WINNER of Giveaway #5

We have a winner today – for DSG’s Giveaway #5. 

We had a great turnout in comments and Random.org picked #31 for us!

Congratulations makeart for winning $20 of artwork with free shipping from Diane Clancy!

**again – please note. I apologize to those who were disqualified from the giveaway. Several comments had be deleted before the winning number was chosen because they did not follow the entry rules. Please be sure to always read “How to Enter” and do that post. Extra entries can not count if you do not do the Entry post.

Thank you to all of you who commented – visited our blog, our Design Style Guide site, and Diane’s shops! Thank you too for all the wonderful blogs and tweets!!!

Read More

Pretty Pottery

I collect pottery and can always find beautiful pieces from Design Style Guide potters. As a quilter I may be partial to artwork that is also functional, but that's one of the things I love about pottery: I can indulge my collector's whims even while obtaining useful tableware. Here's a small sampling of the pottery offered by Design Style Guide members. Click any link to see a detailed description of the piece, or to make a purchase. Happy collecting!

Medium Batter Bowl in Colorful Tones by Miss Pottery

Sassy Funky Salt and Pepper Shakers Dancing by Creative With Clay

Salad Days by DBabcock

Retro Sushi Dish Set by Colorado Pottery

5-Piece Nesting Bowls by Hodaka Pottery

There are hundreds of additional pottery items by the Design Style Team, to fit any style or budget. Visit the Team's website for full access to our listings.

Read More

Get this Look for Less...

This photo, originally found at Traditional Home, is a gorgeous living room created by Tom Stringer. It provides a great example of what to do with a large wall not only in a living room but in any room. Here is what the designer had to say about it:

Get a grid
“Deciding what kind of art is right for the big wall behind the sofa is an easy problem to resolve when you remember that there’s power in numbers. Groups of similar images in matched frames add graphic punch and interest to the behind-sofa wall—which really is a blank canvas…an opportunity. This also solves a problem when a suitably scaled painting isn’t available. Here, a collection of antique bird prints are framed in a simple contemporary molding that echoes the style and finish of the side tables. I like to hang multiple images in a tight grid, just shy of the length of the sofa, with equal margins at the top of the sofa and bottom of the ceiling molding.”

Visit www.DesignStyleGuide.net website for some of our suggestions to create this look for less:

Read More

The Always Inspiring Butterfly

Few living things have such a transformation into a lovely being as a butterfly. Many artists draw inspiration from them and bring them into their work. Here are some of the lovelies that the Design Style Guide members have created:

The Rustic Butterfly Bowl is actually crafted by Inspired by Nature from a gourd! How is that for reusing nature in a beautiful way!

The Flanged Decorative Pillow in Black and White Floral and Butterflies by Pillow Throw Decor brings in a lovely motif in colors that are easily worked in to any decor.

Over the Rainbow a Real Butterfly Swarm by Butterfly Designs use real butterflies in their colorful artwork.

Blue Morpho Real Framed Butterfly from Bugs Under Glass use butterflies that come from the rainforests of Central and South America.

Butterfly in the Midst of Flowers from Everything Dear comes in a vivid 8"x10" photo.

Adding any of these finds to your room decor is sure to give it a beautiful transformation, second only to that of the butterfly!

Read More

Saffron - A touch of exotic color

Saffron is one of my favorite color trends for this year. It adds a touch of warm color as the days grow shorter. I also like the exotic touch it adds, reminiscent of the beautiful fabrics (and food) of India. Here are a few selections from the Design Style Guide on Etsy that will bring this warm and exotic touch of color to your living areas.


Pattyabaker's beautiful giclee print of poppies on a saffron yellow background is a stunner. You can find it in her Etsy shop for $24.95, including shipping.

This set of Sons of Saturn White Ash nesting bowls by makye77 are a work of art as well as functional bowls that you can use in any room of your home. $232 for the four bowls, plus shipping.

This set of six fused glass drawer pulls are certain to add interest to any cabinet or cupboard in your home. Created by JoanJewels, you can purchase them for just $20 from her Etsy shop.

Wow! This fused glass bowl by DianasStainedGlass is a stunner! It features a maple leaf in beautiful fall colors. $40 plus shipping.

I'm a sucker for crocheted doilies, especially in wonderful designs and colors like this one by RSSDesignsIn Fiber. $18.95, plus shipping.

