Living Room Progress

I was going to wait to post pics of our finished living room, but realized it might be years before I get anything posted at the rate I'm going.   So here is what our living room currently looks like:

Things to do:

1.  Finish the gallery wall (i.e. add art to the frames)

2.  Make throw pillows, with the following fabric I have from Tonic Living:

Bella Porte, Citrine 

(yes it's the same print as Gate Citrine from Robert Allen for Dwell Studio)

Flatiron, Black

Stanford, Orange

3.  I have to do something about that ceiling fan...

Though it's unfinished, here are a couple photos of the various phases this wall has gone through since we bought the house.  I need this as a reminder of how much we actually have accomplished.

when we bought the house...

after a fresh coat (or several coats) of paint and some major cleaning (before the nasty carpeting was torn out):

the ksl sofa find I HAD to have, and grew to despise shortly after:

just a few weeks ago, gallery wall in progress:

More Free Downloadable Artwork

via Pulp Design Studios

I've been seeing a lot of symmetrical geometric prints framed and hung in groups.  People are especially loving this set of 6 from Crate & Barrel:

Others find that $ 369 is just too much to spend right now, and have been going about getting a similar look in more creative ways, such as framing 60-cent pieces of colored craft paper in Ikea frames:

via Young House Love

But I just discovered Sprik Space, where the wonderful Aimee offers free downloads of geometric patterns in several different colors.  

The patterns she offers include Circles, Leaves, Grid, Chevron, Diamonds, Houndstooth, and more.

She then recommends getting them printed on 12"x12" size from Costco for $ 2.99 each, and framing them in Ikea Ribba square frames at $ 17.99 each.   If you follow these instructions, a set of 6 costs only $ 125.88!

She also offers other great downloads in various color options, great for nurseries, gallery walls, craft rooms, etc.  Just a few examples below:

See more at Sprik Space, under the Freebies tab!

See an earlier post for more downloadable artwork from Feed Your Soul.

Sweet 16

This Blue Lady is turning 16 and I feel she needs a bit of the spot light... I painted her in the late summer of 1995. A few weeks before I got married. My future husband had spent three months in Saudi Arabia, then working for a telecommunications company and I had heard his stories about the women, clad head to toe in black burkas. ( Since we were not married then I was not able to join him!)


There was little to no interaction with the locals, unless you've got invited by some of the executives. And even then women were not allowed. Unless the husband trusted you and you were formally introduced. At home, he told me, the ladies wore Chanel and Dior but still were not seen much! Meals were taken separately. He praised their cooking and their devotion to the family!
Of course I had heard these stories before but having it told by the man I was to marry a few weeks from then it made me shiver.
I am a bit of a rebel and certainly a free thinking woman. And it got me thinking!
This gave way to an idea for a painting. A proud woman I envisioned in a turban, facing the viewer! I was also influenced by one of my favorite painters: Gustav Klimt! It is called: Blue Lady - Homage to Klimt!
This is me on my wedding morning, my friend taking care of my hair at home! Behind me you can get glimpses of the painting, then still not quite finished. We lived in a shoe box studio apartment and painting was done in stages...There was no studio in this apartment...


And so she came about and she has been with us ever since. She hang a long time in my husband's home office, but I thought she might look really good in our living room! She has matured!



Do you have an artwork, which you love to live with? Any good stories with it? Do tell me.....

And have a lovely weekend!

XX
Victoria




All images and artwork by V.Zlotkowski

Today I love

This reading spot! Makes me think of spring and simple white dresses! The chair and stool by Laura Ashley!


And these vignettes too!




And look at these cool things: Caroline Mcgrath creates these lovely map paper cuts! You can find them here!


And the whimsical suitcase by Gabi Bolton can take you from imaginary worlds to travels everywhere! Look for it here!


I love British Elle Decoration! I am always so looking forward to the next installment!

Happy weekend!

xx Victoria




All images via British Elle Decoration.

