Lift Your Decor and Your Mood

With the holidays sometimes brings depression. Many more people feel their loneliness and feelings of emptiness amplified around the holiday season. Some people say this is due to more people not getting regular sunlight and it's a seasonal increase in the occurrence of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a disease that occurs brings depression and a general lack of incentive.

One thing you can do to avoid the holiday and seasonal blues is make sure that you're eating right and getting an adequate amount of sunlight and exercise. A brisk 10 minute walk, preferably during daylight hours will go a long way to making you feel better.

Another tip for beating the winter blues is to change your living space a little. You don't have to throw out your existing furniture or bring in an expensive suite of furniture, the goal is to figure out how to best use the pieces you've got. If your room seems small, you might have too many pieces in your room or you might simply not be taking advantage of your best use of space. A whimsical artwork in the form of a print or a sculpture displayed on a table can also add a good vibe to your room.

Some people like to feng shui their rooms to bring balance to not only the room but to themselves. You can also invest in a lamp that has a light range in the same range as sunshine. Many individuals report that these type of lamps alleviate their symptoms of SAD, along with making lifestyle changes such as cutting out junk food (which can create emotion crashing sugar highs and lows) and adding some physical activity to their daily routines.

Designer Secrets For Bringing Ceilings Lower

Does your home have really high ceilings? That can be a real decorating challenge, if you're not careful you can wind up with a clutter on your walls all the way up to your ceiling.

One way to let your decor speak for itself is to create the illusion that your ceilings are lower than they actually are. One way to bring that white ceiling down a little is to add something of interest on it. Items such as tin ceiling tiles which look heavy but are actually very light will add a big element of interest to your room. You can also use a darker color of paint on your ceiling and use a texture stamp to help bring your room in a little closer. Resin tiles that can be painted will also look stunning on your ceiling.

Use larger artworks on your walls and hang them a little higher and you'll also trick the eye into thinking that the room isn't quite as tall as it actually is and you'll be making good use of your wall space without cluttering your room. Boarders placed around your ceiling will also help bring your room in and make it seem more cozy and warm. Stick to darker and neutral colors such as off-white, dark beige, lightest brown, goldenrod are all good choices for creating the illusion of a lower ceiling and will make your room feel much more comfortable.

Use these tips and with a minimum of work, you can make your uncomfortable room with high ceilings and turn it into a comfortable feeling room that you'll look forward to spending time in.

An Artfully Beautiful Bedroom

Just because your bedroom happens to be one of the rooms within your home or apartment that most of your guests might not see, there is no reason why you cannot fill it up with some of your favorite art. You are sure to be very pleased with your bedroom once you have a couple of amazing strategic locations. All it takes is a little bit of consideration of what you might be looking for and a couple of empty spaces to fill up!

When you begin the process of choosing a couple of different pieces, you might want to begin by figuring our just what areas you might want to use to place your art. If you happen to have a big, empty wall space, you can opt for a wonderful large impact piece of even a nice collection. You might even find that you can add a nice sculpture on an empty bit of shelving or even on a corner of your bureau if you have a little room to work with.

Go ahead and begin your hunt for some of the pieces that speak to you and your tastes. You might find that you will want to go with a very dramatic piece that stands out in your room. Often times, straying from your current theme can add a bit of whimsy to your bedroom that can give you an incredible feeling each time you look at it. Feel confident in your choices and have fun with your choices and you should see that you will end up with the artful bedroom of your dreams.

Adding Your Own Personal Touch

One of the biggest keys to having a unique decor in your home is to add personal touches that make the look truly your own. A good way to add your own flavor to your interior design is to find an artwork that really speaks to you and incorporate it into your room.

If you're not sure what type of artwork to get, write down the three main colors in your room and get an artwork that features at least two of those strongly. If you're a collector of cat related items, get a cat themed artwork for your walls. Religious themed artworks comfort many people with just their presence. The selection is huge and if you know basically what you'd like to see on your walls, it will go a long way to helping you narrow down your selection.

