Home Decor Goes Green

The movement toward greener living is creating a market for homes built with sustainable, non-toxic (read: formaldehyde free) materials, painted with voc-free paints, outfitted with energy-saving appliances and equipped with solar panels. If this sounds like your current interior design/decorating project, then be sure to have a look at the following earth-friendly, recycled, upcycled, sustainable home decor from some of the Interior Design Team's eco-conscious creators/designers.

This round flower night light from Mariposa Avenue is a perfect example. It is made from a recycled tuna can, cut with a flower design, powder coated and finished with a glossy top coat. See more of Mariposa Avenue's lamps, sconces and night lights...

This beautiful, distressed-look frame is made by Second Line Frames from wood salvaged from Hurricane Katrina...not only a great use for this recycled wood siding, but a portion of sales also go to help in the rebuilding effort!


Collaging is one of my favorite ways to use what would otherwise be thrown away. Art Studio makes these beautiful fine art collage pieces from recycled newsprint and other collage elements. This stunning piece, titled "Round and Round" is mounted on heavy paper and ready to frame. Aside from geometric shapes and patterns, Art Studio offers a variety of lovely abstract pieces as well.

This woven rag table runner by Ron's Rag Rugs is woven from recycled fabrics on heirloom looms. Rag Rugs offers a great variety of colors and patterns, from table runners to throw rugs!

This lovely candle holder by Oak Studios of Design is made from stained glass pieces set into a recycled glass base. Oak Studio of Design also creates mosaic lighted bottles and many other home accents and gifts from recycled materials.

Decoupaged bowls by Bombus, using recycled world maps! Another wonderful accent piece and so earthy! Bombus also makes a colorful postage stamp bowl that I love!


After nearly a decade of making clocks from a variety of materials (including recycled vinyl records), last year my husband (and partner) and I discovered SDF - sustainable design fiberboard - as an alternative to the mdf (medium density fiberboard) we'd been using for our clocks for many years. SDF is a wonderful material that is made from 100% recycled wood pulp and is formaldehyde free (one of the big drawbacks of using mdf is the formaldehyde off-gassing). We also switched from using acrylic paints to milk paints, a non-toxic, sustainable (as long as there are cows) and biodegradable alternative.
I don't want anyone to depart with any tightly held secret sources, but I'd love to hear comments about any sustainable, earth-friendly resources being utilized by our talented team - great info for artists who want to go green!!!
To see more beautiful, recycled, sustainable home decor, go to etsy.com and search "interiordesignteam" and "recycled". Also, there are so many more IDT artists utilizing earth-friendly materials that I may do a Part 2 next month!
Cheers!

Read More

Fall '08 Home Design Trend Report

As hard as it is to imagine, fall is right around the corner! With this in mind, here are some inspired and inspiring trends which will show strongly in home interiors and accents this fall.

Custom Designer Footstools by ArtisticLifestyling

Go Green- eco-friendly products and designs for the home are growing in popularity. People are seeking natural, organic and recycled items for their decor that also have style and beauty.

Black and White Stained Glass Recycled Switchplate by serendipitousdesigns


Oodles - Green-Brown-Pale Yellow - Earth-friendly, , handcrafted pendulum wall clock
by infinityarts

More is More- more warmth in colors, more luxury and elegance. Leaning away from Minimalist and heading towards Baroque. Fushia is Haute! More drama in oversized lamps, vases, mirrors, decorative accesories. More contrast in color combinations (think robin's egg blue and chocolate) and in textures (think wood against steel).

Hand Carved Oak Mirror by elleny

Lipstick Tears by dbabcock

Gray is the New Gray- gray has been on the upswing for some time, and this fall look for softer grays such as stone, and also gray tone metals such as silver, pewter and platinum.


Wire Crescent by ExcessoriesKC

Eclectic is In-No more "themed" rooms, use unexpected accessories to surprise and delight!

Treasure Chest of Birds by localcolorist

To quote Coco Chanel: "Fashion is not something that exists only in dresses. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, in the way we live." These fashion trends in home interiors are beautifully represented in the handmade creations featured in the Design Style Guide.

