Inspiration Photo Friday: Renovation Dedication

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Inspiration Photo Friday, The Home

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antique, art, diy, Ikea, interior design, kitchen, natural, nature, renovation, rustic kitchen, vintage, wood

My husband and I are finally fully renovating our kitchen. It has been a little over a year we are in the house and feel its time to take on the project. What was done before was only temporary until we had the funds and the time to get it done so you can imagine how excited I am to see my dream kitchen alive.

This is the first space I’ve designed from scratch and have really enjoyed the process. I want an authentic vintage kitchen so collecting items for the space has taken some time. We started a few months ago, visiting antique shops every weekend until we collected everything we were looking for. The whole room will be free standing pieces, nothing is installed or connected to the walls like cabinetry would be. So finding exactly what we wanted and making sure we had enough storage space was a task all in itself.

We were lucky to have found the perfect pieces at great prices, which helped out a lot considering our budget wasn’t big. Everything has been painted the same color to bring cohesion to the space. Whites and creams will grace the room beautifully. Thanks to Ikea, we were able to get a butcher block countertop at an affordable price and the sink cabinet is being built from scratch, another design I am excited about. When you can’t find what you want, build it!

We purchased wood planks for the ceiling and painted them white as well. And because of our budget, we chose laminate planks for the floor in a nice neutral, honey tone. The new schoolhouse lighting I chose will truly bring the vintage charm to the space and the large piece of art we had custom framed will look gorgeous. Every detail was thought of when it came to this renovation. Floor plans were drawn, measurements were taken, and I considered every inch of the room so we can really maximize the space. I’d have to say, its the most dedication I’ve had for a project in a long time and I know it will all pay off.

So for this inspiration photo friday, I wanted to share my inspirations for our kitchen renovation, since this project has been a focus for some time now. I looked to these and saw elements I loved. Then made them work for our space and combined them in way that worked with our budget. I feel its really important to have a starting point, some kind of inspiration to work off of. And these truly helped my creativity and determination.

Photo Credit: House of Anais

Inspiration Photo Friday: Renovation Dedication
Photo Credit: {Left} Unknown {Right} Kitchen Building

We are currently in the middle of the process and are ready for demo. Everything is getting ripped out, walls and all. Besides my uncle helping us with the drywall, Dan and I are doing this all by ourselves and we couldn’t be more excited. We are DIY all the way and when its all finished, we can look back and be proud of what we accomplished. It just proves that with true dedication, you can do anything. Check back for my before and after photos soon as well as a detailed post about the project.

Creative Introductions

15 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design

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art, design, elementary, Game of Thrones, Hannibal, music, opening credits, The Walking Dead, TV, Vikings

I’m not a huge TV fan but I have to admit I’ve been watching a lot more of it lately. You just can’t deny the great shows that have been gracing the screens within the past few years. Most of the time you feel like you’re watching a movie, which I love. And the connection you build with the story and characters as each season passes is something, I feel, TV has been missing for some time.

One aspect of television, as well as film, I always look forward to are the intros. The opening credits is where art & design and creativity come together to showcase the “feel and style” of the show as well as feature the actors who play important roles. Over the years, these have been getting better and better and I wanted to share a few of my current favorites. Some may overlook these few seconds before the show starts but not me. I think they set the tone for the next hour and prepare you for what’s to come.

These next creative introductions are from series I love and watch every week. Not only are they unique and expertly created, they truly are inspiring in many ways. From the design elements to the music its paired with, you can gain a lot of insight by paying attention. Enjoy!

Elementary
This show is smart, different, and mature in its style. The New York feel is graciously featured throughout each scene from the old brownstone the main characters live in to the attitude and personality of the cast. I have always loved Jonny Lee Miller so when I saw he was in this show, I had to watch. He fits the part perfectly. I am drawn to the darker neutrals showcased as well as the sophisticated combination of vintage elements and modern thought. So it is no surprise I thought the intro was awesome. The music flows so nicely with the rolling ball sequence and they did nice job of blending the credits in. All in all, a winner for sure.

Game of Thrones
What can I say about the genius composition and art direction of this series’ opening credits. Simply amazing. The music is dramatic and fits the time period of the show well, and the idea of the 3D maps is smart because there are so many areas and kingdoms involved in the story. I feel the visual aspect of this opening not only gets you pumped for what is next but its also a nice lead in to how beautiful the scenery and landscape is. It’s sort of interesting to think of the show as a game, as it appears in the intro, and then realize that its based off real life.

I love how Game of Thrones is fearless in its writing and acting, nothing is held back. I think in order for the show to truly be successful, it has to be. Although some scenes are a lot to handle, its a major top pick in my book.

Vikings
If you love Game of Thrones, then Vikings is right up your alley. Raw and undeniably smart, the series explores the history of the vikings with an amazing cast and astounding landscape. The show is badass for sure. I specifically love the details and style of the wardrobe and rustic natural setting.

The opening credits are simply beautiful. With music by Fever Ray setting the dark and gloomy tone, the imagery flows with perfection. I like the focus on Earth’s elements, water and fire, which are both extremely important to the viking people. The lighting is superb, the color choices in saturation and shade are striking, and the art direction is genius. It totally goes with the mood of the series and certainly inspires the unleashed in all of us.

