~~ Tile Inspiration ~~

I would like to introduce you to an artist I recently met who does beautiful painting on ceramic tiles.  I interviewed her so you can get to know her too.  Perhaps you'll pick-up some new decorating ideas or find a solution to a decorating dilema......

(To view more of her artwork, please visit her website listed below.)

1) Briefly describe what you make:

Custom acrylic paintings—each one new and unique, with optional calligraphy, on 6”x6” ceramic tiles. They are glazed multiple times, with a glossy, heat-resistant finish and backed with cushioning cork, through which has been woven a soft wall hanger. My tile paintings can be custom ordered from a diverse gallery of original copyrighted images (http://www.stjudesquareartworks.com/) that include floral close-ups, distant landscapes and seascapes, tropical scenes, lemons or other fruit, farm animals or sheds, or childhood themes, such as Mother Goose art. I will paint an entirely new picture based on the theme you choose, and will sign it, as your own one-of-a-kind designer tile. In addition, you can custom order a picture to be painted by me from your own photo, for an additional cost. I will even use your fabric swatches or wallpaper samples to make a tile trivet or wall hanging that coordinates with your decorating schemes.

You can direct me to add calligraphy to your tile, if you like. I will generally “soften” or adjust the picture I paint to allow the lettering to be dominant. A passage from Scripture or other quote you would like to display, a name, a message, a house number, a wedding date, or birth details of a new baby—are only a few examples of how a tile can be personalized for a specific use or occasion, with lettering.

2) What mediums do you enjoy working with?

I truly enjoy color, and highlighting memorable information with harmonizing images, pleases me. I also love the subtle “cottage” and “green” themes suggested by use of the humble tile as a work of art… My choice of tiles as an art medium came about originally because I had a large, partially used box of ceramic tiles that needed “re-imagining” to avoid being tossed into a landfill!

3) Do you have any advice on how to decorate with your tiles?

The options are wide open, really…imagination is the only limiting factor… Here are a few ideas:

…My daughter uses a bright trio of fruit—two lemons and a pear—hung diagonally above her kitchen sink.

…One customer orders a “birth announcement” tile whenever a grandchild is born, to hang in her family room. Quite the conversation piece, she says!

…Use as décor on a wall in any room in the house, or place on any tabletop where furniture needs protection from glasses, candles, or vases.

…In an outdoor living space, they are durable, and add color, function, and civility.

…With a family name or house number inscribed, they can adorn a doorway.

…When special ordered (without cork on the back), they could even be carefully grouted into place as a backsplash. Several of them together can be painted as a large mural.

…In a child’s room, they can illustrate a child’s name or cute, made-up word. Even a footprint can be sent in and transformed into a tile.

~~~ Hiding your furniture ~~~

With the high cost of furniture these days, we need to be more creative on how to use what we have. 

Everyone seems to have that one side of the sofa cushions that is used for company and the other for every day use (that's the side with the stains).  What happens when your furniture stains are on the arms of the sofa or the seat of the chair?  How about that piece of furniture that is just not your style anymore or just plain old ugly (perhaps a hand-me-down)?

Here are some ideas to help "hide" your furniture:

~ Slipcovers.  A common solution. Sometimes they fit well but I have yet to find someone that absolutely loves their slipcovers.  You need to adjust and readjust the cover, that is if you sit on them, otherwise they look great.  Don't get me wrong, I too, have slipcovers thinking that was my only solution at one time.  I do like the change to a nice neutral, giving me a "clean palate" to introduce new colors by the way of decorative pillows.

~ Afghans/blankets.  Great for hiding that stain or tear on an arm of your furniture; positioned "just so".  Also, for draping over the backs or at a diagonal to bring more color and warmth to your furniture.

~ Decorative pillows.   Perfect to compliment or hide the furniture they set on.  Decorative pillows can add that "punch" of color and interest to distract the eye from the furniture.  Add oversized or just a whole lot of pillows to literally hide your furniture or the mishaps.  While hiding that piece of furniture, it will also update and bring a coziness to your room.

The above collections are available at http://www.sewninspirations.com/.

~~ Painting Tip ~~

When painting a room that has a chair rail, try the two-tone method. 

Take a look at the paint strip of the color you chose.  Paint the darkest color below the chair rail.  Next, using the paint strip,  go two to three shades lighter and paint this lighter shade above the chair rail.   This will give you a professional look without the guess work.

~~ Ready to redecorate? ~~

Tip:  Once you choose your color scheme, make sure you purchase your fabric for your curtains and decorative pillows first.  It is easier to find the perfect paint color to compliment your fabric rather than the other way around.

Tip:  Purchase a little more fabric than you think you might need.  Did you know that many fabrics are considered seasonal?   Once the store sells out of their bolts, they may not reorder.  You never know if you might need those extra inches for your project or decide to add more pillows than you planned.

Tip:  Been to a fabric store lately?  You have hundreds of choices that can inspire the new look you are going for.  Why settle for what the department stores choose to sell?  Get inspired and create your own look.  Now that you chose the fabric, where do you go from here?  If you don't sew yourself, check around and see if you can find someone that owns their own sewing business.  If you choose this route, you most likely will spend less than what a design studio may charge you.

Sewn Inspirations, LLC, http://www.sewninspirations.com/ , also offers you quality made pillows tailored to your style with your own fabric.  Coming soon, design your own pillows with fabric from my selections.





What rooms are you redecorating?  I would love to hear from you. 

~~ Color Trends ~~

The color palette of 2010 are......



~Yellow is THE color for this year’s decorating palettes.

~Moss green is the new shade of green to make an appearance.

~Lavender is the hot color for the bedroom, representing elegance and luxury.

~Slate and charcoal grays are the new neutrals. 

~Aqua continues its staying power.


If you are unsure about changing your entire room in the colors of 2010, try using them as accent colors.  The easiest and most cost effective way to update is to add decorative pillows to your sofa, bed and chairs.

~~ 2010 Decor Trends ~~

Every year there are predicted trends in home decor and the colors of the season. 

For 2010, this is what we are looking towards:

~Simplification and reduction.
 As more people are clearing out the extras in our homes and donating them to charities, we have created a new trend. We are looking to keep the essentials by "doing the right thing".  This trend is "recession inspired."

~Quality.
We are now looking for well made, quality products.  We still want value but are more aware as to where the product is made.  This trend is turning more people to buy hand-made.

~Nature.  The "go green" movement is giving us more home decor items that are nature inspired.


Next up:  Color trends.

~ Snow inspired ~

Snow day.

When I heard it was going to snow 12 -26 inches the first thing that I thought of was "yes, I get to design and sew!".  Snow inspired.  We won't be able to go anywhere for 2 days, think of how much I could get done.  Oh, there will be sledding, snowball fights the whole fun of a big snow storm and oh yeah, the shoveling.  But most of all, I can't wait to get my sketch pad out and explore my options.  Will I finish my shabby chic collection or work with some cozy fleece?  How about start that new concept that I've been playing around with?  We'll see once the snow begins to fall.  I can't wait to be ~~ snow inspired.

Still snowing, calling for up to 30" or more now.

"Blizzard of the Century" according to news reports.

The calm right after the storm, the sun is setting.