Read More

OUR INTERVIEW WITH SUSANNAH

Winters Red - 8x8 Through the Viewfinder Photographic Print

‘Winters Red’ is one of my favourites; it is a Through the Viewfinder photograph which combines a modern digital camera with a vintage box viewfinder camera. I am addicted to this style of photography, as it is so “old school” and charming.

Who are you?
I am a full time mother of one who loves a good flat white coffee and wants to live closer to the beach. I am Susannah of Susannah Tucker Photography.

Where are you located?
I am a New Zealander living in Melbourne, Australia, torn between wanting to stay in this amazing city (my partners hometown) or moving back to my wonderful windy hometown of Wellington.

What do you create?
I create photographic prints, photo blocks, and note cards.

Where do you sell your creations?
Etsy is my main place of online selling http://SusannahTucker.etsy.com, I also have a few photographs listed on an Australian site www.madeit.com.au and I am currently experimenting with market stalls.

Waiting to Catch a Wave - 8x8 Through the Viewfinder Photographic Print

Where do you create? I take photographs wherever and whenever I can - we tend to organize family adventure days on the weekends based on where I’d like to take photos, which usually means we end up down at a beach somewhere. When it is too cold and miserable to head outside, I set up still life shots in our studio – which is really the spare bedroom. I long to travel to Italy and the South of France again, this time with my digital and vintage viewfinder cameras!

I do all of my digital editing here at home, and when I have photo blocks to make I set up various ‘work stations’ around the lounge and make an absolute mess. I’m lucky my partner is a musician and completely supports and encourages my art, even though that means his music time on the computer is often interrupted!

What inspires you? I am inspired by my daughter’s laugh, my partner’s music, the connection I see between people, the warmth of the sun, and a stark landscape. I love vibrant colors, the feel of sand and grass underfoot, rustic country scenes, all things vintage and brown paper packages wrapped in string.

Sweet Spring - 8x8 Fine Art Photographic Print

Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
It is part –time as I am a full time mother. The computer work, making photo blocks and putting together orders I do when my toddler is asleep during the day, and in the evening. My daughter and I go on ‘adventures’ during the day to the photo lab and the post office, to pick up orders and ship off parcels.

What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
To be honest, I am still learning about the marketing side of being a photographer and Etsy seller. I am a naturally shy person, and to put myself out there doesn’t come easily. But I know I cannot sit back and wait for people to discover my art. I think it is in the little things, and a lot of it is word of mouth. I like to make each customer feel appreciated, I try to make my parcels look like presents, and I like to include extra prints from time to time to give people an idea of what other prints would look like in their home. I have a Flickr site, where a lot of networking seems to happen so I am discovering. I also am an avid believer in sharing information, so if ever you have a question to ask, please do so! I am the first to admit I have a lot to learn on marketing…… it is all part of my journey.

What are your goals?
I would like to raise my profile on Etsy, find a local café to display prints, and a shop to stock photo blocks. I am hoping to start working as a children’s photographer in the near future, specialising in candid portrait shots. Ultimately, when our kids (current and future) are in school, I would love to do all of this full time!

Read More

The Handmade Economy

Designers, take note. There is a new economy out there screaming to be noticed. One of a kind. Handmade. Handcrafted. Yes, a new economy, yet a very old one. We have come full circle.

In a world of mass production and super Wal-Marts, we are yearning for the craftsmanship and human touch of handmade goods. In a world seeking to find sustainability after learning some very hard lessons about excess, we are tired of seeing the tags saying “Made in Sri Lanka” in our mass-produced clothing, “Made in China” stamped on our toys, and tired of talking to “Tommy” in India about the charge on our credit card that isn’t ours. The towns that used to be the furniture production capitals of the world are virtual ghost towns because we are now importing from China and other Pacific Rim countries at staggering rates.

There is a yearning, running quiet and deep, for something we have lost. Our great-grandparents knew it, maybe even our grandparents. But somewhere along the way, industrialized economy made us want bigger, more…cheaper. And now, we are feeling something tugging at our sleeves.

