Is your Mom Your Best Friend, Your Dad Your Best Buddie?!

So, is your Mom your Best Friend? Your Dad your Best Buddie? Well, perhaps YES, perhaps NO! Whatever - I am sure they will love to find these tiny little framed custom table names at their place at your Thanksgiving and Christmas table this year.

 

 

Hey - and don't forget Little Brother & Little Sister!

Because of the time of year, I'm thinking of the holiday period that is nearly upon us, but these little place names would be a great way to personalize your table decor for any coming event - perhaps your wedding or an anniversary party and don't forget they go very well with the table numbers that are also available in my Etsy shop in the Table Numbers and Names Section No need to go with the names I have illustrated - I'm quite happy to custom print your own name suggestions for your little Table Numbers!

Table Numbers in Silver Boules Mini Frames for Weddings, Events, Restaurants, Banquets

My new range of TABLE NUMBERS are here at last! They are the cutest little frames that will really enhance your table decor. I have used a variety of our Narrow Gold and Silver style frames as well as the very popular Shabby Chic in White and Gold and Black and Gold styles. Well, pictures are better than words, so here are a few photos. Let's start with the NARROW SILVER BOULES:

You can buy these little silver framed table numbers in packs of  FIVE (5), SIX (6), TEN (10), TWELVE (12). Find them in my Etsy Shop or on ArtFire
More Styles later!

Beautiful Color Green Selection with Hex Numbers!

Source: photocardboutique.com via Denise on Pinterest

What struck me about this collection of sea green colors was how they have such a calming effect on the eye and how wonderful that we are given the hex numbers to use in our own work. I could see myself driving a little VW like that - it would certainly turn heads in my little town!

thanks to Pinterest yet again for such inspiration. If you would like to follow me there or join the growing community click here.

DIY How to Hang a Picture Frame

Frame Hanging Hints - Let's Be Crafty!

Most of the photo frames we sell come complete with a “standing back with strut” ( for standing horizontally and/or vertically) and a zip-lock sachet containing screw-eyes and cord if you prefer to wall hang the frame. We recommend making a small hole with a fine pointed bradawl * into the back of the wooden frame moulding to take the screw eye – you should then have no difficulty screwing the fixing into the frame.  Place the two screw-eyes opposite each other, and about one-third (of the total height of the

frame) down from the top of the frame.
On small to medium sized frames one wall fixing is sufficient and the cord may be tied to come tight centre top and a couple of inches below the top edge of the frame.
However, on larger frames, it is worth considering using two wall fixings and tying the cord to form a “roof” shape ( see image B) . The frame will hang closer to the wall and not lean outwards from the top, and in addition, will remain more stable  — there is always a tendency for single-point hung frames to “swing” off vertical from time to time which can be annoying. Here are a few images by way of illustration.

*And when the bradawl has mysteriously disappeared ( malappropriated by your eight yr old to help thread together his string of decaying newts ) then the fine point of the scissors or a skewer can suffice – but please be careful – don’t force it – only a small hole is necessary – just enough to locate the tip of the screw-eye – the thread should then wind into the wood easily enough.

 

Swedish Falu Rödfärg Red Paint in SW France!

When Sweden comes to mind, what do you think of? Yes, I know what you are going to say - ABBA or IKEA, but I would like to introduce you to FALU RÖDFÄRG, Sweden's beautiful natural red paint!

In the Swedish countryside, many of the wooden houses are painted in this glorious intense red that seems to 'glow' in the evening sunshine. The pigment to make the paint is found in the copper mine of Falun, Sweden, giving it a unique composition which includes iron ochre, silicon dioxide, copper and zinc which help to preserve and protect wood and gives the distinctive natural color of Falu Rödfärg paint.

I had a few outdoor projects here at our house in SW France that I thought were ideal for this paint. It is a natural water based paint and best on rough, unplanned timber, but it does work on smoother wood too. I decided to do two coats, the first being diluted about 10% and use a wide flat brush to apply the paint.


