Home A Rama 2011: Post 1

Home A Rama this year was a lovely surprise for me, we were driving home one afternoon and stumbled onto the houses, I was so excited since I thought that it had already passed us by. The homes were definitely toned down from the mega mansions of the 2009 Home A Rama, but in my opinion it only made the homes more tasteful and elegant. Now while I am going to critique the houses and the designs, I want everyone to know from the beginning these homes were phenomenally designed and decorated, my critiques are minor, while the houses were incredible. There were a few overriding themes throughout the five houses in lighting, decor, and layout, but each design company really put their individual spin on their homes, showing exactly where there specialties lie. A common motif in the homes was found in the tray ceilings, soft white lights inset behind the moldings, in the dining and living rooms. In tall, airy, light rooms these lights added to the feeling of space, and air, while in closed darker spaces they created an atmosphere more reminiscent of the 80’s with the lights defining the outline of the moldings. I loved this idea because it seems like it is something that could easily be added onto an older home.

From sparrows, to owls, birds were everywhere in every form you could imagine, murals, sculptures, bedding, lights, sofa cushions, etc. these little fellows did pack a lot of punch in the statement department and they are one of my favorite decorative motifs, but I still found myself wanting something a little bit more wild.

There were also some really incredible built-in’s, from decorative shelving, butlers pantries, and built in stained glass buffet’s, these designers were really showing what they could do. My favorite trend was in the kitchen cabinetry, a decorate band of glass fronted lit cabinets to show of your prettiest kitchen ware.

A Delicate Moment for the Occupy Wall Street Movement

I have been waiting for a movement like Occupy Wall Street since 9/11, for my generation to stand up and say no more, we will not allow you to poison our land, over fish our oceans, make our air toxic, ship jobs overseas, where corporations can pollute freely, we will not continue to buy clothing made by slaves, or deny basic healthcare to our citizens. This is not the country modern Americans want, it is the cultural attitude being pushed onto us by the super wealthy, who do not have the same priorities as the rest of America.

For so many years I have asked myself, what happened to peace rallies and demonstrations, has my generation really never thought about a sit in; or has Netflix, and Mc Donald’s put us all into such a stupor, that we can no longer see that our society is going down a very dangerous, and destructive path.

Early on in my college education, just a year after 9/11, I was sitting in my university’s auditorium, preparing for an art history lecture. When the professor got up she said that anyone who wanted to attend the peace rally could leave, but she would be still holding the lecture. I decided to stay afraid of missing any material in this expansive art history class, but at least 250 of the people present walked out.  After leaving the lecture hall, I came to find out only a handful of those people went to the rally, the rest went back to bed. Again I was left wondering what happened to people in my age group. when did apathy begin to rule everything they did.

Today I am overjoyed to see that they are starting to finally question what they are being told, that people are beginning to act in a responsible manner ,yet still draw attention to the huge inequities that are seriously plaguing our country. I think it’s time for another New Deal, one that puts Americans back to work, fixes that tax code, and creates a more insular trade system so American’s can regain its manufacturing jobs.

by: William Rivers Pitt, Truthout | Op-Ed

Anyone who still thinks the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests are some kind of fluke, an exercise in ego inflation by spoiled college kids and aging hippies, needs to go back to bed. This thing is very much for real, is very large, and is growing exponentially. Similar protests have sprung up in dozens of cities all across the country, and with an ‘Occupy the London Stock Exchange’ action set to take place on Saturday, the movement is poised to become an international affair.

The New York police have already laid into the Wall Street protesters with unnecessary violence on more than one occasion, and the Boston police have likewise gotten into the action:

How To: Halloween Shadow Lanterns

Every year I love to experiment with new craft projects for Halloween. Something fun, creepy, and of course easy to make. This week I’ve been making Halloween Shadow Lanterns, you can hang them up,  cluster them on a table, or set them out down your houses side-walk. To light them you can use either real candles or to be extra safe around kids, with electric votives.

Here is how to make your Halloween Shadow Lanterns.
What you will need for three lanterns:
Black Construction Paper – 12 sheets
Tissue Paper – Multiple Colors
Halloween Laser Cut Shapes – bats, spiders, webs etc…
Elmers White Glue
Spray Adhesive
Painters Tape
Whole Punch
Metal Ruler
X-Acto Knife
Bone Folder
Black Floral Wire
Rubberized Cutting Board with Ruler Grid

Treasury Roundup: Feeling Foxy

Falling Leaves
Curated By: Thrush
Featuring The Work Of: prettythingsbymeg, uncommon, jennyndesign, redtilestudio, Intres, sweetharvey, lauraclauson, fishandlotus, fabgabs, SilentRoses, mcclouddesigns, katedurkin, BozenaWojtaszek, ForestFloorPrints, naturescharms, CharmTopia

This weeks treasury roundup is inspired by the plants, animals, and the colors of fall, with treasuries that highlight the beauty of the season, and are absolutely wonderfully put together. I hope these picks help you to feel the crispness in the air, and take a little closer notice to the change of the leaves from dusty gray to shimmering red and gold.