Crickets?

I was leafing through a magazine to find something to blog about since I haven't blogged in two weeks! I've been in a bit of a creative funk, couldn't figure out why until I came across an article in "Elle Decor". A question was posed to seven stylesetters. The question was basically what they think of, thoughts or memories, when they think of Summer. That's when it hit me, Summer in Colorado has been missing for a few weeks now. It has been wet, dreary and cool. Then I realized one of the things I love about Summer and look forward to, but due to the aforementioned conditions, they are missing...CRICKETS!

People think I'm crazy, and by people I mean friends and family, not to worry, I'm used to it. I'm not sure when I became fond of crickets, I did have a wooden Pinocchio doll as a child, but I'm thinking it probably started when I would spend the summers with my grandparents in Colorado. I probably didn't pay much attention to their song back then, but now I look forward to hearing them every Summer. The weather we have been having this July has unfortunately robbed me of slumber music. Yes, I do have a sound machine that I listen to year round and yes it is set to crickets every night, but I miss the real musicians. I do not blame their absence on my lack of creativity, I just miss them, but I do blame the weather!

I am truly a person who responds to warm, make that really warm, oh hell, hot temperatures! (Pardon the pun, but I couldn't resist.) As much as I love higher temperatures, I really love the sun. It is my daily dose of happy and I'm just not myself without it, hence the lack of creativity. I am hoping my "happy pill" is back in full force next week because I will be starting the headboard for my clients boudoir. Of course there is always the happy pill in the form of a martini, but I will be working with power tools...anybody know of a successful Sun dance?

Room Jewelry

There is nothing quite like a chandelier to add a little elegance to a room, even a kitchen, I have one in mine! A chandelier adds elegance, but it can also add a touch of whimsy, like in a kitchen...I was shopping for a chandelier today for my clients boudoir and I thought it would make a good blog topic.

It is no wonder that we ladies wear earrings named after chandeliers, because chandeliers accessorize a room the same way jewelry accessorizes us. I believe in a previous blog I touched on a very simple room with a bold wall color, a perfect style of room for a chandelier. The room above is very simple, cozy, kinda cottagey, but wow the chandelier just adds that extra little kick of glam!

The other amazing thing about chandeliers is the crazy range of pricing. While yes, one could spend tens of thousands of dollars for a chandelier, I found one for the boudoir for $59! It is 11x14, wrought iron with crystals, absolutely perfect for this project! I found it on gspncrystal.com, they have an amazing selection to choose from not to mention amazing prices. If you have a room that needs a little touch of glam, go for a chandi. Who knew glam could be so affordable!

Art as the Heart

I was working today, doing some research, okay looking through magazines, but it is a required task for my profession, man I love my job! There was an article in Elle Decor, June 2009, about an artist, Jules de Balincourt. The above painting captured my attention and wouldn't let go. I was on that beach, camping in that tent with a full moon above...

I love art that creates a mood, a feeling, a room. The colors in this painting are absolutely breathtaking. The room I would create would be loungey cool. I would paint the walls and ceiling a glossy midnight blue. Throw a grass rug down for texture and to keep the beachy vibe. The sofa would be a dark aqua, but very streamlined, something from the 50's. A few beachy striped floor pillows to keep it relaxed, AAAUGH, I LOVE IT!

I have always used art as a start for a room. My favorite artist is Georgia O'Keeffe. A client doesn't have to love or even like the content of an O'Keeffe painting, but her use of colors was amazing. I myself love the content of her paintings, from her early New York work to her life in New Mexico. It wasn't just her use of color, but there is such a fluidity to everything she painted. Yes, a lot of her paintings are quite sensual, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

So look around your home. Did you buy a piece of art because you had to have it, was it a hand me down or a Nagel left over from the 80's? If you said yes to the Nagel, call me! Maybe you aren't really into art at the moment, but wait. Art calls to you when you least expect it, you will know the right piece. When you find that piece, watch how it makes a room come alive. Respect it. You may need to make some changes to the room because chances are the art is more a part of you than the sofa you sit on.