Painting the Court Yard Doors Red!

Glowing Swedish Red in SW France

Well, our new court yard is coming on a treat - the enclosed dry stone wall is finished and Martin even made some wooden doors to make a completely private little hot spot. So, after all his hard work (yes, he did build the wall himself - stone by agonizing stone!),  it was time to think of a color to compliment the stone and plants that surround the doors and also protect the wood from the elements. I'd wanted to try the Falu Rödfärg Red paint for some time and I thought the doors would be a good place to start.

This is how it comes, or you can buy the pigment and mix your own.

First Coat - diluted 10%

Finished and I even painted the sun chair!

A little glimpse of Martin's Dry Stone Wall

I did the two coats over a couple of days, but with smaller projects you could easily finish in a day, as the paint is dry after one hour, so plenty of time to apply the second coat.

If you want more information on Falu Rödfärg Swedish Red Paint - here is the main website where you will find where to buy the paint in your country and lots of other interesting facts about this gorgeous glowing red paint!

Deluxe Red Hand Painted Photo Frames Ready for Etsy

Well, just spent the afternoon photographing the Red Frames Hand-Made-By-Me. Why? You did that a few weeks ago! Well, since then, I have done a complete set of a deluxe Red Range of the hand painted frames that I am going to post in our Etsy Shop. These frames are all covered on the backs and struts with our textured black paper so they look just as good on the back as they do from the front, include glass and a neat paper insert, giving the frames a smart deluxe feel that makes them an ideal  gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries  or just a treat for yourself!

Here are a few of the photos that I will be posting on Etsy tomorrow:

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Inspirational Decorative Wall Displays

I'm always on the lookout for inspiring wall displays - not hard to imagine why as I make so many frames! Here are a few ideas I have found on Pinterest - so be inspired!

Stairs of Distinction

Cool & Clean & White

A Wall of Monochrome

A Country Look

A Bit Over the Top - But What an Impact!

Pages From My Sketch Book

Thought you might like to see a few pages of my color doodles which I use to work out new color ways for my frames, but they could be used for all sorts of projects, from a new painting to restoring an old piece of furniture that you have found in the local 'brocante' (garage sale, car boot etc.)

Orange

Deep Purple

Obtaining a Pale Pink

Sea Green

Red

Red Roses Color Palette

I always find it interesting to look in detail at the colors in nature. I have started here with drawing only four colors from my photo of Red Roses on a Stone Wall - what a mistake! I will make another color palette with how many colors? We will see.....

The Colors I Used For My Red Frames

For true feelings of depth and quality in any form of art from painting a masterpiece to a picture frame, it is essential to create layers of color. You may not see them all in the finished work - BUT - they are there and it does make the difference to the feel and quality of the piece.

Red Frames Hand Made By Me!

Well this is RED WEEK on 'Details in the Decor' and I have just spent the afternoon preparing a whole bunch of photos that I took earlier this week of the Red Frames that I painted a couple of weeks ago. I just had to put a few up here to give you a sneak peak! More later...

Red Roses in Our Garden SW France

Continuing on my RED THEME this week,  I took the camera into the courtyard to show you the old rambling red rose climbing up the stone wall.

Again, a lovely mix of Pink and Red on the same plant - a natural combination as well as artistic!

As well as the climbing roses here, I wanted to show you a little bit of our stone wall. I tell you - we have LOT'S of stone here. I'll give you a tour soon and show you when the courtyard is finished - which will be soon.

Just one more - lovely Red Roses for spring time in South West France!

Seeing Red!

 

Source: etsy.com via Denise on Pinterest

I seem to have been soaked in red in the workshop over the last few days, as I'm in the process of creating a new range of colored frames for Tabula Decoro, Etsy and Artfire. I'll be giving you sneak previews here over the next few days, but in the meantime, I thought we could get in the RED MOOD by having a look at a few of my favorite picks that I have collected on my  
                                                  
PINTEREST RED GALLERY BOARD.

