Artist of the Month - Amber Alexander

Good morning everyone! I had hoped to be a little more wordy in yesterday's post about my new dining room, but I had a three-year-old trying to knock down my bedroom door (this was before 7 a.m. mind you) and the pressure was mounting to get my photos posted and be done. So, I'm back today (in almost the same scenario) and just want to invite you to check out my dining room makeover from yesterday and let me know what you think! The sore muscles are finally starting to subside, the paint smell is slowly dissipating, and I am left with a light, bright, and calming room. Ah! The satisfaction of a large job (almost) completed!

Aunt Bunny print

Anyway, back to the business at hand for today. This is really exciting...I just love this artist! This month's Artist of the Month is Amber Alexander. I mentioned in my monthly e-zine for April that I would be featuring an interview with her here on the blog, so here she is! (To subscribe to my monthly e-zine, just click on the "subscribe" button on the top right of this page.)

Les Mews - French Revolution kitty (print)

You may remember that I featured some of Amber Alexander's work in a Friday's Fabulous Finds post back in March. I got a sense that her work was a real "crowd favorite", so I decided it would be fun to get to know Amber a little better this month! Amber paints the most charming animals with very realistic details and human qualities that show a real sense of humor. You get the sense that she's got a twinkle in her eye while she paints, and probably knows the animal's name before she's even done with the piece.

Amber strikes me as a modern-day Beatrix Potter. Her paintings would work equally well in a children's bedroom or in the place of honor above your fireplace. Her prints sell very reasonably from her Etsy shop (for about $17), and occasionally you can even catch one of her original watercolor prints for $50!

Parfait (cards)

Do you earn a living as an artist, or do you have a “day job”?

Yes and No- I do have a "day" job- but it is gradually phasing out as I sell more! :)I'm a paralegal- but it just so happens my boss will be retiring- perfect timing- I paint in almost all of my free time! Etsy has been an enormous life changer for me!

Victoria, Tea Time (print)

When did you first start painting? Did you take classes?

As a child- I've always loved drawing and painting but have only recently fallen in love with watercolor. I have a BA in liberal arts, did not go to art school, but have always created. I'm very self-motivated and do much better teaching myself everything I need to know.

Mall Hair (print)

What inspires you?

Animals! creatures, the trees, woods, forest, water, animals.I love thinking about animals as having complete lives. They do housework, they have thoughts, emotions, relationships, they get into fights with each other. :)

Pink Grapefruit (cards)

Do you have a favorite subject to paint?

I definately have a favorite subject to paint: bunnies, rabbits. They are a lot of fun to paint, but in general, animals are my favorite subjects. Most animals are fun to paint for me!

Happy Piglet in the Sun (print)

I’m picturing you with a twinkle in your eye as you paint. What are you thinking about when you’re painting?

When I paint these little creatures, I am thinking about the life of the animal- what trouble are they thinking about getting into? Why are they giving me such a funny look? Why do they look sad, or serious? :)I laugh at them too. A lot of them make me laugh right out loud because as they come to life, they look back at me... I imagine all sorts of funny thought in their little painted heads.

Juliet, Morning (print)

Where can people view and purchase your work?


People can view and purchase my work at my Etsy shop (amberalexander.etsy.com). At this point, that's the only place. I'm always adding new things and love it! Thanks!!

Courtney's note: if anyone followed the previous link I had for Amber's etsy shop, it was wrong, and I sincerely apologize! Yikes! it's correct now though!

My Dining Room Makeover - Part 3

Ta-da! I painted for twelve hours on Saturday, my mom helped me for five, and my husband for a couple of hours too. And here's the result:

Just to remind you what the "before" looked like:

Since that photo was taken, I've reupholstered my chairs and painted them silver:

Had a little retail therapy at Crate & Barrel to pick up these beauties:

And picked up this fabulous handcut linoleom print from Etsy artist Rainy Prints:

And these fab red candlesticks from TJ Maxx ($5 each):

I still have to paint the insides of the built-ins (they're still dark green - I'll paint them white or light blue) and have to paint the hope chest white. I also need to purchase my chandelier, and may even paint the china hutch white at some point too (but not any time soon). For now I'm really happy with how it turned out. The secret to finding the right color...we had to go to the "white" paint chips, not the "blue" ones. All the blues were too saturated and only on the white ones could we find a color light enough.

for my other dining room posts, read here:

My Dining Room Makeover Part 1

My Dining Room Makeover Part 2

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Oh So Feminine

As I put together my finds for this Friday, I didn't really have a theme in mind. But as I started to copy and paste my favorites, I realized they are all quite feminine, with just a touch of quirkiness. (Hey, that could describe me! And my daughters too, bless them!) Anyway, either I'm feeling particularly frilly and romantic, or it's just a fluke. :-) Either way, here are some gorgeous designs from some very talented and whimsical artists. There's also a definite vintage flair to many of this week's finds (vintage gets me every time). Be sure to check out the other works by each of these artists as well!

