Inspiring your Home and Lifestyle
Here’s your chance to let your opinion be heard! Our November issue goes to press tomorrow, and we have a lovely dilemma to deal with–two covers that are so equally appealing, we’re having a difficult time selecting our favorite.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Both shots are from the home of Little Rock-based interior designer Mona Thompson, of Providence Ltd., which was built by Bill Parkinson of Parkinson Building Group. Photography by Nancy Nolan.
So which one is your favorite?
Ready to add color, personalization and sophistication to your home? Authentic pieces of art, whether it’s a sculpture, a painting or a collection of glassware, can add interest, color and appeal like nothing else imaginable. Our Jan/Feb issue features the home of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Executive Director Don Bacigalupi and his partner Dan Feder, who have amassed an amazing collection of art (including the Murano glassware shown below) Read on for tips from Don to bring art into your home. 
Look at as much art as you can. Seeing everything is the key to learning how to differentiate among the good, better and best. Visit museums, galleries and exhibitions whenever you have the chance and look closely. 
Live with what you love. Great works of art don’t need to match a color scheme of a room; they transcend the space they occupy. 
Consider the light. Keep works on paper and other fragile materials out of natural light. For paintings (on canvas or board) and sculpture, ambient light may be sufficient, but you’ll likely want to consider some directed light. 
Don’t be afraid of larger works even in smaller spaces. They can activate a room like nothing else. 
Learn from the beautiful objects you live with every day. Works of art reveal themselves to us over time. As you live with art, it will continue to unfold its secrets. Want to see more of Dan and Don’s home? Read the full story here.
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Aren’t these rooms so soothing and pretty? I love Elaine Griffin’s color palettes, and had the chance to meet her in person recently when we were both judges on the Design Sherpa “What Inspires You” contest. She has a great style that’s traditional but always fresh.” (“Design Styles of Elaine Griffin” from Providence Ltd. Interior Design)
Account executive Kathy Condrey came across this beautiful exterior remodel and had to share. (“Home Exterior Makeover from PBG” from Parkinson Building Group)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “Love that these magazine tears were intended to be only temporary solutions but found a permanent home on the wall.” (“Tour of My Home” from Plush Palate)
From marketing coordinator/account executive Lauren Strother: “What a fun way to brighten your floors. Love it!” (“Fun with Sunny” from Annechovie)
From art director Mandy Keener: “Love, love, love all this color! Perfect inspiration for today.” (“Some brights to wake up to” from Compai Blog)
In case you missed them:
Home decor inspired by our Fall Fashion Stylebook!
From At Home in Arkansas reader Ashley Kerr Pressley, who follows the blog Young House Love about a young couple remodeling their home together (“Our Current House” from Young House Love)
From art director Mandy Keener: “Super! This just might be the answer to storing all these magazines and adding color…LOVE IT!” (“IKEA Prant: DIY Modular Storage” from Bright.Bazaar)
From advertising coordinator Laura LaRue: “Bring on the birds! I love all these bird themed items, but especially that birds on wire print…I’m thinking my living room would love it too!” (“Bird Brain” from Hello Metro)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Always love a fashion to room look! And I happen to love each of these rooms. That black and white bedroom would be really fun in a lakehouse or second home, wouldn’t it? As would the clothes!” (“Fashions to Furnishings: Lands’ End Canvas Spring 2011” from Zesty Nest)
From publisher Kelly Fraiser: “I’m in love with The Shady Lady Atmosphere floor lamps. Perfect for dining on our screen porch this spring.” (“Keep Your Outdoor Party Going with Shady Lady Light” from Ken Rash’s Casual Furniture)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “I’m always intrigued with set design, and I was happy to find this group of images (by Malchus Janocko) from Gossip Girl.” (“Gossip Girl Set Design” from Shayla Copas Interiors)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Our “Before & After” issue for May just went to press, and Design*Sponge is one of my favorite blogs to check for their before and after features. This one is classic–you won’t believe the sofa and chair transformations. (“Before and after: Modern two-tone sofa and chair makeovers” from Design*Sponge)
From art director Mandy Keener: “This is a chair nerd’s dream! Adding to this to my wish list pronto!” (“Kartell Master’s Chair” from Design Milk)
From account executive Stevi Jackson: “Love this collection! These pillows would look wonderful right below a grouping of Mindy Lacefield art…” (“Tangible Art Thursday: Sunkan Art Home Goods” and “Paintings by Timssalley” from Ever So Lovely)
From marketing/special projects coordinator Lauren Strother: “What beautiful color combinations and technique. These gorgeous paintings get me in the mood for spring!” (“Michelle Armas” from Kelly Market)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “What better way to display your dresses than on gold hangers?” (“Fashion as Art” from Plush Palate)
From account executive Stevi Jackson: “I love this bedroom- It’s the perfect mix of sophistication and fun!” (“Ashlee Raubach & Alison Royer” via House of Turquoise)
From marketing/special projects coordinator Lauren Strother: “I love these tulip prints, and on these dreary days we’ve been having they’re just the dose of happy I needed.” (“Tuesday Tulips-Limited Editions by Kerri Rosenthal” via Pretty Pink Tulips)
From associate editor Paulette Pearson: “Don’t know if I could live with this much color forever, but it sure makes an impact. The pink and gold especially go well together. Luxe and glamorous, and a bit unstudied.” (“Interior: Vibrant Berry Hues” via Haute Design)
From advertising coordinator Laura LaRue: “Wow, such a beautiful home. Love all the linen fabrics and exposed natural woods, but I think those high-back chairs around the table might be my favorite!” (“Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles” via Tracery Interiors)
From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Great examples of my favorite color palette, which is extra fresh in spring but I love all year long. The Amy Butler wallpapers and rugs would work great in my home.” (“Blue and Green, Together for Spring” via Birch + Bird)
In case you missed it:
It dawned on art director Mandy Keener that our Spring Fashion Stylebook, which she directed and produced, resembles work by one of her favorite artists, Rex Ray. With a few other original pieces of art, from block and concert prints to acrylics and mixed media, she shows you how to dress up your space with a little artsy flair.
