Gallery, Gallery on the Wall...

I am a huge fan of eclectic decor. I love to make a gallery of items & photos collected over the years. I think it's a great way to make your home personal and cozy.

To make an eclectic gallery wall fabulous to it's full potential, here are a few rules:

• Balance different sizes well.
• Balance an array of shapes.
• Introduce different elements of materials some examples are: metal, wood, mirrors, and carvings.
• Don't be afraid to use three dimensional objects
• Make sure your eye flows well (Don't allow too much negative space in between items and too tight in other areas) 
• Don't just throw random objects on the wall, there has to be some sort of rhythm for it all to make sense.
• Have fun with it! 

I love this installation of art. Notice the mixture of modern with traditional pieces. They have nicely dispersed the color, shapes and sizes throughout the wall, but covered nearly every square inch...

Image via: coco cozy

A dark backdrop for gallery walls, I think it makes a very dramatic look and the art just sits beautifully on it. This next image goes above and beyond, not only dark, but lacquered?! Color me happy!

Image via: Interiorly

Sometimes a gallery can be simple and small. This bedroom is the perfect example of a simple mirror gallery. No fuss about it, it plays well with the striped wallpaper. 

Image via: Elle Decor

Speaking of stripes, look at this handsome installation! Wouldn't you love for this to be your office?

Image via: Interiorly

All gallery walls don't have to be mixed and mismatched. For you symmetrical people, here are a few galleries that might strike your fancy...

Black and white frames + black and white photos in straight columns ascending up the staircase...

Image via: Pinterest

This botanical collection is full of impact...

Image via: Coco Cozy

I enjoy the tailored gallery walls, but my personal style leans toward the eclectic mixes. Here is a wall I have been working on in our living room. A mix of photography, fashion art, my art and my great grandmothers art. Modern + vintage. Still has a ways to go, but I am happy with it so far...

Image via: Lisa Gilmore

Oh Rainy Day!

Lately, the weather has been dreary to say the least. Last weekend I landed in Chicago and this was the awesome weather I was greeted with...

Gee, thanks Chicago. 

Luckily the weather got better as the weekend progressed...

Still gray, but at least not soaking wet.

Then finally, at last... sunshine!...

I was a little mad at myself, because I wasn't armed for the rainy + cold weather that Chicago had prepared for me. All I kept thinking was "I wish I had brought my rain boots!!" (and a scarf!) 

Now, back in Florida, we are surely entering rainy season. Yesterday and today have been filled with black clouds and monsoon amounts of rain. Luckily, I have been ready to go with my trusty rain boots. As I dash around Tampa, I notice that I am the ONLY person wearing rain boots. What's up with that? We live in one of the rainiest states, but no one rocks the rubber soles. Personally, they are a life saver and I feel virtually indestructible when I wear them. I received all kinds of odd looks and comments, "Hey, ya' goin' fishin' today?" ... nope, just dressed for the wet weather that mother nature has given us. 

So I challenge you to join me and rock the rain boots. I promise you wont regret it :) 

Here are some images to get you inspired... 

I am a HUGE fan of Hunter Boots. Mine are gray, they go with everything, but I love their candy colored selections. I may just have to get another pair, maybe in the lime color...

Rain in your day? No worries here, stay dry with the boots and add in a great trench and umbrella for a classic look...

Image via: Newly Domesticated Blogspot

Who says you can't look glam in the rain? Tame that hair with a gracious bun, add a fun dress and pretty jewelry and you've got the look everyone wishes they had...

Image via: Popsicles and Pearls Wordpress

So put your Wellies on, and don't let the wet weather rain on your parade!

Coastal Style Art (Guest post from Design Shuffle)

