Art For The Basement Walls

I have been redecorating the basement for the kids. It has always been their playroom but the room needed to "grow" with them and required updating. I wanted to move toward adding more color with the artwork. I have some old and found some new ones which I am incorporating into the plan for the space.

Last summer I purchased some stunning prints from Etsy shop, Margin. These Kaleidescope Flora pieces have so much vibrant color and are such fun. I thought they would be beautiful displayed as a set. These are just the patterns. Each is sold separately as an A4 size print.

I have found the perfect frames for them and will share those with you later.

We have had these 2' 3" x 1' 6" laminated wall maps from Lakeshore Learning Store for a few years. They have great color and the kids still use them as learning tools and to play school so I have held on to them.

 

 

This metal subway sign was purchased last year on ebay.

 

And this huge, stunning piece was created on brown paper by my daughter, Isabel, a couple of years ago, when she was 12. At the time she did it, it was just a person. I have interpreted it to be a person in motion - dancing, exercising, having fun. This was part of an art class in school. By the time the piece made it home at the end of the school year it had been rolled up and had crinkles all over. It lends the piece some texture, I think.

 I purchased a roll of white paper from Michaels' last year and used Mod Podge to adhere the brown paper piece onto it to give it a frame of sorts and to highlight the piece against the taupe wall color. It is now 3' 2" x 5' 2".

This artwork has been up on a wall in the basement for a while - an appropriate spot which will be shared with you in time.

So far so good. The basement is coming together.

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How I Decorated The Dining Table

On Wednesday evening I hosted a 'Ladies' Social' event in the neighborhood. It is a tradition that started many years ago and is an informal gathering held once a month. It used to be a 'Ladies' Coffee' get-together after dinner but has gradually evolved into an occasion where wine is offered - more appealing, I would guess.

I have hosted a couple or more of these over the years and decided my dining room was complete enough to "open" it to the public again after having stenciled the walls. I still do not have curtains or newly upholstered chairs but right now it is all about enjoying the walls.

I was not entirely sure how I was going to dress up the table until the previous day. I kept it simple.

I have some tablecloths which I have used over the years but did not feel like digging those out just yet. I had purchased this bamboo striped table runner from Bed, Bath & Beyond last summer. I never used it. I decided it would bring some great colors to the table - ones I am planning on introducing more of.

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I had also loved this Manzanita Candelabra made of aluminum and available at west elm last year. It holds nine mini taper candles. It sold out by the time I decided to purchase it. It was available again earlier this year and was on backorder. It arrived last month.

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Love it! The organic shape is quite amazing and it has so much dimension. I would imagine that each piece is different. I had purchased it for $99 and it is now available at a special price of $79.

The mini taper candles are not included and and I have yet to order them. I had thought I could purchase these anyplace easily but that is not the case. I will get some from west elm.

I have a small collection, a growing one though, of mason and other  - organic-blueberry-preserve-for-my-breakfast-with-oatmeal-from-Trader-Joe's - jars. I thought these, with a few flowers, would lend a perfect organic, unfussy look to the table along with the candelabra.

I chose some basic daisy poms - a bouquet for just $4.99 - from a local grocery store to place in four jars and placed them in a linear fashion to balance the organic branches of the candelabra.

The flowers were not arranged in any particular way because I wanted them to look natural.

It is about balance.

A few more pictures.

It would have been nice to have candles in place to add a little more height  to the vignette but by the next event in a few weeks I hope to have some.

This was a simple and effective table centerpiece. It tones down the formality of the dining table, adds color and natural elements which are more organic than the obvious wood furniture.

Some light fare - olives, cheese and crackers, strawberries - and wine were added later. It was a fun evening.

I love how this looks! It would be so much fun and easy to add flowers in one or more other colors, coordinate the place settings, glasses or the napkins and so on. Easy decorating of a dining table.

One last thing...once again, the picture from the Goldeneye resort which I love and am using for color inspiration, framed artwork on the dining room wall and the table runner...coordinate.

And yes, the stenciled walls were also a huge hit!

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Basement Reorganizing Under Way

A few weeks ago I started reorganizing our basement. It has been the kids' playroom for almost thirteen years and has undergone a couple of changes of the years - after construction and again after a flood.

My kids are now fourteen and almost-eleven. They have outgrown a lot of the toys they accumulated over the years.

Now they are more into Band Hero and the Wii and playing loud music to listen to with their friends, watch television. The enjoy playing 'restaurant' and they still play 'school', use their tents and occasional play 'dress-up' for fun.

We had bought shelving from The Container Store many years ago. It is a free standing piece; quite large.

This was the shelves a few weeks ago when I had not organized or cleaned it up in weeks.

Wonderful!

There are items here that we decided to keep - arts and crafts miscellaneous, the more complicated puzzles, advanced board games, a domino set and so on.

A lot of crayons sent home at the end of each school year.

They need to be contained in this organizer, purchased at Lakeshore Learning Store.

We have outgrown Barbie and to some degree, Sponge Bob.

I gave them each some pink post-its to place on items they were quite sure they did not play with any longer. These would be handed-down to cousins, donated or thrown (if broken or missing pieces). It is tough to donate kids' items these days as most organizations do not accept them.

Much progress.

(The doll was purchased for me when I was very little by my father on one of his trips to Singapore).

Love Pictionary!

The keep pile grows but is manageable.

The shelves are finally empty! This piece has served us really well for many years. It will be moved into the adjoining garage for storage of other household items, like paint cans.

Now we can enjoy the striped walls I had painted some years ago. I will keep you updated on further progress.

I love reorganizing. It can be hard work but is therapeutic and so very rewarding.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Stunning Estate In Cabo San Lucas

I am awestruck by this spectacular private residence situated in the Mexican Riviera.

This serene estate, Casa Finisterra, was designed by Steven Harris Architects and boasts a truly breathtaking vista. The 9,000 square foot house stands in a gated community, has 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and a cantilevered swimming pool. The property has custom designed furniture which successfully complements the interior as well as the exterior. 

This is a very modern home but there is a harmonious blend of the exterior with the interior as is apparent in these pictures. I love the indoor-outdoor spaces and the floor-to-ceiling windows maximize on the location by drawing in some breathtaking vistas.

One of my favorite pictures of the property.

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Very spa-like, wouldn't you agree? Anyone looking to escape to the Baja Peninsula? This house comes staffed with a private chef, driver and house manager, too.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

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Happy Mother's Day!

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Feeling The Need To Lounge

These pictures prove that a relaxing space can have that lived-in look screaming comfort while still being very chic and stylish.

It could be the styling of the rooms with the use of different elements - sometimes rustic, naturals, layers of fabrics and a mix of patterns and textures and colors, accessories, ample seating, generally giving one the sense of a space that has evolved over time and not created in a day and one that is inviting.

Are you a fan?

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I know I am a huge fan of such spaces.

Through last week and this week a few of us have felt compelled to take advantage of the relaxed environment of the family room and also the bed to lounge and recover from allergies, strep and other infections. We certainly appreciate the warmth and comfort of any such space.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.