and are tastefully decorated using natural, organic products.
If your home is chosen for a feature article, they will send out a professional photographer to make sure your home is beautifully represented.
Please note that you'll need a few things like:
- A description of the home and a comprehensive list of what makes the home green.
- Photos of the home, completely finished and completely furnished.
Click here for submission guidelines.
Can I just say something about customer service?
I forgot to mention, a couple of weeks ago - I'm re-reading Home Companion for like the zillionth or so time. I'm looking of course for a mention of paper covered floors - but that's another story.
Anyway, by the time I get to my desk in the morning, I have actually remembered that I want to do some research on a particular company - Wonderful Graffiti. Turns out they have free color sample kits that designers love. It's like a mini present. So I pick a few colors I'm interested in for a project I'm working on and send in my order. They arrive with a hand-written card.
Thank you to whoever wrote this card! I was so impressed by your customer service and absolutely adorable website with lots of beautiful projects.
You now have a fan for life. Wishing you every success!
Lise
Beautiful Patios
Love these for the patio. These are made by artist Bonnie Pringle.
Wonderful... beautiful...
Found here
Style Points: Eye Candy
Creature comforts - so important in my book.
In my online travels today, I discovered a wonderful website - Magnolia Casual, Inc. I love the fabrics featured here. This company makes it easy for a girl to live with bright graphic details and vibrant colors.
I envision these colors on my back porch or in my family room. I am especially fond of the Iris Garden, and Fine and Dandy patterns. For whatever reason they make me connect back to my childhood summers at my grandparents house. I think of vintage lawn chairs and dappled sunlight through big oak trees.
Magnolia Casual - this line definitely wins my style points for the week!
Be Well & Be Creative,
Lise
High Priced Art
So today, I'm randomly surfing the net, and happen upon a very trendy type of online art gallery. Of course I can't resist clicking through to some of the featured pieces. I spot an abstract that appeals to me. The price... 3200. Now I won't mention the name of the artist or the site, unless you want to ask me privately. I won't because I'm strictly talking about price, and how it relates to your motivation to create art.
The price for this gouache piece is high for most budgets, and frankly - it's not that complicated that you wouldn't be able to produce a wonderful piece yourself, using the same or related media/technique.
I want to stomp my feet and yell loudly that you can do this yourself!!! Ok, again, not to take anything away from the millions of artists out there. I'm proud of you too. I just want others to experiment with art. Remove the fear and confidently claim the title of artist.
I don't particularly care if you start with fingerpainting as a technique. What you produce is not as important as the act of being creative. Then - when you think you're done, honor your piece of artwork by having it framed professionally, and then hang it on the wall.
I've got some upcoming workshops planned for those who want me to take them through the rough spots. Email me for details (or leave feedback below with your email address) - you don't have to be local to my studio... I've got detailed written instructions, more book recommendations, and material lists too.
Go ahead...
Be creative,
Lise
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Trouble choosing color?
I have friends that are so afraid to choose wall colors that they will live with white walls forever. And really, I'm all for taking your time and choosing carefully. But there comes a time when you really need to stand up straight, take a deep breath, and choose a color or two.
Here are some ways to take the fear out of selecting your wall colors:
- Forget pictures
Look for inspiration in real life. Go outside to choose colors from nature. Prefer the color red? Look in your kitchen or at the grocery store. Search for tomatoes, beets, cherries, spices, pomegranates. You name it - just BE CREATIVE! The more samples you collect, the more confidence you gain. The process - well, it's fun - I promise. And the benefit in choosing colors this way is that you won't be at all intimidated by a piece of fruit. Though you might be by some very posh designs depicted in the pages of a magazine.
- Forget perfection
What may happen during this process of selection, is that you purchase a can of paint, put it up on the wall and find out that you hate it. Aside from the cost of the paint and your time, you can always start over. But please live with it for a few days though before you repaint and decide what you don't like about the color, as well as what you do like about it. This will help you tremendously when you decide to fix things. If you don't want to make a commitment of time or money, choose a company that offers small paint samples and paint one or many samples in a large area on your wall, and then decide.
- Forget the rules
Trim does not have to match from room to room. Wall color doesn't either. Please experiment, and make it your own.
