... AND NOW JANUARY ...

as I think back over this year

~2010~

(yup, Im glued to the sofa today, and maybe just maybe for the whole week)

the realization hit me ...

the pace around here since the email that Fifi was coming to photograph our home (Feb. 2009)

has been nothing but O.V.E.R.D.R.I.V.E.

~Jan. glorious birth of grandchild number three
slight break

~ scraped and painted the front porch (70 hours) in May

(Mr. Savvy minus a job from May-October)

~entertained Fifi for about a week in June

~Hit July running with the "Shop the Shed" sale looming ...
sad loss of my daughter's father in law

~Spent two weeks at the family farm for a much needed reunion ...

(my Dad)

( My Mom)

(Mom and Dad and the siblings)

~August ... didn't even come up for air ... painted 30 plus pieces of furniture
~ moved college kids to a new apartment

~September ... completely redesigned the back porch (70 hours plus) 

(how does THAT number keep coming up?)

October ... another month with little to no breathing room

~a best friend passed away ...

~we hosted "Shop the Shed", and our fourth grandchild was born.
~lest I forget, I was invited to consign my antiques and collectibles at a very sought after and chic retail garden shop
Scentimental Gardens in Geneva, Il
(will be posting soon on this)
~re-opened on Etsy
which doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's a part time job, to be sure.

~ Thanksgiving, and now Christmas and all that goes with the territory.

I love being busy, really I do.

Don't know about you, but am ready on this home front for a respite.

Ready to hit the lap pool hard, get to know the indoor walking track better ...

down a few more salads, pump some iron,

and in general, slow down.

All that mixed with

~a possible second visit from Fifi

~a possible "Midwest Living" photo shoot

~Spring version of "Shop the Shed"

~planting season

~A June wedding 

~prep work for the fall "Shop the Shed"
right back where we started, eh?

yadda yadda yadda

blah blah blah ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all ...
there's no room for complaining ...

I am thankul for the God given health and energy to work and create!

how's your year shaping up?

fondly,
savvycityfarmer

Collage Picture Frames Create Art in Your Home

      

  There is a lot of art that can be gleaned from the "collage" in "collage frames". The dictionary defines "collage" as the artful pasting of different materials on a surface, thus creating a masterful whole. Collage frames, on the other hand, are a type of picture frame that allows you to be artful in presenting your pictures.
  There are many types of photo collage frames for sale on the market today. And you would want to flaunt your pictures in them. A collage photo frame is the more stylized version of classic picture frame. They can be thematic, as in the case of a baby collage frame and family collage picture frames. Search the Internet and you will find baby picture frames with some cute bas-relief of babies and baby items (for the metal frames), and plastic frames in cute baby colors and designs. The family picture frames tend to look more classical- the only indicator of the theme is "One Big Happy Family".
  By and large, collage frames are potential works of art, that is, if you put in great pictures and you match colors and styles. Large photo collage frames are the ones that you can treat like a wonderful piece of art installation, precisely because they can stand-alone. There are also wall photo collage frames, which can come in the form of hinged picture frames or magnetic collage picture frames, which can accent the walls of your house like artworks. The most ingenious of these types of picture frames are the custom poster frames, which allow you to insert new pictures through the sides.
  So, exactly, how can you make the most of your collage picture frames?
You may not want to attempt to be creative unless if you're already confident of your artistic chops. The safest and easiest route is to think about these things:
(a)     Where do I want to put the collage? What is the color of the wall? Would I want to repaint it if the color doesn't match that of the picture frame?
(b)     What would be theme of the collage? My wedding? My vacation? Friends at a particular event or a group of old friends from college?
(c)     What kind of picture would best fit the theme of my pictures?
  Some believe that a collage is not a collage if the sizes of the pictures do not vary. So, the ideal picture frame has a slot for one or two large pictures and lesser spaces for a batch of smaller pictures. But if you fancy the classical route, you can always buy one that has spaces for photos in equal shapes and sizes. When you're done buying, choose the pictures from your chosen theme and stack them against the slots for pictures. Which ones fit best? For better fit, cut the pictures if you have to.
  Collage frames are the more creative version of the old-fashioned picture frames. They can definitely be artful, if you have the time and patience to find the best looking ones. But if you don't like the hard work, you can always create digital collages of your pictures using collage picture software and then frame the overall picture in a larger single frame.