"Fawn-tastic" - mixed media collage print

"Forget-me-not II" vintage paper original collage

Aren't these collages just scrumptious? They are so fantastical (is that a word?...well, it is now) and are a veritable feast for the eyes. Dollface Design sells these wonderful prints - and original collages - for very reasonable prices, too. You know I love that.

Tiffany Blue Modern Shadowbox

Normally I'm not much of a shadowbox person, but I find this sweet one by One Punk Posy to be very refreshing. It's a mix of both vintage and modern materials (just like my house!). And actually, it's just one of many shadowboxes and other artwork - including some pretty spectacular stationery - that are definitely worth browsing in their shop.

Set of 3 felt roses

Why felt roses, you ask? Why not, I answer back? It's a new take on an old favorite - romantic and quirky at the same time. I prefer them in white, but NestaHome makes them in many other colors too. You can also find beautiful artwork and other accessories for the home in this shop.

"Purple Flower" fine art print

"Shopping Cart" fine art print

"Three Times a Lady" fine art print

If you had told me a few months (weeks?) ago that I would be featuring a photo of a shopping cart - and would include it in a "feminine" post - I would probably not have believed you. But look at the colors! Somehow artist Jennifer Squires managed to make a photo of what would otherwise be quite commonplace, into something of beauty. I also love this modern purple flower print. Notice I've included white roses again? I really do adore roses, but I especially like this clean, uncluttered representation that would fit in either a modern or romantic setting. (Jennifer was kind enough to email me a link to her Etsy shop, and I'm glad she did, because I truly liked what I saw!)

"The birds are taking over my village" pillow

"50's Birdcage" pillow

These pillows by Olive are just sooo cute. Each one is unique and has such a fun, imaginative (and of course, vintage) flavor to it. You have to browse her whole shop because there are so many cute little designs.

"Spring Moss" vintage necklace

One word for this necklace - delicious. It's an actual vintage piece from le petit poulailler. I'm not sure my neck is quite regal enough for this - but if yours is - you need to buy it! It's so gorgeous and over-the-top without being tacky. This whole shop is like browsing a really good estate sale...definitely worth the time. They've already well-edited the finds for you so you're sure to find a treasure.

Now that you've feasted on a little eye-candy, you're sure to have a good weekend. I'm sort of planning to have some more before-and-after goodness for you on Monday...either my finished (by then) dining room or some pics from a recent redesign. Either way, have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you then! Thanks for reading, friends!

PS - Don't forget to weigh in on my chandelier dilemma! I'm definitely leaning a certain direction (will leave you in suspense for now) but love hearing your opinions!

salad in a...vase?

My latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens had a great idea for a bridal or baby shower theme...an "advice"-themed party. (For some of you that may sound more like a nightmare than a party, but stick with me for a moment.) The invitations were printed in a simple newsprint-type font, and guests were sent cards along with the invitations on which to write some advice for the bride-to-be. Then, the cards were collected into a scrapbook at the party.

But here's where it gets cute: they used large, photocopied versions of vintage advice columns like "Dear Abby", etc. which they covered the table with. And here's where it gets nearly genius: the "Confucius-say Salad Bar" was actually a noodle-salad bar and every topping for the salad bar was in a different-size square glass vase (I guess to pick up on the Asian theme of "Confucius-say"?). Anyway, the images of this salad bar were gorgeous. I have looked and looked online to see if I could find the image from the magazine, but no luck so far. It doesn't appear to be on BHG's website, and I don't have a scanner, so I'm doing my best to describe it. (Pictured here are the same type of vases from Pottery Barn.)


I loved the visual, though: picture different heights and sizes (i.e. both rectangular and square) of glass vases - not bowls - with colorful veggies in them...shredded carrots, shredded purple cabbage, cherry tomatoes...you wouldn't need a centerpiece with such a beautiful salad bar! But, that being said, then they added to the beauty by including a few vases full of luscious, brightly-colored blooms (just one variety per vase). The whole thing was gorgeous and definitely something I want to try in the future.

I was thinking, though, that this could work with any kind of event, and any kind of vases - cylindrical too - or what about using large footed hurricanes? They're beautiful with candles in them - but how much more stuffed full of julienned green peppers! Stunning!

warm fuzzies

Thank you so much to Jen of Sanctuary Arts, who awarded me this lovely blogland award! It was too sweet! I am supposed to turn around and award it to ten other bloggers, even if they've already received it, so here goes...these are some of my all-time favorites, definitely worth a read!

