THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS...OFFICE STYLE

SO...
I was kinda slackin' in the Art Dept. this week!I think partly because I was pretty busy with other stuff-(painted the windows at All Saints School yesterday), have been working on a new deco deer that I sold in my Etsy shop but mainly because I didn't have a clue about what kind of art I was going to do that pertains to my weekly theme-- the home office.

Hmmm..

I've been looking at alot of home office designs and decor and I've been seeing (for a while now) the fun drawings of chairs and furniture and I thought I'd try my hand at some of my own! This trend is even popping up in big box stores now- like Pottery Barn -but I wouldn't be a real artist if I didn't look at that and say-"I can do that!" hahaha. My version is a little more modern I think-I just couldn't bring my self to sketch a Windsor chair-I'm just not doing that! :) I wanted to do some digital color to the chair sketches but-it's getting late! I'll probably mess around with tonite and maybe I'll post them again tomorrow-along with a bunch of pretty offices I love!

Also I featured in my Monday post a customized ABC print that went with the decor of the room-I love these when I see them, so I'm adding my (fully customizable) version to my ETSY shop this weekend. You'll be able to pick your colors or send me a swatch and I'll customize it-free. The poster print will be 11x14 for $18--I'll probably have other sizes too but haven't really worked on that yet--

Well here are some art things from ME for the office....

11x14 customizable ABC print my Etsy  $18

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR FRIDAY HUMBLE ABODE-OFFICE SPACES YOU'LL LOVE!

WEDNESDAY ETSY ARTIST FINDS...OFFICE SPACE

WELL
My Inspiration for the week is the home office-so in keeping with that I've found some great ETSY shops to make your office (and mine) SUPER cute! Check these stores out-SUPPORT HANDMADE!

POPALICIOUSTOO-This mom is a full time ETSY artist and it's a family affair-her husband cuts the wood pieces and she puts the kids to work on other stuff when its crunch time! Andrea recently had brain surgery and also runs several other shops on ETSY-whew! I love the buttons from this shop-you could make magnets, pushpins, jewelry-whatever-and another bonus-she buys all the artwork from other Etsians-love that! Check it out....

Gingiber-Stacie is a wife and mom who says her full time gig is less than inspiring so she loves to create things for her Etsy shop. Her cute things have even been featured on DECOR8....have a look

Moore Magnets: This shop in NC features cute fabric covered magnet boards to make your office or child's space pop! April's creations are affordable too....SEE...

Freestyle Gifts-This shop carries an eclectic collection of handmade gift items using vintage papers and found objects! I can totally see the record album file storage containers in any cool office space! Really neat....

Beepart-The artists from this shop in London, Canada pride themselves on their funky, cool original art-I love their laptop decals-How FUN....

Paper Pumpkin-This mother/daughter duo from New York crafts up the cutest things-Love the fabric pushpins and paper products for my office!!! They blog about things too.....give it a look...

Uncommon-This popular shop located in Indiana-near Chicago has lots of different things. I've featured some things from this husband and wife team in other posts-the cute green table in a Monday Inspiration post here....I'm loving their simple modern clocks...See for yourself...

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR MY OWN STUFF-THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS...

TUESDAY OFFICE SPACE PART II

OK-

So yesterday I gave you the rundown about what's lacking in my home office.The space has specific needs in order to accomplish a pretty and functional make-over in the future. Yesterday I posted the spa-like version, today I'm going bold. Like I said before I share this room with my 2 little boys-the eldest (4) loves orange-so today's inspiration is all about Ezzie. To read yesterday's OFFICE SPACE PART I CLICK HERE....

Which do you prefer?

OFFICE SPACE PART II--THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL....

1. Liatorp desk-IKEA

2. magazine file-The Container Store

3. Liatorp bookcase $325 IKEA

4. Metropolitan clock from Restoration Hardware

5. kids table-Modern Seed

6. Pendant light-Moooi Lighting

7. DIY fabric covered corkboard

8. stacking chairs for kids by Magis-Velocity

9. Starlight mirror-Modern Dose

10. Art canvas-Inhabit

11. Camping print-Old School Stationers

12. Tulip chair-DWR

13. gray Chevron curtains-Etsy

14. Gandia Blaso rug-Velocity

15. Hanna Ledge table lamp-Seascape Lighting

16. Heart pillow-PB teen

17. Trina Turk pillow-Modern Chic Home

18. Parson's Desk-West Elm

19. Honesty wallpaper-Graham and Brown

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR ETSY ARTIST FINDS...

