Rumor has it that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Why not wow your guests the moment they arrive with an attractive, welcoming and functional entryway? It can be one of the most inexpensive spaces to update but the most important places in the home since it's the first to welcome your visitors and one that will greet you and send you off into the world daily. It's not a bad idea to actually like a place you see so often.

Image from LivingEtc magazine (UK)

What can you do to spruce things up?

1. Remove everything that can be moved and place it in another room.



2. Give the space a thorough cleaning from floor to ceiling. Pay attention to scuff marks on the walls, cobwebs, and the condition of rugs or throw rugs if you have them. Now you can start with a blank slate.



3. Make a plan of action. WIth pen and paper in hand, sketch a rough outline of the space, marking doorways, windows, etc. Consider the flow of traffic and whether or not the space is working for you and your guests in the best possible way. Now it's time to write a separate TO DO list as you consider the following...



4. How about your door? Can you update the doorknob? Have you considered painting it on the inside with a bold color? Are your locks working properly? Notice also which way doors open and close. Is your front door opening into an awkward wall or directly into the entry to another room? Switch the door so that it opens in the opposite direction - perhaps to a solid wall where you can place a console table and a mirror or art.



5. Consider the walls. Paint, beadboard, wallpaper, a chair rail or some crown molding may work wonders. The average entryway is a small, transitional space so you can often go with bolder wallpaper or more dramatic paint colors - brights, darks, this is the space to go all out and have some fun!



6. Look at your lighting. Should you install a few sconces to flank a mirror for a softer, more inviting mood? Does the pendant light need updating? Maybe your chandelier needs a few crystals replaced or a good dusting? Is your current fixture the right proportion for the room or is it too small or large? What about the bulbs themselves, are they making you and your guests look lovely or do they bring out every flaw? If you like to control matters, install a dimmer switch. Brighten for tasks like cleaning and entering the home, dim just a tad when you're expecting guests for a dinner party and you're trying to set the mood.



7. Storage for coats, umbrellas, shoes, hats, mittens, you name it -- These are essentials that need a home. Consider a boot tray for winter and rainy seasons. If you have a coat closet great, this is a good time to organize it. If you lack a coat closet you'll need either a coat rack or some type of wall system (hooks, for example). Can a bench seat with storage keep gloves and hats? Maybe a few baskets or storage boxes arranged neatly on a shelf beneath the console will hold everything?



8. Furniture needs to serve a purpose and look good. Whether it's a single shelf or a console, it's good to have a place for everything from Sparky's leash to the newspaper, daily mail, paper/pen, your cell phone, keys, candy/mints, etc. You may find a bench or chair helpful for putting on shoes or placing a handbag or groceries. Is the furniture sturdy? Clean? Would paint, new upholstery or hardware make it stand out more? Think about what you currently have. Are you using it? If not, consider other options.



9. How's your flooring? If you cannot afford to update it, scrub and shine what you have and top it with at a lovely, durable rug.



10. Decorate! Flowers, a plant, fresh flowers, a fancy trash bin, a decorative umbrella stand, a framed mirror, wall clock, some art... Shoes on or off? If you have a no shoes policy, try creating a cute sign asking guests to remove their shoes. Place the sign on a shelf or console table, or frame your words and hang it where guests will notice it upon entering. "Remove thy shoes", "Please slip off your shoes and stay awhile", "Shoes be gone!", "Care for a pair of slippers?", "Shoes go here (with an arrow pointing to location)", or "Lose the Shoes" are some ways to get your point across.
    

Has this motivated you to take on a weekend project? If so, send in your before/after photos to hollybecker AT gmx.net and I'll consider posting them here next month. Deadline May 30th.

(image from livingetc)

All this talk about updating the bathroom and now I'm on the prowl for a new shower curtain! If you're looking for one yourself, here's a round up of some of my current favorites along with a few additional shower curtain resources.

Anthropologie currently has some of my favorite prints, especially the ruffled ones. Oooo.

India Rose is a San Francisco-based textile company that has some lovely shower curtains, too.

If you tend to go for a more modern, clean look and love geometrics, check out the selection over at Plush Living -- all for under $40.

Pottery Barn always seems to carry a fresh assortment of colors and patterns, closely following current trends. I only wish they had more of a selection!

Target is a great place to find shower curtains and most are priced under $30! Their in-store selection is quite good but online they have a ton more to choose from -- nearly 200! I love the crisp look of black and white.

How about a New York City subway map as a shower curtain? This destination and more over at Izola.

Every now and then Urban Outfitters throws in a good one made out of fabric vs. their usual plastic variety. This tree for $40 is quite nice I think.

Here are a few additional resources to add to your list:

• Bed Bath & Beyond has a strong collection to choose from, but they're mostly neutrals.
• Shower Curtains is loaded with every style imaginable to mankind.
• Pristine Planet offers organic eco-friendly choices.
• Eco Bathroom is another good one for a green selection.
• Bed Bath Store stocks many shower curtains including extra long sizes.
• Shower Curtains Galore -- The name says it all.
• Saga Living has a few Marimekko styles to choose from.
• Restoration Hardware is a good stop for classic, tailored styles.

Where do you shop for shower curtains? How often do you change yours?

(images linked above to sources)

An easy and inexpensive way to add life and personality to a stark or bland bathroom (without going overboard), is with decorative soaps.

Nowadays to sell a product, packaging is everything, so why not take advantage of these marketing tools and use vibrant wrappers and pretty pigments as decorative accents. A streamlined invisible bracket shelf like this one (found at your local housewares store) accented with stacks of colorful glycerin soaps or colorful body washes, can be the perfect vibrant focal point in a bathroom. It can also be a subtle way to introduce color into a room, without the commitment.


With glycerin soaps there are just about every color option to choose from. So, go for a monochromatic look, or try several mixed colors, swap choices until you find the right fit for your room and personality. The great thing about glycerin is that in a light filled room they really take center stage.

Check out these sites for a wide selection of colors:
American Soap Company

The Body Shop

Lush Natural Soaps

What other rooms in your home are in need of a color splash?   

Soap image courtesy of www.flickr.com

Do areas of your home desperately need updating? This week I plan to reveal tips on how to spruce up your space without going broke with a few simple updates.

First up, the bathroom. Not just a place to shower and shave, it should calm and be a place of retreat, your very own home spa. How do you create a beautiful space on a budget?

