Simply Hang It

Looking for a simple way to hang your art? Nothing says simplicity more than a ribbon and a sea shell hook, and nothing says family like a family photo.

Dear Heart

I found this adorable watercolor painting on Etsy. It's an original by Karen Faulkner.

Bookcases Aren't Just For Books Anymore

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In our last house, we had built-in bookcases on each side of the fireplace in the family room. One of my favorite projects was dressing those shelves. That's right, dressing them. It's fun and easy to make shelves interesting by adding a variety of elements other than books.

Okay, here are some tips.

1. Empty the shelves of their contents. Now is the time to clean or paint before beginning.

2. Search your attic or other rooms for interesting objects that you may want to use. A bookcase is not only for books. You'll want to add a little sparkle with brass or glass. You can introduce form and color by using interesting objects.

3. Sort books by subject and/or size. Place them on the shelves, leaving some blank spaces for your objects. Stack some on their sides, and place some vertically.

4. Now begin to place your objects in the spaces you've left. Attractive baskets or boxes can offer convenient hiding places for extra storage.

5. Then add the sparkle with ceramics, brass, silver, family photos, etc. This will personalize your bookcase.

6. Hanging framed art on the front of the bookcase adds the unexpected.

There you have it - a beautiful focal point for your room. Give it a try. You'll be surprised by what you already have in you home that will add warmth and individuality to your shelves.
photo credit: Annie Schlechter
Photo Source: House Beautiful

Inspiration

I find the photography of Mari Eriksson to be inspirational. In its quiet beauty, it evokes memories of another time, a time when days didn't fly by, when phones didn't ring incessantly, when languid afternoons and summer nights softly tip toed by at a slower pace. Her work doesn't demand or command, it softly whispers on the wind till I take notice, and then it's too late. I'm inspired.

Norman Rockwell

I showed the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.
— Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell created a product on which people could depend. Though this is reflected in more than 4,000 illustrations completed throughout his 47 year career, he is most famous for his contributions to the Saturday Evening Post. Beginning in 1916, he produced 332 covers for the Post. It was not unheard of for The Post to automatically increase its print order by 250,000 copies when an issue had a cover by Rockwell.

To learn more about Norman Rockwell, click here.