Easily Enhance Your Decor With Art

Happy New Year! Want to liven up your interior for 2008?

Livening up your interior can be as easy as adding a piece of custom framed art. Getting a custom framed artwork begins with choosing the piece itself. A good way to choose art for your decor is to pick a subject you are interested in or even collect. If history is your interest, consider getting an artwork that features a historically significant location that you've enjoyed learning about; if you have a collection of cats - consider getting an artwork with that as a theme.

Another way to choose an artwork is simply by the colors reflected in the piece. Before you start looking at artworks, sit down in the room you're going to be choosing a piece for and close your eyes for a few minutes. Open your eyes and look around - what are the two major colors in the room? Either or both of those will be the main color in your artwork. Now look around, what are a couple of the lesser used colors you want to bring up in the room? If you have a primarily off-white and dark beige room with dark red accents; you will want to choose an artwork with off-white or dark beige colors and you can further blend the artworks into your decor by choosing a piece that has a dark red accent within the piece.

Now comes the fun part, once you've chosen your artwork, you will want to choose a mat (in most cases, unless the artwork is on a canvas which needs no mat)or a double mat and a frame to match. The frame is the part most people feel a little "stuck" at; but in reality - it's the easiest part of your artwork to plan. If you're going for a wooden frame, look around your room and note the color of the wood used for your furnishings. Get as close to that color and grain of wood as you can in your choice of frame. If you want to opt for a piece with more of an impact on your wall, go for a darker stained frame that won't call attention to itself apart from your artwork.

Nervous About Buying Art Online?

You know that it looks odd, but you are not quite sure if you should say anything. Is this the feeling that you have gotten in the past when you lay eyes on a gigantic piece of wall art on display at the home of a close friend, acquaintance or relative? This is often times something that you will come across because many people are not exactly sure of the right size they should choose for the walls in their home or apartment. Lucky for you, since you have seen the damage that the wrong size can cause aesthetically, you can look into finding a couple of tips that should help you to choose the right size wall art or sculpture every single time.

Chances are very good that you are not going to be able to eyeball the position of every piece of art that you will be placing in your home. Some people will go ahead and begin measuring in order to find the right size for every sculpture or painting. While this may work for some folks, others really need a bit more of a visual aid to ensure that they are making the right choice.

Does this make you nervous about buying art online? Never fear - there is a very easy solution. In order to see if it will be the right size for your wall without overpowering it, you can always take a piece of paper measured and cut to the same size. Go ahead and stick this up to the wall in the position that you desire, then take a look at it from several different angles to see if it will work. If you're using several pieces to create a theme, you can use papers cut to scale and get a real feel for how it will look best on your walls. And best of all you can do this for any room in your home from the kid's rooms to the bathroom to your living room.

Use these tips and make your art buying easy - why pass up the great deals online when you can arrange and choose the best sizes for your walls so easily?

Tips For Using Your Art!

So, you have no problem at all when it comes to choosing all of your favorite art pieces to decorate your home with, but how are you with your hanging skills. After all, a painting is only as good as the look that it has once it is on your wall! The last thing you want is to have an incredible framed print or oil painting that you have been dying to get, only to have it hung up in a crazy manner on one of the walls within your home, apartment or office space. Luckily for all of those people who aren't sure how to hang up their wall art, there are a couple of tips that you can follow to ensure a great look every time.

Do you have a problem when you are trying to find just the right position to hang a piece of art on your wall? Sometimes it can be confusing when you are trying to figure out if you have something position too high or too low. A nice rule of thumb to go by is making sure that the center of the piece is right about eye level for the average adult. Certainly, you will have to tweak this tip from time to time depending on the size of the painting itself as well as the height of your room of choice.

Another good thing to look for is the amount of lighting that you have in the area that you are thinking of decorating with wall art. The last thing you want is for your precious piece of art to get lost in a room without proper lighting. In this case, you can always use accent lighting to boost the look of the wall space.

Last but not least, choose art works that you personally are drawn to. Don't choose a beige painting because it looks so great in your living room, get it because you love the subject matter - art should be an extension of your own personality - give the room your own personal touch using art!

Viva La Difference!

Have you ever just wanted to make a statement through your interior decor choices? Such a statement can be very easy with a smart and savvy art selection for any one of the walls within your home. Certainly, you are going to want to make a bit of an art choice that will speak of your tastes and personality. However, there is nothing wrong with stepping outside of the box every once in a while and doing something that is a little bit different than the type of art that you would normally choose for your home, apartment or even the office.

