Kid's Art Display

I'm always getting the 

cutest things home from 

from kids' art classes 

like every mom 

and needed a solution 

for a display 

that could accommodate 

different sizes of art 

and something easy 

to change out.

This idea popped into my 

head while doing laundry.  

I am always thinking and 

wishing I were out of 

the laundry room and 

these hangers caused just 

the distraction I needed to escape.   

Of course...I could not finish 

the load as I needed to 

see this idea in 

action right away!

So simple...3 kids...three hangers

Here is my 

changing art wall:

Add a little kick with pattern

I am always finding fabrics 

that I "have to have" 

somewhere in my home.

Many times, I buy fabric just 

because I love it 

...even if I don't think 

it will go anywhere in particular.

Once I get it home,

I usually have 5 or 6 places 

it can go so end up being 

torn about where to use it.

  

The key to using a loud fabric 

is to use it in the right 

place and in the right amount.

See example below

LOVED this polka dot material.

....Would never use it on a big

piece of furniture.

I did use it on my bench 

cushions in my kitchen...

shown in a previous post.

I don't like to use the same 

fabric twice but I this is 

what happens when you are 

so torn...

so I did also recover this

foot stool with it in the 

living room.

What I love is that this little piece

of furniture has a big impact.

It gives this corner the 

little kick 

it needed.

I topped off the 

brown and cream 

polka dots

with a brown and cream 

accent pillow 

to coordinate the two.

The nice thing is that 

when I get tired of 

these polka dots, 

I used it in a minimal way 

so it is easy to 

change in the future...

However...I think they 

will be here for a while.

Playing with Space Planning

When working on a space for a client, 

I love to play with things the homeowner has to 

see how things look and flow

to develop space planning.

   

When I am dealing with an empty space,

I use this simple space planner...

These are magnetized furniture pieces

so I can lay things out to scale.

I am not a high tech girl.

The fact can upload and 

blog is a miracle. 

Anyone can appreciate a visual when 

trying to make decisions....

especially when spending money 

is involved.

Below I explored with a family room 

layout to show a client...

had about 5 options before I saw the winner.

Space Planning Wish List:

1.  fireplace to be the focal point

2.  opportunity for conversation 

 3.  as much seating without overcrowding

I started with facing a sofa opposite 

the focal point to balance the space.

One rule I normally start with is to put 

my largest piece on the longest wall....

That rule applied this time..does not always.

(I break my own rules all the time.

That is how you keep things interesting.)

I added a sofa and love seat

rectangular table that follows the 

length of sofa and love seat.

...long side with sofa

...short side with love seat

Was not happy once I saw it

so I kept playing with different options.

Below....This was the winner after exploring.

I liked the clean look with 

two sofas 

and felt like a waste 

to not add a second sofa

when there was plenty of space.

I added a round cocktail table

to compliment the 

length of the couches.

Two sofas also felt

 like a more updated choice

and less predictable.

I liked less tables too to stay 

away from overcrowding.

(An area rug was added 

to connect this arrangement.)

The next step was to shop...

but this is the place to start

space planning....

so important!