New HK Sculptures!
We have a new selection of Handmade, limited edition works of art by H&K Steel Sculptures! They have been designed by a collaboration of American Artists and Old World European craftsman to reflect American taste and culture. These sculptures are individually handcrafted and are subject to variations in style and color. The whimsical sculptures are made from recycled steel with copper accents which personalize and tastefully decorate your home and office.
Prices for all excluding the Wine Caddy are $84.99. This is a sampling of our selection, stock may vary. Please call ahead if you are looking for a specific style, we would be happy to order one for you if we are out of stock.
Does YOUR Room Need a Facelift?
In keeping with last weeks post, I thought I would share some photos of the shop over the past couple years. we have changed things quite a few times, and were really enjoying the latest look we have going! Perhaps you might want to consider brightening up your space before all the gloomy winter days really set in?
The Original:
Christmas:
Student Art Show:
Our Latest Makeover:
Facelift your Room in an Afternoon!
By Bethany Cobb
So, summer is coming to an end, and you’re looking forward to colder weather and more time spent inside, quiet nights with a fire and hot chocolate, watching a movie or reading a good book. Or maybe you’re envisioning wonderful dinner parties replacing your summer barbeques, anticipating guests, or just want to give your space a lift? Are you short on time and money?
Here are a few ideas for quick changes you can make in an afternoon:
Throw Pillows:
Throw pillows are great, inexpensive ways to add some color to your room. Most of us have fairly neutral sofa and chairs, and by using throw pillows, you can jump into this seasons latest color trend, without the major investment of new furniture or drapes. If you’re crafty, you can even make your own pillows quickly and easily with just a few supplies from your local craft store.
Accent Walls:
Another DIY project to add some spice to your room is to paint an accent wall. Even if you’re renting, how long does it really take to repaint one wall before moving out, compared to the months/years of enjoyment you will get from it? It’s all about having a commitment to your space and making it your own. You live there, why not? A gallon of paint (in your choice of colors) costs anywhere from $8 to $45, depending on the quality and special effects you’re after. Add to that one afternoon and a few paint rollers, and you have yourself a beautiful new focal point in your room. Which leads me to….
New Matting on Old Pictures:
Changing the mat can make a DRAMATIC difference to your picture. Honestly, how long ago did you frame that? In all likelihood, the mats are faded and discolored from when it was originally designed, and the colors don’t really fit with your new style. Brighten your picture up by putting on fresh new matting in a beautiful neutral (if your wall is a color) or a complementary color for your picture and the room (if you’re placing your print on a neutral wall). Studio C offers design consultation with your room colors in mind, bring in a photo of your space and we will help you pick the perfect mat to make your art really stand out and look new!
If you’re looking for new art, secondhand is a great way to collect. You’ll often find prints in garage sales and consignment shops (or in relatives and friends basements) that are framed hideously, but are in and of themselves quite striking. Make an investment in the framing, and have a beautiful print that none of your friends have seen, and is totally your own!
New Photo Arrangement:
Changing the arrangement of your pictures will also dramatically alter how your room looks and feels. Imagine your artwork as windows, moving your art gives the effect of a structural difference to your space! Had that family photo over the sofa for years? Maybe move it above the piano and add a mirror and some shelves above the couch. Or take the beautiful painting out of the hall and swap it with the wedding picture you’ve had in the entryway forever. Even simple swaps can make a big impact. And if the colors don’t really work, a new mat or frame on your picture can give it new life.
Also consider creating a wall grouping of small pictures. Choose a theme, whether it be the same color of frame, similar print style (nature, architecture, places you’ve traveled) and group them together with other wall art, such as small mirrors, sconces, or clocks.
A picture shelf is another great way to take your existing art and display it in a new way. Again, be sure you have a common theme, and in this case, using similar frames is a much cleaner, more modern look. Even simple black frames and white matting can really make the look stand out and make your artwork pop.
Change the Layout:
While we are standing back and really looking at your space, think about the layout. Does it really work for the way you use your room? Often, we move in and put our furniture in the way that immediately makes sense to us. Without having lived in the space, however, it is hard to imagine what the impact of the layout will be. Does that sectional really block the light from the windows? Is that chair in the way of a more natural traffic flow? Do you wish you could see the TV better from the kitchen? (Ok, be honest, when else do you have time to catch up on your shows?) Look at your room with the attitude of never having seen it and see if making some simple changes to the furniture placement will improve the flow of your life!
And last, but not least, the lighting. Most homes have ceiling fans and overhead lighting installed throughout. However convenient it may be, the overhead lighting just doesn’t do justice to you or your home. When you move the lighting from the ceiling to a table, or even a free-standing floor lamp, it will make your home feel more “homey” by leaps and bounds. Table top lighting can be expensive; however, there are beautiful lighting options at many stores that won’t break the bank. Target and IKEA have some simple options, as well as checking out garage sales, flea markets, and consignment shops. Often a used lamp will only need a coat of spray paint and a new shade and you have something uniquely you.
These tips are really just a few of the ways you can brighten and enliven your home, without going through a total renovation. Keep in mind the longevity you expect from each purchase, and spend accordingly. Throw pillows will last for a season, buy inexpensively, and go nuts! Framing tends to hang around for awhile, so chose something of quality, a bit more in tune with your own sense of style and less with the trends. Mixing trends and your own style will give your home the panache and vibrancy you can be proud of, as well as the flexibility to last through shag rugs and avocado green, to brass and maroon, to neon and paint splashes, to neutrals, and back to shag and avocado. Happy decorating!
Click on photos to find links to their original “home” and instructions for projects!
New samples!
Got some new samples in! These are beautiful wood tones and would fit nicely into any decor. With four tones in each collection, there is sure to be one to complement your art!
Welcome!
Our website has gone through a major transformation, and we are so pleased you have come to check it out! We made things easier to find, added more pictures (because that what were all about, after all!) and we will be constantly adding new features and articles to keep you informed about the latest and greatest in picture framing and home decor.
Were looking forward to the changes and to becoming more involved with all our customers and fans! Feel free to drop us a line and let us know what you would most like to see added to the website, or just to say hi. And please keep checking back with the site, there will always be new treasures to discover!
Thanks!
-Bethany
customerservice@studiocframing.com