There is a movement out there and if you are very quiet, you may just begin to hear it on the wind behind the noise we’ve become anesthetized to. You may pick up a word here or there. “Handmade.” “Locally grown.” “Community.” Look closely. Greenmarkets, WholeFoods, craft fairs, artists’ co-ops. And, the Web. Yes, the big WWW has gotten in on it, too. Because “community” has gone global. Real, honest-to-goodness people creating a real honest-to-goodness economy of the new “handmade.”

Etsy.com. Join us at the Design Style Guide in taking back the “art” of commerce.

Read More

the longest days

Grazing in the Heat of Summer - SusannahTucker

After the solstice a new scent rises in the summer fields, among the drying stalks of goldenrod and the folded-up buttercups. It is only discernable as summer ebbs, when everything that has been brilliantly green for months dulls to a gentler gold.

Boatyard - Unravelling

Grasses fan their leaves and a powdery aroma streams away into the sky, carrying a million memories of summers as they used to be—full of lemonade, cooled by rocky streams, sweetened with candy. During the longest days of the year, there are remnants of that history in each hot breath.

Triptych Montreal - LanitaPhoto

Read More

Finding the right VASE

The summer flowers are blooming! My garden is bursting with roses and foxglove and soon the blue hydrangeas will be in bloom too! But even when the garden is not yielding it's bounty, I often keep dried flowers throughout the house to remind me that blooming time will return!

But what do you put those lovely flowers in? The perfect vase requires several things. It must fit with your overall room decor. It must be the right size for the type of flowers you are displaying and, in my opinion, the best flower vases are unique!

Here's just a little sampling of some of the wonderful vases you can find, for your decorating needs, on Etsy by searching "InteriorDesignTeam"! No matter what your style - there is something here for everyone!

Keep in mind, as you search, that vases made of wood, gourd or are Raku fired are best for those dried arrangements as they are not suggested for holding water.

Handmade by SassyGlassy

Handmade Vase by Juditavill

Handmade by DkPottery

Handmade by ClayDame

Handmade by Studio1212Ceramics

Hand made Gourd vase by TwistedThicket

Handmade by dbabcock

Handmade by BridgemanStudios

Read More

MAKING HISTORY

I don’t know about you, but when I’m at home I want to FEEL at home, I want to be surrounded by things that represent who I am. Fashion doesn’t always affect me, and I’m sure we can all say the same. Sometimes I’ll walk past an interiors shop and want to buy everything in there. But most of the time I would much rather walk into an antiques shop and take the whole lot home and surround myself with its history! I love a weathered look to things. I love buying trinkets with stories I will never know attached to them, and I love bringing these things into my life and attaching my own story to them! Recycling doesn’t just have to be about the environment, it can also be about passing things on, and sharing a bit of history!
When buying anything handmade, I like to see the story that’s gone into making it. I don’t want a factory-made look! I want to see the character of the maker coming through, the strange concoction of colours, the quirky composition and the edges or seams that may not be quite right. Imperfection is part of a handmade products charm!

This quirky photo by pillowhappy really does it for me! The composition and the look on her face is so entertaining, and I love the sepia tone to the photo that gives it that weathered look! Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_6&listing_id=11372675

I love this pillow cover. All the colours and patterns…that feeling that lindylou2 has cut up a bunch of beautiful clothes and stitched them all carefully together! So so lovely! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=12770136

The loveliest thing about these prints is the mixture between the thick colours and simple black line drawings. NestaHome gives the buyer an opportunity to mix and match, which is ace because we all have individual tastes do we not?! Love it!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12735436

(family tree) How lovely is this dish?! It’s quirky and it isn’t circular! Whoever said dishes needed to be circular?! And best of all you can have it made personally for you. THIS is why I love etsy! Where else can such loveliness occur?!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12467903

Anyway, that’s just a few of the things that I hope state my point! How lovely and wonderful buying and selling can be when passed from one hand to the next, just like the olden days! Happy shopping!!

