Featured Artist - Arlene Taus Salomon

I would like to share the work of Arlene Taus Saloman with you, she is a 4 star member of Design Style Guide. Arlene resides in Hawaii and her Etsy store is iliahi.etsy.com

She is a very talented photographer, her photographs are exotic and beautiful and come in different photo sizes from 5x7 to 11x17 inches. Most images are also available in Giclee print and Gallery Wrapped on canvas, sized from 11x14 to 24x30 inches. So you have many options from a small simple print, to a large fantastic gallery wrapped print. All depending on the look you want.

Here are some of her images that are available;

Hawaiian sandalwood flowers

Red Orange Wiliwili Flowers

Ohi'a lehua Hawaiian Tree

The Mighty Silversword

Trees Of The Lava Fields
Straight from her Bio;
"Arlene Taus Salomon has her B.F.A. in Fine Arts and is an ISA Certified Arborist. She is an instructor of art and plant sciences and has taught workshops at the Art Center and Community College on Maui. She has a multimedia studio in her home where she experiments mostly with photography, fiber art related mediums, metalsmith and jewelry design. Her photography features views of Hawaii with dazzling botanical prints and sweeping landscapes reproduced as large size giclees. Her handmade papers are made by cooking and pounding local plant fibers. Recently, she has begun to print her images onto her handmade papers using alternative photographic techniques like cyanotype, Van Dyke brown printing and photogravure. Another aspect of her life is Arboriculture or tree/plant biology. When she is not in her studio she is out in the field managing her horticultural business in which she consults, specializes in native plant landscape design and all aspects of tree care."

I hope you enjoyed seeing Arlene's work as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you. Make sure you check out her etsy shop.

Read More

A christening!

The term properly refers to the acceptance of the recipient of a christening, or Baptism, into the church of Christ. It means to "bring to Christ."

In this case, our latest grandson is due to be christened this weekend. As a Church of England tradition the actual ‘christening’ will often be added at the end of the normal Sunday service. So, hopefully we won’t have to wait too long as for other little ones it can be tiresome!

This ceremony does give the family the excuse to meet, join with friends and neighbours to enjoy and formally recognise the latest addition to the family. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to allow a barbeque to be held outdoors otherwise it will be a finger buffet style meal indoors. Either way, I am sure our grandson will be totally oblivious (he is only 6 months old) as it will be his nap time anyway!

Whilst strolling through the realms of this talented team of interior designers I came across some beautiful items that might be perceived for the celebration of a christening.

Stained Glass Manger by Creations in Glass.

A handcut beautiful opalescent iridized stained glass, for the base & foiling the pieces using the copper foil technique, and soldering to a music box base that plays away in a manger there are two wise men & baby Jesus. Perfect for that Christmas christening!

Christening gifts can be difficult to source but what about this useful item?

The Owyn Toy Box by Mod Mom Furniture

The Owyn Toy Box is a modern organic-style chest designed for any room in the house! Use it to store everything from toys to gadgets to blankets. It has two easy lift-off lids that fit the top like a puzzle. Easy for little hands to manipulate! The Owyn Toy Box is separated into two convenient compartments under individual leaf lids.

Looking for something to keep as a memento of this auspicious occasion? Why not this item which you will agree is a little diferent?

Decorative Silver Giraffe Flower by Yoola

The artist created it as most of their creations using the smallest crochet needle available in the market and a silver colored copper wire.

For a reminder of how we welcome cherish this new child into God’s midst this delightful image would be prefect!

Gift of a Child by DeborahVoizin

This is one of my most favorite images. It shows how tiny and fragile a newborn baby is, in comparison to adult size hands that will be caring and guiding this sweet child through life.

Perfect for that old fashioned style!

Victorian Style Crochet Christening Cape by Precious Quilts aka me, On a Whimsey!

Can you imagine your little one on their special day wearing this romantic Victorian style christening cape?

And, so I look forward to our family gathering next weekend!

Read More

Matting and Framing Original Artwork

© Yankeegirl

You may have noticed the wonderful selection of original wall art available on the DesignStyleGuide.net website. Many of these pieces arrive and you need to mat, frame and hang them yourself.

You can take them to an expensive framer, or you can mat and frame them yourself!