Decorating Ideas With Wall Mirrors

      

  If you want to make your living space look bigger by increasing its perspective of any room and at the same time add brightness to a room a wall mirror hung in the room is a wonderful idea, or to amplify the effect you can use a number of wall mirrors hung together either side by side or opposite each other to increase the effect.
   And the wonderful thing about a decorative mirror is that you can hang them anywhere from the bathroom to the living room and do definitely use them in the bedroom where they become a very attractive decorative dressing aid. The best part is decorating with mirrors is one of the simplest and most economical ways to improve a home's interior.
  The secret of hanging a modern wall mirror in a room is that you must be careful not to introduce an air of sterility and that is because mirrors on their own can be rather dull and life less, especially if they are reflecting just a blank wall. So when you hang large decorative wall mirrors always consider what they are going to reflect and ensure that the refection that they create is a lively, interesting or colourful one.
  The simple idea of adding a wall mirror creates dimension and reflection of other objects to create, depth, interest and brightness to any room. Mirrors are distinctively the beauty of any home, mirrors create illusion of space and reflection of light to any room.
  Of course in a room setting that is modern and contemporary a decorative wall mirror or mirrors strategically placed can be used dramatically to draw attention to items of furniture in a room and the interesting lines and colour of all modern and contemporary furniture creating very dramatic effects.
  When you are designing your room and laying out the setting of furniture, look at ways of incorporating that extra element of drama that can be created using mirrors to reflect their reflections, the results can be incredible, then when you are physically furnishing your room look at the reflections in each mirror and if you need to move the mirrors to make sure that you are achieving the best of the effect.
If the interior design concept of the room setting that you are creating requires some addition touches to compliment the contemporary furniture, you can easily add drama and colour to your use of decorative wall mirrors by using a number of techniques. Flowers and foliage inform of mirrors can add either warmth, elegance or if you use large potted foliage mystery as well.
  If you are looking to add little touches of warmth, interest and subtle colour, groups of tall thick church candles supplemented by candles half their size always looks dramatic by daylight and at night they glow as do their reflections in the wall mirrors that you have cleverly placed around your room.

How Modern Wall Art Can Give A Lasting Impression

        

   We always make sure that everyone visiting our homes leaves with a positive impression. Of course, we desire that our wall is the last thing our guests will ever think of if they will compare it with other designs. But with today's ever changing interior design concepts, how can we create an enticing wall design that never fades and can captivate everyone who looks at it? Sounds impossible but there are actually some ideas of modern wall art that can somehow give a lasting impression regardless of time and age.
   Making your wall a timeless masterpiece is very possible. Today's modern wall art fixtures and accessories allow home owners to experiment and combine different colors, designs and concepts of interior decoration.   There is also a variety of wall decor that makes home and room renovations quite simple by introducing abstract colors, angles and depth to an otherwise boring wall.
  Wall art and modern wall decor provide diversity, elegance and style in the interiors of your home. Some of the most popular concepts of wall artwork are often associated with music, nature, wine and beverage, beach, tropical, international, Western designs and wild life. These items are usually made of different materials including metal, wrought iron, and wood. However, architectural designs nowadays are more inclined to contemporary designs which add an abstract and free-form feel to living spaces.
   There are actually a lot of home owners who handpicked wall artwork and compose their own concept that suits their personality, their likes, hobbies etc. If you have an artistic touch, you can choose to organize your own wall design or buy tailored fixtures and accessories according to your taste, otherwise ask a professional interior designer to do the job for you.
   I personally love the idea of adding your own character to the design. Since our home is considered as an extension of our personality why not grab this chance to show everyone visiting your home the things they should know about the people living in it? If this is not the best way, this is probably the closest you can get to make your home a timeless work of art.