IN THE OFFICE

MONDAY INSPIRATIONS-OFFICE SPACE PART I

Hello friends...

I've been spending alot more time lately in the office here at home-and let me tell you-it's not that inspiring! I call it "ghetto chic". Seriously though,  I share this space with 2 little boys (1 and 4) so it tends to look as if a tornado rolled through. I actually don't mind that part as long as everything has a dedicated spot to go afterwards. I thrive when things are organized.

My space is in serious need of some good organization and pretty re-styling. Since we do so much in here-it really is the most multi-purpose area of our home-the office has to accomplish many tasks and requires certain things.

A. KID STORAGE-toys, books, crayons, army guys, blocks etc etc...
B. HOME STORAGE-I keep extras in here too ie: bath linens/towels
C. MOM STORAGE-I'm talking major craft stuff, sewing machine, paints, canvases, etc
D. OFFICE ESSENTIALS- computer area, desk, open shelving, printer, files, supplies, etc
E. KIDS TABLE +CHAIRS-crafting, coloring, playing
F. ART TABLE FOR MOM
G. GOOD LIGHTING

Plus I want it to be pretty! So I mocked up 2 very different office styles to accommodate both Mom and boys. Today is part I and Tuesday I'll show you the other one and you can kindly tell me which you like best!

OFFICE SPACE PART I-RELAXING RETREAT....

1. Alphabet art print (customizable)-Area Fare-Etsy-11x14  $18 (coming soon!)

2. Fabric for the curtains-Contempo curtains.com

3. Offi Trundle desk for kids-Modern Seed

4. Spa Blue (sunbrella/washable) Graham Storage Ottoman-Ballard.com

5. Green urn-Modern Chic Home

6. Emeco Navy chair (kids)-Modern Seed

7. Atoll Antique Mirror-Ballard.com

8. Aspelund 3-door Wardrobe $199- IKEA

9. Porcelain pendant lamp-ZAinteriors.com

10. BOHO clock-Foreside Home and Garden

11. Desk chair-Ballard.com

12. chair fabric-pretty!

13."Honesty" Wallpaper from Graham and Brown

14. Iron bird accent-Foreside Home and Garden

15. Office Supplies from The Container Store

16. Liatorp Desk-IKEA

17. warm grey paint

18. Atelier Task lamp $239-Restoration Hardware

19. Indoor/outdoor rug-Lamps Plus

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR PART II OF THE OFFICE SPACE-THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL! 

FRIDAY HUMBLE ABODE...SPRING AROUND THE HOUSE

HELLO AGAIN!

Ahh it's Friday--this week blew by for me and though it felt like spring here on AF it didn't feel or look like it outside-brrr. I painted the windows up with colorful birds and bunnies and trees-oh my! If you look really close you can see the neighbor snow blowing the driveway across the street! I know-it's just not right! So here's a look at the spring windows...

Another project that got underway this week was the stairway project! yay! I can't believe what a difference it made already! For those of you not aware of the project click here and catch up!

I chickened out on my color choice-no I shouldn't say that! I decided to bring a neutral tan-Lenox Tan from BM, down the stairs and into the lower hall. I already have that going on in the upper hall and since they are connecting spaces I wanted the color to be cohesive with other areas of the house--Am I totally full of it or what? :) I have lots of art planned for pops of color and something fun on the stairs themselves though I'm not exactly sure what yet-don't worry!

Doing this project makes me look around the house and realize how much more work there is to be done!! I look forward to the challenge!

 Here's the progress report...

BEFORE:


before-featuring roo-dog



before-dark and dreary

 NEXT PHASE...

yay-looking better already!

look at all my crazy colors! I'm going to use the most muted blue, grey, green one for an accent color-it's actually very soft and pretty-it's called BM Quiet Moment.
I know it's still looking rough-whew the stairs are in bad shape...wish me luck


STAY TUNED FOR MORE STAIRWAY PROJECT UPDATES...

Bird watching around the house...
Well since it's still impossibly cold outside, I decided to do some spotting of birds around the house. I do love a little bird decor here and there, When I started to look I realized I have quite a few actually-let's go on safari...

my chalkboard wall birds...

golden birds photo-op for Etsy...

S & P shakers from Pier One...

bird duvet from Pottery Barn...

Bird Adirondack chair...I know it's a little country-I painted this chair @ 7 years ago and it sat outside in the garden-I cleaned it up last year and brought it in for a cozy reading nook-what can I say-it's comfortable!

white bird inside the china cabinet-found 2 of these at a Salvation Army thrift shop a while back...

gift shop bird...

bookcase in the bedroom...

a little closer...