Hi there! I’m Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, where interior designers share their portfolios and design enthusiasts find decorating images and ideas. I have the perfect job. I get to spend my work hours cruising around the Internet finding the most incredible decorating ideas and sharing them with blog readers like you. Thanks to Be Inspired Live Inspired for allowing me share with you today. While seaside cottages and sunny beach homes offer the perfect place for decorating with coastal style artwork, you can bring your own slice of sea and surf to the suburbs or city for a year round tropical feel. I hope the following rooms will give you some decorating ideas to make your own. A navy outdoor living area gets a touch of the sea with an assortment of coastal wall accessories, along with cool little sailboats and lovely Chinoiserie elements. A beach decal sends a festive message saying, “It’s time to hit the sea and sand.” Mimicking the ocean, modern art prints bring the beach inside. The surf board leaning on the wall is a nice beachy touch. I love this coastal interior design. I love this pelican print topped by a bronze fish. Proof coastal décor can be as fun as it is chic, don't you think? An abstract painting fills the wall of this gorgeous beach home. The dolphin sculpture hanging from the ceiling is incredible. Art doesn’t necessarily have to be on the wall in a coastal home, shells make perfect works of art when placed on tables and shelves. For instance, the starfish pictured here. I’ve seen this triptych several times in different rooms and fall in love with all over again. It has a Captain Nemo feel to it. I could take these interior design ideas and run with them. Seahorses and a mermaid play above the fireplace. Palm leaves act as art when placed in a little niche such as this. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Which artwork was your favorite? For more inspiring ideas, head on over to Design Shuffle and find some of the best inspirations from around the world here!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

Image via: Coco + Kelley

This time tomorrow, I will be in the mid west! I am excited to dive back into Chicago for the weekend. It's going to be a fun filled weekend with family and friends. I am looking forward to stopping in all my favorite shops and soaking in the design inspiration.  

Be back soon with tales from the fun weekend!

Cheers!

Lisa

What to do, what to do, with all your kids art? Hear ya go!

This little article from Houzz popped up on my news feed and I couldn't resist a share. A lot of my clients have 1+ kids and they are always wanting to show off their kiddos creativity. And I don't blame them! Kids art has such a modern vibe to it, and always with that perfect touch of whimsy. So here are some ideas for showcasing your pride and joys work.

Enjoy!

Walls Play Dress-Up With Kids' Artwork

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Lighting on Houzz- For Example:

Ceiling Fans · Chandeliers · Kitchen Lighting And Cabinet Lighting · Light Bulbs · Pendant Lighting · Table Lamps · Track Lighting · Wall Sconces ·

Vintage obsession + Dunedin = One happy gal

Have you been to Dunedin? If not, stop all your plans for tomorrow and just go! It's kind of this amazing little town that makes my heart flutter every time I am there. You have everything you could possibly need, walking distance to salt water, great local dining (everything from BBQ to pizza!), locally owned shops some with new things and some with antiques, and my personal favs, two little neighbors that stole a big chunk of my vintage soul! The owners are wonderful and strike up conversation with a smile. On the left you have Kina Kouture  and on the right you have Lace Lingerie and Vintage Couture

Let's start first with Kina Kouture. I stumbled across this shop a few months ago when we moved to the Gulf Coast area and I fell in love! They have a great selection of dresses for the girl with the vintage soul. If you love the retro look and like to glam it up, this is the shop for you. They carry Stop Staring, Bettie Page, Tori Richard, Bernie Dexter and many more. My first piece I purchased was for my bridal shower I love everything about this dress, the classic A-line style (with pockets!) but mixed it up with the great diamond print, it almost had an ethnic feel to it. And it was so comfy to wear...

Myself (center) in my lovely blue dress from Kina Kouture with my fabulous bridesmaids at my bridal shower!

Today, the fiance and I made another trip back to Kina Kouture and I purchased a dress to wear this weekend for my bachelorette party. I am so excited to get slink into this perfectly fitted number. 

I feel like Joan from Mad Men

Image via google

And here is the dress I picked out today, can't wait to celebrate in it!

Image via Kina Kouture Blog

Then, just to the right, you step on over to Lace Lingerie and Vintage Couture and become enchanted with all the vintage finds! Right when you walk into the shop, there are lots of great lingerie goodies, they carry Hanky Pankies and even a great line of maternity lingerie.

Image via Lace Lingerie

Toward the back, Lace is bursting at the seams with lots of vintage goodies. 

Image via Lace Lingerie

I was so lucky to find a fabulous cobalt blue dress with great a great poppy print. 

I just can't get enough of it.... 

Myself mingling at a party in my lovely vintage poppy number from Lace!

Here are some similar items you will run across at Lace

Image via Lace Lingerie and Vintage Couture

I encourage you to stop by Dunedin and check out the great things all these local shops have to offer. Vintage and retro things might not be right up your alley, but there is an abundance of other types of shopping that might strike your fancy!

Oh yeah and one last thing...

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day! 

Enjoy the sun, festivities & fun, 

but remember what this holiday is all about. 

We salute you! 

Image via: Google