Hannibal
I am so happy this show just started. The minute I saw the commercial I knew I would love it and I certainly do. Such a smart rendition of the story, with unique and creative artistic elements. The cast is superb and the scenes are intense, as if you are watching a film. And how can you not appreciate the writing?

The second episode got my attention even more with the opening credits because they weren’t shown during the first one. A simple title was featured after a few scenes had already went by, which was a smart to do. It added a touch of sophistication to the show. But then the awe of the blood filled skull, flowing so elegantly, so quickly. The moody sounds of grandeur playing as the face slowly turns to look at the viewer. Short, sweet and full of perfection. I am looking forward to see how this series unfolds for sure.

The Walking Dead
I’ve always loved the opening credits of The Walking Dead. Now that season 3 is over, it was nice to see the adaption change. The score is one of my favorites, staying true to the emotional sadness and thriller-like setting. It flows through with elements of the show, the characters past, and exudes the gritty rawness of their current world. It puts you in the proper mind set for the show, that’s for sure.

Decisions, Decisions

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Everyday Design, Featured Artists, The Home

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Andrew Wyeth, art, beige, Christina's World, cream, Easterly, Evening on a Marsh, field, fine art, gray, horse, interior design, light house, moon, nature, nautical, neutral, painting, Peter Sculthorpe, sky, Springhouse, white, woman

My husband and I are planning to renovate our kitchen in a few weeks and we are very close to collecting all our new pieces and materials for the space. I am so excited to finally design my dream kitchen! It will be all neutral tones, cream and white, and all the vintage pieces we have found will be painted the same color with an antique finish. The added elements will be soft plaids, grays, and rustic textures. It’s going to look gorgeous.

One of the things I am trying to decide is choosing a fine art piece for the wall across from the sink. It’t basically the only wall with nothing on it or in front of it so I thought it would be nice to feature a large piece of work in the space. Something that will really bring the room together. I know I want a nature inspired piece, preferably an open field or landscape, and one that truly resonates with what Dan and I love. I want to be able to glance at the work and not want to look away. It must be showstopper.

I’ve found a few I really like and wanted to share with my readers. I will look some more but these are very big contenders. If I don’t find anything I like more than these, they are the top choices. I want this piece to be perfect. It has to set the tone for the space and help the room feel peaceful and calm. Just the right work of art to fit with a rustic country kitchen. Decisions, decisions – what is your top pick?

Easterly by Andrew Wyeth
I have always loved Wyeth’s work. I admire the white and gray tones in this piece. Both Dan and I love nautical scenes so this is a true contender. It’s calming and ethereal which totally wins me over.

Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth
I have this exact piece printed on a postcard on my fridge so it would make sense to own a large print of it. There was something about this piece I have always been drawn to. Maybe it was the distant feeling and vast landscape or detailed strokes in the field. I love how the woman seems determined, yet hesitant to move. Her light pink dress blowing in the wind and her hair, slightly undone and natural. A true winner in my eyes.
Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

Springhouse by Peter Sculthorpe
The rustic feel of this piece really draws me in. The texture of the grass and the details of the tree, so beautiful. I love the stone structure as well as its placement in the scene. The horse is such a fascinating creature and in this painting, it truly shines in such a natural way. Imagine looking out your back door and seeing this. Amazing.
Springhouse by Peter Sculthorpe

Evening on a Marsh by Peter Sculthorpe
The serenity of this piece is what really attracted me to it. Such silence and so much life. The blues are so beautiful against the green and brown and the gold elements really bring an element of beauty as well. I love art that just goes on forever, like this one.
Evening on a Marsh by Peter Sculthorpe

Inspirational Room Design: Monet’s Impression, Sunrise

06 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

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art, color, color scheme, design, Impression, Inspiration, interior design, monet, mood board, Sunrise

In 1892 Claude Monet gave rise to the Impressionist movement by creating Impression, Sunrise. The paintings used long brush strokes to create a perfect color combination of green, blue, yellow, and orange.

Inspiration comes in many forms. When I am looking to design a room I try to focus on one particular piece and center my inspiration for the room on that element. This could be a piece of art, a tapestry or custom rug, or even a favorite decorative accessory. Not only does decorating with art give you a chance to express your personal style, it also creates a conversation piece for guests.

Inspirational Room Design: Monet's Impression, Sunrise

Here are some tips on how to incorporate a focal piece of art within a room.

First, use the 60-30-10 Rule. When decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:

60% dominant color – i.e. the walls
30% secondary color- i.e. the furniture or upholstery
10% accent color- i.e. accent pieces

After you have chosen your colors, take a picture of your accessory or painting and center it on a mood board. Collect paint samples, pieces of fabric, pictures from magazines, and anything that might catch your eye. Pin all your inspirations on your mood board and see how they come together. You would be surprised how many color and style combinations work. The example mood board below shows how the colors in Impressionist, Sunrise can work together to create a calming and beautifully put together room.

Inspirational Room Design: Monet's Impression, Sunrise

Once you’ve chosen your pieces arrange your furniture so that everyone who sits in the room can appreciate the focal piece. If you want to draw attention to your focal point, minimize the other decorative elements nearby. If on the other hand you would like to minimize the impact of your focal point, carry the same balance of colors as the art throughout the room.

{This article was written by Ariel Dagan, co- founder of MyCustomRug.com. Ariel is a design enthusiast from New York who specializes in creating Custom Rugs for homes and small businesses. He blogs regularly about the history of rugs, how they are made and incorporated into the design of a home. }