Sometimes, something as simple as a terrific grouping of framed art can be just the thing to change the entire look of a room. You are guaranteed to see that a wonderful grouping can be a fabulous way to draw the attention to that area, making a nice focal point for anyone who lays eyes on it. Finding a trio of framed prints by one of your favorite artists might be a whole lot easier than you would think, especially when you take into account how many amazing choices are available for shopping online.

If you happen to be a person who is somewhat animated, you can always go with a bold splash of color with your framed grouping. Although cartoon-like images might be the first thing to come to mind, there is no reason why you cannot have a selection of sophisticated pieces that really pop with color!

Getting Your Children Interested In Art

Have you happened to notice that your child seems to be taking quite an interest in how their room is decorated at home? Sometimes children are longing for something a little extra in terms of expressing themselves through their decor. When you find that your son or daughter is looking to have a say in the design and decor that goes into their bedroom, you might want to let them explore and see what happens.

It is true that you are never too young or too old to be interested in art. As a matter of fact, introducing your children to art at a very early age can help them tremendously in terms of creativity. Because art is such a lovely way to express yourself, it is no wonder why so many children become interested in all of the aspects of art. When you find that there is a gallery showing in your local area, why not see about bringing your child along with you? Don't be afraid to talk with them about all of the colors and different styles on display!

When it comes to their room at home, a terrific idea is letting your child choose the color palette. In addition to that, you can always go the extra mile by letting them choose some incredible framed prints to hang on their walls. You don't have to go with Disney art prints either, instead let your kids pick art that depicts children doing things they do too - running, playing, reading, even Trick or Treating. They might even be interested in a couple of small sculpture pieces. Art can be a great way to not only open up your child's mind, but a terrific way for the two of you to bond as well.

Accessorize Your Home Decor With Canvas Art

You do not necessarily have to be an art expert in order to know what works and what doesn't within your living space. Many times, people like to purchase art solely because it speaks to them and not just because somebody told them that they should like it or buy it. Once you find a certain style that you happen to be very fond of, you just might find yourself on a bit of a spending spree until you have gathered up quite a collection. When it comes to great choices in wall decor, you could see that canvas art will be one of your favorite choices.

Having a nice collection of canvas art in your living space can speak to you on so many different levels. You will have the feeling of comfort each and every time you lay eyes on your chosen pieces of canvas art. In addition to that, each particular piece is almost guaranteed to spark up all sorts of interesting conversations with the guests who have a chance to visit your home.

With some many artists choices available, it is no wonder that canvas art is so popular with those who love to use art to express themselves. You can always go with something breathtaking such as a Monet or even subtle with a Van Gogh. Still life, portraits, florals and more are all waiting for you in the incredible world of wall art. All you have to do is find enough room on your walls at home to display everything that you purchase!

Framed Mirrors For Your Home

There happens to be all kinds of ways that you can try to spruce up your living space whether you live in a house or an apartment.

Some of the tricks that folks like to use will include a fresh coat of paint, the addition of some brand new furniture, or even a cluster of brand new sculptures. However, have you thought of how simply wonderful it can be to add a gorgeous framed mirror to your home or apartment?

If you are a person who loves to decorate, then you might already know just how valuable a couple of exquisite mirrors can be to the look and feel of your living space. Mirrors can add a whole new dimension to just about any room within your home or your apartment. As a matter of fact, most design experts will tell you that the addition of a mirror to a smaller space can actually bring in the illusion that the room is much larger than it actually is.

If you are on the hunt for the perfect mirror to bring into your home, then there is nothing quite like an exquisite framed version. You actually have your choice of frames including imported wood veneers, natural burls, and hand-rubbed gold or silver metal leaf with an antiqued look. Go ahead and choose the size that is right for your space along with the perfect frame and you will have a new addition to any wall in your home that you can feel good about with every single glance.

Post Holiday Gifting -Limited Edition Sculptures Make Great Gifts

With the holidays finally winding down, believe it or not, many people are starting to think holiday gift buying thoughts for the 2008 season. If you want to get someone a gift they will truly adore - check out getting them a limited edition sculpture and put that down on your list to get for those people that are truly difficult to buy for.

Sculptures are idea art pieces to give as gifts because they take up no wall space and are not a space commitment besides a little bit of table top or shelf space to display them. Unlike a print, a sculpture is also a more intriguing gift for many people as the artist actually handled the piece and worked on it. For people that enjoy collecting a particular artist's work - this is always a selling point.

Sculptures can be whimsical, serious or thought provoking. If you're giving a sculpture as a gift - choose wisely as someone with a rather serious nature probably won't be as appreciative of a sculptured dog with "Bad to the Bone" emblazoned on it as your practical joke loving uncle who would absolutely love such a gift.

