easy, affordable wall decor

When it comes to decorating I love being inspired by unusual items.

I always encourage you to do the same thing and I hope you try it every once in a while.

Here's my latest "fun find" — plastic plates that I hung on the wall.





Plates on a wall are certainly NOT new at all...but these are my first.

Here's how it happened. We recently painted our family room (I need to take after pictures and post them because the room looks wonderful and really shows how paint can transform a space) and then I was itching to hang things on the wall!

While out browsing for decor items I saw these plates. I was immediately drawn to them because apparently I have a thing for bold brown and white graphic floral prints. I have them on my bedding, pillows and a tote bag. I guess I'm predictable, but that's not the point here.

Here's the point. When I was shopping my mind was open to finding great things to hang on the wall and these plates fit the bill because:
1. their pattern works wonderfully with the room's color scheme (green, brown & orange with some reds),
2. they are light (plastic) and easy to hang (they make these great things called "plate hangers" that are super easy to use),
3. they are a little different, and
4. they were only $3.99 a plate.

The first thing my 4-year old said when she saw them on the wall was "Mommy, why do you have plates on the wall?" Looks like I achieved one of my goals — decor people (or at least kids) are talking about! :)

What is the most interesting thing you've ever hung on your walls? I have more odd items on the walls, so stay tuned for future posts and pictures!

Creating YOUR favorite art

About six years ago I decided to mess around with a Cannon manual camera that was my husband's grandfather's. Our dog, Lexi, pictured here at 7.5 years old, was just over a year old then and she became my willing subject.

I had little to no experience with manual cameras, but was always interested in photography so I thought I would try some black and white shots of the dog. Nothing to lose I figured.

After playing around with all of the buttons and knobs, I snapped away, able to control the focus and create some neat images. I developed several rolls of film and found a few that I really loved.

We didn't have any art in our house at the time (unless you count some framed posters), so I thought this would become great, affordable art for the living room. I wanted large pieces, so I put three 5x7 shots in large mattes and grouped the frames together to create "one" piece.

These images are by far my favorite pieces in our house.

Lexi's shots are in their second home now, right as you come up the stairs and I still love them every time I see them.

Take a peek.

They don't transfer well to web viewing, but in the one on the right I can almost feel her soft ear; the image is that crisp.

You may be wondering why I'm telling you this random story about my dog & her photography. It's not really to show off my art, but to share with you a story about how you can create beautiful, unique things for your home, that can become your favorite things.

They don't have to look like anything anyone else has, they don't have to come from a catalog (not that there's anything wrong with that) and they don't have to cost a lot, they just have to make YOU happy.

Kids, animals, nature and architecture are all wonderful photography subjects. Some are more willing subjects than others, but look around you for inspiration.

And, don't be afraid of messing up. Try new things. Abandon ship if it's not working and try something else. You can't create if you don't try.

Photography is certainly not the only way to go. I have many ideas for unique art and I will share them with you once I take pictures of all of my "homemade" art for posting. Stay tuned!

I believe a house becomes a home when it's filled with items that reflect you, your interests and your life. Whether you create it yourself, or search for that "just right" unique piece created by another, I encourage you to do so; the journey is just as much fun as the final prize.

We're heading to NYC for a long weekend this Spring and I plan on taking a lot of pictures of the city—hopefully to frame and hang in our family room.

Share one of your favorite pieces with me and send pictures! I'd love to see what surrounds you and makes you HAPPY.