Remember, art doesn't have to hang on your walls. If you don't see any wall space that would look good with an artwork added to it, consider adding a sculpture to your room. A David Schluss piece will add a good deal of vibrancy to your room. A sampling of his works will inspire you to become a collector of his work. One piece that you will find inspiring is titled, "Love Dance" and features two figures dancing a vibrant step that nearly leaps out of the frame and will make a great conversation piece in your home. Another vibrant piece titled, "The Dance" is another spirited piece that features two figures also stepping to a lively beat.

Other personal touches include a favorite plant in a hand painted pot. Photographs from family gatherings and vacations that are framed in the same type of frame and clustered together on a wall will also make a nice impact for your decor.

Bad to the Bone?

There happens to be a very big difference between adding a good piece of sculpture to your living space and adding an incredible piece of sculpture to your living space. When you are looking for an outstanding work of art for your home, apartment or office space, the best idea is to make sure that you do a decent amount of shopping around in order to find the perfect piece that speaks to you. This way, each and every time you glance at it, you will have a unique and wonderful experience that only the perfect sculpture can bring. This is true to if you're choosing the sculpture for a gift - don't buy the first thing you run across, wait until you find something that truly tickles your fancy.

As far as choosing your sculpture, you should keep in mind that it is always best to go with exactly what you like. This means not having to worry about whether or not the sculpture that you pick matches your current decor. After all, some of the most amazing works of art will end up being the ones that really stand out against everything else that is located within the room. You might even find that you will enjoy being on the hunt for a certain piece that happens to differ quite a bit from everything else that you currently have.

To get your hands on a terrific sculpture that will speak to you as well as all of your guests, you might want to look into the collection created by Govinder. One particular piece that is interesting and quite unique for any space is called Bad To The Bone. With the interesting design and splash of color, this is guaranteed to be a sculpture that you will be thrilled to look at each time you walk into the room.

Adding Feng Shui Elements to Your Bedroom

If you've been wanting to introduce the design style of feng shui to your bedroom it can be done easily with just a few elements.

Feng shui is basically the art of object placement around a room that has been practiced in China for over two-thousand years. It is also about balancing the feeling of your room so it feels that energy flows through it with careful attention to not only the placement of the objects but also the materials that every object is made from. Using the feng shui technique is also known as "curing" the ills of the room.

Iron is important element in feng shui as it brings healing to the room. An iron bed is a great way to bring restorative vibrations to your room and also have pairs of as many objects as you can. Pairs of book ends, pairs of pillows, a nightstand on each side of your bed, artworks and shelves are all items you can consider in pairs. Pairs are said to bring harmony to the room.

A pair of iron lamps will also bring a good cure to the room. Lighting is an important "cure" in feng shui. Bright lighting will cure bad moods and low lighting is used to bring warm feelings to the room or when harmony is needed between two people.

And those are just a few of the basics for adding the magic of feng shui to your bedroom. Add a little harmony to your bedroom and experience the "cure" and balance it brings!

Turn Your Little Girl Into a Princess!

Do you have a little girl that's been very good this year? If she's ready to move up from a toddler room to a room of her own, treat her like the princess she is.

Walls, done in a soft hue, like pink, or yellow or pale lilac, are a perfect start. Window treatments that are long and dreamy are a perfect choice, or even faux window frames that make the window look like a castle’s window. Faux treatments on one wall, or a portion of all walls to look like stone would be a wonderful touch as well!

If you aren’t interested in buying a whole new bed, consider making a canopy that hangs from the ceiling above the bed. This is easily accomplished by either painting, or covering (with batting and fabric) a piece of light but sturdy wood, then attaching “curtains” of fabric to the back and attaching that to the ceiling towards the head of the bed. Little touches in the accessories for the room will go a long way too! Sweet, tiffany style lamps in matching colors, frilly throw pillows, and even a pretty rug are great touches, that won’t break the bank.

Wall hangings are a great idea too. Consider a piece like the Disney Open Edition Print: Cinderella. Cinderella is the ultimate princess as far as most little girls are concerned and what little girl wouldn't love to be a princess too? This print would be a perfect finishing touch for your little princess’ room and give her a great print to gaze at while she lays in her bed and drifts off to sleep.

Art for the Bathroom?

Yes, you read that title right.

