Chicago Home & Garden Magazine

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Art - Getting the Hang of It

 Too High? Too Low? A little more to the left? Crooked? Shit! Don't give up, Art is a beautiful thing! Here are some tips to take the edge off hanging art. . .

As a general rule, hang your artwork so that the center point of the piece or grouping is at approximately eye level- think of groupings as a single unit. For example, you may want to consider hanging art slightly lower in a dining room, since you are sitting down when you are looking at it. The devil really is in the details. I see him often. Impressive moustache.

A great way to try out an arrangement before making Swiss of your wall is to lay everything out on your table or floor.  I prefer the floor. Move pieces around until you have an arrangement that you like. Once you have it figured out, take a photo so you can remember the aforementioned genius.

For Over Achievers- lay out art on a large piece of craft/wrapping paper and trace around each piece making sure to mark the hanging hardware points. Cut along the trace lines, then tape the paper to the wall and hammer in the nails. Remove the paper and place art. You are so gallery chic I can't stand it.

Choose smaller pieces for narrow walls and larger pieces for big walls.

Lots of wall with little art? Try grouping even number pieces to balance out a large space or a high wall. Keep in mind that large spaces can handle slightly wider spacing than small spaces.

Getting Horizontal- hanging art horizontally allows you to achieve some volume without appearing crowded. Remember, an odd number of pieces is more attractive to the eye and is visually more balancing. I typically space pieces 4-6" from each other.

Getting Vertical- when you are grouping 4 or more pieces above one another, think of a vertical line- meaning that the art should be visually balanced on both sides of an imaginary vertical line. Too much visual weight on one side or the other will make the group seem awkward & unbalanced. And that's more of a distraction than a love.

Symmetry ='s Traditional Beauty. Symmetry is great for pieces that are similar in size, shape, and subject matter. Hanging pieces symmetrically allows you to create a grouping that has visual balance and is perfect over large furniture or a fireplace.

Asymmetry ='s Exotic Beauty. Asymmetrical placement is a great solution when you have artwork that isn't necessarily the same but share at least one similar element- Cousins. An organic balance is the goal here.

Grouping larger and smaller pieces helps to create interest & energy. The same is true for vertical and horizontal pieces in the same grouping. The same is true for throwing your kid's masterpiece into a formal mix or adding a touch of humor or perhaps, rebellion to your collection.

Put what you love on your walls. Keep in mind that large white matting can work magic. A level is your best friend & lover. And above all else,
Love Your Space.

xx

Nic

A Little Bird Told Me...

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R a d f o r d   T w e e t s

Color in the Bedroom

Nothing wakes up a Bedroom like Color. With warm weather upon us, I am all Shades of excited for Fresh color palettes, Lively yet Sophisticated pattern & above all - comfort. You don't need a complete Bedroom overhaul to achieve a Cheeky new look. . . one or two great pieces are all you need for a High Impact update . Check out some of my new loves for Summer . . .
xx
Nic

Replace dresser knobs with these Beauties  $8

This Shade provides a Sexy Glow $8
reminds me a bit of Ingo Maurer's "Flotation"

Set of 6 Moroccan Inspired pillows
color, color, color $160 for set

"Sunshine" Duvet $80

Update your Reflection $99

Major Statement-
 distressed Queen head/footboard $325

Fresh Organic Duvet $99

Bright yet Soothing Artwork $65

Mood Lighting for your dresser $70

High Impact Ikat $35

Punch of Color $63

Graphic Gray & Yellow $23-77

Drawn to The Vivid Yellow . . .
 Simply could not resist Wu Tang in the Boudoir $30

100% Cotton Grid Throw $60

These Teardrop Lamps are
small enough for any Nightstand $60

Instant Update $40

Put on shoes or drop a Dress on this Classic $70

Keep it Romantic & the clothes off the floor
Ruffle Laundry Bag $40

Classically Clean $50

Tidbit: Thought of The Week

It's Natural to have a Strong Reaction to any "Product" of the Creative process which We aren't Familiar with, don't Understand, or we Assume we don't/won't like - Works of Art. . .
Food. . Music . .  . Fashion .. . Literature .  . . Furniture. . ..

But that Doesn't mean It's not Merely a Moment away from being Something which you will Endlessly adore. . . .

This past Weekend I visited my 94 year-old Mimo in KC for Mother's Day. She reminded me That sometimes we just haven't Grown to Appreciate the things that initially make us Squirm.

Eleanor Radford Walters is a wise woman.

EWR

Keep an Open Mind & good things Will Follow. Promise.
xx
Nic

Stencils - Must Practice Restraint

Mick Jagger
+
Philippe Starck + Union Jack
Dying . I'm dying

It's officially Project Season . And I'm legitimately Obsessed with Stencils . Stencils are THE Sublime Solution for the Quick & easy design Pick Me Up you have been Longing for. They are REUSABLE, cost Less than Dinner on the Town & are the ultimate Non-Garish (put down the Jo-Ann Fabrics coupon) DIY project. I'm currently having a Flamboyant love Affair with a sophisticated little Number that I picked up from Cutting Edge Stencils . Here are my loves . . .

Love on Your walls . Stencils can create a Custom Wallpaper feel at a fraction of the Cost .

"Rabat" $38.95

"Damask Nadya" $39.95

"Shipibo" $38.95

"Covington" $42.95

"Zagora" $39.95

Hell Yes . All Hot & Bothered

Furniture Love . . . .Inspire a Flea Market or Garage Sale find. Or fall Back in Lust with what you Already own .

This I Adore

Non Offensive Kid Furniture 

Love what Ya Got

Update a Chest with this Ribbon Damask $32

Rockin' a Flea Market Find

When your Landlord gifts you a Lemon Add vodka

Fabrics are Also yearning for the Love. Who doesn't obsess over Bespoke Decor? Forget that I asked . . I don't want to Know .  Remember to switch to Fabric Paint .

Royal Burlap . Hot. $18

No longer A Boring Roller Shade

European Style Storage $25

For the Coolest Man in your Life. $25

Shake Up the Bedroom . Dig your Headboard

British Invasion of Your Office . $25/set of 4

Oh so French . $28

I love you Trellis Stencil . You made my Shade Ridiculous

Aaaaaaaaand Floors & Ceilings . They too Clamor for Stencil Affection.  You can Stencil your Floors with the same Guys you would Use on the Ceiling . . . Just not at the Same time . Try out the Wall Stencils we Chatted about earlier for these Unexpected applications .

Need it Want it . Want it Need it

Downright Sexy

Camel Bone Weave $39

Georgian Ceiling Medallion Stencil $54.95

Try not to Smile

Finally, Stencils make for some Fantastic albeit Banksy Inspired Art. 

My boyfriend Mick Jagger . Again .

A nod to The Beasties $9.50

Liz Taylor 9x12 on canvas $20

Custom Deco Monogram Stencils $17. 95
May I add . . . Freaking Out

adore 

Awww Shucks, Stencils . I'm exhausted . Time for a hot shower .
xx
Nic