Want to know a great place to find art for your home?

Believe it or not but on the street and not some fancy shmancy art gallery! I pass by some beautiful works of art at Union Square, down in SoHo and many other street corners!

taken from my blackberry camera

soigne performanc and visual artist (unique character): view his myspace page: HERE

taken from my blackberry camera

unknown artist

um, look past the mushroom stand! Yes, there's a farmer's market there, too!

hernan hernandez picture

boston.com picture

Share comments your comments and experiences: Have you ever purchased art off the street?

Champagne taste on a beer budget.

While I was riding the train this morning into Manhattan, I couldn't help but overhear two woman having a conversation while flipping through a Pottery Barn catalogue. The first woman said to the other, "I would love for my house to look like this but I just can't afford it. That is why I have done nothing to my apartment!" As the conversation went on, I learned she really has nothing in her apartment but a bed, a beat up old dresser, couch and tv. WHAT? There is no excuse not to decorate your home just because you cannot afford your favorite store or high end designer furniture!!!

If you already own a good quality couch, is given one or if you find an inexpensive one in a consignment shop. One solution is reupholstering! (I mention this in a previous blog, click here to view). Or add a slipcover for a quick inexpensive update or new look.

Second hand stores, Good Will, auctions and consignment shops are great places to find good quality furniture and home accessories that you can spruce up with a can of paint or adding new fabric to.

Another great way to cut corners is to purchase already made items and altering them to give them a more custom made look. For curtains you can add embellishments., such as, a thick border, in a contrasting but complimentary color, at the bottom or add a tassel or beaded fringe on the edge. For bookshelves, swap out the original back panel with bead board and paint it to match or in a contrasting color. How about adding mirror to the back of the bookshelf? Why not!

Below are pictures of pieces found in the Pottery Barn catalog and my suggestions for an inexpensive solution. Now, I just looked in two stores for this blog but remember, there are flea markets, second hand shops, auctions and a thousand other places to look for great bargains.

PB $1,200

IKEA $300

PB $700

IKEA$350

PB $199

IKEA $50

PB $250

IKEA $50

PB $650

PIER1 $350

PB $70-$100

IKEA $50

Just because you have Champagne taste on a beer budget, that should not be your excuse to do nothing with your home. Once you have found your inspiration and know what you like, there are many ways to get that look on a budget. Don't have the knack? Contact me, here, to give your home the look you want.

Searsucker for the home!

It's SUMMERtime! Call me old FASHIONED but nothing reminds me more of summer than wearing SEARSUCKER shorts, pants or suits. Dress up your home in a summer wardrobe with searsucker accessories!!!

bedding

window treatments

table clothes

Contact DelBene Interiors if you want to add a summery look to your home!

dispelling a Bad Reputation!

No you didn't stumble onto an automotive blog! And YES, that is the Michilin Tire Man! What the heck is HE doing on a blog about home decor?

The recliner above reminds me of Mr. Man!.

I have to say, I am not a fan of the traditional overstuffed recliner and I'm sure most designers and decorators agree that it has to be the bane of our work at times. We understand, they are comfortable, it's your favorite seat in the house, you have had it for years! Well you don't have to sacrifice good looks for comfort anymore. THAT'S RIGHT, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO! Replace old faithful with a new GOOD LOOKING recliner. Take a look at these handsome guys below!

Wouldn't this one look hot in a media room?

home office?

in a modern living room!

images from Design Within Reach and Chelsea's Little Darlings.

You get the idea! With so many styles of recliners to choose from, there is no reason to invite the Michilin Tire Man into your home ever again! Sorry bud!!!

Guess who's making an appearance?

Gray!!!

Apparently, GRAY IS THE NEW CHOLATE!!! Well, in paint color that is. I wouldn't recommend eating it!

Gray can be found EVERYWHERE in bedrooms, baths, living rooms, dining rooms and yes, even kitchens! Kitchens? Who'd have thunk?

What I like about gray is that it is a calming color. It can go from shabby to chic, from modern to country and can either be cool or warm. For those people afraid to add color to their walls, GRAY IS THE PERFECT COLOR TO START WITH. It's basically adding color without really adding color!

Check out these beautifully done rooms:

The kitchens above are from Building Green in Vermont

The above pictures courtesy of Benjamin Moore gallery on flicker!

Want to add the right color gray into your home? Contact DelBene Interiors by visiting our website: www.delbeneinteriors.com