Source: etsy.com via Denise on Pinterest

TOFFEE APPLES! Oh Yum, Apart from the glorious color RED, they look so sticky and shiny, but above all, they remind me of being about 10 years old. It was always such a treat to have a toffee apple at the seaside or the local Fair.

Source: etsy.com via Denise on Pinterest

I'm a bit of a sucker for the combination of RED and PINK, so when I saw this watercolor on Etsy, I just had to add it to my collection.

If you would like more details of the goodies illustrated, just click on the 'source link' below each picture.

To see all my Pinterest boards, click on 'Denise link' below each image, or click here and follow me!

New Green and Pink Housing Post Tsunami Sri Lanka

Source: loganmacdougallpope.wordpress.com via Denise on Pinterest

Source: loganmacdougallpope.wordpress.com via Denise on Pinterest

I just had to show you these Two Little houses that I discovered through a photographer from England that I found on twitter. His name is Logan MacDougal and I do recomend you read his blog about his trip to Sri Lanka.

I just fell in love with the colors of these beautifully designed houses. The pastel colors are ideal for a hot warm climate near the sea. I am so glad that at last something  good has come out of the terrible tragidy they suffered all those years ago.

I am intriged to know how they are made, it looks like a lime or clay exterior finish to me. If any one has more information I would love to know - natural finishes are a bit of a passion with me!

DIY Shabby Chic White Frame For Wall Display Part 3

Adding a Little Extra - How did you get on with renovating your frame? Love to know, do leave a comment if you have time! Anyway, at the end of PART TWO I mentioned that I wanted to do a little more work on the other frame I was 'shabby chicing', so here we go if you want to follow along.

Next coat of paint - White I think - I've used a basic Liquitex artists acrylic that I first sponged lightly on the frame, and then applied a little more with a small (1/4 inch) flat brush to give a stippling effect which adds more texture on the flatter sections of the frame. This soon dries and is ready to have it's 'splatter' spots.  Mix a little of the first color that we used in Part Two, and with a dry hard brush, start splattering the paint onto the frame with your finger (practice a bit first on some paper). All you need to do now is add a little bees wax and buff to a soft sheen, or apply an acrylic mat varnish to give your finish some protection.  And there you have it - another shabby chic frame to add to your collection of empty frames to display on the wall!

Hope you have fun with your DIY Projects. If you REALLY haven't the time to DIY, but would still like to collect some Shabby Chic Frames, then I am selling these pieces in my new ARTFIRE STORE, so go have a look!

Romantic Style - My Lovely Prize Book!

I just had to take a little time here and tell you about a wonderful interior design book that I was lucky enough to win in the prize giveaway run by Mandy at her lovely blog à-la-parisienne  and also Debbie from powder-blue who donated the book.


What Luck!


It's called 'Romantic Style' and if like me, you love the 'Shabby Chic' look in all its forms, then put your hand in your purse and get out the plastic! This book is going to give you lots of ideas and inspiration for decorating your home.

Selina Lake and Sara Norman together with their photographer, Debi Treloar, have produced a well laid out book that illustrates the different aspects of romantic style decor, and I'll have to say that Debi Treloar's photos of the homes they have chosen, are truly inspiring.

I particularly like the mix of vintage finds with decoration which doesn't cost an arm and a leg that we can easily do ourselves. All you need are a few ideas of color matching, start hunting through garage or car boot sales for bits 'n bobs that the sellers might not want, but you can find just the right spot for, and it probably only needs a bit of a clean or perhaps a paint job to give it a new lease of life.

Well, this is just my slant on Romantic Style. I know for sure, as soon as you start leafing through you own copy, you will find lots of other ideas and inspirations that you can particularly relate to your own home decoration.

If you would like to buy the book, you can go to the publisher's website:

Ryland Peters & Small

The price is: £19.99 or $29.95

Title: Romantic Style

Authors: Selina Lake & Sara Norrman

Photographer: Debi Treloar

ISBN No: 978-1-84975-040-0