When you are making some decorating choices around your home, you really want to be sure that you do not neglect your bathroom. If you stop and think about it for a minute, you will find that the decor in your bathroom can make you very proud of your living space. After all, the bathroom happens to be one of the places within your home that gets used by many of your visitors. Making sure that you have a bathroom that is decorated with amazing art can bring you a lot of compliments.

A little bit of art in the form of a painting or a sculpture can transform just about any bathroom from a sterile and uninviting environment to a room that is comfortable as well as interesting. If you already happen to have a particular theme going within your bathroom, you can always find an incredible piece that can bring out the theme a bit. A nice aquatic theme can be accented with a wonderful painting of a seascape or even an underwater oceanic scene.

You can decide if you want a large piece on the wall if there is room, or perhaps even a collection of smaller pieces if you are working with a tight space. A wonderful canvas painting with a bit of size for your bathroom that you might love could come from the David Thimgan collection. Many people adore the peaceful seaside and port views captured in these paintings, and you can enjoy it in your bathroom as well!

Re-arranging Your Art Collection

Collecting art is fun and also an investment for many people. Once you begin collecting a specific artist or type of art, you can find that your collection can go from barely there to massive and quickly so. You do not have to be an expert in order to find the perfect way to arrange your precious art pieces it's just a matter of what you like.

When it comes to trying to find the perfect places for any of your sculptures of paintings, you will want to take into consideration several different factors in relation to your living space. After all, protecting your art while it is on display should be one of your number one priorities. Go throughout your living space and begin to identify some of the perfect areas to hang paintings or display some of your sculptures. Take note of the areas that have a good amount of direct sunlight and also be sure to choose areas that are not near vents, chimneys or doorways. All of these areas can end up damaging your precious artwork over time and should be avoided.

When you start collecting art, you may find that you need extra room very quickly to show it off. Many people dedicate entire rooms to their art collections or if you choose you can separate your collection into sole artists or themes. Either way, take the time to sit back and enjoy your art!

Bring the Tropics Indoors This Winter

Sometimes just making a few changes in a room can make it feel warmer. With the colder days of winter almost here, make your living room a warm place to gather and add a tropical touch to make the room a relaxing island escape all year round. If you think "tropical decor" and it brings horrifying images of a room that has gone garishly loud with the colors of the local tiki bar, relax. The look you're going for is elegant, relaxing and laid back - nothing overly bright or garish.

Think Natural
First of all, think natural. Plants of course are an outstanding addition. Anywhere you have natural light in your room, add a plant. You can use either a plant stand - something with a bamboo look melds great with a tropical theme or hang plants near your windows. Woven mats in front of doorways and a natural Japanese jute mat in front of the fireplace with a selection of big fluffy pillows in greens and earthy browns sets a relaxing tone to your room.

On Your Walls
If your vacations frequently take you to warm and sandy locales, make a grouping of photographs on your wall to showcase your adventures. Or ever better add in a beach scene or palm tree artwork to set a tropical mood on your walls.

Window Treatments Make your choice in window treatments light and breezy. Go for light cotton panels that are either solid colors or a print that reflects a tropical feel such as a palm tree or exotic flowers. Use matching sheers to keep the decor feel light and breezy.

Those are just a few changes you can make to keep that warm, tropical feel around your home all through the year.

Elements of Modern Home Decor

When you look around your living room do you see lots of clutter and just "stuff"? If you're eady for a change, it may be time to change your interior to something a little more modern for your interior decor.

If the term "modern decor" makes you think chrome, glass and metal - those are modern elements but are not absolute parts of a modern decor. Instead the goal of a modern decor are sleek lines, minimal "stuff" on tables and multi-tasking pieces that can do a service for the room and then be put away when not in use to keep the feel of the room uncluttered are best.

Modern doesn't have to mean boring, museum-like or austere. There are fun pieces you can add to your decor that have a decidedly modern touch. If you don't already have one, add an entertainment center to hold your CD player, CDs, DVDs, and television. Go for a bold black or white for your finish.

Your walls should have minimalist art and cubism pieces look great too. A good example of Cubism lies in the works Picasso did. They weren't really abstracts, the natures of Picasso's work was to take one element such as a chair and take it apart in a painting by randomly examining each piece. A good Picasso print or other stylish piece will look fantastic in a modern themed interior.

