Home Style Guide - Brought to you by Linden Street and JCPenney

We’ve been working on spiffing up our downstairs playroom and living room in anticipation of a visit from my husband’s beloved grandmother. We’ve installed new wood floors, we’ve painted, and we’ve even added a new ceiling fan and light fixtures.

But we’ve been left with one big problem: big, open walls.

Since we’re nearing the end of our decorating budget, I’m looking for ways to fill the wall space quickly in a way that makes a big impact visually, but not financially. Here are some things I’m planning on implementing. If you have more big ideas, share them in the comments.

Fabric Wall Art

Being the crafty gal that I am, I can’t resist the idea of displaying large panels of fabric throughout my house. It’s a fast way to create unique, beautiful decorations. CRAFT has a great video podcast that walks you through all the how-tos.

Wallpaper Panel Art

Sweet Jessie used vintage wallpaper remnants to create this dramatic and fun wall panel.

Fun With Stencils

With a little paint and the Stencil 101 book by Ed Roth, you can quickly add repeated visual interest to your walls. Roth’s designs are cool and edgy, and the book comes with tons of precut stencils, ready for you to use in every room of your house

Whether you decide to go with fabric, paper, paint or all three - don’t be afraid to make a big statement in your big spaces. What other ideas do you have for a big impact in your home decor? Leave them in the comments.

Over a crib isn’t the only place to hang a mobile. Even if you don’t have a baby in the house, dangling decorations can make a nice addition to any room. I once read somewhere that hanging a mobile above your desk or workspace helps inspire and increase creativity. Who knows if it’s true, I just know that I’ve always loved having one above my desk.

Here are some options for fun mobiles that would work in just about any room in your house. Read through them - if you can think of another place you’d like to hang a mobile, or if you have an idea for a clever kind of mobile to hang in a particular room in the house, leave a comment below.

Read the rest »

Buying unique and affordable art these days is easy thanks to the web. I’m currently in the process of getting a nursery together for my baby due this Fall and I’ve found it’s easy to surf around online and find artwork for the nursery that’s not screaming cheesy commercial cartoon characters. I bought this Rabbit and Flora wood gocco print recently ($28 unframed/ $48 framed) from Petit Collage. You can also surf around Etsy.com using special keywords such as “art” or “prints” to find just what pleases you and your room.

Here are more of my favorites:

Sitting Pretty print ($20) by the yumi yumi shop.

Pink Flowers and Joyous Birds ($18) by Oh Smile’s Shop

The Big Moon Print ($18) by The Black Apple

Family Sweet Family ($20) by Ashley G and Drew.

by Craftzine

I always seem to have a drawer of little bits I’ve collected at events or an afternoon out. I never seem to know what to do with them though…until now! Whether it’s a vintage postcard or cute toy, shadow boxes can be a great way to collect these bits or special memories and turn them into personal art. You can easily make your own with design*sponge’s cardboard shadow box tutorial (pictured above), or choose from the wide array of handmade vintage shadow box art below.

Nesting Shadow Box
by Cathy Michaels Design
$32

Shadow Box Assemblage Couple and Bottle
by Le Collage Shaq
$185

Original Sewing Fashion Collage Mixe Media Shadow Box in Wood Frame
by The Rummager’s Shop
$35

Vintage Bird, Lace, and Flowers Shadow Box
by The Bronte Life
$48

I can’t help but get obsessed with throw pillows! I always seem to be on the look out the next one to be added to my collection. Pillows are the perfect way to transform a new look to your pad by adding a fresh elements or splash of color to a chair, couch, or bed. And these days there’s nothing like handmade — an applique deer here, an embroidered flower there. I love the variety and whimsical, fresh prints that can be mixed and matched together to make your living quarters your own.

Here’s a roundup of some of the most stylish and cute pillows found on Etsy. Clockwise from left: jamtart baby’s I love Orange Flowers, Olive’s 50’s Birdcage Pillow, arieltelsa’s Lilah Embroidered Leaf Pillow, green room’s Peu Garden Pillow Duvet, Fat Orange Cat’s yellow antelope pillow, and joom’s Plum Cardinal Throw Pillow.

You can also search for more cute throw pillows on Etsy.