Mats are fairly easy to buy – both single and double mats – in a neighborhood craft store. But you may not be able to find the color or style you want. And if you’d like to learn to cut your own mats – here’s a video from About.com on Interior Design and cutting mats:

Click Here

 

 

 

© thecreatorspalette

Framing is another issue that often causes confusion.   If you’re unsure how to frame your newly bought original artwork, you might take a look at a few of these links:

 

 

© Mwilson         

Here are some instructions on how to frame an oil or acrylic painting…     

If you’re framing a watercolor, follow these instructions….  

Here are instructions for Photo’s and Prints…

    

© Chaanda

Read More

Contemporary Home Decor Treats

Sleek, clean lines and bold, contrasty colors are what's on the plate for today's post. It's difficult to narrow it down, so search 'contemporary' at designtstyleguide.net and see what else catches your eye!

Sometimes, the proper accent makes the difference between blase and beautiful. Before you re-paint crisp, white kitchen cupboards or ditch the old chest of drawers, you may want to consider accenting them with these gorgeous fused dichroic glass handmade drawer pulls from Uneek Glass Fusions.






This 16x20 original landscape painting from Helen Janow Miqueo is titled "Twitter" and I suspect, hanging in a bedroom or in a sitting room, it could be a portal into another dimension, or at the very least, the basis for a series of lovely daydreams.









Simple, comfortable, functional. This sleek ottoman from Sooo Sweet Design embodies the essence of contemporary design, combining simple form and function with eye-popping retro upholstry in black, white and gray.








Fulfilling my chair fetish is this minimalist piece called "con moto" from Joshua David Gregory. I adore this chair, the supple ash, modern angles, simple design and sturdy joinery, are all beckoning to me loudly.














It's true that I'm ga-ga for glass and this contemporary periwinkle soap dish from BPR Designs, perhaps combined with a new set of towels, is one of those mega-accents that just might save you from redoing the entire bathroom!








Seriously, I could go on forever here, but I'm capping it here, with a delicious vinyl wall decal from Janey Mac. Contemporary decor doesn't get any easier or more modern than this: the Modern Dot Tree!

Read More

My Grandmother's Eyes, part two

One of the first things I ever wrote for DSG was a blog post called "My Grandmother's Eyes." I included art from DSG members, art that my grandmother would have loved. She loved bright colors. She couldn't see very well, and colors she saw were muted, so she tended to pick bright reds and greens and blues, oranges and pinks. She had a collection of ceramic cardinals that was legendary, and was even featured on a regional television show out of Houston, "The Eyes of Texas," some 30 years ago.

Two months ago my grandmother was ill, and we took her to the emergency room. She was in and out of the ICU at Huguley Hospital north of Burleson, Texas, for 12 days, and during some of that time she couldn't remember much, even from one minute to the next. When she came home we hoped she might pull out of it. She was feeling better, smiling, joking with everyone even though she couldn't speak above a whisper. We had arranged to have a hospital bed set up for her in her home, and my mother (who lived there already) was going to take care of her.

Over the next week my grandmother felt better, felt worse, was energetic and then tired, but on the eighth evening she went to sleep early and we could never wake her again. Two days later I quit my summer job with the Alvarado school district and moved in with my mother to help care for "Ma Ma." We barely slept, didn't eat enough, but we got into a sort of rhythm after a couple of days, trading the watch during the night so we both could sleep a little. And on the morning of my eighth day there, with my mother, my wife and myself holding her, my beautiful grandmother, Rupie Lee Johnson, passed away at age 98.

Ma Ma taught me many things in the 48 years I knew her. She taught me to cook, to garden, to take care of my family. But she mostly taught me to love unconditionally. She and my grandfather, Lenard Johnson, were the sweetest people I have ever met, period. I honor them by doing the things they would have done. I take care of my family, my mother included. I cook for them, often using Ma Ma's recipes. And I love them.

I needed to let you know why I have been absent from this blog for two months. I wish none of this had happened and that my grandmother was still living with my mother in Burleson, Texas, but that's not the way things worked out. I wouldn't trade a moment of the time I spent with Ma Ma over the last two months or the last 48 years.

