Decor-Art is happy to announce that our cooperation with Cico Books and their sister company Ryland Peters and Small (RPS) has opened up brilliant opportunities to introduce you to their new publications on crafting, gardening and interior design. Every month we will be reviewing amazing books that inspire to create and to recycle, books that encourage to discover and to shape beautiful surroundings.

All reviews can be found on this Blog under the category called “Fabulous Books” (right hand side).

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“Creative Walls” by Geraldine James is a book for brave individuals, who love life and want to live it in style. Just a word of warning – it’s not a book for someone who enjoys cold minimalism, you have to be a real art connoisseur to enjoy this publication to its full.

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In her book Geraldine James is asking you to become an artist – she challenges her readers to experiment and look at their walls as if they were “beautiful blank canvases”. Geraldine knows that any blank canvas can be quite daunting (no wonder in the classification of phobias you can find atekanevaphobia – fear of ruined canvases), but don’t you worry; this lady will give you lots of advice on where to start and how to achieve the best results.

The two most encouraging thoughts presented in this book are: 1. style is 100% personal and 2. you don’t need anyone’s approval, just be confident enough to expose your soul. Apparently “we all have a taste limit”, but does it matter, especially if you own some walls, that can be turned into masterpieces!?

Flick through the pages and find out how to display artwork, your quaintest collectibles and memories preserved in all kinds of forms: how to create casual, relaxed atmosphere, how to turn formal space into informal, how to combine several styles, how to make a small room look bigger and how to lighten up a dark room, even how to buy new items that you intend to add to your existing displays. “Creative Walls” is packed with advice that will help you to achieve amazing effects without hiring an interior designer.

Use this book as a source for inspiration and as a manual that doesn’t hold strict regulations. As Geraldine James says – “There are no rules. Use your imagination, look at your pictures carefully, push the boundaries, and create something that is individual and unique only to you.”

Creative Walls By Geraldine James is published by Cico Books at £19.99 and is available from www.cicobooks.com

I have come across a site called Eazy Wallz where you can customize your walls and add spice to the room! The innovative wall concept can make a small room look bigger than life, or you can choose your own design and even put yourself up on the wall in a beautiful mural.

I’ve found some amazing quality murals and wanted to share some with you, this might inspire you for when you’re looking to spice up your room or just moving in and don’t feel like painting the walls a boring color. Feel yourself on vacation at all times, or put yourself right in the middle of the busy city life. Go to sleep with your favorite animals watching over you or go for the abstract modern vibe.

Go fresh and original and install an easy-to-do-yourself decorative mural. As they’re printed on high-quality self-adhesive woven fabric, they can be repositioned and reused whenever you want. Costs may vary depending on size and design, but for an average of 100 euros, I think it’ll be well worth your money! Don’t forget to check out more at http://www.eazywallz.com

Enjoy and get to WERK!

Love, Shar – xo

well, here it is. i have spiced up my walls.. just wanted to let you know that i did this on a zero budget. basically used things that i already had at home. feeling very pleased about the results, please let me know your thoughts.

enjoy!

wall no 1

before

then

now

wall no 2

before

then

now

wall no 3

before

now

keep calm and love your walls !

please let me know what wall makes your creative flame burn

if you know me i like my royal crowns

i love the simplicity of this wall, the smokey grey color and the simple art.

always wanted a big book shelf with 100 of books

i absolutely want to do something like this to my light switches

keep calm and spice up your walls !

]]> http://2greatgals.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/creative-walls-display-and-collections/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:23:50 +0000 2 great gals http://2greatgals.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/creative-walls-display-and-collections/ Creative Walls: How to Display and Enjoy your Treasured Collections  by Geraldine James is a definite example of ‘more is more’ style of display. While I generally lean toward a simpler aesthetic, this will definitely appeal to those of you out there that like to fill up every inch of wall space – you know who you are!

The images are characteristically European with their crumbling walls, patina and rustic charm. There is a certain relaxed, lived in feeling that is immensely comfortable – ‘put your feet up with a cup of tea’ sensibility.

The best thing about this book is that it shows that almost anything can be elevated to wall art. You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a uniquely personal space.

Now, here are a few of my favourite things: a glass bell jar, a dried hydrangea, vintage floral postcards, the inevitable antlers (natch) and, presumably, a tonne of Blu-Tac. What a lovely, eclectic corner. Geraldine says she views every wall as ‘a beautiful blank canvas’ and she can’t wait to ‘get painting’…

This book is divided into chapters such as ‘Collectibles’, ‘Memories’, and ‘Children’s and Students’ Spaces’, but it’s definitely one to dip in and out of rather than a cover-to-cover read. I particularly like the cool fonts and typography throughout and the luxurious full-bleed pics to devour. There are lots of different homes and styles shown, but the general theme is a bit macabre and a bit rock and roll – think bones, crows and butterflies. All very Sibella Court. All very cool. This book isn’t just about wall displays – it’s about creating mini still-lifes around your home in front of the walls, too…

Ah ha, the blackboard wall. It looks as if this maker of very small shoes has excellent taste in the typewriter department, too. I have a panel of blackboard paint in the kitchen but I’m not quite brave enough to do a whole wall, yet. Are you?

As Peaches Geldof would say (with an auto-cue): ‘O to the M to the G’. I think I might have just found my dream shoe storage unit. A vintage ‘POISONS’ cabinet – wowzas. Love it! I really like the idea of hanging a slab of reclaimed, engraved stone on the wall, too – but I’m thinking it would require a pretty sturdy wall – and some extra large screws! Such a quirky hallway display. What a lucky fish.

John Derian‘s sinister plates look stunning grouped together here, with poison bottles and hammers in front. Macabre. Are these taxidermy tools?! I prefer to think they’re for bashing in picture pins, not stag skulls…

If you’re against the dead head trend, you might like this idea of displaying old family photos in a stag shape, instead. Creative Walls is £19.99, and available now. I’m off to buy some Blu-Tac. – Ellie