1. Clean + remove everything. Give your bathroom a good thorough cleaning. Remove EVERYTHING that can be moved out of the room, slide on those rubber gloves, and go to work! Clean everything, gut the drawers and cabinets, open the windows to allow in fresh air, and put on your favorite tunes. Once the bathroom sparkles, give it a long hard critique. I'm sure you haven't seen your bathroom 'naked' since the day you moved in. This is the best way to figure out exactly what needs updating. Write a list, most important items first, and determine your budget. Now you can get started with making your updates.



2. Hate your floor? Peel-and-stick linoleum tiles are the easiest (and cheapest) way to cover up ugly floors. Top with a bath rug or if you have some spare cash to splurge, go for a 100% teak bathmat for that spa feel (plus it's a good 'green' choice).



3. Outdated bathroom sink faucet? Set aside $100 or so and buy a new one, you'll be surprised at how much of a difference a stylish faucet can make! Bloggers Gareth & Teresa Embrey wrote a handy how-to replace a facet in case you're interested...



4. Boring mirror? Why not swap it out for a new one or add a frame to an existing one? You can find MDF or wood and cut a 2-3" wide wood frame, paint it or stain it (I love lacquered mirrors personally), and attach it directly to the wall or the mirror itself. If you have a medicine cabinet you can find a new one that looks great for under $100 at most large home stores or IKEA.



5. Cabinetry need help? What don't you like about yours? If it's color, paint can do wonders. If they lack detail, try installing panel mouldings, I suggest 2" in from the edges but it's your call. A more expensive solution, but still less costly than replacing the entire sink unit, is to remove only the doors and buy new ones to give the entire unit a new look. If you like the doors as is, find some hardware and make a few updates. Nickel, ceramic, whatever your taste.



6. Light fixtures a bit 1985ish? Unless you are 12 years old or Miss Piggy, you may want to replace those round 'dressing room' lights over your mirror (or anything that is rusty, crusty, or just plain ugly). There are so many affordable, attractive options out there, some as low as $50. Check your local Home Depot or Lowe's. You can swap out overhead light fixtures in a snap too, stores like West Elm carry some pretty nice ones for those who have expensive taste without a budget to match. Flush mount lights and double sconces are pretty hot choices right now.



7. Paint the walls A new color on the walls works wonders. Add drama with chocolate, brighten things up with grassy green, think of a look you're going for, a mood you want to create, and find a color that accomplishes the look and feel you want it to.



8. Accessorize! A stack of fluffy new towels (that all match - without torn edges or holes!), a shower curtain, new shower curtain rings, a new trash bin, new hardware or some floating shelves -- any or all of these things can really give your bathroom a fresh new look so go for it. OR you can alter what you currently have. Add trim to your towels or a border along the edge of your shower curtain. Paint your existing trash bin. Buy and frame postcards, greeting cards, gift wrap, prints from artists, etc. A little art and some floating shelves that are styled nicely can make a big difference.



9. Dirty drawers? Clean beneath your sink and clean out all of the drawers replacing only what you use regularly, store what you use only once in a while (deep treatment conditioners, wax, hair color) in either your linen closet or under your sink in a clear container (so you won't forget it's there). Line your drawers with wallpaper scraps from your last project, scrapbook paper, fabric, contact paper, or gift wrap to add some color and pattern and to protect the drawers.



10. Organize! You'll be surprised to know that a good deep cleaning following by a very strict afternoon of organizing (I mean strict, don't allow yourself to keep what you don't use) can make a major impact on how your bathroom looks, functions, and feels. No need to store your cleaning supplies in plain view. Those go beneath the sink in a plastic container (in case they leak). Toilet paper rolls should be stored out of sight as well as hair products, boxed soaps, tampons, and anything else that clutters up the bathroom or lets guests know a little too much about you. Hide reading materials beneath the sink (please!). Stack towels neatly, arrange with folded rounded sides facing outwards.

Have you updated your bathroom on a budget lately? What did you do?

(image from west elm)

We've covered bulbs and the different types of lighting in The Ultimate Turn On: Lighting and Bulbs on Wednesday so now for the fun part (insert big happy face here) shaaa-opping! We all love this part, right? This post will lead you to some of my favorite sources for lighting but of course please chime in if you have any to add to the list so Simply Stated readers can be in the loop, too. Ready? Okay, let's go!

The Emperor's New Lamp from the portfolio of Swedish decorator Isabelle Halling.

I've tried to group them into categories to make this a little easier to navigate...

Handmade Indie Design

• Perch Design - I am 100% smitten by their ceramic birdie pendants. Can you resist such cuteness?
• Cicada Home - Handmade lighting for as low as $38 on Etsy. Yes, Etsy!
• Draw Flowers - Handmade retro lighting from Italy on Etsy.
• NICE - Handmade lamp shades that are feminine, affordable, and fun. Another Etsy shop.
• Orike Muth - I am nuts for Orike Muth's handmade Asian-themed lighting. She's based in Germany but ships to America and she's really, really nice (I met her). Her work is far better in person, trust me on this, photos do little justice. When I get to Germany this summer I'll show you her atelier if you'd like so you can see for yourself...
• Re-Surface - A Brooklyn-based indie lighting designer with work that has a very urban edge to it, it's super unique. Also an Etsy seller.

Modern - Other

• Scandinavian Design Center - They carry some awesome Scandi lighting, I have a soft spot for the Emperor's New Lamp (shown in the photo above), the stylish new Can, the Norm03, and the Bumling in white. 
• Roost Living (UK) - Love their lighting. Not a lot of inventory, but what they do have is excellent and their selection rotates throughout the year so check back each season.
• 2Modern - A terrific source for modern lighting from task lamps to pendants, the selection is great.
• Design Public - Great lighting from lots of companies, I'm looking into ordering the Orbit chandelier myself, I've been wanting one for ages. I ordered a large pendant Mibo light from them last year and it's great. The guys who own it are super nice too, I've placed a few orders with them and I'm always impressed with shipping and exceptional customer service.
• Greener Grass Design - Unique lighting, lots of European designers represented, tons of different shapes and materials, makes decision making hard!
• Velocity Art & Design - Modern lighting, fantastic people to buy from (they have an excellent relationship with their clients), and they carry some fabulous lights from Jason Miller with a definite hip hunting lodge vibe.
• Modern Dose - Family owned and based in New York, lots of modern goodies to choose from.
• Hive Modern - A modern lighting lovers dream. What a massive selection!