A bedroom

I looked through my pictures for evidence of great details and this is one of the images, which came to my mind. I had seen it a couple of month ago in Lonny magazine and I truly love it.
Analyzing what makes it so enticing are a few things: The symmetry and the contrast between the light walls and the modern bed on one hand and these lovely antique chests, functioning as side tables, one the other.
I adore the popping coral red of the blanket at the end of the bed and the small vases filled with roses left and right next to the head board. The wall mounted reading lamps blend in and do not draw attention. But I become aware of the nail trimmed headboard. And I notice the smaller leaning prints along the wall behind the books. Please click on the images to enlarge and to see ll those lovely details!


There is a lot going on a in quiet way. Looking at the picture I realize how the large classic prints add height and definition to a small and rather boxy room, leaving space for the white monochrome painting in the center. The carpets almost mirrors the scene. All the patterns work well with each other, enhancing the effects of sublet elegance. The longer I look, the more I discover the details. There is a blue and white duvet, striped pillows, sheers and softly gray patterned curtains. And love sits right in this bedroom's center! I love how the light streams in from two sides. This is unique.
There are three layers of carpeting: A wall to wall sisal, a softer larger mat, perhaps a woven wool and again a smaller one right under the bench with a yellow frame inside...
I love the books staples, large colorful ones, perhaps of travel designations or beautiful interiors? Maybe gardening or fashion photography? This place makes me dream and in all its intimacy it opens a world.
On the opposite site is a fireplace. And an armchair with a history. Notice the red piping...And another popping pillow!
I can not see a TV! How divine!


Did I tell you it belongs to Lulu De Kwiatkowski?
It is beautiful!

And a happy weekend ahead to all of you!
xx
Victoria


Images via Lonny magazine.

Happy Holidays

The year comes to an end and I will close the blog for a couple of days between the years! Time to recollect my thoughts and to think about my future plans and ideas. I am so looking forward to the next year filled with new adventures.


The last days before every new year are a good time to think back and to look ahead. It is for many a time to make resolutions and start with fresh ideas and flip open a brand new page. I love the idea to begin anew!


I do look back on my experiences, the joys and sorrows, the times with friends and family, work and play!
This year was wonderful for so many reasons!


We had a long time to be with our family in Europe, we traveled with the children and showed them a new culture!


We have stuck to our plan to simplify our life, we have learned to live with a little less buying, more reading, vintage shopping instead of new!
We have cleaned our attic and the basement...
Life has been good!
And the way ahead is full of promise!


I am filled with gratitude and hope! My plans for the new year are within me and I do not have to wait to January 1 to put them into action: To live a mindful life, to love my family and be true to my friends, to always keep an open mind and a open heart!
I want to learn something new and I want to discover more of old...



Wishing you all a festive days ahead and a happy New Year! May your hopes and dreams come true!
See you all back in January!

With love!
XX
Victoria




Photography all V.Zlotkowski, painting 'The five Senses' by Jaques Linard.

Using Photographs and Children's Art in Home Decor

Artwork can add a lot of personality to a home, but it can also be expensive to cover all those walls with art.

Believe it or not, you can make your own art, and even if you don't have a creative bone in your body, it can still look good!  The secret:  Use multiple pieces together in one big arrangement, so the individual pieces are just a small part of the whole look.

See examples below, and keep in mind that these would be great gift ideas if you're on a budget (and we all are!)

You can use this approach with photographs:

from raenovate

by Stuart McIntyre, via desire to inspire

Our dining room (I took all the photos, and the frames are all from Ikea)

  You can do the same thing with kid's art:

from Flourish Design and Style

from Nursery Notations

from Caitlin Creer (family portraits, painted by the kids)

Eric Cohler via vivafullhouse

I love the following images, where the children's art was scanned or photographed and made into a poster collage:

from Sixx Design via Little Green Notebook

from Living Livelier and Kristen Fitzgerald 

You can also use non-traditional display methods:

from Caitlin Creer (hanging wire from Ikea)

from houzz.com

Of, if you are somewhat confident in your creative abilities, try something like these resin art pieces :

from Design Ties (see step-by-step instructions here)