Interior Design Careers For Artistic People

  Interior designing is a career that entails aesthetic vision blended with creativity and imagination. Designing interiors is an art that involves shaping interior spaces using spatial volume along with the surface treatment. It draws inspiration from environmental psychology, decoration styles of the past and present, architecture, and designs that infuse a pleasant appeal. This creative profession requires an artistic bent of mind, combined with discipline, concentration, and the skill to transform imagination into design.
   The Profession:
  Since time immemorial, the practice of interior design has been alive and flourishing. People have always decorated their homes in various styles to enhance its beauty. However, this art has now become a profession, and various institutions have started teaching it as a formatted course. These courses teach students how to manipulate the architectural features of interior spaces, by creating a distinct experience of lifestyle, through the visualization of how the inhabitants of the space will use it.
  Interior design courses enable students to:

a) Analyze specific needs of clients, their objectives and life safety requirements.
b) Integrate observation with intricate knowledge of interior design.
c) Formulate fundamental aesthetic and functional design concepts in congruence with the client's specification.
d) Develop and present final design recommendations through presentations, incorporating suitable media.
e) Get certified to perform the job, as it is illegal to work unless you are certified.
f) Prepare and manage bids and documents of contract as a client's agent.
g) Review and appraise design solutions both while implementation, and after completion.
  Specializations
  An interior designer can specialize in various areas according to their specific interests, skills and qualifications. It could include residential, commercial, corporate, hospitality, healthcare and institutional design. In addition, there could be further distinct expertise acquired, depending upon one's inclination to specialize in a particular field. This could include restaurants and cafeterias, offices and general stores, medical facilities, and many more, which could require further certification.
  Styles
  Styles in interior design could vary from traditional to modern, environmental to residential, and others, but revolving around the basic concept of design principles. Design principles are the standard guidelines for artists involved in the profession of designing. It includes balance, proportion, unity, isolation, domination and repetition. Color, ergonomics, as well as the basic functions of design, help an interior design artist understand and develop designs in an aesthetic manner. The concept of form, mass, shape, line, pattern and texture add to the beauty of a design by enhancing style.
   Skills Required
  The profession of interior designing mainly focuses on the ability to satisfy the client's requirement according to their specifications. In order to accomplish the job proficiently, an interior designer needs to possess the   following skills:
a) Technical And Artistic Requirements: Interior designers should know how to plan and present a space so that the ideas incorporated can be communicated well to the client. They should also be knowledgeable about products and materials to enable them to decorate the space, defining texture, color, and lighting. Technical specifications such as health, safety and building codes should also be kept in mind.
b) Interpersonal Communication Skills: An interior designer needs to possess excellent communication skills, as it would be significant to convey the concepts of design to clients. This helps in presenting the final design and negotiating with clients in order to solve misunderstandings and arrive at consensus.
c) Management Strategy: It is very important to have a hold on project management abilities, as they frequently work on various projects under acute pressure of deadlines. Therefore, designers need to understand the basics of business planning so that they can market their brand name, designs, and maintain good business relationships with their clients.
  Interior design is both an art and a science; it creates attractive designs and transforms dull spaces into lively ones, using the science of spatial design, color compatibility, and structure specification. It is certainly a profession for artistic people who possess the ability to sense and implement aesthetic elements in design.

The Art of Interior Design

    


  
   In our time every person who respects herself wants to have a suitable home atmosphere, made in its own style. Many of us feel that we want it but we still need an artistic vision, a flexible thinking and talent to achieve it.
  Decorating the house is a perfect way to express your personal style and individuality. Although it can be a daunting experience for some, in the end you will see that was an experience that required enthusiasm and may be you will have many benefits from it. A house shouldn't be just a functional space, it can be time and space to relax, battery charge, fun, and can reflect aspects of your personality to world.
  Nowadays, the market is full of products for house as well as advice and information about decorations. This  information is found in books, magazines, television programs and on the Internet. Yet, with all this information, find a decorating style or theme can be a very difficult enterprise.
  The decoration is usually done when we move into a new house but can be also done when we want or when we don't like the old style anymore. When you decorate or redecorate a room, we must ask ourselves the following question: which is the purpose of this space? A space shouldn't serve only to a single purpose or certain activity; it can be arranged so that it can offer a certain mood. For example, the purpose a room in which we have meal is obviously to provide a space where people gather and eat. True, but the purpose may be also to make family members or guests feel welcome and give rise to pleasant conversation. The same does the bedroom whose purpose is to offer a place to relax, but it can be in the same time a peaceful place where we can rest, away from the bustle of everyday life.
  The next step is to find furniture and accessories that fit this place. Visiting shops is a great way to find out your preferences and to test personally different models. If you want to combine your personal style with the state and the position of the room, you should look through books for homes decorations. The best way to decorate is to have a clear plan in mind. In this way you avoid buying the furniture that only looks good, but doesn't fit in the room.
  It is very tempting to follow the trend of your design and decorations which are fashionable, but this will lead to frequent and costly redecoration. There are trend that resist a lot, while others fade as fast as a candle, and the difference between the two can be very easy to make. If furniture is made of natural materials, with clear lines and well prepared and incorporates some aspects of traditional design, then it is a classic one and it will resist longer. On the other hand, if it is made of synthetic materials, it has an ugly shape or color and it is very cheap, then probably it doesn't worth the money. One or two pieces of this kind can give a funny air to the room and can be removed or re-entered, but an entire room decorated with such furniture will surely be redecorated earlier or later. Investing in quality furniture will save time and money; in addition, it doesn't lose a lot of value when you decide to sell it.