Another way to give a sculpture as a gift is to give a set of sculptures as a wedding gift. Many cultures consider the giving of pairs as a wedding gift a sign of your belief the union is a good one and the giving of pairs is said to being luck to the new couple. A great item to give any pair of newlyweds is a limited edition sculpture called "Strange Love". It is a stylized pair that includes a cat and a dog united by a heart (love).

Add Some Un-Color!

Sometimes all your interior needs is a little non-color to make your decor a little more alive. No matter if you've gone Shabby Chic or with a modern looking Eames theme in your interior, a splish here of white or a splash there of white will make your decor brighter and more welcoming. White is often jokingly referred to as the non-color as it is comprised of no colors just as black is comprised of a combination of all colors.

When you think "white" what do you think? Clean, calm and open. Those are all feelings you can bring to your room when you use primarily white pieces at regular intervals around your room. You can use items like white vases holding brightly colored flowers for a great contrast or choose white pillows to set off your sofa.

Also look towards your walls for help. A primarily simplistic piece that is mainly white such as David Brega's framed art print "White on White" is a cool choice that will incorporate the basic colors of your room along with adding that necessary bit of whiteness to your decor. The piece is a simple bucket with eggs on a country barn half door. The print is matted in a cream mat and is further accented by a sturdy frame in your choice of color.

If you're looking for an economical way to brighten up your interior, look around your room and switch out a few items in the non-color.

A Great Last Minute Gift

The real countdown to Christmas is here and if you need a last minute gift for a hard-to-buy-for person on your holiday list - consider a piece of truly functional art.

At this stage of the shopping game, there won't be time to wait to get a painting framed, so go for something along the lines of a sculpture and even better, sculpture with a practical function and you've got a winner of a gift.

|One piece to consider heavily is a Tim Herrick Moose Lamp. This working lamp is actually constructed from the antler of a moose. The image of a moose is emblazoned on the body of the antler and it's fitted nicely with a simple shade to give it a truly rustic look and feel.

The light itself has a soft and cozy glow and will meld seamlessly into nearly any type of decor style. This is an ideal gift for anyone that has a "country" decor in their home and even better, someone that loves the great outdoors or that is an avid hunter will love one of these unusual lamps.

It's not to hard to come up with a last minute gift. Just be creative and remember, everyone loves something they can use as a gift.

Put Up Some Holiday Cheer

The holidays are coming to a peak over the next week and if you're entertaining, up the tempo in your room by adding some fun holiday additions.

If you don't already have a holiday centerpiece, either purchase a ready-made one or your can make one simply yourself. You will need only a pine, styrofoam or grapevine wreath (available at your local craft store and some dollar stores) and then some holiday-esque items to decorate it with. Let your imagination go wild. You can use tree decorations on your wreath, strategically placed with a glue gun, frugal types can use a metal pot scrubber (new, not used) and unroll it. The metal pot scrubber will wrap around one 12-inch wreath very easily - use a staple gun to hold in place. The glistening of the metal pot scrubber will actually set a fun holiday tone, especially over a metallic paper wrapped styrofoam wreath.

Another fun addition you can make is on your walls. Replace Aunt Betty's masterpiece she gave you for your walls just for the holidays with something that rings out holiday cheer. A Kinkade is a wonderful choice for holiday spirit with his portrayals of winter nights with warm homes alight, just waiting for a visit. Also, hang mistletoe around your home, stash it away above doorways and create some small, fun signs with arrows pointing up and watch the amused looks of your guests.

Make your home a place full of holiday cheer this season and show your spirit on your walls!

Fantastic Housewarming Gift Idea

If you happen to have a friend or family member who is near and dear to your heart that is moving into a brand new home, then you are definitely going to want to make sure that you give them an amazing housewarming gift. Such an incredible gift will be cherished and talked about by them for many years to come. So, what kind of a gift are you going to buy for their house to make such a lasting impression?

A truly fabulous gift idea that many individuals tend to overlook for a housewarming present is a beautiful canvas print. This is really a nice idea that your gift recipient can use to hand on one of the walls within their new home! If you know their tastes very well, then you should have no problem at all picking out a terrific design that they are sure to treasure. Perhaps a hand signed and numbered limited edition Bonnie Marris is something that is just up their alley!

Morning Run is the name of a breathtaking Giclee that you can order up in two different canvas sizes. You can send your gift recipient this beautiful piece in either the thirty by 42 inch size or the forty-five by sixty-two inch unstretched size. They may have already told you that they are looking for a stunning piece to hang on a certain wall. If so, then your recipient is definitely going to enjoy every single inch of this stunning piece depicting horses.