New - Classic, Romantic, Whimsical

• Shades of Light - Everything from Sconces to table lamps. Prices vary. Don't miss their sale items.
• Ballard Designs - Lots of classic and romantic styles, a very large selection and good customer service. Be sure to check out their chandeliers.
• Horchow - Lighting for all decorating styles, sometimes the prices can seem a little hefty but if you sign up for their email newsletter you won't be disappointed. They frequently have 20% off sales announced via their newsletter.
• Maura Daniel - "I can resist everything except temptation" - Oscar Wilde. When a website greets you with a quote like that, you know you're in for a treat. Maura Daniel gives you a chance to customize your own lighting, from shades to bases.
• Michelle Varian - Love her wood veneer shades, brass accordion lights, and her very unique cluster lamp.
• Stray Dog Designs - Colorful, quirky, whimsical.

Vintage/Hollywood Regency/Industrial

• Pieces - I frequently cruise this shop for vintage lighting in bright colors and crisp white shades. So fresh!
• LUM - A place you go when you have money to spend, but wow what a GREAT place it is. Vintage finds like you've never seen before. So haute!
• Tonic Home - The owner is fabulous, I've heard so many great things about how she deals with her customers, it makes me want to sing her praises from the rooftops! The fact that she carries exquisite lighting doesn't hurt either. A little Hollywood Regency and a whole lot of fabulous.
• Paris Hotel Boutique - Vintage lighting with a French flair, the owner is sweet, her San Francisco home has been featured in several magazines, and her eye for all things French is impressive.
• A Glow - A vintage lighting shop on Etsy based in Texas. Affordable and nice!
• Empiric Studio - A great source for new and vintage lighting, some industrial styles available, another small business with a great reputation.
• Frenchblue & Co. - Great vintage finds, bookmark this site and cruise it often so you don't miss a thing.

A simple black task light can add so much style to a room.

Please note that I intentionally left out larger stores like Pottery Barn, West Elm, Anthropologie, IKEA, Home Depot, and Restoration Hardware because I assume you are savvy enough to know that they carry lighting so why waste your time!

The above list also does not include to the trade only lighting, or else I would include my good friends Zia Priven -- you can only go through a showroom or designer to purchase from them but wow, are they high quality, glamorous, and totally drool-inducing to say the least. And I'm not just saying that because they are friends, their lighting is what created our friendship in the first place. I found them and had to know more and a friendship developed. I digress...

Have a lovely weekend everyone... I'll see you bright and early on Monday morning!

(images above from Isabelle Halling)

Have you ever arrived at a restaurant or the home of a friend and felt immediately welcomed and at ease because of great lighting? On the other hand, do you recall sitting down to a delicious meal but because the space felt like a cafeteria you couldn't fully enjoy it? I am extremely sensitive to lighting, I won't return to a restaurant no matter how good the food is if the lighting stinks. And we all know what I mean by stinks. Either too bright, not bright enough, flickering, buzzing, or it casts a funny tint that gives you and your friends an alien-like glow (Greetings earthlings). Some lighting can make you look downright bad, showing every blemish and line. Lighting in the home is equally as important. Not only should your home color palette look good on you (choose colors that you would wear to decorate your home, if you look great in red use plenty of it), but it should make you, and the things in your home, look like a million bucks.

What are the different types of lighting? Here are a few of the most common ones:

• Accent  - Also called 'mood lighting', it's primary function is to highlight something that you want to stand out. A bookcase, art, plants, a vase. Some use accent lighting in corners behind plants. It's suggested to use it sparingly.
  
• Task  - Most commonly used in an office area or near a cozy chair, task lighting gives you a beam of light meant for a specific task like reading, knitting, or drawing. A table lamp next to the sofa is a good example.
• Ambient - You find this most often in schools, medical offices, labs, office spaces, etc. Overhead lighting is the most common, fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. It mimics sunlight and illuminates the entire room with an even amount of light.

Then there is Decorative lighting -- Pendants, chandeliers, sconces... These not only provide ambient lighting to a room (most often dimmers are placed on them so they can create a mood for an event or dinner) but function as an attention grabber -- often one of the first things that you notice when you enter a room. Some decorative lighting also functions as an accent - such as sconces to accent a painted wall in the living room.

Now let's talk bulbs because a you can't do much with a lamp without these little guys. The most common are:

• Incandescent - These are recommended for living rooms, dens, dining rooms, and bedrooms. They bring out warm yellow tones and can be used on a dimmer. You can find decorative, bug, shatter resistant, 3 way, antique replica bulbs, you name it. My first experience with an incandescent bulb was when my mom and I had to replace the one in my Easy Bake oven. :) It provides good color rendition of human skin tones. If you don't like a warm glow, try GE Reveal bulbs or MB Halogen bulbs for clean, beautiful light.
• Fluorescent - Energy efficient, they often have a bluish tint. Most are linear, u-shaped, circular, or grooved. These are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms and tanning beds. You can sometimes 'hear' them, as they make these cracking sounds and sometimes they flicker.
  
• Compact fluorescent (CFLs) - a smaller, even more energy efficient fluorescent bulb because they last up to 10x longer than standard fluorescents. The most common ones have this white swirly shape (think Dairy Queen soft serves), which not a lot of home owners like so they use them in lamps where the bulb is not showing. You can find some that are encased too. Not suggested in the bathroom as high humidity can shorten their life. You can use them in the living room, outdoors, bedroom, dining room, and kitchen. A panel of New York Times employees evaluated energy-efficient light bulbs in Any Other Bright Ideas? highlighting the benefits of CFLs though many are not sold on them yet. Common complaints: headaches, they make some people's eyes hurt, and they feel a bit institutional.
  
• Halogen - They last longer than other bulbs, cost the most, but are the brightest of the bunch. Think bulbs with flat tops and flood lights. Halogen light contains more blue and green than a standard bulb so the light appears whiter and brighter. There are also MB Halogen bulbs that look like your standard incandescent bulbs with the round top.

Quick tips:  Bulbs between 75 and 150 watts are the best for tasks and reading. Mood lighting is nice around 40 - 75 watts, use a dimmer and eyeball it. You should be able to see what's on your plate and the person in front of you. Distribute light evenly in a room, don't neglect corners or the room will feel closed in at night.

Now that we know all about the various types of lighting and bulbs, how do you use them to create the perfect environment in your home? Instead of telling you myself, I'll let the lighting experts over at GE  show you the way. They have an amazing site all about how to design with lights, you can click on any room in their virtual house and learn all about the best ways to illuminate it.

