Flea Market 9.28.13

 

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The Corn Festival Flea Market is almost here!

Shop Kismet Junk Saturday 9/28/13 9am-4pm @ the Grundy County Fairgrounds.

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Quotes with Meaning

 

 

 

What has meaning to you?

 

Inspirational quotes, like "Home is where your family lives." are becoming increasingly popular. Its nice to receive daily inspiration from a favorite quote, reminding us what is important in life, but it seems everyone believes they are 'being creative' simply by ordering pre-made wall decals or hanging a stenciled wooden sign. It is a cookie cutter style of decorating. The quote you picked out off the web site and worked hard to correctly hang, may very well be the same quote inside your neighbors house too. Is that your goal? The challenge is to inspire, while showing creativity and originality in your decorating.

 

Scrabble Letters were popular for crafts in the 80's. I remember being young girl and wearing a scrabble letter tile of my initial, hot glued on a pin, on my winter coat. I thought I was cool. More recently, it became popular to  line up the Scrabble tiles on the little wooden holders to a spell out a last name. Take the idea a step further.  Spell out the word 'Love' with Scrabble tiles and balance them on top of a photo frame. Re-purpose vintage dice, game pieces  or cards to form any favorite word. 



Does your family have an inside joke? Draw inspiration from your daily life. My family continually asks, "Does anyone know how to post videos to face book?" It makes us laugh and roll our eyes every time we hear it. I printed out the quote and framed it in the hallway by my kids room. Everyone starts the day with a smile.



Do you have a favorite number? Around my house, the number 26 appears everywhere. There is an old magnet domino with two dots on one side and six dots on the other attached to my stove. Two playing cards featuring the number two and six  are framed in the hallway. An old 26 tin number tag is tucked into my framed wedding photo. July 26 is my wedding anniversary. My husband and I have now made 26 our favorite number. We even have old locker numbers with 26 on our key chain's. It a fun hobby searching for our special number and finding creative ways to display it around our house. This can be done with birthdays, anniversaries, even your house number.



I love quotes. They inspire me to be a better person. I spend numerous hours trolling through quotes on Pintrest. Sometimes I download my favorites, storing them away in a file on my computer, then finding that I  rarely revisit these awesome quotes. Recently, I learned that Walgreens will print out Instagram photos. (Yeah!) The cool filters are maintained and the photos are printed in a 4x4 inch vintage inspired size. Finally, I have something useful to do with my quote collection! I have printed out dozens of my favorite quotes in this fun size. I have taped them inside my kitchen cabinets, tucked them inside the edges of my mirror, used them as a bookmark, and even pinned one to the inside of the visor in my car. Now these quotes catch my attention throughout the day and bring me inspiration.  Its amazing how a few words or a phrases can continually change your attitude. I love this idea so much I am now printing quotes out for family and friends.



So, I ask you, what has meaning to you? Show it to the world through your decorating!
 



Show off your photo's



Wall of frames by The Novogratz design team





Show off those photo's!

Making a statement with a wall full of frames is one of my favorite ways to decorate. Its a creative way to display memento's, collections, thank you letters, postcards, photo's and keepsake treasure's. It add an element of visual interest to a room. By producing a Wall of Frames, a room can be completely transformed. 

 

Chose a theme, any theme. A family photo wall, a kids artwork display, or if you are brave, use anything and everything framed. When choosing the 'no theme' route, set a challenge to ensure there really is no cohesive theme. The end effect of the wall will look finished and be organized chaos.



(You've been framed.)

 

Frames are the most important feature to a wall of frames, (hence, the title). Again, decide theme or no theme. By hanging all the pieces in similar colored frames, the wall will appear relaxing and organized. By using eclectic, mismatched frames of all sizes and shapes, the wall will be exciting and visually stimulating. 

 

 

The items displayed in frames do not have to be professionally matted. Precut mattes can be purchased, although inexpensive for a few frames, the costs can quickly add up when producing a wall of frames. Think outside the box. If the photo doesn't fill the entire frame, use another resource as the matte. Old sheet music, book pages, scrapbook paper, maps or artwork. A favorite choice for matting is pages from old encyclopedia's. Its gives a lovely overall visual effect and it is inexpensive.