I have selected a few new items for Ma Ma from a few DSG artists. These things jump out at me because they are things I would have bought for her as Christmas or birthday gifts. The reasons vary, and I'll not go into detail about any of them. I just know she would have loved them and she's probably smiling about my choices right now.

I love you, Ma Ma.

Beet Design Switchplate 602a-tl

From: KEEPSAKES

There, Right THERE

From: WindDancer Photos

Petals

From: Karen Faulkner Original Art

Japanese Maple Leaves No. 1 From: Terry Aske Art Quilts

Cardinals

From: Trillium Studios

Read More

Orange and Turquoise Brights

Orange and turquoise are a sizzling color combination. Add a few to keep a neutral decorating palette from getting too boring. Here are some unique handmade items to brighten up your home in shades of the summer sunset.

Table Coaster Rug (Koi Pond), by sosorosy, $10 USD. The fabric in this item is from a crazy orange and turquoise pillowcase and has been crocheted into a round mini "rag rug."

Turquoise and Orange Spotted Serving Dish by Judy B. Freeman, $54 USD, inspired by a tropical fish called the Coral Hind Grouper.

Scandinavian Patch cotton cushion cover by bestillshop, $38 USD, patchwork print of hexagons in different patterns including cross hatch, flowers, apples and dots.

Original Pastel Figure Drawing by Kristina Laurendi Havens (krystyna81), $79 USD, drawn from a live model in Nupastel on red brick Colorfix paper.

Read More

A French Country Style Dining Area

Maybe it's because I've been refinishing my dining room table that I have dining room decor on the brain. I love the French Cottage style and here are some great finds for your French Country Dining Room from a few of the wonderful artisans that are found in Design Style Guide.

I love this Rooster painting. It would add a touch of whimsy to the room.

Young Rooster -- Original Oil Painting From: Jean Levert Hood - Fine Art See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And here is a beautiful cottage style China cabinet and serving buffet to go with the rooster painting above.

Shabby Cottage Style Vintage China Cabinet & Serving Buffet From: Pink Paper Rose See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

This gorgeous vintage chandelier will make dinner sparkle and seem like a special occasion every night.

Vintage Wedding Cake Chandelier From: Sheri See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And here is a nice set of table and chairs. I like the contrast of dark wood with the white paint.

Harvest Dining Table From: Black Mountain Furniture See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And why not add a bright floral arrangement to add a bit of color to the room.

Rhapsody Floral Arrangement From: Wreathmic Creations See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Read More

Giveaway #3 featuring Felicia Kramer of "anotherbrightidea"

All photos © Felicia Kramer

It’s time for the Design Style Guide GIVEAWAY #3 !!! We are going to be having giveaways approximately every 2 weeks! So be sure to check in often!

This giveaway features Felicia Kramer at anotherbrightidea.

Felicia says, “I have been making all sorts of art and crafts ever since I can remember. My mother also taught me to sew when I was a child so my creations will sometimes incorporate fabric and sewing techniques. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University with a printmaking emphasis, during which time I developed my papermaking technique.

I decided after college that I couldn’t afford to be a “starving artist” so I joined the corporate world as an event producer, where I often used my creative talents. At the same time, I continued with art projects, mostly for friends and my large extended family. I don’t limit myself to any one medium; I like to explore all types of materials and techniques and my cluttered workroom is a happy testament to that!”

I had a wonderful time exploring the variety of artwork in anotherbrightidea Etsy shop. I’m amazed at how many media’s styles of creations she can develop!

As a member of Design Style Guide (a group of artisans working to reach out to the Interior Design community ) Felicia is offering one US reader, $20.00 credit and free shipping to be spent in her shop on Etsy.

The winner will be able to pick any item from anotherbrightidea that is within the given credit limit. (credit is NOT transferable for cash or to any other shop)

To enter this giveaway: There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway. You may do any one OR enter 3 times and do ALL of the three. But each one must be posted as a separate comment or it will only count as a single entry. Here are the three ways you may enter this giveaway…

1. Visit the Design Style Guide.net website. Leave a comment to this post telling about something you found or liked in the “Under 20 – Wall Art” section .

and/or
2. Visit our featured shop and tell us, in a comment to this post, what you might spend your $20.