On Friday I'll be back to reveal some of my favorite sources for actual light fixtures including NICE, you can see one of their handmade pendants above.

(image from NICE)

Wall stenciling, decals, wallpaper... It's all good. Once viewed as passé or, "So 1980's", stenciling can be quite a neat DIY trick for those with a creative eye or who have a strict budget that doesn't include $180  a roll wallpaper. When most people think of stencils, they imagine rooster motifs as borders in kitchens, or pink roses on dressers. Let's change the mental picture. I want you to envision Wary Meyers in place of all that, okay? Think hip and now, not has been.

Images from Wary Meyers.

Wary Meyers is this super cool couple living between Brooklyn and coastal Maine who paint, design, DIY, and stencil their hearts out transforming mundane objects and spaces into swank pads. Yup, these hip New Yorkers stencil in style. Need proof?  Here are some custom stencils that they did for a few of their clients.

If you'd like to try your hand at a little faux-paper effect like the one above, here are some sources for stencils that I suggest. If you know of any others, please add to this list with your comments.

• Henry Donovan Motif
• Modello Desgin
• My Stencils
• Royal Design Studio
• Stencil 1
• Stencil Library
• Stencil Planet
• Victoria Larsen

Do you stencil? If not, would you consider it?

(image from wary meyers)

There's a lot of truth to those silly eBay commercials highlighting the sheer thrill of shopping victoriously. Just recently I scored a vintage owl umbrella stand in white ceramics (view it here) that was even better in person than I had imagined -- and I definitely felt a sense of victory and pride over my win. From Blythe dolls to Hollywood Regency foo dog bookends, there's something on eBay for everyone. Problem is... There's a little too much. Need some help? Here are a few sellers that I watch on a regular basis for home decorating items so that you can shop victoriously, too.

Pair of faux cane chairs, $395 Buy It Now.

• Grey Gardens 101: Hollywood Regency style, mostly furniture and lighting, excellent selection.
• East Treasures - Watch them for suzani throws and ikat robes.
• Foster Pink 217 - Jane Foster screen prints her own line of textiles, beautiful things and you can sometimes find them in her store, although lately she's been listing lots of vintage textiles which are equally lovely.
• Posh Princess: Decorative collectibles, lots of modern glamor here.
• Vintage Rockford: Mid century modern finds.
• Home Republic - Great modern accessories for the home.
• Interiorz: Lovely designer fabric wall hangings, lamp shades, cushions and fabric made from Florence Broadhurst, Marimekko and Missoni fabrics.
• Capitol Salvage: These guys salvage it all. One of their latest finds includes an old roadside sign from a fruit stand that reads, "Big Melons".
• Daily Painters Gallery - Such a cool concept. Brand new paintings are listed here daily that you can bid on via eBay. Nice!
• Vintage Retro Store - Based in Germany, this man ships all over the world and has a great selection of retro everything from lighting to wallpaper and the prices are great.
• Blue Rocket Modern - More mid century modern goodies.
• DestinASIAN Home - Gorgeous Asian finds, antiques, porcelain garden stools, and more.
• Marie's Cosy Cushions - Retro pillows, brand new, mod patterns. All pillows, all the time!
• E Chic Boutique - Modern furnishings for the home at great prices.
• Looking for Mod: More mid century finds with a touch of Hollywood glam. I love this headboard.
• U Turn Vintage Wallpaper - They have the BEST selection of retro patterns - wow!

Now it's your turn... I showed you mine... Now let's see your favorite sellers, please share in the comments section below.

(image from grey gardens 101 linked above)

As founder/editor of decor8, I'm approached daily by readers looking to locate everything from rugs to lighting. It's so much fun when I can seek and gather for them, I view it as an exciting treasure hunt. I was recently approached by a reader in Atlanta on a quest for modern outdoor fabric so I compiled an extensive list of resources. After sending them to her I realized that my Simply Stated friends may benefit so this post is for you. I think it ties in rather nicely with Patio Spruce Up: A Few Great Shops from last week. And since many don't have time to sew, I've included stores that sell plenty of pillows, cushions and in some cases, drapes too. Ready for a little patio redux?

Angela Adams outdoor fabrics. I think these are super crisp and fresh.

Outdoor pillows from SCAD's Working Class Studio.

Links to bookmark:

• Outdoor Textiles
• Kingsley-Bate
• Tropitone
• Warp Weft Co.
• Grandin Road
• Arthur Lauer
• Frontgate
• Ballard Designs
• Restoration Hardware
• Lane Venture
• Designer Fabrics
• Sunbrella
• Crate and Barrel

Juicy colors and ethnic patterned pillows from West Elm.

This geometric Robert Kaufman design is superb from Hancock's of Paducah.

Three of my favorite patterns over at Calico Corners (I love their stores).

And who can forget Pottery Barn, they are totally rockin' it this season with a hot collection of outdoor fabrics, accessories, and furniture. I'm crazy about this outdoor area with the low comfy seating, this looks like a sweet spot for grillin' and chillin'. The view isn't bad either. I lived oceanfront only once in my life and it was enough to make every home since not quite good enough. I loved all the entertaining my family did and falling asleep to the sound of waves at night. Take it from me, don't ever live on the beach if you don't intend to stay there for the rest of your life because it's the ultimate curse. I digress...

So ladies and gents, show of hands... how many of you have an outdoor space to decorate? Do you treat this space as an extra room in warmer months or do you tend to neglect it? Where do you shop for your fabrics, any good finds we don't know about yet? 

(images linked to their sources above)

From dressy boxwoods to casual wildflowers, there are so many plants and flowers to choose from to dress up your outdoor space. Whether you have a sprawling patio or a tiny balcony your options extend beyond greens and blooms to include furniture, outdoor fabrics, lighting, flooring, patio umbrellas, planters, garden tools, all depending on your needs and budget.

So tell us, where do find the good stuff?

All items shown above can be purchased here in the NYBG Shop.

Here's where I find some of my favorite things in addition to Target, Anthropologie, and Homegoods:

• Fat Finch
• Windowbox
• Grandin Road
• Ballard Designs
• GRDN
• Frontgate
• Smith & Hawken
• NYBG Shop
• Restoration Hardware

Lattice patio umbrella from Warp Weft Co., Swaziland Garden Pot from Anthropologie, campy planters from perch, simple spring plant and planter from Jayson Home & Garden, bead canvas sun hat and lilypad camp stool from Hable Construction.

