Carnival at Dusk

 

 

 

 

Molly, Ivie, Whitney and I went to the local cheap carnival and stomped through the mud, got on rides, and played games.  The dress code for the evening was 70s-80s girl gang, which was even more fun!  An excuse to dress up makes everything better.

5 Keys for Instant Mid Century Style

Mid century design for the home has never truly gone out of style.  You just need to take a trip to your closest Ikea and you're sure to see how Scandinavian style influenced the homes of the 1950s and '60s.  Here are some basic things that are easy to include in your house for a touch of retro style.

1)  Streamlined furniture
Mid century modern couches, tables, and chairs usually have the trademark hairpin legs or narrow legs, which can be found on plenty of new designs, too!  DotAndBo has plenty of mid century modern inspired pieces at very reasonable prices.  If you have a piece that needs an extra something to complete the retro look, search online for hairpin legs or check out Ace hardware, which sells wooden table legs to add onto your own furniture.

2)  Atomic age motifs

A starburst clock or mirror is plenty to add some vintage flair to your living room.

From Life Magazine

3)  Geometric shapes

Along with the ubiquitous starburst, look for anything that has a pattern with clean lines.  A wall print or a cute sculpture can add a little more interest to the room.  Plus, if you're renting and can't paint, a big print on the wall (or even fabric hung from the walls) gives you a nice burst of color.

Wall art / Dot Bo mid century wall art / Photo poster

4)  A bright pop of color

Use colors that were popular at the time, but maybe with the brightness or saturation enhanced a little.

From KathyDavisAssociates.com

5)  Mixed textures

 Mixing things like patterned cushions, a shaggy rug, or gauzy curtains can add a lot of visual interest to a room.  Also, keep in mind that -- like now -- there were a plethora of influences on mid century design.  Scandinavian design was popular, as were Asian motifs.  So build on these aspects with your own style and taste, and then you'll have a unique and original room that will be just right for you.

• What's your favorite era for interior design?
• Any plans to update your living space soon?

The Grand Opening of My Art Shop

Hello, friends!  

I'm so excited to announce that my Etsy shop, Inky Notions, is officially open for business!

This is where I am offering art prints from my many watercolor paintings and ink drawings.  When you look through the shop offerings, you'll surely see a few familiar famous faces, as well as plenty of characters I dreamed up.  These are high quality art prints that look crystal clear and bright (I was so chuffed when I first got them in the mail; they looked amazing).

Take a look at some of the offerings there, and be sure to keep tabs on the shop since I'll soon be adding stationery and postcards, too.

Click below to visit and see many more prints offered!