Julia at Hooked on Houses, Tracey at Notes from a Cottage Industry, Kari & Kijsa from Kari & Kijsa, Monica at m&co, Shauntelle at A Beautiful Abode, Claudia at The Paris Apartment, Belinda at Renovate + Decorate, Jen at The Cottage Nest, Linda at Restyled Home, and of course, Melissa at The Inspired Room.

I'll be back later today with another little post. For now, enjoy your day!

My Dining Room Makeover - Part 2

Help! I need your opinion on something. (Yes, yours!) Remember my post from February about affordable candle chandeliers under $50? Well, I still haven't purchased one, and I thought I'd ask you to weigh in on which one you think would go best with my newly-redesigned dining room. (Before you get too excited - no I haven't repainted yet - but I'm hoping the blessed event will take place this weekend.) Anyway, to refresh your memory, here's my dining room before:

Here's my hope chest, which I plan to paint creamy white and use as a window seat (will have a cushion made for it...am thinking light gray silk w/ Amy Butler Lotus fabric in sky...the fabric on my chair below):

My newly re-painted and reupholstered dining chairs look like this...

I'm planning to paint the room the most pale, tranquil light blue/aqua, leaving the trim the pale cream it is now. I looked for a sample online but I can't quite find the right shade - so hopefully I can paint the room this weekend and just show you after I'm done.

So here's where you come in. I think I've narrowed down the chandelier search to one of the following three options:

1) I love how modern this blue one is, and I think it's also the biggest in diameter, which is good...but am concerned it might be too much blue.

2) Then, I love the smoky-glass look of this chandelier. Since I am really into all things silver at the moment - and the color grey - I think this would work well in the room. But it's the smallest in diameter at about 14 1/2 inches wide.
3) And this last one appears to have almost nothing in common with the first two - but hear me out for a minute. I would definitely paint this as I don't have a lot of black in the room (except my black piano, but I'd rather pick up on that in other ways). I'm thinking white, but am open to another funky color. Then, I would probably add some crystals to it just to glam it up a bit for my more vintage modern interior. (It's the cheapest option but requires the most additional work - not to mention by the time I purchased crystals and paint, it probably wouldn't be the cheapest anymore.)

So, should I go with...

#1. Blue crystals chandelier

#2. Smoky glass crystals chandelier

#3. Primitive wrought-iron chandelier repainted/redesigned

What do you think?

Home - it's in the details

When thinking about yesterday's redesign, I realized there were several little details we incorporated that translate well into just about any interior. I thought I'd share them with you in the hopes that it might inspire you just the tiniest bit to look at your home and see where you can add a special detail or two. The best part is, these ideas cost little (or no) money, but can really help make your living spaces more personal and comfortable.

(Note: Be careful when you add details, though - if you've already got a lot of "personality" - a.k.a. stuff - in your space, sometimes it's better to edit than add. This gives what is left a little more punch, when it doesn't have to fight for your visual attention.)


Definitely include personal touches like family snapshots. But, equally important - pay attention to the frames. I chose these snapshots for this end table because the frames were complimentary to our color scheme. It's a great opportunity to add splashes of color and personality while also showing off your fam.


The client had already done a fabulous job of selecting and editing family photographs to include in the room, then framing them in black and white. This brought a very cohesive feel to each arrangement. These are photos of two generations of the family's sportsmen that we hung in the stairway.


One of my favorite ways to add casual warmth to a space is by including a large basket with extra pillows and blankets. It really gives the impression that you are welcome to cuddle up on the sofa or floor and get comfy.


Lacking a centerpiece? A bowl of fresh fruit will always do it for me. For a more unusual look - but equally beautiful - try fresh veggies. A collection of peppers can infuse real life into a space visually (not just by taste!). Look around for non-traditional ways to display them - a bowl is great, but why not try a basket, tray, or cake plate?


This is a wall of family photos which the client chose to print all in black and white. This helped bring a sense of unity to a variety of different subject matters. We tried not to make this arrangement too perfect, because we wanted the client to be able to add to it over time. Leave yourself room to grow - don't fill up every conceivable wall space in your home if you can at all help it.


The client was lucky enough to have a wet bar in the basement. It's in working order but doesn't get much use. Placing a tray with pitcher and glasses encourages using the wet bar for the purpose it was intended for. It reminds you that this will be a great party room!


And last, but not least, include personal art. In this case, the client's seven-year-old nephew had drawn this picture including the client's favorite college team - which happened to be the decorating theme of the room. Nothing brings more personality to the space than original artwork - especially when created by you or someone you know.