Creatively yours,
Lise
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Creating Artistic Style in Your New Office
I moved out. Yes, a few years back I made the leap and moved out of my home office. I needed to lease space for my art gallery and education center. But now, I’m back! And frankly, I don’t relish the idea that one day I may have to move from the cozy confines of my home office and art studio, back out into a leased office space again. But having done it before, if you’re planning to move out of your home office, I still know a few ways to artistically enhance your workspace on a budget.
• Some high tech companies can benefit from the loft look. Think exposed brick, high ceilings, rough-hewn wood or concrete floors and minimal furniture investment! Not only does it give your company a cool image, warehouse space in an up-and-coming area may still be found at a good rate; especially when you do some of the prep work yourself.
• Hang art in your office and lobby. And get in good with local artists in your community. If you offer to hold an after-hours art exhibit featuring emerging artists, it not only puts free art on your walls, it also gives you another way to promote your business!
• Even when you can afford to purchase a nice private art collection for your company, it’s also important to encourage your employees to create a sense of individuality with personal art that appeals to them. Because selecting art can be a bit tricky in cubicle spaces, guidelines or policies created for the company help people keep their art selections appropriate for the workspace.
• In open waiting rooms or wider hallways, you might select a small water fountain to help keep competing noises down.
• For an impressive focal point in a lobby, a small sculpture can bring instant interest. Your choices will range from classic Greek revival sculpture to modern art. I personally love the look of tall metal sculpture in a lobby or just outside the front door of an office building. Working with a designer often allows you access to a wider selection of choices appropriate to your type of business.
• Finally, you can commission murals, or faux finishes to add creative and artistic touches to your workspaces. Remember there is no need to over do it at work, but do consider the feeling you want to express. If you are in a hectic work environment choose art that makes you feel instantly calm in the midst of chaos.
Be Creative,
Lise
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Quality Architecture
Last post, I referred to the New Urbanist trend. Where developers are creating neighborhoods centered on community. I had a chance to visit a new model home recently and took some notes on quality touches. I say, when it makes sense for you to build small, do so - but be thoughtful and build well.
There are some builders that give you space, but no detail. Less expensive materials are economical in the short-term, but as replacement or upgrade becomes necessary, watch out for your budget.
When calculating cost based on square footage, our primary focus is on the size of the home, not necessarily on what's in the home when you're done. So in some cases, I advise you to scale back on the size of the home and add better materials, for example, tile or hardwood instead of laminate floors. This way you can really focus on artistic touches after you move in.
In the end, even if you don't splurge on quality materials for your new home, you can add touches that fit your lifestyle.
Be creative!
Lise
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New Urbanism vs. McMansions - Are we at odds here?
Let's talk about the upcoming trend to stop building larger homes in favor of New Urbanism. New Urbanism promotes building complete communities that contain housing, offices, boutiques and shops, entertainment outlets, education centers, playgrounds, and other facilities that are essential to residents. Some of these new neighborhoods are built on the footprint of older historic urban centers. These neighborhoods are smart, well designed and encourage neighborly interaction. I love the idea that we are looking back to the past for great ideas and using them with a modern twist. The modern twist in this case is when new urbanist plans are combined with "green living" ideas. Green Living is essentially housing that promotes wellness, better use of land resources, sustainable building resources, and overall energy savings.
New Urbanism and Green Building seems like a direct contrast to the recent "McMansions" building frenzy (homes over 4000 square feet). But I think a viable, livable community can use a dose of all of these ideas. They are not mutually exclusive.
The key, in my opinion, is to consider options that maximize what you have to work with. Living in a large home doesn't automatically mean that you are somehow against the environment or that you detest the idea of green living, wellness or new urbanism, as some would suggest.
Your quality of life increases exponentially when you refuse to limit your potential in how you build, furnish, and design your home. Of course making these types of changes requires your thoughtful presence. It requires that you look beyond mass retailers into new ideas and new providers. This can be scary, and a little unusual to navigate. But you can do it. Consider it a learning experience.
My goal is to infuse your living space with your personality and consider all the new options available to you as you create your "artistic lifestyle."
Consider all your possibilities!
Creatively yours,
Lise
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Garden Spaces
So in my last post about garden designs for kids. I talked about the plans for the children's garden.
Here's what we've done so far...
- We were pretty eager about getting started, so everyone joined in and planted seeds indoors for the outside garden
- We've got squash growing pretty rapidly, along with lots of tomato plants and a few peppers. My son is quite proud.
- We've also taken a few photos and we're pretty excited that it will be in the 80's nearly every day this week. Lots of sun, lots o' flowers hopefully.