Read More

Big and Bold

I love a big, bold painting to add a dramatic focal point to a room. Here are some wonderful examples from a few of our painters on Interior Design Team.
ElizabethGraf
JaneceMoment
Heronkate
AnikaEaster

Read More

Wonderful Watercolors

There's no quicker way to brighten a room than by hanging new artwork. And there's no quicker way to find a great selection of artwork than to search the Etsy shops of Interior Design Team members. The above is a small sampling of watercolors only. On Etsy it's possible to search "handmade items" by typing "interiordesignteam" in the search box, followed by any other parameters you desire, such as color, subject, medium, or even room. There is a large pool of talented artists on the Team, offering paintings for all tastes and budgets! If you want more details on any of the samples above, click the sampler to enlarge it, and then you can read the painting title and store name. In the right hand column on this page you will find a shop directory for one-click access. Happy shopping!

Read More

OUR INTERVIEW WITH JANET

Shabby Mosaic 3 Piece Silver Tea Set

This is a Gorgeous Mosaic Tea Set. Quite wonderful with lots of vintage china roses and stained glass. On the top of the teapot and sugar bowl is quite the assortment of fu fu embellishments. Vintage buttons, pearls, beads, roses and jewelry. Simply Fabulous!!

Who are you?
Janet Lauer of Grindstone Mountain Mosaics.

Where are you located?
In the great little Victorian town of Eureka Springs which sits high in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. http://www.eurekaspringschamber.com

What do you create?
I create pique assiette mosaics using vintage china and mixed media. Pique assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates pieces of broken ceramics or china into the design. My love is for the Shabby Chic, Victorian, Country and Romantic Cottage styles which explains my using lots of vintage china with roses and floral's. I love adding whimsical embellishments on my projects such as vintage jewelry, buttons, china or handmade roses, seashells and whatever else catches my eye.

Where do you sell your creations?
www.hillspeak.etsy.com , www.atimeforprimitives.com I have several booths in different malls and galleries. I also sell on ebay with my ebay seller name "hillspeak".

Fabulous Shabby White Pillar Candle Holders Vintage China Mosaic Tile

Where do you create?

In my studio which looks out over my million dollar view of the mountains. I have lots of bird feeders on my deck and love to watch them as I am creating something.

What inspires you?
I just love vintage china especially china with loads of pink roses. I have loved antiques for a long time and find that the antique china patterns are so much more beautiful than what is made today. I try to envision a pattern in my head by setting plates in a pattern on my table before I even begin to cut them. I will move them around and change them out until I am satisfied with the colors and design.

Shabby Cottage Small ANTIQUE SEWING CABINET/CUPBOARD China Mosaic

Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
Right now it's part time but am finding it is taking more of my time every day and hope to make it full time soon.

What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
I feel that handmade items are sought after more and more and I believe that my items are very unique and can fit into anyone's home decor.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?
My husband and kids always encourage me but I don't think they are really into the pink shabby look like I am. Ha!

What do you do when you are not creating?
I love spending time with my 3 grandkids, antiques, cooking, gardening and birdwatching.

What are your goals?
I just love Etsy and hope to increase my exposure there. I am also going to have my own website soon and concentrate on selling my items there.

How do you envision your creations being used by your customers?
My past clients have used my items in their bed and breakfasts, gift shops for displays and in their homes.

Read More

Make Your House Hot This Summer

You don't have to spend a fortune on new furniture to give your home a whole new look for the summer. You could easily revamp your room by incorporating some of these great Etsy finds.

Brighton Bathing Girl

This beauty is available at Oh kirby:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11865125

Sand Dollar Pillow Cover

This pillow cover, along with other sea inspired designs, is available at pillowhappy:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12181712

White Sands

This would look perfect framed for your beach inspired rooms. This photo is from Petritent's Under the Sugar Photography:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9399810

Custom-Lettered Bottle Art

These custom bottles look like they just happened to wash ashore, only much cuter! They are from Bliss Home Goods:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10550515

Read More

OUR INTERVIEW WITH KAT

Jetaime - Mae and Bebe

Mae and Bebe series depicting the adventures of a Mom and her daughter.