Tips on How to Decorate Your Home Using Modern Wall Art

 http://clasikhomeworldandartistis.blogspot.com/
  Are you tired of looking at that plain white wall inside your home? Maybe it's time for you to consider some home accents to transform the walls of your living space into something more elegant and stylish. Whether you want to invest in designer pieces or wish to engage in a do-it-yourself project, both requires careful selection of materials, design, color and accessories. If you are planning to revamp your wall using modern wall art, below are excellent tips and ideas to help you manage this wonderful change inside your house.
Budget
  The first thing you should consider when renovating your wall is how much are you willing to invest. Always bear in mind that home aesthetics do not always come cheap, so it's necessary that you must know your budget beforehand. In this particular part, research and canvassing are very important so you can compare the prices of materials you need and set your ballpark. One option that that can make things easier for you is hiring expert interior designers. These professionals have enormous experience when it comes to wall renovations, budgeting and planning designs. Designers will not only help you save time and money but they can also suggest eccentric modern wall artwork, modern wall decor and other wall renovation packages that are mostly offered at a very reasonable price.
   Color
  Color is the most apparent way to add life in an empty wall. This part of the process is a no-brainer and can be as easy as painting an accent wall with faux finishes or wall murals to add an overall tone. Another way to add flavor to a barren wall is by adding hand-painted trim or borders around door frames or window frames.
  Modern Wall Art and Modern Wall Decor
  Modern wall artwork and modern wall decor are today's new trend of making your walls sleek and stylish. Contemporary designs are often associated with concepts of nature, music, nature, wine and beverage, beach, tropical, international, Western designs and wild life. Some home owners are fond of stacking home accents, accessories and other materials that adds creativity, style and fashion. Grouping pieces together can make a fascinating canvas against the wall.
   Traditional Styles of Modern Art
   Abstract art, Conceptual Art, Op Art, Pop Art, Cubism, Surrealism, Dadaism, Futurism, etc are what people refer to as traditionally modern art. These types of art are mostly developed from a personal standpoint of ideas and are not categorized under a well known modern art movement. You can try this idea if you have a good artistic background or you have a knack for interior design.
  Home renovation is an ideal investment for everyone who wants to decorate their home using a particular aesthetic design. There are actually a lot of materials and concepts you can use. From my personal view, putting your own touch to the overall design will make your home more unique and will truly represent your personality.

Choosing the Perfect Wrought Iron Wall Decor

      

  Wrought iron has been a major influence when it comes to home décor furnishing products. The influence has been so great that home décor is incomplete without wrought iron accessories. The artistic, long-lasting wrought iron items complete the perfection and creativity of a stylish home. Wrought iron wall decor is one integral part of home decorating.
  Wrought iron wall decor includes many designer items that adorn the walls of your rooms. Plaque grills are the most commonly demanded wrought iron wall decor items. Wrought iron plaque grills come in various shapes including circular, semi-circular, dome shaped, rectangular, and square shaped. Another variant of plaque grills are wall sculptures. The other common wrought iron wall décor items include but are not limited to: flower vases, wall hangings, wall art, scroll grills as border to any classy picture, wall shelves, wall mirrors, wall plant racks, wine racks, wall fountains, wall brackets and designer candle scones. Wrought iron wall décor products find their place in your bathroom as a towel rack. Wrought iron utensils holders, wrought iron cup & saucer racks are some common kitchen wall decor items.
  When buying wrought iron wall décor products, make sure that they fit well in relation to the size of your wall. Also, see to it that the wall décor you choose complements the rest of the room's design and accessories. If you have a lot of artistic home décor furnishing in your home, then go for a simple design. If you have simple room decor, you can go for more decorative and noticeable designs.
  To maintain your wrought iron wall decor regularly inspect your wrought iron products. Even the slightest damage should be addressed immediately. Make sure that you are cleaning your wrought iron wall décor with cleaners that will not hurt the material. After cleaning and drying the wall décor items, you can apply a rust resistant wax at the joints. These items can be touched up with paint when needed. Grit blasting, galvanizing and zinc spray as maintenance methods for wrought iron products should be kept as the last resort. Try chemical or mechanical methods first instead.