Vesta’s // Rex Ray // One // Two // Three // Four
Companion’s // Rex Ray // One // Two // Three // Four
Roberson’s Fine Jewelry // Rex Ray // One // Two // Three // Four
In case you missed it! More from our “At Home with Fashion” series:
Stylist Anna Chatelain models the top 5 looks for spring
Virtual Tour of our Spring Fashion Location
Foyer // One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven
As art director, I love spending days in the homes we feature. While they’re usually filled with the hustle and bustle of all things “photo shoot/styling,” I always find inspiration somewhere. Take this rad entry (designed by Garry Mertins and featured in our May issue), for example. Wouldn’t you love to sit and stay awhile? Grab one of your favorite design books or magazines and just relax…
Here are few pieces I think would totally help do the trick. Hope this gets some color and creativity flowing… Enjoy!
You’ll probably recognize At Home’s friend, Chris Olsen, a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. We featured his own home garden in a 2010 issue, and we’re excited to introduce him as one of At Home’s new monthly blog columnists! Check back as Chris shares his landscape and gardening knowledge along with his unique flair for home decor and design, beginning with this clever idea for creating a painted backdrop.
Indoors or out, the color and feeling of a painted wall affects the look of the accessories you place on, or in front of, that wall. You don’t have to paint your entire room to highlight a piece of art or decoration. You don’t even have to paint the wall. You can get the look of an aged, painted, even distressed wall, with nothing more than a width of canvas and some paint.
You’ll need:
Acrylic paint for a base coat
Acrylic paints for highlighting- Three is the best number to use; one light, one dark, one a hue that matches or complements your base coat
Glaze
Spray bottle of water
Large (wide) brush
Canvas, stretched or cut on a frame. We used 16 x 20. Stretched canvas on a frame also makes installation easier.
Freezer paper
Painter’s tape
1. Tape freezer paper to any surfaces you’ll be propping your canvas on while you paint. Paint canvas chosen color. Allow to dry.
2. On a paper plate, or roller pan, pour large puddles of each chosen color and glaze. Dip brush into lightest color first and glaze, then heavily spread across top of canvas. You will want thick application. Repeat process with each color, dipping brush into paint and glaze each time.
3. Stand canvas up and spray water directly in the paint just applied. Watch as it runs. Continue spraying until you get the striped aged look you want. Prop canvas up to dry. Although we’re showing this project with a piece of art, just think how much better any decoration will look, highlighted upon its own custom wall!
One of the things we love most is showcasing talented Arkansans. That’s the reason we’re over the moon about introducing Hannah Alexander! Not long after we began browsing her adorable blog, Sundry Mumsy, we discovered she’s an amazingly gifted illustrator. So, you can just imagine our delight that she’ll now be illustrating her favorite pages from At Home in a column on our blog!
Hannah’s column begins today with a garden container rendering inspired by our May issue. Isn’t it lovely?
I’m a sucker for “befores and afters,” so this month’s issue of At Home in Arkansas is right up my alley. As I visually devour every page, I get the itch and start seeing everything in my house as a “before” shot, wishing I could re-do and renovate each room. But, alas, significant renovations require two things I am short on: time and money. But that doesn’t mean minor renovations are off limits. I might not be able to afford the whole face lift, but I can certainly apply a little lipstick!
My favorite cheap and easy trick to brighten up a room in need of renovation is some fresh flowers or an indoor plant. I LOVE the arrangements featured in the Container Makeovers segment of At Home this month. They are works of art, so beautifully composed! And, I greatly appreciate that everything I need to know about recreating the specific arrangements is spelled out for me: what plants are what, how to tend to them, etc. I need directions, people!! And I NEED these plants!
At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.
