Easy Home Design – Gathering of Lines

Posted on August 31, 2019August 31, 2019 by Kathy

Decor for a Child’s Bathroom

decor for child's bathroom gathering of lines

Selecting decor for a child’s bathroom is the best. It’s a time to be whimsical, have a sense of humor and have some fun. One of my favorite places to go is to Target. I purchased both of the shower curtains below at Target. I happen to have two boys but if you have girls – forgetaboutit. The selection is just so cute!

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Shower curtain

Copyright © 2019 Gathering of Lines. Link to purchase is here.

So you might be asking yourself, “Do I have to have a theme?” No. just pick stuff you like and mix/match. My son’s (current) favorite color is dark blue so we went with that.

This shower curtain is just my favorite. A lot of guests use this bathroom and I think it works for adults too. It also makes me think of The Beatles, “Good Day Sunshine” too which makes me smile.

Copyright © 2019 Designs by Royi Berkovitz. Link to purchase shower curtain is here.

Now that we’ve got the shower curtains covered, let’s take a look at some bath mat and hand towel options.

Bath Mats

I love the Jurassic Park reference

decor for a child's bathroom — Copyright © 2019 Florent Bodart/ Speakerine. Link to purchase bath mat is here.

Gotta love some sleepy clouds in the morning.

Here are some playful options (decor for a child’s bathroom). Why do I love cacti so much?

gathering of lines — Copyright © 2019 Leah Flores. Link to purchase bath mat is here.

Copyright © 2019 Beth Thompson. Link to purchase bath mat is here.

Towels

Let me tell you an interior design secret…all your towels don’t have to match…shhh. Another secret that no one wants you to know…your bath mat, shower curtain, toothbrush holder and towels don’t all have to match either. It’s important to have some fun, especially with the kid’s bathroom. Mix and match stuff that makes you smile.

Copyright © 2019 tandemsy. Link to purchase towel is here.

Copyright © 2019 Crystal W Design. Link to purchase towel is here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! Want more inspiration for kid decor? Check out my post with baby’s room ideas (link here).

Posted on July 5, 2019July 5, 2019 by Kathy

How to use Wallpaper

Beautiful wallpaper options and how to use them in your home

Wallpaper is back. If nightmares from the 1990s, and the apple border around your kitchen, have you running for the hills, I hear you. I was skeptical too. Check out some ideas for how to use wallpaper in this 21st century.

Though I’m not a fan of wallpapering an entire room, here are 3 options for adding wallpaper to any room.

1.) Add wallpaper to just an accent wall.

How to use wallpaper, accent wall — Copyright (c) 2019 Elisabeth Fredriksson. Link to purchase is here.

Accent walls are great for statement paint, and also for wallpaper. It adds depth, dimension, and texture without a big pricetag. Adding to only one wall ensures that your eyes get a break.

2.) Line a bookshelf

This can be really fun and playful. Add wallpaper to the wood part behind the shelves. You’ll see the pattern peeking through behind the items on the shelves and it’ll add an inexpensive artistic style that is unique. Check out this cat icecream wallpaper. It’d be perfect on the bookshelf in a kids room or playroom.

How to use wallpaper, line back of a bookshelf — Copyright (c) 2019 ilovedoodle. Link to purchase is here.

3.) Add it to all the walls of a walk-in closet

This adds some glamour and fun but allows you to keep the rest of your bedroom serene and neutral. Check out this metallic option. Beautiful, sophisticated and a far cry from the 1990’s roses and apples.

how to use wallpaper, add to just the interior of a walk in closet — Copyright (c) 2019 VictoryS Link to purchase is here.

In addition to the 3 options above, here are 2 wallpaper options that we love:

serene choice for accent wall — Copyright (c) 2019 Mel Fischer. Link to purchase is here.

Gathering of lines home design wallpaper idea — Copyright (c) 2019 Emeline Tate. Link to purchase is here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design. Interested in reading more? Check out my latest post about sophisticated beach artwork (link here).

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Kathy

Sophisticated Beach Artwork

Gathering of Lines home design beach artwork

Copyright (c) 2019 Andrews12 Link to purchase here.

The ocean makes for a serene visual in any room and it’s possible to incorporate some beach artwork without becoming too “beachy.”

Art is one of the most important elements in any room. The best artwork, to me, includes family photographs but I also like to include our favorite things/places in our home decor (and the home decor of my clients). The fun thing about art is that there are no rules. If you love the beach (like we do), take a look at some options we found for sophisticated beach artwork.

The best thing about the artwork featured here is that it supports artists across the globe. Each piece of artwork provides income directly to the artist who made it – pretty cool.