It doesn't take a lot to go modern. If you're ready for a change, go modern and put your living room ahead of the times.

Go Tuscan in Your Kitchen- It's Easy!

The “Tuscan” theme is all the rage these days for kitchens. It’s easier than ever to find the perfect items to help you bring this dream kitchen into reality. It seems like everywhere you turn there are items designed for this theme in a kitchen. But how do you create an original space using this theme, while still keeping your space warm and inviting?

Warm colors are a must. The kitchen, at least in Italy, is generally the center, the heart of the home. This is the room people typically congregate in, to share laughter and stories, share home-cooked meals, and generally enjoy each other’s company. Choose from the warm palette; warm rustic reds, tans, browns, and mustard-y yellows work very nicely. A faux finish technique on the walls would also look lovely! For an even more “old world” style, consider using a wallpaper or appliqué that resembles brick behind the stove, or perhaps a scenic wall appliqué.
If you have a long wall that is just begging for something to adorn it, a long horizontal hanging piece of art, such as Randy Peyton’s: “Mission Courtyard” would be a perfect choice. This will set the mood for the rest of your space, and might even help a smaller space feel larger than it actually is.

Finish off your room with some accessories, like some wine bottles, antiqued or rustic hardware, and attractive window treatments. A warm wall plaque with a saying about family, friends, or food would be a nice touch as well. The goal is to create a space that is attractive, but very comforting and inviting at the same time.

Breathtaking Gift for the Disney Fan!

When it comes to anything and everything that is Disney, you may find that there are plenty of wonderful gift options that you can choose from for any of the people who may be on your shopping list. However, what should you get as a gift when the occasion is something that is extra special and out of the ordinary? For such a special occasion, a simple Disney related gift just won't do. When you really want to give something that any true Disney lover is going to fall for, you may want to look into some of the incredible sculptures that you have to choose from.

It really doesn't matter if your potential gift recipient is a fan of the villains or the good guys, there are all kinds of Disney sculptures that you can browse through. As a matter of fact, collecting these gorgeous sculptures can become quite and addicting past time, simply ask anyone who has a couple of them and they will tell you!

Whether there is a particular movie that is a favorite of the gift recipient on your list or they happen to have a fondness for one of the characters in the Disney family, there is more than likely a great sculpture choice that you can get your hands on.

Straight from the famous Disney classic film Sleeping Beauty, your gift recipient is sure to fall in love with the "Now You Will Face Me" sculpture. This is a stunning piece that shows the cunning sorceress Maleficent in the middle of a stunning Lucite case in the shape of the dragon. Any fan of this film is guaranteed to fall in love with this stunning sculpture upon first glance.

Of Course Art In the Bathroom!

While the way a bathroom looks does not matter to some people, to others a bathroom is their true sanctuary. Of course, while nobody spends all of their relaxation time in the bathroom, there is a certain level of comfort that comes from a bathroom that happens to be put together nicely. This could mean anything from the color on the walls to the kinds of decoration that you will find on the walls, shelving and more.

If you are the type of person who likes to have people over regularly for various dinners or gatherings, it is imperative that you have a guest bathroom that has a good amount of cozy decoration. While you do not have to break the bank in order to place an expensive piece of sculpture in your bathroom, a few strategically placed prints could make a world of difference to the entire look and feel of the space.

To find the right piece of art, it is a good idea to try and look past the fact that it will be hanging in your bathroom. No matter what the room may be, any piece of art will look amazing, especially if it speaks to each of your guests on an inviting level every time they have the chance to glance at it.

Certainly a floral piece is always a smart move to make when looking for a framed art print for your bathroom. Because of the versatility of the style, you really cannot lose. "Purple Dream Irises" by artist Cheri Blum is always a great choice when you want a delicate design for your lavatory. The subtle colors and flowing feel of this framed art will bring a whole new look to the wall of your choice within your bathroom.

Give the Gift of Love in "Love Will Find a Way"

Adding artworks that carry a message is a unique way to get a "theme" going in your decor or to give a special gift. If you are a true believer that love will indeed find a way through any hardship life can throw at you. Or you and your partner are living proof that hard times make good loves - there is a Paul Horton sculpture that will truly touch your heart.

