African art at affordable prices.

I spent last weekend visiting some of my favorite stores for inspiration. I found lots of African inspired furniture, home decor and accessories. The prices were a bit overwhelming to say the least.  
Take a look at these fabulous pieces from Ethan Allen's (EA) cultural collection.

"African Basket" (EA) Original price $699.00

No argument that it's a beautiful piece. Now let's look at ways to get the same look at a much lower price.

Basket 12" (Available through Divine Interiors) $29.99

Shadow box lined with linen cloth $49.99 (Hobby Lobby) or other crafts stores.

Whew!! $79.98. Long way from $699.99.

Divine Interiors put this bedroom together for a client who had a passion for African art.  She had several baskets that she wanted to display but didn't know where, how or how many. This is what we ended up with. She was also free to rotate other patterns if she chose to. The uses of these baskets are numerous - but everything in moderation.

Now let's look at another example again from Ethan Allen.

"Aandaz" (EA) Original price $1,599.00

Again, it's a fabulous piece. Can we get the same or "like" look at a fraction?

Kuba fabric (Available at Divine Interiors) at $67.99.

Shadow Box (Michael's) at $14.99

Did we do it? I'd say so - $82.98.

Okay, last one.This was not at Ethan Allen but you can find a number of these in art museums, design houses etc.

http://www.africanart.com/framedkubacloth-kc21.aspx ($399.99)

Kuba squares 24"x 25"(Available at Divine Interiors $79.99)

30"x 40" from Michael's at $79.99

Again folks, we managed this at $159.98. Please understand that I am not against any store; I just know that I have clients who can afford the high prices and I also have some who can't. I encourage thinking outside the box; be inspired; create the look and still keep money in your pocket.

HANGING ON TO SUMMER

I look forward to summer - and the colors of flowers that wake up all the senses.  You get more imaginative as being inspired by nature at her best.  Your house has the same feel and need.  You wouldn't want to use dark, fall colors in the summer without feeling depressed and out of sort.

  The very same dining space that Divine Interiors uses to try out new products, ideas, colors etc, can dress up or down depending on season. This is also without having to change the wall color; just by changing accessories, wall art etc. Can you tell what is different in the same dining room from previous pictures. What would have done different?

Can you tell what is different in the same dining room from previous pictures. What would have done different?

Think outside the box, use the "unexpected" items in unexpected ways.  Let's try to hang on to summer a little bit longer.

SPRING TABLESCAPES.....

I don't know about you, but this winter has been rough.  Who has ever heard of snow in Dallas, Texas and California? We in the Midwest are accustomed to brutal winterS, but at some point we start dreaming of spring's sunshine, beautiful colors, tulips etc. Clearly mother nature is not done with us yet but we can bring a little bit of spring inside our homes. Here are some of the tablescapes from the past (as I work on this year's) that scream....SPRING!!

Inspired by the birds, cages and the eggs. Why not bring it to your table?. The coral/pastel colors are sure to replace the blah outside your window.

                     

So maybe you are not in favor of pastel colors. Here is old faithful - blue and white. The theme is not only good for spring, but for summer as well.  We brought in the birds and their nests and eggs. The bird houses add that extra "line to the story" (I believe that tablescapes are nothing more than a story played out in decor). Have fun with it.

Absolutely ready to start planning the Easter feast.

 

Using cake stands to elevate the accessories gives interest...

We would love to see your tablescapes and decor for Easter and spring. 

HAPPY EASTER!!

YOUR INSPIRATION - YOUR DECOR

An afternoon at the flea market results in a piece of art you just couldn't pass up. What about grandma's antique rug that you inherited? That fabric that caught your eye on a clearance rack? In interior design, we refer to those "pieces" as inspiration for your decor.  The colors that can be pulled out of that inspirational piece can lead the color scheme of not only one room but through out the house.

A client in Dallas, Texas purchased this piece. It's vibrant and colorful.  The colors can range from neutral colors like i.e. white, off white, tan etc to the reds, blues and yellows.

  

Here we tied the rug to the picture without overwhelming the room. Having neutral wall color also helps the wide use of color without competing with the piece of art and rug.

                           

Close up of the rug.

                                                                                                                                                                        

With the open plan, the reds from the art influenced the window treatments in the living room.  The burnt orange was brought out in the table scape.

DECORATING AFTER CHRISTMAS

     Christmas was glitzy, warm and inviting.  It is hard to take down the Christmas decorations and not to find the house looking bare.
      Transitioning your home decor after Christmas (and yet not quite spring), can be tricky.  To be honest, there are some "Christmas" items that we do want to keep up beyond Christmas.

     It is after all still WINTER - and items like snowflakes, snowman, crystal, evergreens/pine trees, pine cones etc - that we tend to associate and incorporate in Christmas decor, don't have an "expired after Christmas" stamp.
     

Decor by Divine Interiors

  Branches of evergreen/pine trees and pine cones can easily turn an otherwise boring armoire, hutch or fire place mantel interesting and cozy.

Decor by Divine Interiors

 
 

Decor by Divine Interiors

     Now using the same pine cones and evergreen/pine branches (live or fresh are even better for the fragrance), placed into the apothecary jars can make a great eye catching decor. By simply changing the contents in the jars offers numerous options.

 

Courtesy of diyinspired.com

Decor by Divine Interiors

  

     Now, my favorite is the deer that sometimes at Christmas might be slightly sprinkled with glitter.  I see no problem with using it beyond Christmas; after all, deers are still alive beyond the holidays!

     

 And then, there is winter white that can, contrary to popular belief warm up a space in winter. What's not to love!

Decor by Divine Interiors

  
     Last but not least, if a little humor is in order....a season ago, after Christmas, we created this table scape. It's very easy to do. Creativity is all it calls for...the snow man.  Not just any snow man, but the one you built and he now has melted and all the accessories came tumbling down on your "table".

Decor by Divine Interiors

Decor by Divine Interiors

Let us know what you think and share some of your after Christmas home decor ideas!

African Themed Master Bedroom

Being a collector can sometimes pose problems of how much does one display the special collection. Should one have a themed room perhaps?  How much is too much to where it looks more like a museum or a shop instead of a home.  Our recent project was as such, but the clients were very aware of the pitfalls. The objective was to showcase their pieces and still achieve a cozy, warm, uncluttered bedroom that's inviting each time.



Using the baskets (can use any amount depending on the collage you have in mind) as wall art is a good way to showcase the collection. Using different sizes and color combination brings texture and depth on the wall.



 

 

Serene, cozy, warm (in spite of no window treatment as desired by the client) and inviting.

 

Inserting the "runner" or throw under the cushion of the chair, gives the otherwise plain chair a little "pop".

 

A collection of walking sticks in a stand again serves as decor while being "on display" sort of speaking.







 

Contemporary Dining Room design by Other Metro Interior Designer Divine Interiors

Traditional Dining Room design by New York Interior Designer interieurs By Francine Gardner

Modern Dining Room design by Other Metro Interior Designer Divine Interiors