Whether you need to overhaul your room decor this fall or just add a touch of interest, be sure to check out the wonderful creations of members of the Design Style Guide. You can find their work on the DSG website or by typing the word 'designstyleguide' into the search engine on Etsy.

Read More

Dairy Country

My husband and I just got back from a lovely getaway into Dairy Country – Tillamook, Oregon!

So of course, as cheese and wine, ice cream and fresh dairy butter where on my mind, I found some wonderful items on Design Style Guide that represents the Dairy country!

I found cheese servers, cow and grape artwork, wine goblets, a butter keeper, cute farm signs and even candles that smell like the ice cream flavors offered at Tillamook Cheese Factory!

Click on the large picture to see the full treasury and to be able to view each individual item.

Thank you for stopping by Design Style Guide’s blog …. moooooooo,,, *wink*

Read More

Stephanie Amos - Pottery and Paintings

I love this black and white bowl, perfect for anywhere!

These 3 green bowls are food, dishwasher, and microwave safe, so you could find decorative as well as functional uses for these wonderful pieces.



This black and white abstract would be a great piece for just about any room.



This has to be one of my favorites, a red and black pottery vase that would look great in many contemporary settings.



This soap dish would look great in my bath, how about yours?





Here is a great abstract that would be a fabulous addition to many living rooms!


In Stephanie's own words:

Abstraction is an art all in its own. Not to be understood but appreciated. For me ti comes from deep down, from the heart and soul. It is my way of expressing my emotions and feelings. The brush is my voice. The paints are my words. Color, depth, space, composition - they just appear.
~Samos

I spent most of my secondary education in the art room. Any spare time that I had I was drawing, painting, or sculpting. Not much has changed over the years. After high school I went off to college. Gave it a shot and decided it wasn't for me. So I took off for the Bering Sea to become a commercial fisherman. I fished for about five years. After a knee injury I decided I was ready for school again. This time I knew what I wanted to do. Study art. I wanted to know everything there was to know. And so began the rebirth of my art.

I work in three different mediums. I paint original abstract paintings on canvas using a brush and palette knife. I work mostly in oils, but am branching out with acrylics and mixed medias. I also create abstract figurative bronze sculptures in a female form. I use line and texture as well as simplicity to convey my ideas. The last of the mediums I like to work in is photography. While studying abroad in Italy, I learned the skills of printing in the darkroom. With education and the experience of running a local photo shop, I have acquired a taste for the darkroom and all it has to offer. I hand process images in my darkroom from time to time when I'm not in the studio painting or sculpting.

Welcome to my world of art.

And what a beautiful world it is, Stephanie! You can find her work here on Etsy, on her blog, at her web site, and on Design Style Guide.

Jean
Jean Levert Hood
My blog, my website.

Read More

One-of-a-Kind Finds

Reverting back to form, I'm going to talk about wood this month. I work with wood on a daily basis. I understand wood far better than pottery or sewing or stained glass. I'm most comfortable discussing this wonderful natural material, so that's what you're getting from me this time.

I decided to pick out a few items that are true one-of-a-kind finds. No matter how many of these a particular artist might make, no two could ever be alike due to the unique nature of the woods used in these marvelous works of art.

Ash Bowl by MaxWood Creations

I don't turn wood. I want to turn wood, but a lathe is a big investment and there are several other items ahead of it on my list. In the meantime I'll just have to drool over the beautiful turn objects at DSG, not the least of which is this bowl by MaxWood Creations. As a useful kitchen utensil it is an abject failure because it has a hole in it. As a piece of art, however, it is pure greatness of the highest order!

From MaxWood Creations: "This Ash bowl is so cool! As it was being turned, a knot was worked out creating a void in the side of the bowl. And because it was turned when the wood was still green, the wood dried after it was completed, and as a result, the bowl changed shape a little bit. So the bowl is not perfectly round. But it is striking and very unique! It would be a great focal point on a side table, on a mantle, or in a curio."

This bowl deserves to occupy a place of honor in someone's home.

Spalted Maple Jewelry Box by Welcome Woods Workshop

Jewelry boxes. I plan to build some jewelry boxes in the next year, and I'll be referring to this one for inspiration. This wonderful box features contrasting wood, visible joinery (the splines on the corners), and sturdy, simple lines that let the beauty of the wood shine.

