A Pet Portrait

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Over the weekend I delivered this portrait to it's owner. This is Eva- isn't she pretty! I told the owner that I fall in love with every pet I draw because I spend so much time just staring into their eyes while I'm drawing. She has such gentle eyes and apparently always has a tennis ball!

Eva

Original artwork is an unique way to celebrate a cherished pet. A pet portrait is a special gift that will be treasured forever.  All artwork is original and drawn by me from your photo. Gift certificates are available. 

Click on the Pet Portrait Button on the side margin to see more portraits and for information on ordering.   

Also, over the weekend I applied a simple paint finish to a wrought iron cocktail table. Tomorrow I'll show you how I did it.

Michelle

PS Check out the Home and Pet Portrait Facebook Page for more adorable pet photos and unique pet products. 

Fun Friday Find: Bright Colored Pillows

Here are some very elegant rooms that wouldn't be fun at all if it weren't for the bright pops of color! Is there a simpler way to change the entire mood of a room? I think not!

http://www.sohautestyle.com/2009/06/haute-designer-kishani-perera.html

http://ablondeandabrunetteblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/equine-so-fine-home-edition.html

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=28756

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=10169

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=26297&relatedPhotoId=83107&index=0

freshhome.com

http://www.styleathome.com/

Have a great weekend and tell your friends about this fabulous new blog you found :) Would love to have some more followers up there in the right hand margin!!!! 

Take care,

Michelle

Favorite Front Door Colors

Painting the front door a fresh, new color is a quick way to add a little curb appeal and welcome spring! A nicely painted door can make your home look welcoming and set the tone for what to expect when upon entering.   

http://mylovelylife-blog.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

Favorite light colors include whites, cream, taupe and tan. The light gray above is one of my favorite colors with brick and accenting with blue flowers and containers adds to the appeal! Black is also a classic choice for a brick house.

http://www.diaryofarenovation.com/tag/curb-appeal/

http://www.rayshousehelp.com/page/2/?option=com_newsfeeds&catid=5&Itemid=7

Eggplant? Why not? Unexpected and surprisingly elegant!

Concord Green Blog

Classic black and white. It's the gray statuary and greenery that makes this so pretty. 

http://indoorcouture.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

I don't know that many houses could pull off this brightly painted door but I think it looks beautiful here with the stone and red geraniums.

http://houselovely.blogspot.com/2010/10/painted-entry-doors.html

Red doors were often a sign of prosperity. People would paint their door red when there home was paid off making the red door a status symbol. In Feng Shui a red door is said to promote your fame and reputation (especially if it is south facing).

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/42242609.aspx

Real Simple magazine

I read that most people like yellow doors, although black, white and red are the most popular.

HousetoHome.co.uk)

http://brick-floor.blogspot.com/2008/06/front-door-statements.html

Navy blue often looks good with light blue or gray homes and light blue is a good choice for dark gray.

http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2010/03/blue-front-door.html

Almost any deep tone color will complement a white house.

I don't know about you but I wish I had more than one front door! A few more things to consider are 1. a contrasting color usually looks best, as long as it is not too bright or too pastel, 2. consider the color of your garage door and other architectural features ie. shutters and trim, 3. consider a total of three colors: one for the body, one for the trim/shutters, and one for the front door.

Have any other color combination ideas? Which one of these is your favorite?

Michelle

Interior Architectural Feature #2: Built-in Bookshelves

Remember a while back when I shared a little design philosophy with you about where I like to start when "re-designing" a room? The first thing I do is focus on the architectural elements in the room and ask myself: How would the room look without anything in it? The first interior architectural feature I posted about were interior windows. Today it's built-in bookcases along with some tips from designer Charlie Birdsong for displaying books, art and collectibles on bookshelves.

Laudem Gloriae

Tip 1: Use a tapestry of textures. Incorporate ceramics and leather or wood and silver. Be sure that the small items aren't so small that you can't see them, and keep the presentation of a collection from being so scattershot that it makes no sense.

Cym Lowell Blog

Domino Magazine

Tip 2: Realize you have fewer books than you think. Clients often tell me they need vast bookshelves because they have so many books. In truth, that is rarely the case. The boxes of books they have stored away will fill only a fraction of the space.

You also don't want to be stingy with books--there is something innately sad about thin clusters of books spread around vast shelves. In this case, too many is just right.

Full House

Tip 3: Place books loosely in some places and snugly in others; arrange them vertically and horizontally. If there are ample coffee table or art books, stack them horizontally with the spines telling a story--all on individual artists, gardening, or travel destinations, for example.