Where do you shop? Any great stores to share that we don't know about? Do tell!

(images linked above to their source.)

Great decorating need not put you in debt. If your wallet is slim don't worry, I have a 10 step budget-friendly program that will make you feel better about your finances and your home. Here are some tips that come to mind the second I'm asked to help decorate on a budget, in no particular order...

A vintage dish from an antiques store for $1, a $7 vase on sale at Anthropologie, and an inexpensive photograph from Alicia Bock in a $10 Target frame is the perfect little budget ensemble in my bedroom. Fresh flowers and plants are great for those on a budget since they add texture, color, and often scent that fills the room with so much beauty.

1.) Paint: Ah, the power of a $20 can of paint. A new color can make such a dramatic difference.

• If you really want to save money, head to any home store (Lowe's, Home Depot, local paint shop), and ask where they keep cans of paint that customers didn't end up taking or returns due to incorrect color choices. You can often walk away with an entire gallon of $20-30 paint for under $5 and quarts for as low as $1! Just because it wasn't the exact color sage for someone else doesn't mean it won't be perfect for you.



• Try painting a dresser or something else in your home that needs freshening up (see Tip #3 for more on furniture). If you find the perfect bargain can of yellow paint for instance, paint your wooden curtain rods in a bright yellow or whatever color complements your space. Little bursts of a happy hue can work wonders if you don't feel up to painting an entire room. Which leads me to add...



• Who says you have to paint an entire room? Get creative. Paint one wall (behind your bed for instance) in rich chocolate or another bold look. Use a color you love that you aren't daring enough to use in an entire room. You can even go a step further and stencil your newly painted wall to mimic wallpaper. I have been stenciling for years and it's super easy to do. I don't mean rooster motifs either, I gravitate towards mostly modern designs like organic circles, geometrics, and florals. Try Lotta Jansdotter's new book, Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything, from Potatoes to Linoleum for tips. It's only $14 and includes instructions and stencils that you can cut out and use for your next project.


 
• Need color help? I highly suggest reading this article, "Color Commentary: Consumers are looking to cyberspace to help them choose paint colors" that appeared recently in the Washington Post. You can directly access color experts on the web and often they will give you advice at no charge. One blogger who is not only a color maven but a great person (I've worked with her), is Rachel Perls of Hue Consulting.

2.) Wallpaper: A spare roll can be all you need to transform a single wall, place on the exterior of dresser doors using Mod Podge, line shelves, a bookcase, or line the interior of a glass cabinet. Paint the exterior of the cabinet in a fresh new color, and viola! you have a brand new piece of furniture. With an exacto knife you can cut out a headboard silhouette using your favorite paper and place it on the wall behind your mattress if you don't already have a headboard. Wall decals are another affordable option.

3.) Furniture: If you need new furniture, head over to Craigslist and search under furniture in the city nearest to you. So many people sell items there and I've not have a negative experience yet. Just last year, I sold several items that were valued at well over $2,000 for under $300 just because I wanted to get rid of them quickly with as little effort as possible. Having someone come to my home and pay me to take something away was far easier than going through the hassle of selling it on eBay or hauling it to a consignment store. Many others feel this way to, that's why Craigslist is such a gem for seller and buyer alike.

• Shop eBay, factory outlet stores, search online for your local furniture consignment shop, head to sites like Overstock.com, and attend flea markets, yard sales, and estate sales. It's amazing what you can find if you are patient.



• Try those unfinished furniture stores and pick up new pieces and just stain or sand them yourself.

• If a hotel, restaurant (tables, chairs, light fixtures), schools (card catalogs make great storage in the craft room), even a laundromat is going out of business, ask them if they have anything they'd like to get rid of. Some laundromats have the best mid century modern plastic seating ever! And hotels can yield lamps and writing desks in near new condition. I always pay attention to signs when I drive, get into this habit. Follow arrows that say "going out of business sale", "estate sale", "store closing" and check them out. Leave those credit and debit cards behind and bring cash so the next guy doesn't beat you to a good deal. Most of these sales do not accept credit cards.



• And of course, you can't forget IKEA because that is one big blue box of heaven whether you are on a budget or not.



• Remember, anything you find need only have good bones. Paint, new uphostery or different legs can often make all the difference. You can replace traditional coffee table legs with industrial wheels for instance. Get creative!

4.) Clearance Sales/Discounts:

• Let's say you love Anthropologie but there is no way you're going to pay $80 for a vase or $120 for a throw pillow. You don't have to. Either get a job there part-time (I'm kidding but some people do this just for the discount) or call the store and ask when their next sale will be on home items and arrive on that very day the moment doors open. They often have sales like 40% off already marked down merchandise and that is where you really score the good stuff. I picked up the yellow vase shown in the above photo for only $7. Make a list of all the stores you love and call them to find out when their next sale date will be. It's okay to ask, no shame in that -- they want to sell because it's less work for them to have less to box and ship back so they're happy to share this information with customers.



• Coupons. Okay so the United States Postal Service will hate me for this but whatever. Go to the post office and ask for a moving kit (often you don't have to ask, they are laying around). Grab one (they are free) and search the package for coupons. I once found a 30% off coupon for Homegoods and proceeded to score a new chair for a great price. It's also okay to ask a cashier in certain chain stores known for having regular coupons if they have any coupons hanging around that you can use. This is a regular habit of mine at certain stores, like Macy's, Michael's and A.C. Moore craft stores. I almost always get a percentage off when I ask. Ask nicely. Get in line where you see friendly cashiers and avoid grumpy ones.



• Email coupons. Yes, more mail for your inbox but it's all good when it could mean a potential savings. I'm on every email list imaginable -- if I shop at their store, I sign up for their updates. Also sign up for Daily Candy Deals.

5.) Window Treatments: Often you can alter curtains in ways that transform the entire room. Add a thick red or patterned border to creamy white drapes. Paint a wooden curtain rod bright yellow. Locate a single piece of bamboo (Pier One usually has them) and cut it to size to use as a curtain rod. You can leave it natural or lacquer it in bright red or turquoise for a shot of color. Swap boring vinyl shades or blinds with bamboo roman shades - a decorator's staple, you'll notice them in many homes in your favorite shelter magazines. Target has some great sales on curtains and shades, I frequent their store to see what's been marked down or I call them directly. That's where I always find the best bamboo roman shades on sale.