3. Follow DSG on Twitter and then tweet linking to this giveaway (leave a comment here that you tweeted so we can count that as an entry.)

*Note: all comments that do not follow the entry rules will be deleted before winning post number is drawn.

Please ensure that the profile you use for your comment(s) is public or leave your email address in your comment. If we are unable to email the winner, we will pick a new winner.

This giveaway will end on Aug 5, Noon PDT. We will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner, and post the win here. Giveaway is only open to US addresses, legal residents of the 50 United States and at least 18 years old at time of entry at this time..

**Note General DSG Giveaway Rules

Read More

Create Easy Links to Your Listings

The Design Style Guide Team continues to grow, and continues to add new ways to showcase and market the handmade home decor items created by team members. This blog entry highlights one of those ways.

From the home page of the Guide you can begin a search in a particular category and subcategory, in this case "Paintings & Wall Art" and "Original Art/Botanical." Now the fun begins! Click on any painting to display the listing details. Near the bottom of the listing, in the center column, you'll find the heading "Other Options." From there you can email the listing, or easily post it to your own blog or web page. The great thing is that you are not just posting an item photo, but also direct links to the seller's portfolio, web site, and email!



Below are some examples. Keep in mind that these links could also be used by Interior Designers and Decorators, to show various items to their customers, or even to email to themselves for future reference.

Let It Go - Original Landscape Painting From: HJM Art Gallery: Helen Janow Miqueo See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Astigmatism From: Christina Loraine Art See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Oriental Blossoms VIII From: Patty Baker Original Acrylic Paintings See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Fenced In From: Trillium Studios See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

If you are a team member who has not yet created listings in the DSG, you are missing a great opportunity to showcase your work. If you are an artisan who is considering joining DSG, you can find detailed info and pricing here. Our goal is to create a huge catalog of quality handmade decor items for decorators, designers and stagers. We aim to be their "Go To" source!

Read More

Garden Design for the Birds

If we want to attract birds to our home garden, we need to make the environment attractive to them. This means that we need to provide them with food, water, shelter and an inviting atmosphere.


You can make your garden more inviting to the birds with some of these home decor items that I found in the shops of members of the Design Style Guide on Etsy.

For instance, how about the intriguing tinkling sound of a wind chime? This upcycled chime by studiomusings features a small watering can and some vintage keys. It's colorful, quaint and musical, and ships for free July 8 - 23 during this artist's Christmas in July sale.

This fully functional pink victorian birdhouse by BirdhouseBlessings gives feathered visitors to your garden a place to rest and maybe even raise a family. It's made of wood and coated with several layers of paints so it can withstand whatever outdoor weather comes its way.

Perfect for finches, wrens and sparrows, this beautiful stained glass bird bath by GloriousGlassGarden provides a place for birds to get a sip of water, splash around on a hot day and simply enjoy the beauty of your garden.

The creative mind behind the shop called MidnightCoiler says, "I'm really not sure why birds seem to love gourd feeders more than other types in my yard. I do enjoy watching the birds that come to the two gourds I have on my deck, especially when they fly in from one side, take a seed, and fly out the other! The flower designs on this feeder have been hand-carved in the traditional manner and the gourd dyed a rich bronzy brown. The mottling and imperfections show through. The attractive design is for you, but the feeder is purely for the birds. This one has two good-sized feeding stations and will hold lots of seed."

So in addition to the shelter, water and music provided by the products above, your garden will need this feeder to complete the lure for birds!

Of course, flowers are wonderful bird attractors. I found this new use for an old drawer in the shop of SemperNova. She has turned old dresser drawers into minature gardens. If you live in a condo or a home without much yard space, you can create a mini-garden that will attract birds with this wonderfully eco-friendly container.

My final suggestion for attracting birds is a wonderful creation by Turnadaisy that is perfect for the gardener with disabilities or some aches and pains that make it difficult to grub around in the dirt. This is a 42" round table that rotates on a lazy susan type bearing. The main body is made of recycled plastic and wood composite. You can fill it with enough plants to create a lush environment for the birds. Yes, it can withstand outdoor weather, and is wonderful indoors, too.

I love waking up to the chittering and singing of the birds in my garden. Provide the right amenities, and you, too, can have a lovely and natural wake-up alarm!

Read More