Thursday, December 23, 2010

Mantels

So here I am sitting in front of the fireplace, a few days before Santa is scheduled to come down the chimney….well, at least for those of us that have been good in 2010!!!!
As my eyes scan over the stockings, and the little Christmas trees, miniature Santa’s and other holiday figures decorating the top of the mantle, I am awestruck by the beauty of it all. Of course a week or two from now all these wreaths, and trees, and tiny reindeer, and stockings will be taken down and packed away in a variety of boxes and shoved back into a closet or an attic and unfortunately all of that beauty and magical holiday wonder right along with them! I can always remember my mantle feeling empty and at times downright depressing when I place the same items back on display that have sat on that mantle for the past 50 weeks. How come the mantle can’t look and feel like it does today and on Christmas morning everyday of the year???
Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in July, because there are a multitude of ideas and ways to maximize that special holiday “mantle” feeling year round without feeling like you are missing out!
Take a look at some ideas on how to enhance the look and feel of your “year-round” mantle and maximize the seasonal impacts as you move into a brand new 2011 and beyond!









Saturday, December 11, 2010

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Over the years the White House has been a revolving door of politics and artistic preferences.  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has amassed a treasure of roughly 450 works, mostly 19th century still lifes, pastorals and portraits.  In a sharp departure the Obama's have casted a wider net by choosing bold, abstract works of art by minorities and female artists in the celebration of diversity. The pieces of art that were selected for loan act as a bridge between the historic legacy of the permanent collection and the diverse voices of the 20th and 21st century artists.  Here is a peak into what hangs on the walls of the Obama's private residence and offices, including the Oval Office.


"Nice" by Nicolas De Stael

"Homage to the Square" by Josef Albers

"Sky Light" by Alma Thomas

"I Think I'll" by Ed Ruscha

"Black Like Me" by Glenn Ligon

"Berkeley No. 52" by Richard Diebenkorn