Here's the gems I have on working with children:
- Give them a say so about what goes in the garden;
- Limit the time outside so it's not overwhelming;
- Get good sunscreen!
- Let go of all the rules for what's right and let them explore. Mistakes are ok, even if it means they've stepped on a few plants along the way;
- Every garden trip is a learning experience in some small way;
- Watering the garden is a good task for children, especially 5-year olds that have boundaries (mom has control of the water source!);
- While you're being patient and watching the garden grow, be creative in other areas of your home;
- Love being around your family.
Creatively yours,
Lise
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Falling in love with unfinished furniture!
Hi all -
In my last post I talked about DIY projects and it got me thinking about starting a new furniture painting project this weekend. I've been admiring a painted armoire, but I don't have the time to tackle something that large right now. Plus I'm too much of an instant gratification person!
So I was making plans to scour the unfinished furniture market locally because I haven't really done that well with flea market sales in Raleigh. But I found a fantastic deal for a beautiful Bombe Chest of drawers that would make the perfect addition to my bedroom once painted. (See my website for all my product links!) This chest is gorgeous, and for the price, with free shipping my husband can't complain.
Now, I'll just have to pick the best colors and come up with a creative pattern to paint!
As Rachel Ray would say - YUM - OH!
Creatively yours,
Lise
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When does it make sense to Do-it-Yourself?
I buy furnishings from sources around the world. However, I am an advocate for encouraging everyone to take on their own creative projects when it makes sense to do so. For various reasons, I suggest you start with projects you never thought you could do on your own. Usually they require a certain leap of creative faith and may also include paint, brushes, fabric, embellishments and an eye for detail. But be reasonable about what you can tackle.
Case in point - before my son was born I bought a stepstool and custom painted it for him. It has his name dead center. It also has pictures of a wizard, a bee, sailboat, bunny and a scruffy dog. It is not what I consider my best work technically or artistically. However, it became a conversation starter with my son, a game of naming objects, and a useful piece of furniture. It's also destined to be with him for the better part of his life just because of the sentimental value. So this project - decidedly worth it! These types of projects build what I call your "creative confidence." For some of us, this is so important!
Once the creative confidence is firmly established, it sometimes makes better sense to buy rather than "build."
Mainstream retailers such as Home Goods, Target, Marshalls, and others offer some fairly creative ideas for your home at reasonable prices. Target in fact, runs an annual sale with global furnishings. These are fun, and rather inexpensive furnishings. A bit more creative than the standard fare. Take a look at the Target stuff. Insider secret: Some designers shop retail - especially the redesigners!
So at a high level, when trying to decide whether to do it yourself. The first question I ask is whether it's worth my creative time and investment in the work vs. the cost and function - (e.g. can I find it elsewhere at a better price) - OR will I gain such happiness from doing it myself at maybe even a higher cost? Then of course there's the other option of buying another artisan's work! But more on that later...
Send me pictures of your projects that have been worth doing yourself.
Creatively yours,
Lise
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Hailstorm
Style Points - 4 Reasons to Live with Empty Rooms
Moving up to a larger home can often leave you with an empty room or two. Living with an empty space can be so unsettling for some. But I am an advocate for feeling the fear and doing it anyway!
Here are four good reasons for living with empty rooms for a while...
- Bravery!!! Living with empty rooms makes you that much tougher. Please disregard what others might think of your empty room! Ignore your guest's strange stares. Push on past awkward silences and by all means don't offer up any excuses. Just be.... still... and be comfortable with your decisions.
- Empty rooms inspire creative thoughts and new ideas. I was able to put a sofa and bookshelves in a client's dining room because it made for a great reading room when formal dinners were not served - and it just made good sense. When parties were scheduled, the dining room was cozy and inviting. More guests remained in the dining room than in the kitchen! But the most unused room in the house was now a great getaway.
- If the room remains empty long enough - it might inspire a thought or two about your true functional requirements. Resist the urge to make the empty room a catchall room for old furniture. PURGE. You'll be delighted that you waited to collect what you love instead of just filling the room up in order to say "it's done."
- Allow yourself to be BOLD! Linger a while at the paint store. Select three bold colors you love, and three more subdued colors. Paint an art canvas with the colors you love best and hang them in the room. Observe how the colors change throughout the day. Decide to use one or more in the room only after you've lived with it for a while. Make furniture selections afterwards.
Creatively yours,
Lise
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The Big Comfy Couch Store
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