Four ways to liven up your living space - and your life!

​How does a collage artist decorate her home?  

A key word: Layering!

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This new year rushed in with new projects and new opportunities. But the mundane tasks of everyday life must still be attended.  All the beautiful holiday décor that I enjoy had to be taken down, boxed up and stored.  I always use that time to my advantage – I rearrange my furniture, hang new art and generally refresh my living space.

A recent first-time visitor was befuddled while sitting down to tea and commented that my home was like “walking into a collage.”  I laughed, but I came to realize that this sort of arrangement was what I had been doing all my life. I don’t like to follow “rules”, but I suppose I have a few guidelines.

I live in a Santa Fe-style house, which is local code for “hey, it’s small”. So like many locals, I learned to use every square inch to my advantage.  I layer furniture and art vertically and horizontally, under and over.
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​ 1. Make it cozy and colorful. 

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​Using only a few colors in a bold color palette, I echo color in the sunburst painting and the cushions; the green of the house plants harmonizes with the hue in the tall antique painting. Note the vintage wine baskets under the daybed (great for guests and quick naps!) I stow unused knickknacks and guidebooks and maps for visitors in these baskets.

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​2. Arrange things in ways that make you happy.  

​ I use the mantel for display of precious items – my mother’s Venetian glass vase and my grandmother’s bronze statue.  On the banco below, a beautiful glass mosaic (a Judy Steed original) and a dragonfly firescreen are layered behind candles and plants. 

3. Use bold color to brighten a dark corner.  

  ​I thought this fellow should not be packed away with holiday gear.  He has become my household guardian.   And a stack of cups near my stash of tea is ready to serve.    Both bring liveliness to this dark sideboard; they welcome light, night and day.

​4.  Discover you have a collection.  

The Happy Results

​Without realizing it, I had collected several crosses and crucifixes. They are imbued with memory and meaning, so I decided to frame them and put them on display where I could see them every day.  Perhaps you have a treasure that shouldn’t be stowed?  Find a where you can view it safely and let the memory and meaning attend you.

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​What was the outcome of all this rearrangement and thought?   New energy!   I have sent submissions to art shows throughout the country and made plans for new projects.  New art!   I started this one yesterday – let’s see where it leads me.

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My two Etsy sites – are thriving:  Every week brings new people who want to bring collage to their homes and who want to give meaningful gifts. 
I invite you to take a look.

​https://www.etsy.com/shop/DECOfineartcollage

and

https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarArtbyDeco

​​Love

And

Peace,
 
Deco

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