From Welcome Woods Workshop: "A simple yet elegant hand crafted, solid maple jewelry box. It is made from Spalted maple which I hand milled myself with a small chainsaw mill and came from a large maple tree in an old churchyard here on the Sunshine Coast. The top is made from black cherry as are the splines. It is finished with a durable varnish clear coat."

This box will stand out in just about any décor, yet the design won't get in the way of your jewelry.

Elemental Slide by Holzfurhaus

Yeah... One more piece that makes me regret not owning a lathe. I love working with walnut because of the feel of the wood under my tools and the wonderful smell. I can just imagine how nice it would be to turn a bowl out of walnut.

From Holzfurhaus: "This is another bowl in the Elemental series. It is made from walnut, with a sanded natural edge to make it a lilttle more intersesting. It has deep dark shades of walnut color. This is an ornamental piece not intended for food or liquid."

This bowl should be in my library right now. I know just the place for it...

Mantle Clock by Marko Wood Designs

Tim Marko is a friend of mine. He live a few miles away from me, and I plan to spend some time in his shop stealing every secret the man has about finishing wood. The clock you see above has some wonderful design elements -- visible joinery, through tenons, the spalted cottonwood face -- but the true beauty of a Tim Marko piece is how well he finishes the wood. He has a very specific go-to formula he uses, but I think the real trademark is in the loving care he pours into every square inch.

Tim Marko says: "This clock is made from ash and spalted cottonwood. It uses a quartz chime movement that plays on the quarter hour and counts the hour. It has a natural finish."

Jagged Maple Burl Vessel by Natural Selection Studio

This bowl/vase/upside-down cone is turned from a piece of maple burl, a misshapen, malformed bit of a maple tree that woodworkers prize for it's beauty. And that beauty has been enhanced here by the gouge and the lathe, imposing a mostly symmetrical form upon a natural mistake. The results speak for themselves. And the real genius of this design is leaving the natural "wild" edge at the rim.

Natural Selection Studio says: "This wonderful vessel is overflowing with interesting color and figure. It measures 5-3/4" tall by 4-1/2" wide at the rim. Need a focal point in your decor? This is it! Finished with walnut oil."

And it would make a fine focal point indeed!

I trust this little tour through the wooded regions of Design Style Guide has given you some design ideas of your own. Check out the other offerings from all our woodworkers. You won't be disappointed.

•••••

If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below. Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.

If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.

Read More

Tuscan Style

A peak at my library card records will tell you that lately I've been obsessed with Tuscan furniture and home decor. The warm earthy colors and comfortable furnishings are appealing.

Here are some Tuscan style decor finds from Design Style Guide:

TileSmile's Joy Tile makes me happy.

Lana Dashevsky's Poppy Field Italy, 8x12 Original Signed Photo gives a child's eye view of the Italian countryside.

I just love floor cloths and Step On It Art's Tuscan Tile Canvas Rug Floorcloth is gorgeous!

WindDancer Photos For the Chef - Garlic Still Life has ethereal culinary appeal (pun intended).

LimeTea's Balancing Wine Bottle Holder for those homestyle Italian meals.

Read More

Giveaway #5 featuring Diane Clancy

  NOTE: all photos © Diane Clancy – please do not copy or reproduce in any way

Diane has been one of my favorite artists for a long time. I often have contact with her on teams and have watched her beautiful work develop and I am amazed at her unique creations.

I’m pleased to introduce her to you today! She is our featured Design Style Guide artist for Giveaway # 5!

Diane says she: “creates vibrant paintings that feature color and vision. My purpose is to uplift and inspire people. My artwork is in both digital and a variety of traditional mediums.

Says Diane, "I feel that I am very blessed to have this opportunity to express myself through painting. I love that people say my artwork enhances their lives."

 

 

Diane’s art has been featured in many places – most recognizable is this piece titled “Conundrum I”.  

 

I must also note that many of Diane’s creations are ACEO’s. What’s an ACEO you ask?

They are highly collected, trading card sized artwork! They can be matted and framed for the wall, or smaller for a bookshelf or side table. Many collectors create beautiful coffee table art books with their huge collections of ACEO’s!

Diane is offering up to $20 of merchandise from her artwork and that includes free shipping!

