Great Finds: Abstract Paintings by Linda Donohue

Colorful Abstract Seascape Landscape by Linda Donohue

Large Ocean Seascape Painting Original Art Ocean by Linda Donohue

 Emerald Green Landscape Seascape Original Painting by  Linda Donohue

{Great Finds} Oval Decorative Bird Jars

Versatile Vessels S/2 Oval Decorative Bird Jars $29.00 from OneKingsLane

2012 Light Reading Books for the Summer

1. La Tartine Gourmande: Recipes for an Inspired Life
2. Recipes for Parties: Menus, Flowers, Decor: Everything for Perfect Entertaining
3. Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi
4. EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends
5. Read Sign Wooden Wall Art from OldNewAgain
6. Set of Vintage Books from PeculianMomma
7. Turquoise Blue Chair photo from karolyns-paperkraft.blogspot.com

As a child, I used to spend my summers at my grandmother's house. 

One of my favorite things to do was to sit on my lounge chair and read for hours. I truly miss having a summer vacation!

Currently, I am busy working full time and having several other projects on the side so I don't get to enjoy summers like I used to. 

Light reading books are the best right now and these are a few of my favorites. 

I plan to make myself some iced coffee or strawberry lemonade, sit on my patio and enjoy these books during my weekend. 

What books do you plan to read this summer?

Beach Cottage Home Decorating Ideas

Source: countryliving.com via on Pinterest

Nautical inspired interiors are some of my favorite. For many of us, having a cottage on a beach will remain a dream, but creating a space which has seaside, relaxed feel is possible.

                                                                                   

Source: createhdesign.com viaon Pinterest

 Blue, white and light sand-color neutrals tones can be used for the wall color.  As accent colors: coral,  nautical blue or even yellows can be used. I would use art, curtains, pillows or slipcovers for the chairs and couch to bring in the accent colors.

For the furniture, a shabby chic finish or white would be the best. If you find some of the furniture at the flea market or estate sales then just refinish them. Woven baskets would be perfect for storage.

                                                                                 

Source: beachbrights.blogspot.com viaon Pinterest

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As artwork, use pieces that would be like a window to the sea. Photographs or art prints can be a more affordable solution than paintings.

Display sea shells or corals throughout your space. Also, you can fill glass cylinder vases with sand and small sea shells, and use them as candle holders

Once your coastal decor is complete, enjoy your permanent vacation!

Fine art photography print Sunset at the by IrinaPhotographyCard, $20.00
Cobalt Blue Ocean Beach Sea Coral Art Glass by UneekGlassFusions, $58.00
Palma Small Square Lidded Bascket from Crate and Barrel, $29.95
Coral Table Lamp from Seaside Inspired, $569
PillowNavy Blue PillowGeometric12x16 or 12x18 by ElemenOPillows, $15.00
Extra Large Altlantis Clam Shell from ZGallerie, $129.95

Click here for more seaside inspired decor and events.

Aqua Blue Home Decor Ideas

Aqua is one of the top interior design colors of 2012 and one of my favorite.

This color looks great especially in a living room,  bedroom or bathroom and associated with cool neutrals like white or grey.

Source: zgallerie.com via
 on Pinterest

Aqua Shell 2 - Glass Coat from Z Gallerie

Aqua and Turquoise remind me of the ocean and for many years I have collected sea shells and corals in the hope that one day I will use them to create a nautical inspired room. After we purchased our house, my initial plan was use aquamarine as the accent color for one of the guest bedrooms.

Source: zgallerie.com via on Pinterest

Mimosa Reversible Bedding - Aquamarine from Z Gallerie

However, after much thinking, I decided to use it for our living room. I plan to get a large abstract painting and several vases in this color and mix them with the seashells and coral.

Acrylic Painting - Abstract Aqua Wave 24 x 30 by MyaBessetteArtStudio

Instead of using a large piece of art, using aqua for an accent wall is a great idea especially with a stencil.

Source: etsy.com via on Pinterest

Moroccan Stencil Design Rabat LG Reusable by CuttingEdgeStencils

What I love the most about this color  is that invigorates the space and brings a touch of summer.

Would you use aqua tones to decorate your home?

Christmas Gift Guide for a Romantic Girl who Loves Pastels

New Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cc3120a2e996d916f0dc453/gift-guide-for-a-romantic-girl-who-loves?index=0


Please feel free to leave a comment! :)

Fabulous Art Studios: The Betty Bead Boutique

Shop: The Betty Bead Boutique
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BettyBeadBoutique

Owner: Lauren VanHelden

How does your studio reflect your style?
As someone who decided to major in economics, it follows that I’m all about efficiency. Dedicated places for tools, supplies, and stock make for stress-free creating – and give me an incentive to keep things organized! When it comes to fashion, I enjoy balancing light and dark hues. My workspace reflects this too, in that there is a lot of black and gold to ground the light pastel colors.