Paul Horton's "Love Will Find A Way" is part of a limited edition of 395 resin cast sculptures that look and feel like the real deal. The sculpture features a detailed dog holding a brightly colored flower and a sack tied on a stick in a classic runaway pose. The dog's fur is etched into this piece in great detail. The dog and the sack and stick are all done in muted shades of pewter; however the flower rings out with a beautiful shade of red and makes this sculpture a very eye catching addition to your decor.

It has a flat base that is slightly wider than the sculpture itself and will sit beautifully on a favorite console table or on your desk to remind you every time you look it, no matter how annoyed you get with your partner, sometimes you need to step back and remember who has always had your back and you know that title of this sculpture is true, "love will find a way".

This would make a fantastic gift for a young couple celebrating their first year together as man and wife or if you have a dog lover on your holiday gift list, this piece is sure to speak volumes to them. Your sculpture will come with a certificate of authenticity and a numbered card so you know which one of the limited edition it is.

Tips To Make Your Room Feel Cozy

It's easier than you think to take any room, no matter how formal and uncomfortable it feels and make it into a cozy and inviting space to relax with your family and friends or just curl up with a good book. In addition to your furniture, there are a great number of wonderful accent pieces that can work wonders if they are placed in the right areas in your room. Pillows, mirrors, candles and the correct lighting can make a world of difference when you are aiming for the cozy feeling.

You may find that if your room is a bit on the larger side, you will want to add something that may give the illusion of a smaller space. In order to achieve this type of a decorating goal, you could look into getting some type of a room screen to help break up the room. If you happen to have a fireplace in the room that you are decorating, there is always the option of adding a beautiful fireplace screen to make the room even more cozy. On your sofa and chairs, some fluffy pillows that just beckon to be curled up with will make all your furniture seem very inviting.

Another touch is your lighting. Take the brightness factor down and make your lighting, while not dim. on the softer side and you will see the entire mood of your room change instantly. Candles around the room will put off a warm and cozy glow. Also put some cozy artworks on the wall. Soft colors, serene scenic landscapes will add a touch of relaxation to your room.

Once you have finished adding the cozy touches to your room, you are then free to sit back, relax and enjoy the space.

A Very Strange Love

There is not much of a stranger relationship than the one that is played out in the pages of DC Comics and on the "Batman-The Animated Series" than the relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker.

The story of how they met goes that Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a beautiful blond doctor was working at Arkham Asylum as a psychiatrist where the Joker was incarcerated for life. She was attracted to him immediately and fell in love with him completely. She helped him escape, had her license revoked and wound up a patient along side her "Mister J".

During an earthquake, Harley escaped with the Joker and they become partners in crime. Joker and Harley have an on-again and off-again relationship. During one off-again moment, the Joker tells Harley as he puts her into a rocket ship that "I've noticed some changes coming over me since you came into my life. I've been reminded what it was like to be part of a couple. To care for someone who cares for me. It's the first time in recent memory I've had those feelings... And I hate having those feelings!" With that said - he launches the rocket sending an infuriated Harley into space, but as with great love stories, he soon misses her and they wind up back together as only a comic book couple can.

If you'd like a print of your favorite dysfunctional comic book couple, Alex Ross has a print out of a well known comic cover that features the Joker and Harley in a close embrace. Alex used his own likeness for the Joker and the piece is striking. This is a limited edition of only 250 and will arrive ready to hang. Now that you know the inside story of the Joker and Harley, add them to your walls and make this vibrant piece part of your personal collection.

A Real Collectible Conversation Piece

An artwork is more than just something to take up a little space on your wall or blend the colors in your interior decor. Another way to use art is to collect pieces that either speak to you through their use of color or content or get a piece that is thought provoking and will be a conversation piece.

Steve hanks has an outstanding piece in his limited edition print collection is his piece, "Things Worth Keeping". This print is only one in a small series of 95 prints total in the entire series. The print features a series of things that a young girl may have kept in her room until the time she grew up and became a woman.

Items such as a cherished dolls, Cabbage patch dolls, Teddy bears that look like they were loved and played with for years and years are all scattered across a young girl's bed along with all her other carefully saved toys from years gone by. In the middle of the bed is a snoozing newborn baby, who is now the most treasured part of her now adult life.