If a dust jacket on one of your large books is a favorite, try leaning it against the back of the shelf (like a painting). Or if you have a small painting that gets lost on a wall, place it between books on a shelf.

Domino Magazine

Country Living

Tip 4: Work all over the place at the same time. This means work from the middle, side to side, and up and down as you go. This will add balance and ensure that all your favorite items are scattered throughout, rather than clustered in one spot.

Country Living

Tip 5: Think about how your items "move" within the shelves. Pay attention to varying heights. Grouping books that are all the same size can give a law-office feel--stiff and uninviting. Bookcases that are too carefully arranged have a do-not-touch quality.

Erik Kvalsvik

Tip 6: Consider placing furniture against your bookcase or hanging a painting on the face of the shelves, letting the books double as a background for the vignette.

Antoine Bootz

Tip 7: Painting or papering the backs of bookcases deepens the space. I like to paint them dark olive drab. When papering, a good rule of thumb is to use small repetitive prints and paisleys.

Note: Painted shelves should be a deeper shade to suggest shadow and depth.

Michael Arnaud

Tip 8: Lighting is important. I like down lighting the backs of shelves to remove shadows and uplighting the fronts to illuminate the spines of the books and objects placed alongside them.

Sometimes there is a spot on a shelf for a small lamp. Sconces on the outside of open bookshelves are lovely with opaque, half-round shades. That way, light is directed just at the shelves and does not interfere with lighting in the rest of the room.

Whether you have a single bookcase or an entire wall of bookcases, they can be a significant feature in your room. I particularly like the idea of using bookcases to display collections and small pieces of art as well as books. Are you inspired to do a little rearranging? Have fun!

Michelle

PS Let me know what you think. I'd love to read your comments! Also, tell me if you are having trouble getting email updates.

Fun Friday Find: Pet Furniture

Here it is... no time for chit chat today just an alliteration!

Fun Friday Find: Funky Furniture For Feline & Fido! 

Very cool site! Awesome design - even bird houses.
http://hepper.myshopify.com/

Source Unknown

Designed by Lene Nendel & Michael Ryding
neublack.com

http://petfurniture.guidestobuy.com/von-pooch-creamsicle-modern-dog-sofa

http://www.squidoo.com/pet-beds-with-style

http://theswankypup.blogspot.com/2008/03/functional-fashionable-furniture-for.html

Pottery Barn

Den Haus

Source Unknown

Last but not least,  my absolute fav!

Have a great weekend, 

Michelle

PS.  For the images that have "Unknown Source" -I will try to find those, they are very fun designs!

Designer Profile: Natasha Baradaran

As I navigate through the blog world, one thing that I have found that I would like to share with you are some amazing designers and their inspiring portfolios. So without further ado...first up:

NATASHA BARADARAN

"every residential space should reflect the client's lifetime of experiences and travels; rather than that of the interior designer." 

Bel Air Whimsical
 Natasha strives to create timeless spaces that have something of the unexpected. In this whimsical house, the client’s love for bold colors became the staple for each space. In addition, luxurious fabrics, dramatic lighting, and one of kind found objects give these spaces a vibrant and distinct feel.

Beverly Hills Tuscan
A combination of classical Tuscan colors, materials and stonework are juxtaposed with modern elements, like contemporary onyx mosaic stone patterns, clean lined bathroom fixtures and Asian accessories to give the spaces a unique flair.

Brentwood Traditional
In this Brentwood estate, the interiors have a fresh vibe while embracing traditional architecture and antiques. The presentation of the client’s extensive modern art collection was the driving inspiration for the project. Clean lines of furniture pieces and colors were selected to complement and enhance the client’s personal treasures.

Holmby Hills Georgian
With the continuity of colors and the use of livable fabrics, large rooms feel inviting. This project was an add-on project, in which Natasha remodeled the kitchen completely, re-worked existing rooms and redesigned some rooms all together.

Canyon Eclectic

In this California Ranch Style House, the challenge was to keep an uncluttered and sophisticated aesthetic, while creating family friendly interiors. A colorful palette with a wide array of furniture styles are used to create an environment which feels "lived-in" and displays the homeowners love to collect pieces from around the world.

Natasha is passionate about mixing old with new to create fresh, livable spaces. She effortlessly combines traditional spaces with modern furnishings and on the flip side,  integrates modern environments with vintage details 

Don't you just love that? How nice to not be tied into any one style!

Resource & For more info: http://www.natashabaradaran.com/index.html

I hope you enjoyed her designs as much as I did. Leave me a comment below and let me know. Also, would you like to see this feature again, perhaps twice a month?

Michelle