Bright or Light?

a neutral shell with sage green and touches of red .....

I'm wondering if the display on the wall looks better against the neutral wall or

on the vibrant pinky red wall below .....

vibrant walls with neutral furniture .....

I think the both schemes are great and the displays look great either way -

Note however that on the neutral wall the art used is vibrant and on the vibrant wall the art (display) is black and white .....

Images from Ideal Home

View more Ruby posts here

Gena

Artful Displays

Some creative ideas on displaying your art or photographs .....

Above Images:  Country Living magazine

Images:  Home Life Australia

View more White Wednesday Posts here

Gena

A touch of the blues

touches of blue - here in a  boy's room

out on waterside patio

and in gorgeous crockery .... I love the worn counter top best tho!!!

All Images from :  Home Life Australia

click here to view more Blue Monday posts

Gena

Flower Market: "Designer Flowers"

 Okay so these flowers are tropical, which means most of us do not have access to them ... however, they serve as inspiration on what can be done with a handful of gorgeous blooms and a simple glass vase ....

have a great weekend!

Images:  Home Life Aus

Gena

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Image: Better Homes & Gardens

It's a flower friday

single protea blooms in simple glass containers, gathered together to make a great, but different and impactful centrepiece!!  bonus:  they last forever... well almost, anyway!

have a great weekend!!

Gena

Image: Gena D Images

Inspirational Displays & Tablescapes

A selection of pictures depicting tablescapes and displays

simplicity itself

a modern look with flowers to soften the space

an entrance hall with a difference

ethnic touches

a variety of textures and shapes

a country look and feel

understated elegance

Picture Credits:  all images scanned from old issues of Vogue Living magazine

Outdoor Christmas / Festive Displays

making a statement: lanterns in the doorway  (picture credit Living etc. Gallery)

December is the festive month, so in keeping with the theme, here are some pictures of outdoor christmas decor.

a tree in the garden (picture: Living etc. gallery)

a wreath at the entrance (picture: Living etc. gallery)

paper lanterns leading the way to the festivities (picture: Living etc. gallery)

lights in the trees at the entrance gate - spectacular! (picture: Cox & Cox)

It's the 1st of December!!! Some festive inspiration ....

beaded wreath and mercury tealights

It's the 1st of December!!!   Okay so we are about 24 days away from Christmas day and just less than a month to a new year!  So to kick off the month in the spirit if the holiday season here are some inspirational items from Cox & Cox (uk).....

bauble and silver candle holders...

stick on snowflakes ...

eucalyptus wreath ...

gorgeous outdoor tree....

Picture credits : All Cox & Cox UK

What a difference a bloom makes (1).

3 long stemmed proteas in a toning tall glass vase

A new series about flowers in the home, hence the title "what a difference a bloom makes".

  

Easy ways to add impact with a single bloom or with a bunch, in a simple way or with an elaborate arrangement.      The home is only really a home once the finishing touches are added i.e. the scatter cushions, rugs, lamps, ornaments and objets, but even still, in my mind, nothing makes a room come alive until you add flowers to the space.       Here are some examples of arrangements and or types of things you can do to add a little life to your living spaces.

an large bunch of red roses in a "globe" vase - simple, understated, but it speaks volumes in this space with rich textures - wood, chandeliers, art ....

a modern display using seasonal flowers

pincushions - single stems in tall glass vases, placed in a row

good quality fake flowers on display in an ornate vase....

a bunch of white iceberg roses picked from the garden, packed into a chinese urn...

various shades of pink, in this case roses, in blue and white china bowls...

Picture Credits:   All images Gena D Images & Photography.

Image 5 taken on location at Le Basse-cour, 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark

10 Steps to a quick home "revamp" at little or no cost

With the economy being what it is, most people are cash strapped or quite simply do not want to spend unwisely. This is of course the perfect time to work with that you already have in your home (storeroom, garage, shed.....) and get creative with revamping your space

As a number of people are in the same boat and would love to make changes but do not want the expense that goes with it, here are some quick and easy ways to revamp a room or even a home without much or too much expense. Admittedly you may need some strong muscles to assist with moving things, some cleaning materials and a few tools.

So let's get to it ... 10 easy steps to a revamped home!!!