6.) New Fixtures, Hardware: A new pendant light for the dining room, a new faucet in the kitchen, lighting over the sink, if you know how to install it yourself you can easily make a positive change on the cheap. You can find lighting in almost all the stores listed above (see tip #3). If your bathroom is dated, replace your faucet, towel rack, and other small fixtures with new ones, swap your hardware out for something more modern, paint the walls, and remove the medicine cabinet and add a new one or a simple framed mirror which can be found anywhere these days for under $50. You can also swap out hardware on furniture and cabinetry in the kitchen to update on a budget. New hardware can really alter a piece more than you realize.

7.) Fabric: You can shop online for it or head to your local fabric store during sale time to score major deals. Fabric can be transformed into so many things, from trim for the towels to framing as art or stapling over a canvas and using as a focal point on the wall. You can even use Mod Podge and stick it to surfaces like doors to give the interior of your closet a new look. You can never go wrong with a new table runner, placemats, or a simple cafe curtain. Most of these projects aren't that complicated and depending on the fabric you purchase, can be a great budget option. Even better if you can use fabric you already have or repurpose a sweater into a throw pillow. If you can't sew, go to the craft store and pick up some no-sew fusible tape to make a simple pillow cover or rod pocket curtain. Although I sort of cringe as I type that because I think having a sewing machine and knowing how to use it is actually the wisest choice you can make on a budget because you can save so much money if you know how to do basic hems and such. For instance, you can transform flat sheets into roman blinds or shower curtains so easily if you just know how to sew. Which leads me to #8....

8.) Tools. Always make sure you have some of the most basic tools on hand because when you're living on a budget, you'll obviously need to do some things for yourself to save cash. Buy a staple gun, staples, hammer, nails in at least 3 sizes, tape measure, leveling device if you can afford one, power drill (worth saving up for), screwdriver (flat head and phillips head), sand paper, paint brushes, rollers, paint stick (those are usually free at the paint store), and a jar of Mod Podge.

9.) Design Blogs. Read 'em regularly for inspiration, to train your eye, view trends, DIY ideas, connect with others by leaving comments, and search your favorite blogs using search terms like DIY and BUDGET. What else can blog reading do for you?

• Free advice. Send your photos to Apartment Therapy for instance and they will post your photo and dozens of readers will chime in with their most honest advice (sometimes painfully honest) on how you can solve this or that dilemma. The beauty of the web is that you can remain somewhat anonymous so who cares if a few jump in calling your living room a horror show. You can then reply, "I know, got some decorating advice for me?" and for no charge, you can have an entire decorating session all in your honor.



• Some blogs, like mine (decor8.blogspot.com) posts discounts for readers from time to time, especially between November - January for usually 20% off at a favorite store.



• Look for blogs sponsoring contests because you just may win a great prize! decor8 will team up with Amy Butler Design in May to give away Amy's books, fabric, and her handmade bags in her latest fabric to select readers. Entering is fun and free.



• Refer to our blogroll in the right column here at Simply Stated to get you started.

10.) Art. I'm such a fan of art and places like Dawanda, Trunkt, Andyland, BlueFlip Art, Tiny Showcase, Etsy, even sites like Art.com have some nice prints that are affordable (at Art.com opt to frame a print yourself for a huge savings). You can find inexpensive frames in most of the stores listed in tip #3. You can also make your own art, get creative and have some fun. Visit your public library and check out some Art How To books and give it a whirl.

And don't forget, if you're on a budget then why not earn a little extra cash by selling some of the things you currently own but no longer need. Recycle by hosting a yard sale or by selling things online. And of course, the best things in life are sometimes free so before you embark on decorating, give your home a thorough cleaning (move furniture, clean window screens, etc.) and organize closets and tame that clutter. Decide what your budget is and make a list with two columns - wants and needs. When you are shopping, purchase all of your needs first and use whatever money you have left for wants.

You can design on a dollar - so go get 'em decorators!

(image from holly becker)

Time to undress! Your bed that is. It's Spring, the perfect season to ditch that heavy duvet and lighten up with something fresh and fun. As a New Hampshire transplant raised on the sunny shores of South Carolina, I'm not too keen on winters up here. That's why I spin through my home like the Tasmanian Devil at the first sign of Spring to clean, shine, and prep things for the new season. After cleaning everything imaginable (I love to clean so I actually enjoy this part) and storing all of my winter clothes, I start swapping some of my soft furnishings with textiles that are lighter and brighter for the season -- especially in the bedroom. Would you like to know where I shop online for amazing bedding?

Of course you do. You're a decorating addict just like me.

Bedding from Pottery Barn and John Robshaw.

Tip 1: To update things from Winter to Spring, you can fold your duvet and place it about 3/4 down on your bed and replace the duvet with a coverlet or quilt. If your duvet isn't down-filled, you can purchase a new cover for it if your budget allows - look for colors that make you happy, whether that's yellow or blue, go with a color that soothes and relaxes you.

Tip 2: To add interest, you can mix and match your bedding using various prints -- striped sheets with floral cases, large florals with smaller ones, green with teal, etc. You don't have to own bedding from the same collection to make a pretty bed -- there's no rules -- do what looks right in your eyes because your opinion is the only one that matters since it's your home.

Tip 3: For a modern look, opt for clean, bold, and uncomplicated. If you're a bit of a romantic like me, look for pretty details -- I love grosgrain, eyelet, crochet or ruffled trims on pillowcases. Identifying exactly what you're looking for before you start shopping is a smarter way to shop.

DwellStudio collection for Target

Ready to check out some great shops? I tried to round up a little something for everyone:

• Ouno Design salvages vintage and remnant materials with beautiful bohemian modern results.


• DwellStudio is a fave of mine, I own some of it myself so I can stand behind the quality. If you're on a budget, their new collection for Target is a great budget version.



• Colorful happy Missoni bedding at Auto.


• Designers Guild (USA) has an extremely fresh palette and are known for bold large-scale prints. Gorgeous.
• 
  I never tire of the ethnic flavor found over at John Robshaw, his bedding is ridiculously beautiful.


• Shabby Chic is another favorite. I've been purchasing Shabby Chic bedding since the 1990's, so I guess you can call me a fan. I even had the honor of meeting Rachel Ashwell in L.A. a few years ago. More on that here. If this brand is also out of your price range, opt for her Simply Shabby Chic line also available at Target.


• I love the bedding at Pottery Barn this season. It's fresh, modern, clean, and affordable. How can you go wrong?


