The Power of Small Elements

When you're pulling together the entire look of a room, you can use small elements in your design to make the entire look blend and flow as a whole.

When you're adding pieces to your room. Consider the design impact of every single item you bring into the room no matter how small or needed purely for function. For example, if you find you need shelving, a great addition to any room are ornately scrolled brackets. You can do so much more with them than you might think. They can be used as focal points on walls, used for pure function to create shelving that is very individual to your decor, used to set off a fireplace mantel, draw attention to a doorway or highlight an artwork on your wall.

Another way to add a "little" flair to your room is to add a small mirror or even better a small collection of mirrors. Mirrors can do the job of adding the illusion of space to your walls as well as adding some character to your decor. They also reflect light and will automatically brighten a room.

Small statues work wonderfully in most rooms. Put them on a shelf or on a table beside a lamp. If you have a small collection small statues or sculptures, display them in a lighted curio cabinet for extra impact in your room.

There are so many ways to use small items to make your space more "you". If you have a love of small dogs for example, a small lithograph of your favorite breed will meld beautifully into your decor and your interior will still have your personal design stamp.

Add Space With Shelves and More!

It's no secret that wall shelves can do wonders when you are looking to add some extra storage space to any of the rooms within your home. While this is true, wall shelves can also be wonderful when you are looking to find great ways to give your decor a little boost.

A great way to set off a wall shelf set is to display a single sculpture or perhaps a set of framed artworks. A single piece on a shelf will lend the idea that the piece is not only unique but also valuable. If you want to further enhance the illusion, choose a reproduction print that is printed on canvas and enhanced with brush strokes. To all but the trained eye, this type of print often is mistaken for an actual artwork. Other people just don't like prints and prefer an artwork on canvas. Printed reproduction piece or not. Many of the canvas pieces are signed by the original artist, just like the original painting as well, increasing the value in many cases of the reproduction piece, especially in the case of a limited edition run where only a set amount are numbered and signed.

If you want to add a touch of "you" to your room. Put a collection of sentimental photos or items on a wall shelf. You could include your now-grown children's first hand prints cast in plaster beside their own children's hand prints to show off both your kids and your grand kids. Other fun items include vacation photos, weddings and more. If it has sentimental value, include it.

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!

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!

Tips for Giving Art as a Gift

Some people are a little apprehensive about giving an artwork as a gift as they envision giving only a huge painting being unwrapped by the recipient. Giving the gift of art doesn't have to a big and bulky painting in an enormous frame that is going to take up precious wall space in the recipient's home.

If you want to give someone a gift of art, you can get them a small print or sculpture piece that will not be a huge space commitment on the wall and will look stylish as well.
You can choose from fine art, whimsical pieces that will bring a smile to the recipient every time they see it on their wall or go for a personalized piece that allows you to enter a phrase that means something to the both of for a truly one of a kind piece of art.

If your gift recipient is a collector of a particular artist or liked a certain animal such as cats, pigs or fish, you can get them an art piece that will meld right in with what they love to collect. Another great way to give a gift of art is to have it ready to hang. Buy the piece and have the frame, mat and glass already on the piece so all your recipient has to do is find a place on their wall for the artwork.

Sculptures can be wrapped in a pretty scarf that is a gift as well or if you got a sculpture that will allow it, put a big, fat red bow on the sculpture and watch the receiver bust into a grin.

There are so many ways to give art; if you need some holiday ideas use these tips to get the best gift for that hard to buy for person on your holiday list!

A Pause on a Hill

There are many stories about how the West was settled, but the best stories might just be those that are captured forever on canvas. It's true that a picture paints a thousand words, and Robert Duncan's Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas: "Curious", gives us a glimpse into a pivotal time in the history of the United States.

A young Native American pauses for a long moment on a grassy hill, pondering who these people must be that are passing through his sacred land. Curious only, with no need or intent to approach, he allows them to pass safely. Robert Duncan paints the things he cares about in life. Growing up in the suburbs, he spent his summers on his grandfather's ranch, and became acutely aware of how much we all need nature in our lives.

The paintings of Robert Duncan are an attempt to remind people about the delicacy of nature and what we might all do to help preserve it for future generations. For those that love paintings of the open plains, or who relish the rich memory of Native American Culture, Robert Duncan's painting will make the perfect addition to your home, apartment, or office art collection. It's artwork that will maintain its value over a lifetime, and it's also a tribute to the brilliant work of a great American artist

Just think of it as doing your share to keep alive the memories of a Native American pausing on a hill-so long ago.

A True Love for Painting

It has been said many times over-that "success leaves clues". It's very easy to trace the footsteps of many of today's great artists. What you will find is a commitment to their craft that usually begins at a very early age. Usually, it's a love for things aesthetic, and given the proper exposure and training, one is able to hone an extremely elite talent.

The love story of Michael and Inessa Garmash is the kind found in tales of far-away places. Michael first began exhibiting his works in France at galleries in cities such as Paris, St. Etienne, Avignon. Michael has also excelled in the creation of stain-glassed windows, whereby his work is featured in the Suvorov Military Museum in St. Petersburg.

Inessa Kitaichik excelled in ballet, gymnastics and music. After graduating from music and ballet school, she entered the Lugansk Fine Art School at the age of fifteen, and at seventeen, she distinguished herself as the year's best undergraduate. The two met at a bus station, and it was love at first glance. He spent the next day painting her image on anything that would serve as a canvas. They work together spontaneously creating paintings, stained glass windows, and beautiful mosaics. The brilliance of their collaboration can be seen in such works as the Numbered and Limited Edition Embellished Giclee on Hand Textured Canvas: "Blooming Beauty". This is a magnificent work of art that will grace any setting. Own it today, and discover what creations are brought about by true love!

