Decorology

Category: art

  • Art Force Giveaway!

    Today we are excited to bring you an giveaway to hang on your wall! Art Force is offering one of our lucky readers a high resolution framed print as large as 16×20!
    Want to know more about Art Force?
    “We believe artwork is an asset providing an intrinsic return on investment (ROI). When carefully selected, framed and installed, artwork has the ability to serve many valuable functions that far exceed decoration. Your organization’s environment is a reflection of who you are and what you value; painting a picture of your mission through art not only enriches the brand experience, but we feel it drives prolonged brand trust and loyalty.”

    Interested in winning a free 16×20 piece of art? Enter to win:

  • Buying Handmade

    Buying Handmade

    These days it’s all about buying handmade and supporting the small businesses. I absolutely love it and enjoy finding unique home decor items to fit my home.

    There are so many reasons why I would choose handmade over store bought. It is truly one of a kind because it’s not mass produced, each item is completely unique.
    But even better than that is knowing that you are supporting someone who has dedicated their lives to making these beautiful unique things.
    I recently was introduced to this beautiful group of artists called Ephraim Pottery who brought all of their skills together to create these beautiful works of art.
    “We are motivated by ideals from the past that have taken on new significance in our modern world. We see a return to working together/collaboration; hand-crafting beautiful objects that have longevity; and taking notice of the small details in the natural world as lifestyle values that have important implications for the ways we live now and in the future.” – Ephraim Pottery
    Seeing a group of artists coming together and providing each of their best skills to create a piece of art that brings joy really resonates with me. 
    Let’s keep this movement on the rise and take the time to appreciate the handmade community who are changing the way we buy art and home decor. Check out Ephraim Pottery to find all the pieces pictured above and learn more about the artists and what they do.

  • Enviable Summer Entryways and Foyers

    Enviable Summer Entryways and Foyers

    There are your “traditional” elements that no entry or foyer should be without – but shoe storage and a key tray don’t necessarily make an entry way that makes you smile when you walk in the door.  Here are a few elements that do…

    Art with impact.

    via Pinterest via Waiting on Martha

    Live plants/flowers.

    via Pinterest via 11 Magnolia Lane

    An oversized mirror.

    A dramatic entry rug.
    …and of course, your best friend waiting for you.

  • Stephanie Bradshaw’s gorgeous, feminine apartment

    I love this girl’s style, I did a post on her office space awhile back.  You can see it here: gorgeous home offices

    So, it’s no surprise that her home was just as beautiful. Check it out

    Love the sunroom type space she has going on…

    What do you think?

    See and read more at The Glitter Guide

  • The Art of Buying Original Art

    The Art of Buying Original Art

    Buying art can be a little more complicated than just falling in love with a piece and hanging it up! You may find that when you bring home that “gotta have it” piece that it doesn’t fit in the space you want it in or it isn’t great standing on it’s own. 
    Here are a few hints to help with the buying process:

    via houzz

    If you can, visualize it before you buy it. Go shopping knowing what size wall you are trying to fill so you can get a feel for what size of piece of art you are looking for. Pick out a few colors that you know will work great in the room and if you have a specific color you are looking for bring an item that matches it so you can tie it all together.

    Add Color with Art

    via bhg

    Buy local to support your local artists! Not only does this give the art you bring into your home a story worth telling but you are supporting your neighbors. It will give you another reason to love it!

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    via apartmenttherapy

    Remove the anxiety around pricing and realize that you can find a great, good size piece of art for under $1,000 but even for $100. If you have a budget you need to stick to then keeping within that price is important but finding that perfect piece could be as simple as $50 and be priceless to you.

    via housebeautiful

    Use the tools you have! Now with the power of mobility we can take a picture of our space and bring it with us art shopping or take a picture of that piece and bring the picture home to see it works where you want it (not all places will allow that). There are also places online that will take a photo of you room and place pieces of art in it to see if it’s a perfect match.

    via hometalk

    There is no better way to make your own than an original piece of art that provides originality and a great story when hosting your friends. If you are looking for ideas of places to shop there’s an awesome place called Vango that makes this process so much easier! When in doubt, remember the golden rule: buy what you like. 

  • Inspiring ways to use a neutral palette

    Inspiring ways to use a neutral palette

    It’s no secret I’m a fan of grays, whites, and other cool neutrals.  Using neutrals really allows me to experiment with different accent colors via pillows, throws, and accent colors.  That means if I end up not being able to live with a green or purple I loved last month, it’s not like I wasted a ton of money on a sofa I no longer like.  However, done right – with layering textures and patterns, neutrals can stand all on their own as a gorgeous palette.

