Items: Vases
Cost: Varies

This is an easy, do-it-yourselfer kind of project–especially for those who aren’t quite so artfully inclined like myself. By puting together a display of similar colored vases (of all different shapes and sizes), you can create your own sculpture–and display several items without it looking too crowded.

This is a great look for a living room table or dining room buffet. I can’t wait to try it out myself! Since I don’t own multiple vases in the same color, I might just have to start scanning the local thrift stores…

Items: Fabric and canvas frame
Cost: Varies

Purchasing art for your home can be very expensive, but empty walls are simply too dull to live with. Today’s great design idea is so simple anyone can do it, and it isn’t very expenisve at all!

The idea is to find a piece of fabric that you like, something you might want to display. It can be colorful, artsy, simple…anything that will coordinate with your decor. Purchase a piece of it and a simple canvas frame from your local art store. Stretch the fabric over the frame and staple it to the back, just like the canvas. And voila, you have a beautiful piece of wall art to hang in that empty spot over your sofa!

Items: metal cross candle holder and framed print of bathrub painting
Cost: free

I got both this candle holder and the framed art for free when my roommate moved out and left some of her things behind. When people move, they tend to get rid of some perfectly good items simply due to lack of sleep. Ask a friend or roommate if you can rummage through their things before they go to the Goodwill. You might find a few treasures.

These are currently hanging in my bathroom, nicely complementing my lovely shower curtain. =)

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Item: Soapstone Statue

Cost: 600 Gourdes (abt $14 for both)

This soapstone statue comes straight from Haiti—I know because that’s where I found it. I was searching for some classic Haitian art to bring home when I found this one and its sister for sale by a street vendor. I snatched up both pieces and keep one on my desk at work and the other on my dresser at home.

I’m loving them! My only caution: soapstone is fragile. Traveling with them isn’t easy.

Item: Ceramic plate
Cost: $2.95

I found this plate at a thrift store so small that I almost drove right past it on my way to the Outer Banks. I had perused the entire store finding nothing that really suited my taste until I was headed to the door to leave. The plate was sitting on a shelf and the was just begging to be touched.

It was the texture that drew me in, but the earthy green color with brown highlights fits into my life as well. It is handmade and imperfect, the mixed textures of glossy ceramic and grooved edges intrigued me. The bottom is unglazed, with a signature from the artist. Read the rest of this entry »