A Modern Spin on Traditional Artwork



I guess President's Day in combination will all the history homework my daughter has been bringing home from school this month has sparked an interested in me to have sillhouettes made of my children.  You know, the very traditional black and white profile bust pictures typically in a black oval frame.  I remember seeing them all the time as a child, usually in homes belonging to friends of my grandmother's or Victorian styled homes. 

While I like the simplicity and traditional-ness (like my new word?) of the original sillhouettes, I don't have a traditionally styled home.  So that got me searching and researching...I wanted to find a sillhouette maker that could give a spin on a timeless artform. I also wanted to know the history of sillhouettes. Sillhouettes date back to the 1700s in France but really became popular in America in the 1800s.  These profile views are cut free-hand by artists, but now with technology a lot of the sillhouettes are computer generated.

Apple Blossom Print

In my search for an updated verison of the orginal Sillhouette I came across Apple Blossom Print (on www.etsy.com of course). These pieces have the traditional-styled sillhouettes with added colors, words or styling. I love the idea of adding color and your child's name to background of the artwork.      

There are very few things in life that are more precious than the profile of our sweet babies. And I don't know about you but time seems to be flying by way too fast! Lately I have been constantly trying to stop my cuties from growing, and getting bigger.  This is one way I can freeze my little loves ones in time.

One of A Kind!

I love art! Not prints and the stuff you see everywhere, but true, one-of-a-kind, says-something-about-the-artist kind of art.  I am constantly looking for unique pieces, stuff you won't find at your neighbor's house, and if I can work with an artist to personalize it...even better!

So while I was endlessly and unsuccessfully searching the internet yesterday for a unique media console for our family room I came across an amazing artist! I was so drawn to his artwork that I spent at least an hour (while I should have been cooking dinner for my kids) looking at his endless pieces of art, all unique, all one-of-a-kind. I was so inspired by his talent I emailed him and asked him to call me so we could discuss a possible project. Within 15 minutes we were on the phone discussing his work and my desire for one of his personalized, amazing creation!

The artist is Rick Cheadle. He is based out of Detroit, Michigan, near my old stomping ground, and he is truly talented. He typically paints on furniture, table tops, birdhouses, sculptures, clocks, mobile, logos, t-shirts and more! He paints with vivid color and eye-tricking techniques.  One of the things I love about his work is that he paints thousands of tiny circles together to make one larger, unified object.

It has now been less that 18 hours and we have a plan in the works. I have commissioned Rick to paint a piece that I will showcase above our fireplace.  He is creating a "Family Tree" for us with strong roots and branches, and vivid, happy colors. Additionally, I have asked Rick to incorporate the first letter of each of our names into the design (J,A,C, B, and B) to signify the importance of each member of our family and how they play a part in our family.  I also asked him to add a peacock for a bit of whimsy and a nod to my grandmother.

I am so excited about this project that when I talk about it, I get a little giggle in my voice!  I can't wait to see it! And the added bonus to the whole thing is he is FAST! He is starting it today and I should have it by the end of next week.  I will post a picture as soon as I get it! So keep your eyes peeled!

Design Trends 2011 - Trend #10 Things Are Definitely Looking Up



Domed Copper Ceiling with
 Embellishments and Chandelier





Faux Copper Leaf Ceiling

Design is casting the eyes upward. The ceiling will be embellished and noticed more as the "fifth wall," and may be painted or architecturally enhanced to play more of a focal point in a space.  You will begin to see metallic ceilings done with either paint or vintage-inspired ceiling tiles.  Adding to the lighting trend (Trend #9) a large, eye-catching chandelier will be paired with ceiling a medallion to add weight to the fixture and heighten its beauty.  Textured architectural embellishments such as 3-deminsional stencils will add excitement to an otherwise normal ceiling.

So keep your eyes open, and upward, for some awe-inspiring designs overhead!

3-D Stencil on a trey ceiling







Design Trends 2011 - Trend #9 Lighting



Pottery Barn Fixture



Lighting is one of the most essential aspects in home decorating and yet it tends to get ignored more than any other single element in an interior decorating scheme. Lighting can give the illusion of space and depth and comfort and emphasis. It draws the eye and can also be used to distract it. Lighting, when done correctly, can make a so-so room look phenomenal.

The importance of the right kind of lighting in your house cannot be overstated. What is the first thing you do when you get home in the evening? Switch on the lights, right? And what if you want to set the mood? Don’t you head towards dimming the lights? Having the right lights can proverbially make or break a home. Use the right lights to highlight your favorite piece of art or downplay a paint inconsistency that only your eye can see.

Light fixtures, if used in the right way, can transform the entire look of your home and it is definitely less expensive than a new coat of paint or even the husband-dreaded word, ‘remodel’!



Ikea Fixture



This year lighting is either going to make a statement or disappear.  You will see a lot of bold and art-like fixtures or out-of-sight recessed lighting.  When you are selecting lighting think about what you need it for, task lighting, ambient lighting, focal lighting or decorative lighting. Then decide it you want to make a statement or if you want it to disappear.  Finally, think about the reflections and shadows it will cask on your surroundings.

Remember, make a statement, have fun with it, and give them something to talk about!

Design Trends 2011 - Trend #8 Upcycling

“Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.” - Wikipedia

Upcycled house goods will be even bigger in 2011, according to those at Etsy, the online marketplace for handcrafted materials. Look for plastic bags turned into bowls, wine bottles into mini lamps, wine bottle corks into cork boards , vintage silk scarfs into pillows, neckties into throw blankets, old barn wood used to make furniture and as the canvas for artwork, 1980s speakers into a sofa table and bike parts into clocks. A turquoise mini file box made with vintage record album covers by FreeStyle Gifts of San Francisco ($38, www.etsy.com/shop/FreestyleGifts) could be used for coupons, recipes and the larger sizes could be used for kid’s artwork storage.

We are seeing more recycled-content building and remodeling materials such as countertops and backsplashes, and reclaimed wood floors (Trend #4).

I am proud to say that we as a whole are really becoming more environmentally conscience. With all the vintage style, upcycling, and recycling, “going green” is more than just a short-lived fad!

Design Trend 2011 - #4 Hardwood Flooring

Although espresso and dark hardwood floors have been the norm for years, the trend is going towards a little lighter look for the surface you walk on. You will start to see two-tone and gray finishes, like driftwood (I have also seen this finish popping up in furniture as well).  Another trend is faux vintage hardwood flooring that is distressed to provide a convincing, naturally worn appearance. Additionally floor finishes are trending away from the high-gloss, minimal grain look to more natural, unvarnished, waxed finish with higher graining and imperfections.

The eco-friendly woods like bamboo, rubber tree and salvaged wood floors (which can be pricey) are also still all the rage. While green hardwoods don’t always offer the variety you can find in your typical hardwoods, in a town like Austin, Texas, eco-friendly products are starting to slightly outweigh design. Oak hardwood floors will continue to be popular because they are seen as timeless and can be molded to work with a variety of design schemes. Homeowners can install an oak hardwood floor and five years down the road, redecorate their homes without needed to touch the wood.

No matter how you look it is though, hardwood flooring, whether vintage, oak or bamboo, is the #1 flooring choice for most homeowners.