• Pillows and Throws has more that the name lets on, they stock a beautiful array of modern bedding and I've ordered from them in the past and their customer service was beyond helpful and friendly.

Bedding from Kerry Cassill based in southern California.

More choices at:

• Kerry Cassill


• Pioneer Linens


• Urban Outfitters


• Anthropologie


• Sweet Felt Goods


• Garnet Hill


• The Company Store


• Plover Organic (organic)


• Twinkle Living


• Pine Cone Hill


• Sweet Home London


• 2Modern


• Horchow


• Domestications


• Akasha


• Tracy Porter


• Denise Schmidt Quilts


• Viva Terra (organic)


• Crate and Barrel


• Homegoods


• Martha Stewart for Macy's

Where do you shop for bedding?

Please add any stores to this list that you'd like by commenting below. Happy Spring!

(images linked to their sources above.)

Paint, wallpaper, window decals, do you like to mark your territory? We've covered wallpaper and window decals over the past few weeks here in Home & Organizing so why not consider wall decals now, also known as giant stickers for adults. You can use them on walls, ceilings, tiles, appliances, windows, shower doors, and even some floors. Best part, they're easy on - easy off, affordable (unless you go custom), and they're very landlord-friendly for those stuck in rentals who have to live with the current wall color - even icky avocado can be perked up with a bold graphic! Wall stickers can be removed without a trace + no harm is done to the walls = you'll get your security deposit back. Liking how that sounds.

With so many perks, let's look at a few of my favorite resources for finding wall decals. If you locate something you like, just click, buy, and stick it!

Form and Function based just outside of Stockholm, Sweden carries wall and floor vinyl decals that I find quite interesting -- not something you'd see in the homes of all of your friends so they make for an ultra stylish statement and a cool conversation piece. They have lots of stickers from French decal giant Domestic.

Stick Meon is a small atelier in Australia that I really like because I think the animals Deanna designs are really sweet.

Les Louisettes is a French company that is quite popular in France and parts of Europe. In the US, you can order them from Mortimer Snodgrass based in Montreal who ships all over and are such a pleasure to deal with. I like the idea of putting some on a mirror or on kitchen appliances, don't you?

Pop Cling is super unique, their range is incredible. They are a lot like art for the walls, very modern, urban and fresh. I ordered from them about a year ago and was so pleased with my transaction, they were a delight to work with and shipping was an absolute breeze. Excellent prices and quality, too.

Dvider is another company to look at. They stock wall stickers but there's a twist because they also carry free standing dividers for rooms that you can adhere decals to if you want to dress them up. Dividers are useful for loft spaces and offices so this is actually a clever product.

Not everything is vinyl, Beearo makes decals out of wood. Unfortunately they've closed up shop until April since they're currently relocating to Seattle and need to get settled in first, but bookmark them for future reference because once they're up and running you'll love their selection. Don't these look stunning on glass tiles?

Design 3000 in Germany stocks a lot of decals and wall woods in German. I keep staring at this bed, this flower-as-headboard thing is unexpected and fun. I see lots of DIY ideas for faux headboard using paint, stencils, and wallpaper but a decal like this would be the easiest of the bunch to apply and remove.

Think wall graphics are created equal -- whimsical, colorful, and modern? Harmonie Intérieure owned by graphic designer Fabien Barral and his wife Frédérique transform their designs and photographs into some amazing results, some with a slightly vintage look to them.

I love tile tattoos from Mibo, they're a great way to dress up a blah bath or kitchen. Just over 4 square inches, they are available in a set of six for $16/pack in several colors at 2Jane.

These are a break from the norm, a smart collection of transferable drawings by contemporary artists David Shrigley, Kate MacLeod, and Edwina White from Australian company Third Drawer Down. At $15 a sheet you can't go wrong. Available at 2Jane to pre-order for a May '08 delivery.

Blik is pretty huge, they have just about everything so spend some time on their website and see what you can find. They recently collaborated with graphic designer Mel Lim, whom I'm a fan of, to pull together some decals that I think would be beautiful in a kids' room or craft studio. I also love Anise by Ilan Dei for Blik, especially in white against a solid colored wall. Would look super pretty against silver-gray. Click here to see Anise.

I can't get enough of Ferm Living lately. Gosh I love what they're doing with vinyl!

Mother and daughter team Elaine & Nell Oliver design wall stickers and sell them on Etsy in their store Elly Nelly. 

Additional wall decal companies to visit:

Saint Honore - Funky, urban, edgy. I love their Munchhausen collection.

Target - Yup, Target. They carry a ton of options from kiddie stickers to grown up florals.

Paris-based Les Invasions Ephémères.

Aren't wall decals a-peeling? ;)

(images above linked to source)

It's Friday, who wants to read with a holiday weekend here? So I'll make this post image heavy and text light, how's that sound? Eye candy here we come! But of course, I have to give you a little intro so here goes...

Littlest Flower: King of Castle $10

I could go on and on about affordable art (mostly prints) maybe even devote an entire blog to it (or book) because I'd never run out of content. It's a sickness, my design crack. If I showed you the plastic bin in my work studio filled with prints I've purchased over the years from artists I follow, you'd call me a total junkie. I need prints because I have to live around things that visually stimulate me. And when I have children, I will follow my own advice here and decorate their rooms with lovely art prints at least until they are old enough to tell me that the giraffes have to go because the Transformers or babes in bikinis are going up. While I can control what's on the walls, I'll no doubt be shopping at some of these fine stores below. Then again, I've already shopped at many of these stores so I'm living proof that some of these aren't just for the tots. If you click around the links below, you will no doubt find more grown up friendly designs by the many artists featured here.

So enough talking, let's look at some art!

Binth: Numbers Poster, $55.

Full views of work not shown above, you'll need to click on these links to see entire images. GUIDE: 1. Tootsweet Shop: Barometz print $50,  2.Sarah Jane Studios: Summer Tea Party $24, 3. Shirae: Hoola $18, 4. MikieP: Girl Power $20, 5. Lab Partners: Birds and Squirrel Field trip $20,  6. Blanca Helga: Animal Tower $3, 7 & 8.Kiki and Polly: Hippity Hop to Bed $20 and Pink Fabric Eared Bunny $20.

Paul Chung: 123 Bird Series $15 (each print shown grouped in 3 framed above), and A Sitting Boy $18, also by Paul Chung. He's pretty amazing, by the way.

San Fran 67: Freddy $70. This artist makes the most intricate paper cutouts and frames them, what gorgeous displays for any kids' room.

