Creative Juices Decor

Hey Friends :-) Is it really all about the BASSment? (if you haven't heard the song yet ....yes, I know it's really spelled basement) :-) Basements can be hard to decorate around because it usually becomes the spot where all our leftovers go and not to mention, it's usually dark!   Well don't give up my friends - I say give your basement a face lift!   One idea is to add an accent wall...... I applied American Clay on this wall about a year after we moved in.   You could also do a large gallery wall of pictures.  I find if you collect all your miscellaneous art/family photos and place them in ONE spot, we can create something beautiful. Having individual photos scattered around the house without any rhyme or reason doesn't have the same effect.  After I collected all my family pictures and art, I took the frames off, laid them in my yard and spray painted them the same color.  (I used Kylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze)...

Alright my friends - here you have it!  THE "ALL IN ONE"  SECRET SPILLING POST that will help you the rest of your life!  Hey, I had to write something to catch your attention!  Honestly, even though I have my degree in "Interior Design Technology", I have to say, the most practical design secrets I have learned have been from working hands on in the field.  So now, I'm going to share my TOP FIVE design secrets with YOU! What we'll cover (and I bet you've been wondering about!)  1.)  How to know what size your area rug should be.   2.) The best way to  hang your curtains and place the rod. 3.) Painting tips and paint knowledge you can't live without.       (paint is a designers BFF - seriously!) 4.)  Great ideas on gallery wall layouts.    5.) How  far you should hang your art over a sofa or console table.      (and what size your art should...

I have to say, if you have not read about the wax paper method of hanging a picture gallery you must go over and read it.  It is just fantastic! Just to show you how much fun you can have with a gallery wall full of photos here are a few shots and the upstairs hallway. Before: After: One thing that is so great about the method is you can place the wax paper on the wall and move it around .  I had to deal with a very LOUSILY placed thermostat (bummer I didn’t catch that while they were putting it in) and so I was able to move the paper around until I got that thermostat placed in-between the frames.  It was so easy and we all know I love easy.  If you give it a shot, let me know.  Maybe you’ll even have some more tips we can learn from.  Anything to get those frames off the floor and onto the walls – right? If you want to see the full version of how to do this wax paper wall hanging technique, you can see my downstairs arrangement ...

I had a bunch of family picture frames just leaning against the wall in hopes that someday, they would all crawl up the wall, find a nail and look amazing. Unfortunately that never happened so I knew my next best chance was Pinterest to find a solution. (Can you believe I didn’t Google it?  Pinterest is awesome!)   I ran across Marissa’s blog Roost   via Pinterest and found this great idea on how to get my pictures off the floor and on the wall. I have to say, her technique turned out GREAT!  Not just great, I'd say amazing.  It is fairly simple, not too time consuming and I didn’t have 50 holes in my wall trying to make it look right!!!!!  Yeah!! First lay out your frames on the floor how you would like to see them on the wall.  Have fun with it, try all different arrangements.  (hey, it’s just the floor, no nails yet.) Next tape together long sheets of wax paper. Turn all your frames upside down and lay the...