 

This wall doesn't have to cost a fortune. Shop the sales. Check the clearance aisles every time shop. If the glass is broken, no problem. Some frames without glass will add a nice visual effect and dimension to the wall of frames. If the frame has a scratch, no problem. Mask scratches with a little effort. Sand the entire frame to give it a worn look or paint the frame a new color. The most cost effect way to accumulate frames is to search thrift stores, second hand stores and consignment shops. Unique, inexpensive frames are the best finds!

 

(Make a statement.)

 

When planning your grand statement, be sure to add some eye-popping visual effects. Using mirrors is an easy and great eye-popping element. Mirrors reflect light and open up a space. Another element is hanging items directly on the wall, not framed such as badminton rackets, vintage plate's and old architectural element's. Anything works. Its something unexpected and the eye will natural "pop" to that item first. 

 

Some designers say to carefully plan out a wall of frames, using paper templates and measuring tapes. That sounds like a ton of work, and it is. The answer is its simple and relatively quick to complete. Pick one corner of the wall and work your  way down. No rhyme or reason is the best philosophy. Don't worry, there are no mistakes. If you don't like where a frame is, switch it with another. Occasionally step back and view the progress. No need to go to through the hassle of cutting templates to space out the frames - unless you like making more work for yourself!

Last tip, have at least one visual element that is unexpected. Hang a set of frames touching. Yes, touching! It gives people an uneasy feeling, but adds a great visually exciting feature. If the wall is all black frames with white mattes, incorporate a few white frames with black mattes. Add a visual surprise to complete your overall design.

 

Pick a wall to express yourself. Whether it be a hallway, a powder room or the family room. Add in personal artifacts, design elements and make a grand statement.

 

[ Kismet Junk ]

Pull up a seat

Photo from LuckBoySunday



Love this!

Mixing different types of chairs adds yet another visual element to an otherwise uniform table. You can instantly make a formal table feel cozy and comforting. 

 

(The Rules.)

 

The rules are this... there are no rules. Mix different types of wood, add in a metal chair, or a cushioned chair - whatever you like. New and old. This is an easy way to tie in accent colors or add a pop of color. By making your own rules when it comes to designing your space, you will create something truly unique and your personality will shine through.

(Start Shopping.)

 

Once you start looking for chairs, you'll be surprised where they turn up. First, scour your home, garage and basement. You can easily paint or refinish old chairs. I prefer to try to up-cycle existing chairs instead of buying new ones. Find chairs is by shopping garage sales, estate sales, vintage shops, home decorating stores and even Craigslist. You don't have to pay much, just make sure the chair is sturdy, comfortable and has good bones (or a good design).

 

(Incorporating the Idea.) 

 

The type of design element is usually implemented in an eat-in kitchen, however there are many other places around your home to use mix-matched chairs. Here are a few favorites:

• Dining Room: Utilizing mix-matched chairs in the dining room is an easy change to a formal dining room, creating a warm atmosphere. This could be done in a formal living room also Try adding chairs with similar design elements. Keep within the same color scheme, finish,  or structural elements.

• Family Room: One way to encourage family bonding is to play games together. Set up a game area in a family room by using mix-matched chairs around a round table. Take the idea one step further. Let the children pick out their game chair. Incorporate the boxed games as artwork on  shelving to create a  game. Keep the games in sight  to encourage spontaneous play!

• Hallway/Mudroom: This is a fun idea! In a long hallway or large entry way, line the wall with mix-matched chairs. Add mix-matched frames above the chairs to help support the theme. This wall of chairs will make a dramatic impact on visitors when they walk inside your house. Its original and makes a memorable impression.

 

Most importantly, design should be fun. So, have fun! If one chair doesn't work, simply switch it out. Play with the arrangement until you are happy with it!

 

 

[ Kismet Junk ]