Who are you?
Kat Hannah

Where are you located?
Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA

What do you create?
Prints and original artwork.

Where do you sell your creations?
Prints – http://kathannah.etsy.com
Originals – http://mamenolan.net
Wholesale - http://trunkt.org/kathannah

Alice

An original painting inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland classic story.

Where do you create?
I’m fortunate enough to have a home studio with washable wood floors for the inevitable paint spills. Never far from me, are my two giant Newfoundland dogs. They have endured the occasional blue or red splattered fur.

What inspires you?
As a wife, mom and artist there is a well of untapped inspiration to draw upon. My works illustrate aspects of inter-personal relationships, past and present. Sometimes it can be a phrase I come across, a certain play of light, or a form, which provides a basis for a painting. Painting provides me with the opportunity to express emotions, resolve issues, or just have a voice.

Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
Painting is a full time profession for me. I spend about six hours during the daylight in the studio. Also, I find myself with stashes of pencils and paper in every room, just in case a stroke of inspiration should strike.

The Looking Glass

This is a fine art print of my original painting The Looking Glass.

What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
As the old adage goes; “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so I post as many of my images as possible on blogs, forums, web sites.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?
As my family well knows, I can be a little off-center and sometimes odd. With respect to my more imaginative works, I will often hear “hey, that’s a little strange” so that’s when I know the piece is now finished.

What are your goals?
I always attempt to infuse my works with a heartfelt sentiment. My goal is to convey that sentiment through line, form, and tone.

How do you envision your creations being used by your customers?
Beyond the obvious decoration upon a wall, I would hope my works strike an emotion chord with a customer. For instance, my series Mae & Bebe celebrates the interaction of a mother and daughter. I have young moms who see themselves in the work from the perspective of being the mother, and at times being the daughter.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
In the near future, I am planning to open a second etsy shop titled “a kat tale” offering illustrations and drawings.

For more information please visit

KAT'S BLOG: http://indigomood.blogspot.com
KAT'S WEBSITE: http://mamenolan.net
KAT'S STORE: http://KatHannah.etsy.com

Read More

The UnExpected - Deck

It's hot. At least in the northern hemisphere. And at my apartment, absolutely every moment possible is spent outside on our little deck. Beautiful with the sounds of birds and a huge maple that brushes down onto one corner and plenty of plants in beautiful glazed pots. But why do we so often leave the decorating to those pots. Here are some unexpected choices for making the outside, another room of your home.

whirligig pillow set
from enhabiten

Wonderful crisp clean colors and each pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls and lavender which can only add more soft sounds and scents to our outdoor space (ideal if plants are not possible). Plus each pillow (and you get two) is 9" x 14.5" - a perfect size to toss into your 'deck bag' and bring inside.

It's only natural - large tree tote
from cipolla

Deck bag? Grab a great bag like this linen and cotton tote to bring your outdoor decor easily in and out in inclement weather and you'll never be more than 30 seconds away from bliss.


pale palmera leaf metal artwork
from CopperLeafStudios

Perfect to set the mood of a relaxing space, a pairing of these amazing zinc images would make any space. Nestle them close to the house, under an overhang for protection (avoid rain and bring indoors in the winter), and they will evoke the sounds of a pond anywhere they hang.


small oval dish
from DishfulsofDoodles

An abstract celebration of natural forms makes this dish ideal for the center of the table. With my pockets always full of pebbles and shells I've collected from the shore, this platter provides a stylish way to display such found natural treasures.

These ideas can so easily transform your deck into a haven for every spare moment. Your space is really yours now, with all your great design sense added and quite frankly, I'm not sure you'll be able to get your friends to go home. But hey, that's the price to pay for great design. Might as well bring them some lemonade.

Celadon Green Tumbler Serving Set
from juditavill

Enjoy.

P.S. Show us what you can do with your outdoor space - post a link to your photo in a comment!

Read More