Glass Panels: Functional and Art

We have had this hole in our stairwell for some time now and my little nieces have been very wary of going up our stairs - I don't blame them! This weekend, our hole has finally been filled. We spent a lot of time deciding at first if this glass (Onami art glass) was exactly what we wanted there. Would it look too chintzy, too busy, or block too much light? Well, after many a conversations, we decided to just go for it since there is only one guy in the world that does this type of glass. Then there was the long wait for production of course and then the long wait to get someone to install it. After much anticipation, it's exciting to see them finally up in the space and see how it alters the space we have become accustomed to.

I am really thrilled with the final outcome. All of our worries were for not. It lets in the perfect amount of light and still gives us some privacy from the park across the street and it's not too busy or chintzy. And it's been fun to see how the light plays off of the texture in different times of the day. Also, my husband welded brackets out of raw steel that ties in our metal banister he welded. It's like having an art installation that functions as part of the house.

Velocity Art & Design: Santa's Helper

Here is something clever as a coat rack! The Ghost Antler Coat Rack, from Velocity Art and Design is cast in white resin (Santa's reindeer were not harmed in the process!) and is mounted on the wall as simple decor or as functional art. Use them to hang coats (albeit light ones), scarves, umbrellas, hats, etc. The designer, Erich Ginder, is a local Seattlite so I am all but happy to support a local! We have two of these mounted downstairs above the bench just as you come in from the garage. They are an unexpected twist that always catches one's attention.

Art: Highs and Lows

Last summer, the Starbucks in UVillage near UW was featuring these art sculptures that were for sale. They were simple enough; silver painted driftwood mounted on a thin post and stand. I thought they were pleasing and a clever way to display nature. I thought to myself, "I could easily do that". And I was also curious to look at what they were selling for (I am never one to pass up a price tag!). Holy smokies!!! They were running for around $1,200 a pop??!! Are you kidding me?! After that, my husband and I would always have a chuckle every time we went in and saw those ridiculously priced pieces of art.

So last summer, we were on a weekend trip at the beach and decided to do our own interpretation of the silvered driftwood and collected a few pieces that we thought were interesting shapes. We came home, painted one of them silver that took all of about 2 minutes and voula! Insta art that cost...well nothing since we already had the paint. I decided not to mount it on a post since I found a nice little nook for it laying horizontal, but you never know, maybe some day I will.

Point being, be creative in reinterpreting art that you like. It's always within reach or in some cases, right on the beach.

Bella Muse: Sweet Nothings

I have the glicee print you see above in my guest bathroom from Bella Muse. They sell mostly wonderfully fanciful and simple greeting cards. Also on their site, they have some screen and glicee prints for sale. Such a reasonable way to display artwork around the house. I personally am a lover of art, but hate to pay the price for good "original" art. I secretly think I can just paint it myself, but I know I have elevated my artist status in my head. With that mindset, I have a difficult time filling my walls. I don't believe you need to pay out the yahoo to decorate your home. So I try to find creative and economical alternatives.

I purchased the Bella Muse 8x10 print for $35 and then bought an off white frame from Pottery Barn for...I think another 20 or so dollars. Not too shabby! So sweet and in the now. And if it goes out of style or no longer fits my ever evolving style, I won't be regretting purchasing a several hundred or thousand dollar piece.