Uttermost Wall Art to Compliment Interior Design of Your Room

  

   Wall art is the best way to bring your walls alive. Once the house walls are painted and furniture settled, its time for you to think what to do about the bare walls. Home decor art is the best way to spice up boring and bare walls and it can be done as creatively as possible.
  Wall art is nothing but decorating the walls with graphics, paintings, art work on metal and wood, and anything which is unusual yet attractive. Many people underestimate the importance of decorating walls and its contribution towards the overall appearance of the room. Wallpapers are not preferred anymore for they are expensive and hard to maintain. Instead, you can never go wrong with wall arts as they are comparatively less expensive, and can easily be replaced every time you want a new look.
  Uttermost wall arts offer various art designs which go well with both contemporary and traditional room setup. Mountain views, scenery, colorful designs, contemporary art form, art prints, etc are all offered in sets or as single pieces. There are many advantages of having artistic wall designs in a room. Unlike wall stickers they do not spoil the paint on the wall and are easy to replace with changing trends. There is a lot of space to experiment like in summers an assortment of bright flowers paintings in your hallway will give a pleasant feeling to your visitors.
  It is always better to choose your wall arts according to the room. Select a wall which carries a strong focal point. Just look around and see which place captivates your attention first. Choose that wall and make sure you also get the perfect frame size. Not all walls can compliment big or small frames so first give a test try and see what matches the best. Also the color combination of the walls and frames is of great importance.     Contrasting colors emphasizes the room's atmosphere more, thus making it attractive. Cluttering on the wall can spoil the look of the room, be it on the floor or walls. So do not add too many frames of different kinds on a single wall. Space out the paintings or art pieces in a way that it creates a pattern in itself.
  Keep changing your home decor art or buy something which can stay for long, but make sure you select the art carefully keeping all the key points in mind. This way you will avoid unwanted wastage of money and time in decorating the wall with your imaginations. Uttermost wall art has huge varieties to offer, which can match any room for any season.

Decorating With Mirrors - The Beauty of Your Home

  

  Looking at the various types of mirrors we find that a wall mounted mirror can either be a decorative mirror, framed in some way using different shapes like square or round mirrors, or indeed in an oval mirror shape.
  Mirrors don't have to be unusual or impressively large to decorate your home either some mirrors are placed in the home for their utilitarian usage, but there is no reason why vanity mirrors, bathroom mirrors needn't be good looking and well designed to enhance the beauty of your home.
  When you are decorating with mirrors you can really create some exiting effects, why not think about using mirrors of different shapes and sizes on the same wall. When this effect is created using framed works of art it is called the military style and using mirrors instead of works of art is an excellent way to add light and depth to your room.
  When you use a number of framed mirrors or on the same wall you can use their shapes and sizes to build a pattern either across the entire wall or indeed concentrate them in one place either effect is stunning.
  In the bedroom or hallway a wonderful way to add to the décor is to use a floor mirror, these flexible mirrors just simply lean against the wall and can be used to add drama to a small hallway or make a dark bedroom come alive in daylight or if you shine some spotlights onto it sparkle at any time of the day.
  Your decorative mirrors say a lot about who you are and your style! Mirrors are a great and often very inexpensive way of really making a definite statement in any room. Use them creatively and your home will look stunning.
  Adding a simple mirror to any dark corners is a great idea that can enhance a dull and boring wall. One really great idea is to take round framed mirrors of different sizes and randomly place them on the darkest wall of the dark corner and then just stand back and admire the amazing transformation of your room.
  You can use mirrors to make you home not only more beautiful but also more romantic, if you have a dinning room table putting a mirror under the centerpiece say some candles and or flowers will really add light and life to your romantic dinner and it is true to say that the best light reflected in mirrors is always candlelight.