How to Enter: To enter this fantastic giveaway – all you need to do is go to Design Style Guide and tell us which “Decor Item by Style” (on the left hand side of the page) you were most interested in searching through! One post about the style you chose and you are entered into the drawing!!!

For extra entries: Would you like to increase your chances of winning? Here are a couple of ways to do that!

1: Visit any of Diane’s shops: 1000Markets, Artfire or Etsy and tell us which item is your favorite in one comment.

2: Follow DSG on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. Leave ONE individutal comment here that you have tweeted. (though you can retweet as many times as you want!)

3: Blog about Design Style Guide or Diane Clancy’s giveaway with a link to this post and leave a comment here with the url of your blog post.

Thank you for visiting Design Style Guide’s blog. I know you’re going to enjoy visiting our website and Diane’s shops!

This giveaway will end on Oct 21, Noon PDT. We will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner, and post the winning post number here. This 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

Stylize with Stylish Stems

Fall is here! One of my favorite seasons of the year. I fell in love with the beautiful floral arrangements and fun Halloween pieces made by Toni of Stylish Stems. I'm sure you will too!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Toni is donating 10% of each purchase to the Susan G. Komen research fund for the entire month of October. What a great way to support a good cause.

To find out more about Toni and Stylish Stems, visit her blog at http://stylishstemsbytp.blogspot.com/
and see more amazing silk arrangements at
http://www.stylishstems.etsy.com/

Read More

Good Morning Glory - by Light and Reflection

1. Abstract Sunrise by Patty Baker Original

2. Twins - Original Photo Print of Morning Glory by Yankeesgirl Watercolors and Photography
3. Tropical Sunset by For Quilts Sake

4. Autumn Field 524 by Quilted Vermont

5. Morning Glories by Light and Reflection

6. Poppy Field by Dream Gallery

7. Yellow Swallowtail by Everything Dear

8. Tile Mirror with Morning Glories and Grasshopper by Celestial Swan Designs

9. Handmademade Bird Bath, glass and copper, orange by Glorious Glass Garden
10. Lonely Looking Sky by Mysticsilk

11. Morning Glory Pillow by Brookside Creations

12. Water Lilies Window by Windflower Design

Read More

Fabulous Browns

When it comes to Interior Design, I can't resist browns! They are rich, warm and comforting!

I wanted to share with you a few items from our wonderful Design Style Guide artists.

Coiled Gourd Cyclone Bowl by midnightcoiler

The dyed pine needles are added one by one and then stiched to the coil below

with Irish waxed linen.

Floral Fields 22x22 Accent Pillow by houseofpeltier

One of a kind accent pillow made of Damask linen fabric.

Owl Switchplate by rathina

Available in single, double, triple and quadruple switch plate covers. Most designs are also available in outlet covers.

Wildflower 7 - 11x14 Digital Painting by Art2ArtColorado
Somewhat mysterious and moody piece featuring a stylized and soft focus wildflower.

Gradient Ornamental oak bowl by holzfurhaus
Has a natural edge with a bit of bark still in place. Measures 5 3/4 diameter, 4 3/4 height.

Into The Great Wide Open Original Fine Art Painting by hwinfield
Metallic copper and gold with warm rich brown and lime green
and is 20 x 30 inches.

Just go to http://etsy.com

type designstyleguide in the search box.

It's that simple

Read More

Hip Autumn Home Decor

Spice up your home decor with warm, Autumn hues. The designers at Design Style Guide are busy creating everything from ottomans to tablecloths to compliment a glowing fire in the fireplace and ruddy leaves drifting down outside your window.



This gorgeous contemporary ottoman from Observatory Place has an aspen base and a plushy cushion covered in orange corduroy and brown hemp. Perfect for putting your feet up by the fire.


Accent pillows are a good way to welcome the new season. This patchwork pillow by Flying Needle Gallery measures 16"x16" and is made from luxurious, hand woven Thai silk.

While you can't wrap up in this fine art quilt by Uncommon Cloth, gazing at it on your wall will certainly inspire thoughtfulness and reflection.


Autumn Mood from Point of View Photographic Art certainly brings the outside in vis-a-vis this macro photography print.


Nothing says warm and welcoming like a floral wreath. The Autumn Sunset Wreath from Southern Floral Girl....the name says it all.

Read More