Arts & Craft style - William Morris

An Arts & Craft style House

We went from winter to spring in 2.0 seconds. Just a few days ago there was about 4 inches of snow on the ground and today it’s 55* and sunny! I was motivated to get out and walk the neighborhood.

I love walking around here with all the different styles of homes (Mediterranean, Tudors, Colonials and American Four Squares). Some have manicured landscapes and others definitely need some curb appeal. To those people with lackluster front lawns, I want to knock their doors and say, “come on, you have such a beautiful house, why does it look like the Adams Family live here? Do something, will already!”

Bungalow

One of my favorite architectural styles has to be a Craftman home. There is so much detail and yet not frilly or overdone. To me it’s a warm inviting home to live and entertain.

As an adverse response to poor quality machine-made items (a result of the Industrial Revolution) and a return to well-made, handcrafted goods, the Arts and Craft Movement, was a British, Canadian, Australian and American design movement that influenced architecture, domestic design and the decorative arts. It flourished between 1880 and 1910 prompted by artist/writer William Morris, inspired by the writings of John Ruskin and was initiated by the Schools Of Design from 1852. It was a search for authentic and meaningful styles. The principle foundation of the Arts and Craft Movement was to emphasize truth of materials used, preserve traditional craftsmanship and advocate economic reform. Its trademark was the simplicity of form often exposing construction and the lack of unnecessary decoration or ornamentation. Influenced by the British countryside and its customs, Gothic Revival and Medieval designs - designers used bold forms and strong color.

A Fun Place to Shop

Mxyplyzyk in The West Village.

If the name doesn't grab your attention, it's window display will! As one of my friends says, "it's a bunch of cool stuff you really don't need but most definitely want!" Like bowls made from vinyl LP's, a tape dispenser that looks like an audio tape cassette, a lamp shaped like an owl and a lot more quirky stuff to look at!

If in NYC, visit them at 125 Greenwich Avenue

and if you're not in NYC, visit them online www.mxyplyzyk.com I guarantee, you will smile!

Just thought you'd like to know!

wallpaper decals.

I decided to read some blogs to get the idea on how this blogging thing is done. I came across this blog which brought me to another page, which took me to another place which took me to the Apartment Therapy website (click here)

I don't know how to insert a section of someone's blog page into my blog (maybe someone out there can teach me how - hint hint). However, I figured out how to hyperlink words like the "click here" above and how to insert an image from the internet (the image you see above from the Apartment Therapy website). Oh and I figured out how to change text color - GO ME!

The use of wallpaper as wall appliques is a very clever idea!

I hope that I'm not breaking some blog protocol here by suggesting an alternative method. If I am, I apologize, I don't know all the rules yet.

Over the weekend I decided to go to my local craft store, out of sheer boredom. I roamed the isles with no thought in mind and I came across scrapbook paper (some of these papers are beautiful). Of course, I picked up a few that I thought were pretty. I don't know why? It's not like I scrapbook but they were cute. I figure, I'll think of something. So, here's my thought. Why not take this idea of using vintage wallpaper and use scrapbook paper instead. At 75 to 99 cents a sheet, it's definitely affordable. Instead of tacky glue, I would probably use low tack spray adhesive (the paper's back will be similar to that of a post it note). Slap it on the wall and you're done! If you tire of the appliqué, all you have to do is peel it off and toss it! How simple is that?