Home & Garden Blog

In the quest to decorate my home fabulously, I have been thinking of investing in some fine art to adorn my barren walls. Been shopping around for some nice art pieces from fledging artists, I don’t know why they call them “starving artists” because for the price of some of their pieces they should be filthy rich.

Consequently, I have now humbled myself to search for quality prints from major artists. I know I may not have an “original” on my walls but beggars who can barely pay their mortgage shouldn’t be choosers, right?

Here are some lovely finds:

Wassily Kadinsky Improvision Poster No. 23 - $214.99 (44 x 44 in.)

(click on image or link to shop or purchase)

Munoz ” The National Ballet of Cuba, 2001″ - $139.99 (31 x31 in.)

(click on image or link to shop or purchase)

Thomas Kinkade Renaissance Framed Art - $199.00 (23.5 x 19.75 in.)

(click on image or link to shop or purchase)

If you do not like any of these framed art pieces, feel free to browse our collection of discount artwork, framed posters & prints, Click here!

It is my humble opinion that tiles are under appreciated, and if one would only take the time out to do some research, one would find that tiles and wall decor in general can completely transform a room from blah! to breathtaking!

A prime example of what I mean are the gorgeous contemporary tiles from Monocibec. The Cult Tiles offer a pleasingly retro aspect, due to their striking patterns and coordinating color schemes, yet are obviously very clean and modern. Designed to accent modern interiors, the contemporary Cult Tiles have a palette of hues of tranquil greens, oranges, browns and black which complement and accentuate the abstract look. The repeating circular design (pictured) adds an air of clean oriental simplicity, whereas the tiles featuring the pattern of wavy lines encourage a feeling of relaxation and warmth. The textured lines of the tiles add a tactile and remarkable feature. The tiles are suitable for urban living, and with their focus on the minimalist, they are appropriate for those with an eye for decorating trends.

These tiles can be featured as wall decor or tiles for your floor. It is simple, but far from ordinary! Which is perfect.

To learn more about the Monocibec Cult Tiles, click here.

To shop for bargain Wall Decor, click here.

To shop for discount Tile & Flooring, click here.  

Our Lucky Water Fountain!

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• Learn how to hang pictures and other wall decor with a short Youtube clip from Expert Village…
• Merry Christmas from Smarter Home and Garden Blog!
• Let the New Year’s Resolutions Begin.…. first things first, remember to EAT!
• Read about my first trip to Napa and how I learned to Vulcanize My Esters…
• Instill a little tranquility and luck into your life with an indoor water fountain. Read about our Designer Spotlight: Tokujin Yoshioka “Water Bar”
• Toast the New Year in with this “Wine Tasting Party” set that is sure to spark engaging conversation and more importantly good times!

Please have a Happy and SAFE New Year’s Everyone!

YouTube - Watch How to Hang Wall Decor

Check out this informative little clip from the folks at Expert Village that walks you through the proper way to hang pictures and assorted wall decor.

Personally I find it extremely amusing when I visit a home that is impeccable, but where all the assorted wall decor seems slightly askew. It ruins the facade of perfection in an instant, not to mention the fact that if it is really crooked it gives off the whole “Pee Wee’s Funhouse” vibe.

Hey, you all think it, I am just saying it.

The latest city for eBoy to depict in isometric pixel form is Tokyo, and it’s as beautiful as the other city posters they’ve published…see more at Boing Boing!

Six Pack Wine Rack! Made from sustainable European wool, the rack folds flat for easy storage and holds up to six bottles..finish reading at Outblush.com.

Check out the 2007 Gift Guide: Blogger’s Wishlist at Design Sponge! She features a list of what shopping bloggers are dreaming of getting this Christmas, it’s a great source for gift ideas.

This week in Smarter Home & Garden we covered:

• Comment on the sexy furniture from Holland, Got Legs? with your morning breakfast?
• Send a floral arrangement as a gift that can be used as your Holiday centerpiece or Holiday decor as well! Nothing says, I haven’t forgotten about you like flowers!
• Read about my Top 5 picks for Fun & Healthy last minute Holiday gifts...
• Save money on JCPenney Accent Pillows and all bedding sets
• Shop for original hand crafted gifts and help women from Rwanda earn a sustainable income to purchase food and clothing! Learn about The Rwanda Path to Peace Collection today.
• Clear your pathways and driveways for your guests this Winter with the Snow Blower Deal of the Day!

This appealing trio of hand screened fruit wallpaper is — are you ready for this? — scratch and sniff. Just like the stickers that adorned your notebooks in grade school, this wallpaper smells like bananas, cherry, and tutti frutti. Awesome right!?

Ok I know I am about to age myself but I don’t care, I had to write about it because it reminds me of Willy Wonka!! (the original of course, I love you Johnny Depp but no me likey remake) Well I digress, but you must recall the following dialogue:

Wonka: The strawberries taste like strawberries. The snozzberries taste like snozzberries.
Veruca Salt: Snozzberries? Who ever heard of a snozzberry?
Wonka: *We* are the music makers… and *we* are the dreamers of dreams.

(Ahh, I heart the original Willy Wonka Movie! That last line was my outgoing signature on my emails for many years!)

So now you got a mere glimpse of my adoration for Willy Wonka, so when I came across The Fruit Cocktail Wallpaper Collection I was in heaven. The Fruit Cocktail Collection began when Michael Angelo asked if they could actually make scratch & sniff wallpaper. The result is a fantastic trio of hand screened fruit wallpaper designed by Michael and Flavor Paper. And, when scratched, B-A-N-A-N-A-S! smells like bananas, Cherry Forever like cherries, and Tutti Frutti like…tutti frutti! Visual AND olfactory satisfaction from your walls. Pure genius.

Best of all, a percentage of sales goes to the Human Rights Campaign to help achieve human equality.

To purchase or inspect the Fruit Cocktail Wallpaper Collection, click here.
Shop for a variety of discount wallpapers, click here.

Pottery Barn is having a Clearance Sale where you can save up to 50%. Check out their SALE section and hunt for great bargains today. I have gathered some of my top picks, to moisten your appetite…

PB SCULPTED BATH TOWELS - Was $26.00 - NOW $19.99
The textured Jacquard weave of 820-gram cotton terry towels makes them exceptionally luxurious. Carefully sculpted in Turkey, to achieve a subtle self-striped pattern, and edged with a mini-diamond dobby border. May be monogrammed with up to 3 initials for an additional charge.

This item has been approved by Oeko-Tex, the world’s definitive ecological certification process, which tests fibers, threads and components to ensure that each product is healthy for you, healthy for those who produce it and healthy for the environment.

White, Sandalwood and Porcelain Blue are shown (top to bottom).

Wooden Photo Display -Was $49.00 SALE $39.99
Pottery Barn has retrofitted the design of a vintage drying rack to create an artful place to display everything from photos to memos. Made of six sturdy espresso-finished wooden pieces that are held together with two chains in an antique-bronze finish. Twelve metal clips attached.

Outdoor Grommet Drape - Was $49.00 SALE $29.99

Transform a corner of the porch or patio into a shady retreat with this beautiful outdoor drape. It’s woven from natural-colored spun polyester, a weather-resistant fabric that easily washes clean. Opens smoothly on weather-resistant pewter grommets. Tie-backs included.

If you are interested in purchasing these items click on the image and it will take you directly to that item!

Otherwise click here to check out Pottery Barn’s Clearance Sale in all it’s glory!