    Neutrals

    via tumblr

    simple

    I’m really liking gray and brown lately too, like the gray door and the wooden mirror frame.

    via keltainentalorannalla

    dustjacket attic: Manhattan Apartment (lonny)

    Drooling over this kitchen.  I don’t know if I dust enough to ever have such dark floors, but they are gorgeous when contrasted with the white cabinetry.  And that Moroccan inspired tile? Don’t even get me started.

    via dustjacket-attic

    .

    A bit warmer tones than I normally go for but this is still working for me.

    via lovelyclusters

    Loving the coffee table.
    via Sweet Home Style

    via Schuyler Samperton

  • Chic and Glamorous Art for the Fashion Lover

    Chic and Glamorous Art for the Fashion Lover

    Good art isn’t always easy to find. Etsy has made it easier though, and has made it possible to connect a lot of artists with people who love art that isn’t mass produced or unattainable to most of us. One Etsy artist I’m loving is the Lady Gatsby shop with fashion inspired prints.

    I love watercolors, and then paired with the subject matter – gorgeous perfume bottles, shoes, etc., there are quite a few pieces I’d love for my master bath and office. I was lucky enough to receive a gorgeous Chanel No. 5 print and some super chic correspondence cards, and they look even better in person!

    Here are a few other prints and cards I’m loving:

    Love it?  See more at Lady Gatsby

    disclosure: I received these prints as a sample

  • A New Look at Technology in Design

    A New Look at Technology in Design

    Sometimes it can feel like technology can get in the way of our home decor. A huge screen TV might not go along with your rustic look, but thankfully there are some clever ways of designing your space around your screens

    Built in cabinets are a great way to go! You can mount the TV on the wall or just place inside the cabinet and have a gorgeous space without the eye sore of screens, wires, and devices that with it!

    A fireplace is a gorgeous focal point of a room. A TV sitting above it is not! Having this slide away piece on top of the fireplace gives you that gorgeous focal point when it’s put away and functional for every day living.
    Under the stairs storage has always been a favorite of mine. Storing your TV in the under stair storage is a brilliant idea! It won’t break up the flow of the room when it’s put away and when you do have it out, it’s in perfect view with the rest of the room!

    Using a large photo split in two is a brilliant way to hide the TV. I love the idea of the ceiling mount track for the pictures so you could change out the art pieces if you wanted to later.

    Buying a good old fashioned wall mount to set your TV in is perfect if you are looking for a quick and easy fix!


    Don’t like the thought of going through the trouble to hide your TV? Try using your it as a centerpiece for your art. Placing your pictures around the it strategically can give the wall a great look without covering up the screen. 

  • Art for the Eclectic Home: Book Review

    Art for the Eclectic Home: Book Review

    After receiving Art for the Eclectic Home by Jamin & Ashley Mills, I was excited to check it out. As a new homeowner, I realized that certain walls in my home where bare and could use some fun accessories to tie in my home decor.

    This book takes you through the steps of picking the perfect piece and has a great collection of inspiration to help you figure out what exactly you want on your walls! There is so much variety that you are bound to find a few that you love.

    Ashley and Jamin go on to tell you that you don’t have to spend a fortune to fill your walls with beautiful artwork. Up and coming artists and prints are a great way to personalize your home on a budget.

    If you are interested in seeing more from Ashley and Jamin they write a blog together at: thehandmadehome.net!

    Are you a home decor book lover? We have a more book reviews coming up soon! Stay tuned!!

  • Another great giveaway for art lovers! The unique illustrations of Claire Heffer

    Another great giveaway for art lovers! The unique illustrations of Claire Heffer

    Gotta love a giveaway! I was lucky enough to be introduced to the intricate pen and ink illustrations of Claire Heffer just a little while ago. I don’t get to draw a lot anymore, but my bachelor’s degree is in illustration, and I will always appreciate art. You should also think of it as the jewelry of any room – and we all know it’s in the details!!

    One lucky winner will win an animal, leaf, or initial print of his/her choosing.

    To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment sharing which print you plan on picking if your name is drawn.  Go to Claire Heffer Design on Etsy to see her work and pick out your favorite.

    To comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above “Labels” you will see a number followed by the word “comments.” Click on the word “Comments.” Or, you will see a link, “Post a Comment,” which you click on to comment.

    Or, you can email me at ashley [at] decorologyblog [dot] com to enter and with your favorite.

    The contest closes next Tuesday, December 5th at  12 AM EST. I will announce the lucky winner, chosen by random draw. Good luck!

    The little pouncing fox is my favorite – so cute!!!

    A custom initial would make a great gift for a new baby, or newlyweds.