In my last post I mentioned a few decor elements that will never go outdated and specifically art on walls.  Think back to grade school when you were maybe shown images of cave painting.  Prehistoric men took time away from just trying to survive to create scenes on the insides of their dwellings.  Actually, instinct tells me that it might have been the women with the primitive artistic instincts, but nonetheless, there has been art on walls before there were actual walls. As far as timeless design goes, you can't go back any further!  And if you picture the inside of a old English castle, you will most likely place portraits of royals in your mental images. In fact I cannot think of a place of habitat that I have been in that has not had some kind of fine art on the walls, be it photography or paintings.

The trick is to find work that speaks to your soul. I have had a renewed interest in paintings lately.  In our age of digital everything, there is something stirring about the thought hand placed strokes of color on paper.  I also love nature prints and bringing a bit of the outside indoors in that respect.

This piece is The River's Edge by an artist named Sarah C. Nightingale. I found her on instagram.  I knew I needed this one in particular when I saw it because it reminds me of a trail to the beach my family would walk on Easter Sunday.  It was a mile long dirt path in the rolling hills of Central California with a little river by the side that spit you out among ocean cliffs.  We would point out rabbits and birds while we walked.  This picture brings back those memories.

Etsy is a good source for art.  As well as Pinterest.  I've also found prints of classics at art.com and all posters.com and framed them in frames at pick up at thrift stores.  I am all about creating the illusion of expensive dwellings with out the 'expensive' part.  It can be done.  And I will keep sharing my ideas with you.  I truly hope to inspire some creative energy out there.  We have all got it in us.

Love, Josie

Timeless

If I had to describe my favorite decor themes, I would say it is those spaces that give fresh and simple approach to traditional. It's traditional decor pieces that grab my attention and add a touch of regality but I like it on a clean palette.  I'm a firm believer in mixing old and new.  Let's talk about that.

  No one ever has walked into the Palace of Versailles and into the Hall of Mirrors and exclaimed, "This space needs updating!" even though it's 300 years old. Why is this though?  What is about the olden times style of the Palace that drops ones jaw, when the olden times style of grandma's mid-century, ranch home kitchen makes you want to retreat and wash your eyeballs.  It's because some things are trendy and some are TIMELESS!!!

Don't get me wrong, trends are not bad things. I don't use 'trendy' as a dirty word. Trends are fun. Trends make things fresh.  And really, most things that are in for the moment are easy to swap out and replace. But whats really grabs my attention are those pieces that appear to have weathers the ages. I love hunting down timeless pieces to mix in with what's new and cool and to do so in way that doesn't break the bank.  I like to be reasonable, and let's face it, most times in my life I can only afford to be reasonable.

  I'll use my dining room as an example.  There is a lot of lovely trends happening here.  The grey beige paint, orb chandelier, and board and batten area characteristics of new home builds these days.  The dining table and chairs are a European style set made by the Karges furniture company sometime in the 1980's as far as we know.  We found it on craigslist.  And since we didn't pay a lot for it, we are okay that is has been well loved by my family in the years it's been ours..  There are nicks and dings in the wood and an occasional spot of art paint I can't get off.  That makes me love it all the more.  All the chairs that came with the set have had the cane backs broken and frayed. I gave them away except for the last two that I reupholstered.  We bought benches to replace the lost chairs. But here the dining table and chairs is what gives the space substance. The room feels more it feel rich and classy with it all residing there.

Timeless happens in more ways that in furniture. Chandeliers, paintings, vases, and rugs with old world patterns are all enduring features of decor through the ages. I want to give more attention to each of those things in separate posts.  Later though. I'm just getting warmed up here.

I love craigslist for vintage finds but there are also plenty of Antique Shops and Thrift stores to be explored. I also want to talk more about finding bargains sometime in the future of this blog.  Hang tight if you can.

So, it might be an ornate vase for a nightstand.  It might be a crystal chandelier for a bedroom. I just know out there somewhere, are things begging to give new rooms old life.  Go find it!
Josie