Having a few hints of birds around the house helps me think of spring, even when it's 22' outside....

Well I wanted to do a DIY craft this week but I totally ran out of time! I was inspired by some of those wreathes that I found-check them out here-I'll get to it over the weekend and make something fun to post with some more Easter related things in the coming weeks!

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK FOR SOME MONDAY INSPIRATIONS....

THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS....

Well this week I've been pretty busy working on artwork for my Lucky and Roo-Roo collection-a nursery, kids themed collection for my Etsy shop. But, that's not really related to the birdies, bunnies and spring things I've got going on this week so...hmmm

I dug around and found some other things that I thought would suffice. 3 are original acrylics and one is an ink illustration with digital color-I whipped that one up today actually. 

The First one, Spring Birds II, is an original acrylic on canvas I did 2 years ago for a charity event-it's a picture of the piece with my camera on my phone then I brought up the light and vibrancy on the computer.

The second one I did in the fall last year and I call it Tweet-I always thought the bird looked a little funny, so I kept that one for myself! I took a picture of it and then I messed around with some digital effects -just for fun-but it turned out a little crazy-so you can't see that!.

I put the Golden Bird's Waiting in there too-you may have seen this one already-it's my Etsy shop.

Finally my Mom asked me to do an original piece for her to compliment her bedroom renovation this week and she so happens to love birds-perfect!. She boldly painted her bedroom violet-while my dad was out in Arizona-lol-when he returned to the purple bedroom he said-"Oh-It's...really pretty Moe" :) they are too funny...Anyway that's all for today-but I did get my windows painted yesterday for spring and I'll show you that tomorrow....

Hope you like....

spring birds II

tweet

  



Golden Bird's Waiting 8x10 Etsy $18

 

mom original illustration

Mom's bird illustration  with digital colors added..

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR FRIDAY'S  HUMBLE ABODE POST-INCLUDING AN UPDATE ON THE STAIRWAY PROJECT!

WEDNESDAY ETSY ARTIST FINDS..SPRING DECORATING...

What can I say-Etsy has everything including and especially things to decorate your space for Spring! Check out these creatives who are getting their craft on....SUPPORT HANDMADE!

Starlit Nest Gifts: This cute little shop from Santa Cruz, CA has some wonderfully colorful things! She also has a fabric shop on Etsy where she sells her quilts and supplies--SO pretty! If your considering a flag banner or something else-order now- smaller items can take up to 3 weeks-longer for quilts. These things take time!....check it out!

Sugarloop: The creative behind this shop is Bernadette Spikes. She is an illustrator and printmaker from Auckland, NZ. I love the colors and the simplicity of her work! Have a look...

Geninne:More appropriately known as Geninne D. Zlatkis from Queretaro, Mexico. I absolutely fell in love with her gorgeous and vivid watercolors! You know I love the birdies!!!! Wonderful art..you will love it too...see for yourself!

Andie Specialty Sweets: These are actually edible! I know right-can you imagine your fun little Easter table adorned with these yummy treasures? I'm totally drooling over these sweet concoctions! pssst--the leaves are edible too! Give them some time to make things--2-3 weeks if you plan on having them on the table for guests during Easter or any other special occasion....

And now for....

A little blog love!

Today's shout out goes to...

BIRCH + BIRD

                  

They say....
 Rachel + Lily  are  friends, wives, mothers and vintage junkies extraordinaire! Thrifting, simple living and great design are some of our greatest passions and our Etsy shop (www.birchandbird.etsy.com) was created out love for found items and out of necessity…the only other option was to accept that we would end up on an episode of Hoarders! (that's funny!)

Design blogs have provided us with endless inspiration for our own homes and we thought it was high time to return the favour and show the world (or at least a few people!) how to incorporate thrifty treasures into everyday living spaces. We strongly feel that it’s the mix of old and new and pieces you love mixed with a dash of the unexpected that brings life to a home and allows the space to reflect one’s personality.
Please follow our journeys through life, thrift and design with us…we hope to brighten your days with things we find along the way!


I say...
I love this blog-they have that vintage thing going on but in a simple, clean, modern way-good stuff! Sometimes it's hard sifting through the junk at a garage sale or figuring out what to do with an old vase or furniture piece you "acquired" from your mom ,who got it from your grandma-you know what I mean!? They do it with style! They have lots content not just vintage finds! This blog is where I first saw the work of featured Etsian-Geninne! READ THIS BLOG next time you go surfing!

