INEXPENSIVE ART…..

Just linked up with Maria at Colour me Happy for her link up party on inexpensive wall art. 

Click here to see my inexpensive art post and then click on Maria’s logo below to see all the other fabulous ideas at her link up party.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHINGS OLD…..

Okay I’ve finally done something with the vintage wallpaper samples from my cottage. Click here to read my previous post about the wallpaper sample book..

In June when hubby and I went to Vermont I coerced him into checking out some antique stores and a salvage yard.  I love to be inspired by the many different and unique items in those kind of stores – sort of like treasure hunting.  Anyways, I did find some treasures – three old skeleton keys and two antique iron trivets.  

One trivet has a “M” initial for “Mom” and the other has two hearts back to back.  I thought they were so cute even though hubby said “What are you going to do with those?”  And even though I said that I had no idea – he knows me well enough to know that I would eventually find some way to use them.

Well, my next stop was Ikea to pick up some of their Ribba shadow boxes.

I thought I would rummage through my fabric remnant pile or use some scrapbooking paper to back the keys and trivets.  But then I got to thinking about the vintage wallpaper samples I had and I decided to go through and see which one I could use as a background.  Well I decided on this one:

Subtle but with enough of a pattern that it shows up and it would really showcase the black iron of the keys and the trivets. 

I did actually feel a twinge while I was cutting the page out of the book but I did it!! The paper is quite fragile so I made sure that the utility knife was good and sharp and I got it done without too much trouble.

Here they are in progress.  I glued the wallpaper to the back of the frame and then hot glued the trivets and keys in place on the wallpaper.  Hopefully the hot glue is strong enough to hold everything in place – I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough if it isn’t!!

I placed the matting on top and fit everything back into the frame and voila!

I think they look great and I’ve put them on the small wall in my entrance way.

I know, I know I still haven’t gotten around to painting those closet doors or the powder room door black yet!  But it will happen, probably in the fall, when life gets back to normal.

I think they are the perfect way to say “Welcome!" 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

THE BEAUTY OF NATE BERKUS’ DESIGNS

The fantastic Moggit Girls have started Nate Day in honor of Nate Berkus' new show.  So for Nate Day I wanted to share some of my favourite “Nate Rooms”.  When I look at his rooms he and I have alot in common - design style wise.
I like simple, clean, uncluttered designs – that have more texture than pattern in calm, serene colours and with some black thrown in to ground the space.  Displaying some personal objects that have meaning add to the personality of the design. So many of Nate’s interiors are done with this same method.

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
This room has all the features that I mentioned above plus a beautiful blue to add some colour. I’m loving that cute rhino on the mantel…

Nate Berkus via Oprah website
The navy blue painted doors in this room, the distressed leather seating, textured carpet and the bare branches give it such a natural textural mood. He is not afraid to have some sentimental objects out – decorating your space is really about injecting your personality into it. 

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another beautiful living room by Nate with beautiful texture and muted colours.  Of course, there is a touch of black as well!

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
ART WALLS – I see Nate loves these too! And look at that gorgeous black door.  That animal rug is so perfect here – though I think I would have to use a faux one!
 
Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another fantastic art wall – adding some personal photos puts your personal experience into the space.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Who wouldn’t want this bath room.  It’s soft, serene and so elegant.  The shape of this tub is too die for and you wouldn’t have to clean under the tub like a claw foot tub…..

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
In this bedroom he’s reversed the colours by using dark colour on the walls, door frames and chair and added the light colour with the bed and bed linens.  Beautiful texture again with the wood trim, sisal carpet, coverlet and chair strapping.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
This bedroom has a French feeling with the elaborate gold headboard and the French night table.  The crisp, monogrammed bed linens add to the French mood.  Looks like it should be in an expensive hotel.  To check out all the other posts about Nate click here.
Don’t forget that The Nate Berkus
Show launches Sept 13th!!!

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

Art Gallery Walls

I love art gallery walls -here's some inspirational photos and I've followed that up with my recently completed art gallery wall and some tips for making your own.

You can do it symmetrically....

or assymmetrically.....

Samatha Pinn did this one for a client. It has a sharp pop of colour that ties in with the throw pillow and side table.

A more subdued approach.

This display has a bit of everything - black & white photograpy, colour photography and modern art.

This is a more casual way to display your art and it would be easy to move it around and change it as desired.

Interesting display for a kitchen nook.

I love this idea for displaying Grandma's old china that may be too delicate or damaged to use.

This one is over the top it is Andrew Pike's hallway. I would hate to have to dust all those frames...

This display helps to break up the dark walls and is very symmetrical and traditional.

Since I love taking photos especially while on vacation I did my own gallery wall with vacation shots and here is how mine turned out!

As you can see I used all dark frames with either black or white matting and all black & white photography. I like that the wooden angel wings break up the frames and keep it interesting.
Here some tips for doing up your own gallery wall.
1. Arrange the pieces you want to use on the floor in front of the wall where you would like to hang them. I like to start with the largest one somewhat in the middle and then place the smaller pieces around it.
2. Try to keep the spacing between each frame consistent as this makes it look more professional.
3. You don’t have to use the same kind of frame but some consistency of frame or matte colour helps to keep the group unified. Some consistency of subject matter helps as well – either all black & white, sepia tones or colour. Adding some different shaped frames or other items adds some interest to the display.
4. Move them around until you are pleased with the results.
5. Once you are satisfied, cut out kraft paper or newspaper the same size as the frames and use painters tape to adhere them to the wall. Measure the distance from the top and sides of the frame to the hook and mark this measurement on the paper.
6.Hammer in your hook, nail, etc… and repeat for all the frames.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space – email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

All photos (except last one) are from the Canadian House & Home website and the Style at Home website.