1. Declutter: first thing, take out as many things as you can from a room - this includes accessories, rugs, furniture, art, whatever ..... if it's in the way, it needs to go! If it's things you love and want to reuse in the same room, keep aside, the rest, box up, label well and remove them.

2. A good 'spring clean" even if it's not spring: this always make a huge change to a room. Move as many furniture items as you can away from the walls (or if possible out of the room), vacuum, dust and wipe.

3. Rearrange furniture in the room. Or even bring in the table that's been lying in the garage or spare room. Try different things, ensuring that access and flow through the room is maintained. TIP: If I move something and I'm not sure of the change, I live with it for a day or two and if I still don't like it, I move things around again .... nothing is really permanent!

4. Tidy up the room and bring in accessories. if it's a bedroom then make up the bed with clean, fresh linen, add throws or blankets, add rugs, brings in scatter cushions in wonderful colours and/ or textures. TIP: Remember to use what you already have, so it may mean using the scatters from the lounge for example, if the colour, texture or whatever works better.

5. Bring in the Art: Bring in art from other rooms or move art around. Place it differently, or on a different wall. Or have some simple prints framed, or hand up mirrors rather than prints, the options are endless - see my previous post on simple art forms.

6. Work on displays - create small tablescapes with a few portraits, a lamp and some books, for example. Remember to keep like with like, it just works and looks better. Thereafter keep all surfaces neat and tidy. See my previous posts on displays and accessories.

Now if you have a little bit to spend, my suggestion is to do one or all of the following:

7. New paintwork in a clean, sharp neutral - it last longer and goes with most things, always giving a room a massive lift, and somehow everything just feels new again. If you like strong colour, paint a feature wall in a vibrant red or in a sandy brown textured paint - just something small which adds "volume" to the room. TIP: Remember to choose wisely so that you don't get tired of the look quickly.

8. If you have carpets, get the carpets professionally cleaned. Or purchase new rugs - again choose wisely in colours and patterns that go with what you currently have, but also that are timeless enough to last you through a few changes or even in another room.

9. Fabric: invest in some good quality fabric and have new curtains/ blinds made up (or if you are handy, make them yourself).

10. Accessories: purchase new artwork or have existing artwork reframed, purchase a few scatter cushions, or a new lamp shade, or even a new accessory to go with your already existing collection, a new throw or even new good quality bedding.

A Patio revamp: the furniture was moved around, items were brought in from storage and rooms within the house, a rug added, scatters in various colours ..... see next pic ...

As simple tablescape and an empty column with small mirrors - now - what a difference!!

And there you have it .... quick and simple ways to revamp a room or a home. Good luck and have fun!!!

Gena

To read previous posts on displays: click here

To read previous posts on accessories: click here

To read previous posts on art forms : click here

To read previous posts on revamps: click here

Accessories really do make a home.

an exquisite driftwood heartshaped mirror, surrounded by neutral accents...

Some say that a great piece of art is the starting point for a room, other's say it's a well chosen rug, with the right colours and textures. I say it's both and more ....

Effectively, it's the shell that ensures the pieces all work together as a whole i.e. your walls, floors, then you curtaining and lighting. In the end though, it's really how the sum is put together. And that's where accessories and finishing touches comes in.

note the wonderful neutral colour scheme and great array of textures

As with the other items in the room, when it comes to accessories, stick to a theme and colour scheme to ensure continuity and flow, and always keep like with like i.e. groupings of same or similar things. At present the trend is to go for very natural and neutral materials such as wood, driftwood, silver, glass and mirror, shells, textural fabric, stone, metal, amongst others. Take note of what you already have, see what works in your home, and then shop around for great accessories to tie in with what you already have and like. textured and patterned linen scatters on an African day bed ....

A great store for accessories (and gifts) in Johannesburg, is Lime Grove, which is situated in the newly renovated Morningside shopping centre (also Woodstock in Cape Town). Whilst walking past recently, I was so taken in by the combination of items that they had on display - the colours, textures and shapes (see pictures above) that I just had to pop in and take a peek at their lovely array of items.... Take time to go into the store if you are in the area, speak to Lindi (+27879403875) or Renay (+27825589986).

Happy "inspired" shopping!

Picture Credits : GenaD Photography taken on location at Lime Grove. Morningside Shopping Centre, Johannesburg