What is the favorite part of your studio?
I recently bought a new paper press, and it is insanely fun to work with. I think a lovely package is just as important as a lovely product, and this has made the process much easier.

What pieces in your studio inspire you?
I really adore my art deco girls (Nancy and Helena) from Etsy seller matouenpeluche. I also keep a few trophies around from my high school Thespian days, when I was (among other things) a costume designer. I don’t know how I managed to turn out costume after costume the way I did, but reminding myself of that serves as wonderful inspiration!

Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
My desk, bureau, and chair are all vintage, though I'm not sure of their exact age. They’ve been with me since I was a very small child, and have seen numerous uses and coats of paint. The collage on the wall is a piece I made last summer, by aging sheet music in coffee and tea.

What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
Aqua blue is my favorite color, and when I found spray-paint in precisely the shade I wanted, I used it to attack pretty much everything in sight! My jewelry box, multiple picture frames, and what used to be a napkin holder reflect this. I have a vintage Anchor Hocking tumbler exactly the same hue, and it currently serves as a vase for silk flowers.

What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
I’ve used the same jewelry pliers for nearly half a decade. Any other pair just wouldn’t feel quite right.

What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
Reading The Great Gatsby (and later, The Beautiful and Damned) really shaped my perception of the “Roaring Twenties.” I tend to create with that aesthetic in mind. As I want my jewelry to appeal to the modern woman, I keep on top of trends with Marie Claire and Lucky.

What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
Right now I have a combination studio/bedroom/study space, which isn’t conducive to creativity 100% of the time. It would be great to have a room in my house set aside for artistic pursuits, including sketching and giving sewing lessons.

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Lauren offers a 10% discount off to all the customers which find her shop through this blog.

Please convo her before you make your purchase.

The link for her Etsy shop is:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BettyBeadBoutique

Also, you can find her on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Betty-Bead-Boutique/292107054130

{Images from The Betty Bead Boutique}

Fabulous Art Studios: Brandywine Designs

Shop: Brandywine Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brandywine
Owner:Brandy K. Faulkner

How does your studio reflect your style?
My studio is all me! it’s the one room in the house that totally reflects me. I have stuffed it full of everything I love.
My style is vintage, nature museum, meets glitter and lace. In it you will find everything from found bird nest to spools of lace.

What is the favorite part of your studio?
I really love my table. My husband and I made it together out of salvaged cabinets and a drafting table. I covered the top with antique dictionary pages. I love that its homemade by us both.

What pieces in your studio inspire you?
My inspiration board.
I have a little shelf under my inspiration board that I made from salvaged wood trim from my parents farm house. I hang pieces of art I’m working on or little bits of things that are inspiring me at the moment.

Do you have any handmade or vintage decor pieces?
I think most of everything is handmade or vintage!
I have some really great vintage white frames I found for .25 cents at a flea market. I collect antique button cards and display them in one. The frames always seem to be visitors favorites. I also have Millie my vintage mannequin. She makes a great studio mascot.

What is favorite color palette and how did you implement this in your space?
My favorite color is aqua. I love aqua, cream, and a little pink together. My walls are aqua. Aqua is also supposed to create a creative mood.
The furniture in my studio is cream. I like to add vintage millinery, lace, and ribbons in pink for a girly feel. I use jars to store many of my supplies so I can see all the pretty things I have collected.

What is the one tool used in your creation process you treasure the most?
I can’t pick just one! I use and love all of Tim Holtz’s tools and inks. I couldn’t live without them.

What are the books or magazines that inspire you?
I love Somerset Life, Better Home And Gardens magazines and the book Art Making Collections & Obsessions.
What changes/upgrades would you like to make in the future?
I would love to add a chandelier above my table and change the outside door to a French door.




{Images from BRANDYWINE DESIGNS}

Coastal Decor - Vintage Shabby Chic Beach House Decorations

As many of you, I dream to have a cottage by the sea. Until this dream comes true, I am happy just to decorate my house with nautical inspired items.

 Large Natural Seashell Wreath BEACH COTTAGE COASTAL DECOR

 Original Oil Seascape (c. 1920)

 Starfish Garland of White Finger Star Fish

 Vintage Clam Shell-Large

 Petite Sea Glass and Starfish Beach Pillows

Charming Cottage Dresser

Turquoise Framed Corkboard / Inspiration Board / Creative Board / Jewelry Board

 Coastal Blue Tin Candle Holder with Frosted glass