Molly Jey is another great artist doing work that is very beautiful by cutting paper to form beautiful storybook-like three dimensional scenes. Shown here is Mystical Forest, $120.

GUIDE: 1.Sasha Loots: Meg and Pelly $40, 2. Axel Honey: The Trip $20, 3. Sammy Dog Productions: Fish $15, 4.  Bumble Belly Designs: Trains and Planes $56, 5. Joseph Blake: I'll Be $26, 6. Paula Birdy: Alpha-birdy $35, 7. Aja Vu: Monsieur Poo Arctic Explorer $20, 8. JMC Designs: The Dance $50, 9. Tamba Toys: Can You See Me $14, and 10. Nuria73: My Secret Garden Rouge $40. 

e.soule: The Little Zoo series, $70 each.

GUIDE: Charlie Motel: Somebody Loves You $20,  Creative Thursday: Peep Peep $35, Seaspray Blue: The CountUp $17, Margin: Laurence $20, JRitter Designs: ABC Illustration Girls $20, Wren and Chickadee: Paper Doll $18, Fox in the Woods: Forest and Fields $20, Corid: Miss Britta and Her Goose Goes to Market $18, Geninne's Art Store: Craft Bird $30, Calobee Doodles: Alphabet Soup $32.

Sandy Mac and her PEZ dispensers are fun, especially if you love a little retro!

GUIDE: 1.Witty Workshop: Alice's Flower $25, 2. Monster Gallery: Godzilla $4.50, 3. Goobeetsa: Ice Cream Monster $15, 4. Paint and Ink: Kingdom of Imagination $7, 5.Ubiki: Forest $25, 6. Cathy Nichols: Santuary $28, 7. Ink and Wit: Sour Grapes $35,8. Plants and Animals: Owl Tree $12, 9. Yumi Yumi: These Are For You $20, and 10. Belle and Boo: Freedom $30

Stephanie DosReis: 178 Ochre Street, $28.

GUIDE: Jenn Ski Art: Bird $25, Anne's Illustration: Mustang $20, Bee's Knees Industries: Robot Love $20, Marmee Craft: Monsieur Hedgehog $16, Shelby Healey: Bathtime $18, Carla Sonheim: Tire Swing Play $18, Claudine Hellmuth: Out Shopping $255 (cute for pregnant mom),  Pequenio Craft: Paper Doll $16, Terese Bast: Swing $25, The Black Apple: Wolfbaby Vs Foxbaby $18, Michelle Caplan: Coney Island $25, Matte Art: Weather Vivienne $60.

And of course, you can always frame cards that you like. Sweet Beets has some of the best I've seen for framing for only $5.50.

What about displaying a few of these pretty masks on the wall from Abigail Brown? $9 each.

Happy clicking and have a wonderful weekend everyone! Erin the Queen of Organization and I, Holly the Decorating Diva, will see you bright and early on Monday morning! :)

(images are all linked to sources above.)

Lots of parents write in via my design blog decor8 for help in decorating the modern nursery, playroom, or toddler bedroom. One hot topic that keeps coming up is their need to display art that goes beyond the mainstream selection that's out there -- works that are special, affordable, and will spark their child's imagination. They are also concerned that the room, art included, will work with the design scheme of the entire home. That's where I step in and suggest framing prints of original works from independent artists. It's easy, affordable, and thousands of beautiful prints are only a click away. Here are some notes from email consultations recently held with readers on this topic, I hope these tips can be of benefit to you, too!

Top row: Whimsy Press, Bottom row: Margot Curran via Babygeared.

Dwell Studio Wall Art available a Design Public.

A collection of prints shown here framed from ISAK.

Art Tips For Kids' Rooms

1. Avoid installing expensive originals or prized family pieces unless they're framed or higher than little fingers can reach. I do not suggest valuable art in a kid's space ever for obvious reasons -- that expensive painting may end up altered by magic markers, crayons, or darts. I suggest reproduction pieces either on canvas or as prints, digital prints, letterpress prints, photography, etc. I'm more concerned with originals on canvas since imaginations can run wild leading to your little one painting red horns or a mustache on a very prized portrait.

2. Most parents want the kid's room/nursery to blend with the rest of the house. That's a smart choice. When I was growing up all the kids in my neighborhood had Transformers or My Little Pony themed rooms before they even knew who these popular characters were. Nurseries were usually pink (girl) or blue (boy) and themed around some Disney film, polka dots, stripes, or Noah's Ark. Parents today are taking design up a few notches and seeing beyond popular characters or 'theme-y' designs and creating a space that is in harmony with the rest of the home. Parents: Seize the only years you have to control design in your kids' space while you can because once they get older, they'll alter that room in crazy ways you'd never imagined. Decorate using colors, patterns, materials, and art that you enjoy. More on why below in tip #4.

3. Look for art that reflects the joy and whimsy of being a kid without it becoming overly theme-y because diversity is nice. Exposing children to a variety of images at an early age can build in them a desire to learn about culture and the arts, too. Lots of artists who concentrate of work for kids usually show identifiable things in their art like giraffes, birds, bicycles, balloons, trees, things that children can point to and identify by name. Ultimately it's up to the parents, I've seen some babies with more abstract watercolor prints in their nursery and it was beautiful as the colors were very calm and warm. As your children grow, you'll start to see what images they are responding to the most which gives you a better sense of what they enjoy. It's also nice if art doubles as a tool for teaching. Try framing alphabet cards or purchasing a print like the Binth Alphabet poster shown below.

4. You should love the colors and the art you've selected for the room. If mother is happy, everyone is happy, right? Of course, dad needs to like it too. Babies and children pick up on their parents emotions, that is a scientific fact. If you love the nursery and everything about it impacts you in a positive way then your baby will sense that and all will be feeling good about your design choices. Select images that you like bearing in mind the importance they likely will have on your little one, and don't overlook the role that color plays. More on color here: Color Schemes for Your Babies Room and the Nursery Art.

5. For the sake of safety, make sure whatever you hang on the wall is secure. Children like to pound on things, walls included. You wouldn't want little miss or junior to pound a toy against the wall and something comes crashing down. I always suggest framing prints behind plexiglass but you can make your own decision regarding this. I do not suggest installing work over a bed or crib. Try vinyl wall decals or wallpaper near beds and cribs, ideally things that cannot fall onto them while they're napping.

6. Change the artwork often to reflect (and develop) the child's interest. Once they are toddlers you will start to notice what prints they seem to en