This piece is done in soft colors and the attention to detail is breathtaking. The print is done on a giclee print and will be a brilliant addition to any art collection. This is a fun print to look at the detail given to the items within and remembering when you saw these toys as a child.
Now that's art!

A Gift to Thrill the Outdoor Lover

Got a truly hard to buy for individual on your holiday gifting list? One way to narrow down a good gift is to think of hobbies or other activities that the person enjoys - if they love the outdoors and are an enthusiast about hunting, fishing, or just love hiking off the beaten path, your gift giving just got a little easier.

A Jim Killen print will make an outstanding gift. His lifelike renderings of faithful labs carrying back ducks, mallards flying overhead, Canadian geese and other common wildlife scenes brought to breathtaking life will enhance any sportsman's den.

Most of the print series are limited editions. This means that a set number of prints will be made from an original painting and those are numbered with a unique number like 1/450 will you have purchased print number one in a set of four-hundred and fifty. Once the four-hundred and fiftieth print is sold, the run is closed and no more will be sold. This ensures that your print is a one of a kind and unique.

If your sportsman would prefer something like a Wildlife Regulator Clock. These clocks are one foot wide and two feet tall and are handcrafted from solid red oak from Wisconsin. The clock runs on a AA battery and you get a choice of several images to put in the bottom of the clock that will reflect an aspect of the outdoors that your sportsman likes the best. This clock makes an outstanding gift and also comes with a one-year warranty.

Also, consider a sculpture of a flying duck, a strutting pheasant or a regal buck with his antlers held high. Any of these will make an outstanding gift for that hard to buy for lover of the great outdoors.

Secret Tricks to Make Your Bargain Decor Look Expensive

A dirty little secret that your local interior designer doesn't want you to know is that you don't have to have the bank account of Paris Hilton to make your room look like it was decorated by a top dollar interior designer. There are a few secret tricks that interior designers use to give a room a chic feel and you can do it yourself for a lot less.

First of all, clear the clutter. Expensive rooms have no clutter. Invest in a cabinet or simply move it a box in the bottom of your closet. Just remove it from sight and don't shove it under anything! The idea is to get organized as well as clutter free.

Next, look around your room and write down two main colors that you see and then write down two minor colors. Your goal will be to bring the main colors together and then add accents with the two minor colors. You can use your window treatments to bring in your two main colors. As for your minor colors, use them in pillows and area rugs to highlight lesser used colors.

Another way to add "wow" to a room is to add a artwork that had your minor colors in it. A large piece that can work as an impact piece is also a good trick to use if you are decorating a larger sized room. If you have a small space that you're working with, go for a small collection of three to four small artworks will look outstanding. If your budget won't allow for an original, go for a brush stroked print. The brush strokes appear on the print and when matted and framed under glass, it will look like for all the world as an original artwork on your walls. You can get a Monet in a brush stroked print or a lesser known artist.

Use these little tricks to give your room an expensive look and feel and no one has to know you really didn't spend an arm and a leg to do it.

Van Gogh - Always a Great Choice

If you want something eye catching to put on your wall and you'd like something with bold colors, go to the top of the line and put a Van Gogh on your wall.

Van Gogh's art is well known for the use of bold brush strokes and vivid colors. His art was dismissed during his lifetime and a fact about Van Gogh many people don't know is that he only sold one painting in his entire lifetime. Another painting he gave as a gift to his doctor was used a shingle for a chicken coop for many years until it was discovered and later sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Obviously an original may not be in the cards for you but you can own a print that is as dazzling as an original. One of Van Gogh's most celebrated paintings is called "Starry Night" and it features brilliant stars with a swirling blue background. This print is matted in a cream and blue frame to further set off the print. Framed in a gold frame this will be an outstanding addition to any art collection.

If you have a Van Gogh fan on your gift giving list, there are many pieces available in the Van Gogh collection of prints and every Van Gogh aficionado has their favorite. Try a sneaky conversation about Van Gogh and see if you can find out what their favorite painting was and get them that particular print as a holiday gift, they'll be thrilled and wonder how you knew!

The print is framed under glass and archival tapes and acid free papers are used to make this artwork long lasting. It will arrive ready to hang out of the box.