Celebrate the Good Life

Are you on the lookout for an amazing piece of art that you can bring into your home? Maybe you have been searching for a nice piece that will have the ability to make you smile each and every time you have the chance to look at it as you walk by. The great thing about art and sculpture is that you do not have to be an expert to know what makes you happy. When you want to bring a beautiful piece into your home, you might just find that a Paul Horton sculpture will do the trick.

Full of whimsy and plenty of ability to spark your imagination, each and every Paul Horton sculpture is just right to bring into your home. Whether you are already a collector of fine art and sculpture or if you are just starting out, you are guaranteed to find great joy with the purchase of one of these incredible pieces. You even usually have the choice of getting each of the Paul Horton sculptures made from either resin or bronze. Make your choice and you will be well on your way to a piece that will bring you years of happiness and a wealth of compliments from all of your friends and family members.

The Paul Horton limited edition resin sculpture called The Good Life is a really nice piece that is just right for your family room, den or even a special spot in your bedroom. The simple yet interesting home and attention to detail will command compliments from everyone that lays eyes on this little masterpiece!

Warm and Cozy - Thomas Kinkade

You might have fond memories of a painting that your parents had, or you have always been on the lookout for the kind of painting that seems as though it has been in your family for years. One of the things that mark a truly wonderful painting will include the ability to draw people in, making them feel as though they have had the chance to look at it and appreciate it for years and years. If you are in search of such a painting that will have a soothing affect on your soul, then you might just find that there is nothing quite like the detail of a Thomas Kinkade.

Some folks actually say that a Thomas Kinkade print will have the ability to draw you in and make you feel as though you have been transported to another time and place. Many people are even very familiar with this works that are shown frequently during the holiday season. Most of the winter scenes by Thomas Kinkade are quite popular for those who like to think of old fashioned holidays at home. Whatever your reason may be for purchasing a Thomas Kinkade print, you are guaranteed to be very pleased with your purchase.

The Rose Gate is a purely stunning limited edition Thomas Kinkade print that you can get handsigned and numbered. The colors in this piece really come alive, almost making the trees look as they are swaying in the breeze. This canvas print is going to be just right for your home or apartment.

Young and Old Love Disney

It is a known fact that there are just as many adults as there are children who enjoy anything and everything that is Walt Disney. This could be due to the fact that all of these adults grew up with Disney, or perhaps they really enjoy it because their own children do. No matter what the reason may be, it is just a fact that you are never too old for Disney!

If you are a big fan of anything and everything Disney, then the chances are very good that you have paid several visits to the theme parks, watched all sorts of the movies and are also quite familiar with most or even all of the animated characters. You might even be a collector of such items as Disney collector pins or even animals from their incredible line of plush toys. Well, when you are such a fan of Disney, then you might also want to look into the purchase of a wonderful limited edition print that you can be proud to hang within your home or apartment.

Perhaps you happen to have a favorite Disney movie that you enjoy watching over and over again. If so, then this is a magnificent idea for a print. All of the prints that are available are numbered and you can even get them already framed upon arrival. Spruce up an empty wall within your home with a limited edition print from movies such as Cinderella, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo, Alice In Wonderland and many others.

New Art for a New Year

Start thinking ahead to 2008 and give your walls a fresh new look for the new year. When you're putting together your decor, you may feel a little intimidated about choosing a large artwork for your walls. It doesn't have to a Renoir reproduction to add a touch of style in your room. What it does need to do is make you feel comfortable with the subject matter depicted and the overall essence of the artwork.

An easy way to find a painting that will meld right into your decor scheme is to look around your room and write down two main colors and one or two secondary colors you've used in your design scheme. Try to incorporate an artwork with at least one of the main colors and one of the secondary colors and you'll have a large piece that will go well with your room off the bat.

Go for a framed artwork that looks nice but isn't too ornate. Large, heavy wooden scroll worked frames are certainly elegant but they can detract from your artwork, particularly if it is done in colors that are of the lighter variety.

For a soft look in your room, go for the blended softness of watercolors. For a sharper and more modern look, the bright colors of an acrylic masterpiece can't be beat. Prints translate well to any of the three main mediums, watercolor, acrylic or oils. It's all just a matter of the look you want to convey in your room.

Use these tips and choose a new artwork to ring in the New Year and a new look to your room!

Simple Pleasures - Primitive Art!

You don't have to live a cave to enjoy primitive art. The sharp black lines and bright pigments used to create these reproductions inspired by neolithic cave drawings will meld nicely into any decor scheme. Alision Dearborne has captured the look of the primitive style with a touch of modern design. She has two outstanding prints that will look marvelous on your walls.