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR MY THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS....

TUESDAY ANYTHING GOES: COLLECTIONS...

I won't talk your ear off today-just a few collections to look through that make me think SPRING thoughts...

SPRING WREATH COLLECTION:


  1) Re-nest  (2) Kathleen George  (3) Itzfitz etsy  (4) Succulent designs etsy (5) Cuteable.com (6) unknown boxwood wreath (7) also unknown Sorry :) (8) work of heart SA etsy (9) via Poppies at Play blog  (10) Junk Mama's blog (11) the Chic a dee etsy (12) Itzfitz etsy



collection of spring things by Camilla Engmans via FLICKR

feather collection by Knitalatte11 via FLICKR



SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR SOME ETSY ARTIST FINDS-SPRING DECORATING....

MONDAY INSPIRATIONS: Bunnies, Birdies, Branches, and Blooms....

That's right it's finally time for me to decorate for spring! I'm pretty sure almost everywhere else is in full on spring mode-plants beginning to sprout and the weather is slowly warming, but up here in Northern MI-it's COLD! No plants, no green, not yet anyway, but it is the official first day of spring!

 I did some spring cleaning over the weekend-took tons of clothing and baby stuff to goodwill and cleaned out the garage a bit. I also did some much needed organizational stuff in the bedrooms and some good ol' fashioned scrubbing of everything! AHH-doesn't that feel good? I love it when the house is clean-not just "picked up" I'm talking-your mother-in-law is coming to stay with you-clean! :)

Anyway the partial spring cleaning event made me realize that I need to get some cute little spring things out and around the house this week. All week I'll be focusing on some seasonal decorating inspiration. I have some crafts planned and some more painted windows coming this Friday and I just might finally paint the hall and walls by the staircase-blue???...it should be fun!

 Adding little things to your decor for the season is pretty easy-toss out a fresh pillow or new duvet, maybe if it's in the budget-- a pretty rug. Art can really liven up your space too-head over to Etsy for budget friendly prints or do a little DIY of your own! Don't forget to get out some cute spring jewelry and accessories for yourself as well! Here's some of my springtime decorating Monday Inspirations....

hope you like....

1. Maine Cottage Jill dining chair in Tweet Suite

2. Pottery Barn Woodland organic duvet

3. Oil painting of Robin's Nest-Studiolara316-Etsy

4. Emma Feather pendant light-Jayson Home and Garden

5. Flower pillow-Bedbuggs-Etsy $21.60

6. Paper Wreath-cute DIY idea-Dana and Carol-Etsy $25

7. DIY bunny garland idea

8. beautiful rose centerpiece- Jayson H & G

9. Green side table $225 Uncommon-Etsy

10. Vernal Cusp Rug-Anthropologie

11. Bunny statue-Pottery Barn

12. Dalmatian blown glass bird-Ittala Toikka

13. Bird lights-Pottery Barn

14. Fresh and Pretty-Happy Stockholm-via Decor 8

15. Bunny clutch-Jcarterhandmade-Etsy

16. pretty spring necklace-Papernstitch-Etsy

17. Bunny and Hare kitchen towels-Wisteria.com

18. Spring Bird frame-Cherry and East

19. Pottery Barn Easter Vignette

20. Classic chinese garden stool

21. Artwork-Brownpaperbagart-Etsy

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR SOME ANYTHING GOES TUESDAY STUFF....

FRIDAY HUMBLE ABODE-LETTERS AND NUMBERS...

There are thousands of examples of how to decorate your space with letters and numbers in all areas of design styles. Letters and numbers have been popping up in homes for a while now-and I'm pretty sure they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. People can relate to letters and numbers-I know whenever I see a room with them I think-"that is so cute-I love it!" So today I've collected some examples for you to love on!

Hope you like....

decorating with flash cards...

cute kids room via pure and lovely

cute alphabet canvases via Odeedoh

via apartment therapy

I love numbers on painted furniture-via The Inspired Room

via Design*Sponge

Sweet! via Desire to Inspire

from inspired by God photography

via Ohdeedoh

dining room with numbers via Living Etc...

it's LOVE...

Nautical Boys theme room

number art via Chez Larson

I love perpetual calendars! This is a DIY one from Craftzine...

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

numbers galore...via Bird and Branch blog

love the yellow N-via Good Life of Design

SEE YOU NEXT FOR MONDAY INSPIRATIONS- FOR THE BIRDS!