Endless Patterns

When it comes to creating endless and colorful patters, Galina Datloof may be unparalleled. And, if you love both music and art, Galina may be just the answer. Her Limited Edition Serigraph on Canvas: "Piano Concerto" is quite exhilarating and aesthetically provocative. She uses a rich range of material that include: oils, acrylics, pencil, and ink. There are extreme emotions coming out of her creations that evident in each stroke of the brush.

Her work is extremely abstract, yet balanced, and is admired the world over for its originality and richness. It's not hard to surmise that she has a love for music, dance, and theater, and her admiration and love for the performing arts can be seen and felt in all of her works. This alone makes her work the perfect gift for any modern art setting, or one where music is the central theme.

Her painting represent Russian avant-garde at is best, and she can credit this to her beloved mentor and teacher: Svetlana Shiskina. For the serious lover of art, the works of Galina afford the art lover the opportunity to own a piece of Russian history that is reminiscent of post World War ll. Her creativity is also a testament to the infinite variety of ways that genius can manifest itself. If you're looking to enhance your collections of with artwork that is rich and alive with colors and patterns that dance, Galina Datloof is the perfect starting point.

Art that Evokes Nostalgia

Art can make any dwelling seem more like a home. Not only do interesting paintings and mirrors serve an aesthetic function, and they also serve to change the acoustic dynamics of any interior. Many start out looking for art based on a predetermined budget. In this case, there are dozens of art dealers, cyberspace sellers, and auctioneers eager to attract new collectors. In any event, there are a host of snares and pitfalls to watch out for.

Good art should be something that appeals to the buyer, and fits within the budget constraints. Every home has a feel, and depending how deeply you study the phenomenon, it could very well be described as a "vibration". The art decor and furniture that you choose will be in harmony with its surroundings-or out of harmony.

Liudmila Kondakova understands the need for balance, and her paintings are rich with color, light, and clarity. Her hand signed and limited edition serigraph on gesso board: "Place St. Michel" is a perfect example of art that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and romanticism. And, it's the kind of art that commands respect! The art of Liudmila Kondakova is embraced and admired around the world.

Whether you're a beginning art collector, or a seasoned professional, Liudmila Kondakova is great starting point in creating a great art collection. And, there's always that familiar mystique that surrounds artists from the far corners of the world-that becomes a part of our own surroundings when we make the discovery..

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. 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.

Sizing Up Your Wall For Art

Have you ever been in someone's home and noticed they had their artworks arranged in a funky way that wasn't pleasing to the eye? It can also happen when someone puts up one large artwork on a wall and it is so huge it just overpowers it.

Getting the size right for your artworks isn't rocket science, but you should have a good idea how either a large impact piece or a collection of smaller artworks will look better in your room. There's an easy way to see what will look best and figure out how to get the best arrangement for your artworks. Just take plain sheets of paper and cut them to match the sizes of the artworks you're considering and then arrange them on your wall.

Use double-sided poster tape so you can stick and re-stick the papers on your walls without fear of pulling any of the paint off . Think creatively, arrange the papers in different shapes; diamonds, squares even a circle of art can look unique depending on other elements in your decor. Once you come up with a design scheme you're happy with, place your order for a colorful artwork to add some zing to your decor and start your art collection!

The Right Piece Can Wake up Your Room

Art and mirrors can bring life and energy to any room. It can also change the entire ambiance of a room. If you know how to cleverly place pictures in certain ways, you can create an entire new look and feel. Placing pictures, wall ornaments, or mirrors strategically, will help to make any room look "lived" in. Your own unique personality is also injected into the room.

Every room has an "accent", and color pictures and prints serve to compliment the connection. You don't think about it, but paintings and pictures help to absorb the noise in a room. If you're painting a room, and all the furniture and pictures are removed, it's quite easy to hear your own echo. The right type of artwork can also help you achieve the illusion of length.

You can also liven up any room by pulling rearranging the furniture. Try pulling the furniture out from the walls and positioning at intriguing angles. When you have a piece of interesting art on the wall, make sure there is furniture right there to compliment it. Plants and greenery will always add a breadth of fresh air to any room. You can also lay down an area rug, which is also a great way of defining a conversation area.

Even mirrors can add to the personality of a room if positioned to reflect an object of interest. If you have collectibles, they can be grouped together to show off your personality. Finally, there's no reason you can't add an attractive Afghan or Throw. They will have the same effect as decorative pillows, and will also serve to add texture to your furniture. It only takes a little imagination to live up any room.

Yes, The Little Things Count

When you're pulling together the entire look of a room, you can use small elements in your design to make the entire look blend and flow as a whole.

When you're adding pieces to your room. Consider the design impact of every single item you bring into the room no matter how small or needed purely for function. For example, if you find you need shelving, a great addition to any room are ornately scrolled brackets. You can do so much more with them than you might think. They can be used as focal points on walls, used for pure function to create shelving that is very individual to your decor, used to set off a fireplace mantel, draw attention to a doorway or highlight an artwork on your wall.

Another way to add a "little" flair to your room is to add a small mirror or even better a small collection of mirrors. Mirrors can do the job of adding the illusion of space to your walls as well as adding some character to your decor. They also reflect light and will automatically brighten a room.

Small statues work wonderfully in most rooms. Put them on a shelf or on a table beside a lamp. If you have a small collection small statues or sculptures, display them in a lighted curio cabinet for extra impact in your room.

There are so many ways to use small items to make your space more "you". If you have a love of small dogs for example, a small lithograph of your favorite breed will meld beautifully into your decor and your interior will still have your personal design stamp.