The first is a piece titled, "Freeing the Souls" and depicts two maize and light yellow colored bison running and three wild horses running the opposite direction. The colors used in the horses run from the same scheme as the bison along the color palette to a gorgeous gray-blue. Bold black lines accent the delicately drawn hooves and legs of all five animals in this piece.

The second piece is done in complimentary colors to the previous artwork and is titled, "Jewel". This beautifully done artwork features a running wild horse done in muted tones of brown and golden yellow with a vibrant gold and purple background.

Displayed together on a wall, these two primitive artworks will liven up your decor and bring a beautiful splash of gentle color. Both of these artworks are part of hand signed and limited numbered edition. This means not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind piece with a unique number, you are also getting an artwork that was signed by the artist herself.

If you want to add artwork to your decor that are a little different from the run of the mill flowers on tables in vases and landscapes - go primitive!

Revamp Your Fireplace!

Bored with your fireplace? In the beginning, your fireplace might have been the selling point for your home but with most people their fireplace because the key point in the room they really aren't sure how to decorate around. You can't move it and it may seem that you're very limited as to what you can put around or on a fireplace.

First of all, what may be bothering you about the fireplace isn't actually the fireplace but the mantle over the fireplace. The mantle around your fireplace can make or break your room. Is yours dingy and worn looking? Don't fret about it-just replace it. You can choose either a 3-sided mantle that will go across your fireplace and down each side to the floor or just a short mantle that will go across the top of your fireplace. Simply improving the mantle will make a lot of rooms look instantly better.

Besides your mantle, you can upgrade your fireplace screen. Your fireplace screen doesn't have to be boring old metal that is painted black. You can get a myriad of styles to choose from such that will range from iron scroll worked patterns to the more traditional tightly woven screen.

For a dramatic effect, put a large mirror over your fireplace. It will have a dual duty of reflecting light from the fireplace and the room as well as making the room larger. Another beautiful option is to get a large artwork and hang it over the fireplace. A limited edition print will make a beautiful statement choose a cozy theme to add even more warmth to your room.

It's easy to update your fireplace if you know the basics. Use these tips and make your room with a fireplace the cozy, comfortable place you always knew it could be.

Make Your Office Space POP!

There could quite possibly be nothing worse than an office space that is dull and dreary. Whenever you are sitting in such a room, it is only natural that you will feel as though you are being weighed down. In order to have an upbeat feeling in your office that will inspire you to work, you may want to think of mixing things up a bit. This could mean everything from the addition of a plant to a gorgeous piece of wall art.

Depending on what your particular tastes may be, a nice piece of artwork for your office could either be subtle or bright. When it comes to color you can always go with the particular pattern or scheme that speaks to you first. If you happen to find a piece that makes you smile from the very second that you look at it, then the chances are very good that it will bring you plenty of joy and inspiration when placed in your office setting.

If you long for the days when you can relax and enjoy the open air of the west, then there is really nothing better than a limited edition Bill Anton giclee on canvas. Since Anton is well known for capturing the west in a natural and almost lifelike state, it is only right that you would fall in love with one of his pieces from the get go. "Cottonwood Dreams" is always a good choice for the lover of the outdoors, complete with a horse quietly grazing under a majestic cottonwood tree. With such a delightful piece of art, your office will never be dull and drab again.

Getting Interior Decor Ideas

Have you gotten inspired by one of the many shows on television that feature room make overs? Looking around your own home and deciding you need to make some changes? It can seem daunting but you don't have to call in a designer - you can do it yourself - you just need to find inspiration and here are some great places to start:

Print
Magazines are a great place to start. Look in such periodicals as Better Homes and Gardens or one of the number of design magazines out there that profile all makes and manners of decors. Make yourself a little scrap book of pieces you like. It doesn't have to be anything formal, a spiral notebook with the title "Living Room" or "Kitchen" on the page is sufficient. Then as your find pieces you like add them the page of the room you want to put the piece in and you'll soon see a lot of great ideas coming together.

Television
With the number of home decorating shows as well two major networks, Style and HGTV dedicated to better interior design; you can get some fabulous ideas for changing the look of any room in your house and in most cases, save money by learning to do certain things yourself, like make your own draperies and pillows.

Retail Stores
Visit furniture stores and home design stores. Pick up a few of those free paint color samples. You can use those to make sure you get the colors you want to use right for your room. It's also a good idea for comparing how different colors look together.

Online
You can get tons of good ideas online - it's just a matter of looking carefully. Found an art object you would love to incorporate into your own decor scheme? Look at how it's displayed on the website. Make note of the tables used to display a sculpture or a sofa underneath a fine art print in a gorgeous frame.

Use these simple ideas and rev up your own interior decor - it's easy!