I had no idea that the world of vinyl wall art/decals are endless with fantastic choices.  You could just go crazy and wouldn’t even have to pick up a paint brush.  Wall “art” that anyone can do and anywhere, too.  Favorite places to use this handy art is a nursery (easy removal when baby grows up and ducks become super heroes), dorm room or apartment where the landlord says “no paint”, and your boring white walled office.   

Vinylwallart.com  has eclectic wall decals that could be incorporated in your new baby’s nursery or child’s room.  If your child’s nickname is “little monkey” look what vinyl art could be in his/her room.  Look at all their kid decals for fun!

Zozoliving.com has over-sized graphics in a variety of colors like sky blue, brown, orange, lime, magenta, yellow, and custom colors.  I am always looking for good design that is affordable and fresh.  The paisley graphics have many fresh colors and are inexpensive even for the college student. This would be great in a dorm room to personalize the space and make it feel more like home.

Sometimes our offices are sterile looking and need to be more hip and add some life to those boring walls.  Here are some office pics from flickr that I would love to add in my office.

I am loving vinyl!!!

Front door color sure says alot about what is inside.  The question asked is…. which color should I pick…red, blue,or yellow?

It is something to think about when painting your exterior.  What does the front door say about you?  SouthernLiving.com has a personalized front door color chart that could better assist you in this focal point choice.  Curb appeal is a must and the front door color only adds to the overall exterior’s look.  I have a charcoal paint color on my front door with pallidian blue siding. 

According to a post by Feng Shui Your Own Way, use the color black to enhance a career.  I am sure glad I used black (charcoal) to enhance my new blogging career!  Feng Shui Your Own Way  posted on Feng Shui and front door color which I found very interesting.  The posting explained Feng Shui practioners believe the best color for a front door is determined by your personal element.  A fire person would use red for the door, but only if it is the correct direction facing South.

Wow, I guess this is too confusing for me.  I just happened to pick a lucky color for my door.  Please refer to the outline below for correct color choice…thank you Feng Shui Your Own Way for all the important info! 

• South (Fire) = Reds, pink, burgundy.
• Southwest (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
• West (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
• Northwest (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
• North (Water) = Blacks or blues.
• Northeast (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
• East (Wood) = Greens.
• Southeast (Wood) = Greens.

Good luck knocking on the right door of color.

I do not think anyone can deny an Arizona sunset shows spectacular warm-tones that dance in the sky.  Amber shades, honey yellow, and warm brown tones are examples of colors that could light up our interiors making a warm environment to live.  Some example colors to try are Ambitious Amber SW6366, Gold Coast SW6376, and Copper Mountain SW6356 found through sherwin-williams.com.

(On-screen color representations may vary from actual paint colors.) 

Kravet Fabrics is a supplier of fabrics and ready-made furnishings for home decoration as well as furniture and trimmings. They have a searchable product database which makes it quick and easy to find coordinating fabrics for a certain color scheme.  Here are some modern fabrics that fit into a warm color palette. 

A long time industry friend and Interior Designer out of Tucson, Hapi DuBach sent me photos of her Arizona home.  We worked on the space together to achieve a comfortable and warm interior copying the sunset over the Saddleback Mountains and bringing it into her living room.   A special thank you to Hapi for sharing her photos.  

 

  Warm up your space with a bit of sunshine!

I could not resist showing an expansive collection of SwankLighting.com.  Ed Sexton and Doug Taylor found a long hidden treasure of vintage Murano lamps from the 40s, 50s and 60s. They bought the entire inventory and SWANK LIGHTING was born.   This is quite the treasure worth finding again.  A special thanks to Ed Sexton for offering more photos of their collection.

What a colorful treasure.  Enjoy looking……I did!

Colorful table lamps add excitement to a room.  It is a funky way to be whimsical and not so serious.  There are so many great table lamps that are available and affordable.  Pottery Barn can have a variety of colorful table lamps to choose from depending on the season.  The base can be brightly colored ceramic or milk glass, also think about adding color to the shade. 

I added Swanklighting.com to my favorites.   Shop a fabulous collection of original Venetian Art Glass Lamps.  I love the bright glass adding sophsication with a funky twist.  They are often shown in pairs which is fab flanking either side of your bed or on a sofa table.

Add some color in your light!

I have loved horizontal stripes for years, but just not to wear them!  Painting a room in horizontal stripes is a way to make a room hip and full of excitement.  This current trend is seen anywhere from a cozy family room to a happy nursery.  

The recent finale of “Design Star“  showed Jennifer using her whimsical talents painting horizontal stripes in the family room.  Something so simple can become a dramatic backdrop.   It simply made the room open up before your very eyes.  Jennifer was the deserving winner….my pick from the get go! 

“Lemon Twist” Twin Nursery featured on  Project Nursery  bursts lemon yellow and white horizontal stripes throughtout the twins nursery.  The playful stripes would excite any baby to awake chearful and not crying all day (one could only hope).  The nursery couldn’t be any cutier. 

Way to go on the hip horizontal stripes….give it a try!

There is just something about a Summer Day that brings citrus colors to my mind as I look outside. The sun shines down on my lime green coleus plant and reminds me of how great lime green, lemon yellow, and orange create a fun palette. 

 Citrus colors explode a fresh, funky look to any room inside or even an outside porch. Chic lime 396, limon 334, and citrus blossom 123 are examples from Benjamin Moore Classic Colors.

On-screen color representations may vary from actual paint colors.

Designers Guild is one of my favorite companies that takes bold, bright colors and partners them with elegance.  The room with the citrus colors shows the funky style that lights up a room. 

I like to pair my citrus palette with white to make the colors really pop!  Fabrics can bring in the sunshine while the walls remain crisp and white.  There are some fabrics that are offered through Designers Guild that would light up any room. 

Bring the summer fun inside to stay awhile!

A painted piece of art!  Not only do your walls need color sometimes, but so does your furniture.  I love a special painted piece of furniture to express your personality in a room.  I stumbled upon a great site, Painted Furniture.  They create hand-painted furniture with a charm.  The site includes everything from a small stool to a large armoire.   Here are some fab pieces. 

Sometimes it just takes a little elbow grease and some color sense to transform an old piece you currently have to something great.  I think everyone at some point has inherited a dingy wood piece.  These are the best pieces to transform from garage sale to colorfully chic.  Anything with carved detail and curved features could be a diamond in the rough!  See examples from Design*Sponge, below are pieces that got a transformation with fresh paint and added details.  I love the patterned paper and fancy gold rose hardware.  Hardware is a must to any piece! 

(before)

(after)

The new fabric by Joel Dewberry and black paint added to the matching chairs makes for a mod new style.  What a great addition to any room.  Pick up your brush and make a statement using an old furniture piece and bringing it alive.  It is a wonderful way to transform and recycle at the same time!

The look is timeless and offers a great backdrop for featuring art or black and white family photos.

A past story…. I can remember a customer wanting nothing to do with the suggestion of black walls in her dining room. I told her let’s get it painted. If she hates it I will pay for her to get it re-painted. She took me up on the dare, and has loved her dining room ever since. My philosophy on the black walls is not that it closes you in, but makes the walls recede back. Just think about the night sky and how vast the area looks compared to daytime. It is a thought next time you are out taking a walk at night. It might take a few more coats, but go ahead and try it…If you dare!!!