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Revised from an Article, Feb 22, 2014 / Art Collection, DIY, Let's Play and Make your Space be Useful, Beautiful, Artful, and ....

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Collecting Art is an age old activity.  For some it's a matter of finding an  objet d'art  on holiday and bringing it home to place or hang in a room.  For others it is the challenge of the acquisition, the hunt, the find, the victory of finding that exclusive piece. For many it is simply a matter of taste and displaying in ones home or work environment. But what is it for you?  What is it that drives you to want a nice piece of functional furniture that creates the "wow" factor in your room?  Is it the antique area rug that came from your grand-mother, or the new swirly sculpture of polished brass and metal that stops you in an art gallery?  Art should be YOUR own taste... and give you a reason to stop, smile, enjoy, question, be curious, question again...  it needs to make you happy... evoke emotion, and make you proud to say... "LOOK AT THAT!!!".... occasionally you may run across someone who is outspoken with different opinions... and that's okay
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DIY Bathroom Renovations: Original Post 12/21 = Updated 2/2024

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New bathrooms seem to be the popular "DIY" and "Let's Refresh" theme at the moment. In addition to our own bathroom upgrades, several projects are happening at the same time.  Take an inventory of what you've got.  Current floorplan, space, functionality of the space Ask Questions:  What you would LIKE to change? What needs to be upgraded (plumbing, layout or just the tiles?)   What is your DREAM bathroom features?   If you had no budget limitations.    What is your ACTUAL budget?  Timeframe?  Desired "want to use it by" date?   Who is going to do the work? Who is skilled to do the work? Do you have the skill and know-how to do the work? Do you want to LEARN how to do it? Shopping for Stones for the Shower. When shopping for stones... look at the NEGATIVE space.  This stone is pretty, but once installed, the amount of grout showing really surprised me.  I like it, but it was not exactly how I had pictured it.  So ask to see "finish
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Trash or Treasure...???

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A nearby friend is moving.  And in the process of moving it's often an opportunity to get rid of furniture and things that have been collected over the years.  Some things are valuable, and others you are willing to part with.  So as it happened a few items show up on a local "Finds" page and I take a look. At first I see a few items that are pretty (not like I have any room for anything, but I'm always curious)... and then I see a pretty piece of furniture.  Again, no room for it, but I ask the dimensions.  As is my job as an interior designer, I often have several jobs going on at once and it's not unreasonable for me to find something unique for someone else....   This piece was intriguing... and I felt it was worth more than the "Garage sale" price that was being asked.... After a few texts and questions, I started doing some homework.   It's a beautiful Case Furniture Credenza.  A unique wall unit that would be ideal in a shallow hallway, and ye
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Fiona's Desk and Homework Center

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John found this desk on Craigslist.... And it was FREE!!!! SO after some cleaning, sanding and tightening up of the wiggly bits checking the slides and drawers Fiona and I will need to find prettier handles and drawer pulls. John helped and lifted it onto some raised wood so I can start prepping to paint it. The tabletop was sanded, but overall in great condition.  Not bad for a free desk. I just took out the Gesso.... I wonder what it will be like when it is finished!!!!!?????? Stay tuned!
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Powder Room - In need of something more?

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 Mask off the Walls and Corners  Cream Walls:  a little boring, right?  Not for long Apply 1st coat of "Melted Chocolate" (paint color)    Working with my small roller, I purposely move in a variety of directions to create layers.  I add taupe and cream to create variations and layers which will add to a FAUX MARBLING  effect. I remove the tape edge to make a clean border around the paint effect   I finish the room by adding details and hanging art and towel rail.
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What to do with ugly doors?

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Our house, like most in our neighborhood, has the original doors, or doors that have been hung, painted and re-painted over and over again....  replacing them is the ideal option, however, it is not in the budget at this time...  so what to do? Option one:  a fresh coat of paint...   Option 2:  Add a different color paint and some accent colors... the lower image is a test panel I did to see if I liked the option.. it was okay, but not a permanent option for us....  Here's the winning option... A combination of Paint and Wrapping Paper... yes... I said WRAPPING PAPER... and Fiona has a lovely "Butterfly" doorway to her bedroom....
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Fiona's Room - Phase 3... the Purple Paint....

Including a child in the re-decorating of their bedroom is an important part of the job.  Making Fiona take ownership of part of the painting has kept her excited about the new room... and she is always waiting for the next color of paint to be opened.  As you can tell from the video (I recommend documenting this type of activity with your children).... It is truly entertaining. We started with blue and turquoise, and have now added a light purple around her window...  I am debating between using turquoise around the window, or using bright white...  and adding some beautiful lettering that says "Fiona's Fancy Cake Shop" or something similar is in the works.  Perhaps something in French... 
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