Design that screams me.

Other people influence our decisions more than we realize, this is true for our own design tastes and creativity, as well.  One of the practices found in chapter one of The Artist's Way is to recognize the champions and "enemies," of our creativity, those who encourage us and those who hinder us.

These people, the ones who have the potential to hinder our creative flow can be very special to us, but we don't always see how their impact.  I have many great friends, who tend to be very logical, matching, symmetrical people, they are great.  But here's the thing, I'm not a matcher, I'm artist, I love mixing, and while I believe there is a place for symmetry, but it does not reign supreme in my house.  

Over a month ago,  I covered these eight white frames with this cute pale green paper and hung them on my living room wall.  I was happy with the project and it looked good.  I kept thinking it was something you would find in some great design magazine, simple but making a great statement.  The more I thought that, the more I realized it just wasn't me... It could be better.

    

Oh, it got better.  Friday, while on my little artist's date, I fell in love with these three papers, that I found among the wealth of scrapbooking products. (I don't scrapbook, it's too meticulous and matchy matchy for me, not my thing.)  Anyways, I knew that I wanted to use them in my white frames, but struggled to envision how three patterns could evenly fit into eight frames....

UNTIL, I remembered that symmetry was not required.
         

I am in love with the finished product.  It just jumps right off the wall and I have to admit, I catch myself staring at it frequently.  I can't help but smile with each glance, because I really truly feel like I have made this idea my own.

As one who appreciates great design, I'm a big fan of the great looks found in catalogue pages, but I don't want to live in a catalogue, I don't want my house to look just like everyone else who shops at the same places.  I want to live in a house that exhibits our love for life, adventure and creativity... everywhere you look. So, welcome to my house, what is your home like?  What do you want it to say?