Copyright (c) 2019 Ingrid Beddoes photography. Link to purchase is here.

The towels, people, and umbrellas add such pretty elements of color in the above aerial photograph. Don’t you love artwork that sparks positive memories? The above definitely reminds me of fun vacation days with my husband and family.

Copyright (c) 2019 Orara Studio Link to purchase is here.

Copyright (c) 2019 Anita’s & Bella’s Art Link to purchase is here.

Gotta love these palm tree beauties. The lines in the above palm prints are visually interesting while the black and white adds sophistication. One idea would be to frame 2 or 3 in the same size frame. They would look great over a bed or couch.

Copyright (c) 2019 Chris Martin Art. Link to purchase is here.

The above is just sheer beauty. Love the range of blues and greens and it definitely portrays the peace of the ocean.

Copyright (c) 2019 Steppunni Link to purchase is here.

I feel like I’m there when I see the above work of art (isn’t that a great feeling?).

Copyright (c) 2019 Nautical Decor. Link to purchase is here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design! I hope you enjoyed the above artwork. Do you have a favorite artist that we should check out? Are you an artist who would like to be featured on this blog? Send us a note or leave a comment below! We love checking out new art!

Posted on June 8, 2019June 8, 2019 by Kathy

10 Things to Shop for at an Antique Mall or Flea Market

Gathering of Lines Home Design Decor Ideas

I am not going to lie – I love Ikea, Target, Pottery Barn, Home Goods, and Restoration Hardware. I also love old things that had a life before I bought them. My solution is to mix and match items from both worlds. I’m all about picking my favorites from the mass produced/widely available and combining them with one of a kind items from flea markets and antique malls. Here’s my take on the top 10 things to shop for at an antique mall or flea market.

Mirrors

Gathering of Lines Antique mall wood Mirror

When it comes to mirrors, flea markets can have some architectural options. Keep in mind, sanding and staining, or repainting is always an option if the color doesn’t go with your vision.

Gathering of Lines Antique mall white Mirror

Books

Antique books are so beautiful and a stack of your favorites can be the perfect accent to a desk or bedside table. Check out this cover of an old copy of “The Jungle Book” that I found at a flea market. It’d be perfect for my child’s room and it’s only a dollar!

Gathering of lines 10 items to look for at flea markets - books

Old Magazines

These are great because you can frame the cover, or an interesting page inside, and it creates one of a kind artwork

Small Tables

These are great for guest room night stands or to put out when you have extra chairs set up around the holidays. Bonus- they are usually pretty inexpensive.

Wood Structures

Old windows, doors, and frames add great dimension and warmth to home decor.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas old windows

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas from an antique mall

Cast Iron Beauties

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas trivets

Vases

I bought this vase at an antique mall. While it is definitely not an antique (it says “not dishwasher safe” on the bottom haha), I love the color and that it can be used for candles, flowers, or just on its own. In this picture, I put it on our mantle with some coral that we found on our honeymoon.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas vases

Fabric

Interesting fabric is fun to find at flea markets. Use them for table runners, table clothes, or to cut up and use as journal covers. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see some ideas for a DIY Journal cover!

Vessels

I use this little guy for my hair ties and keep him on my closet shelf. They are great for post-it notes on your desk, or for keys on a table by the garage door.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas vessels to store frequently used items

Dishes

Dinner plates can be hung on the wall as artwork. Water pitchers make beautiful vases, or to, you know, serve water haha.

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas water pitcher

Gathering of Lines home decor ideas use antique plates as artwork

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! What did you find on your latest flea market shopping trip? What should I add to my list the next time I go shopping? Let me know your ideas in the comments below!

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Kathy

Travel: Toledo Botanical Gardens

Home decor and travel go hand in hand. What better photographs and accessories to use in your home than ones that remind you of a great trip with your friends and family?

Black and white peony photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Black and white peony – Gathering of Lines

You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to have a travel experience or create great art.

Pink peony photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Pink Peony – Toledo Botanical Gardens. Gathering of Lines Travel and Home Design

This past weekend, my family and I took a little stroll around the Toledo Botanical Gardens.

Purple flower photograph Gathering of Lines travel and artwork — Purple flower – Gathering of Lines

Here are some of my tips for taking a great photograph that you can use as artwork in your home:

Zoom in. This is especially great with nature, the purple flower above looks like a watercolor painting rather than a photograph.
Use the black and white setting on your phone. This can add a romance to your photograph and also helps cover up some imperfections (for example a petal that may be brown/decaying or to mask a red sunburn on your face).
Take pictures of flowers or trees that have a double meaning. Did you carry peonies at your wedding? Did your beloved Grandma always love violets? Does your Aunt Rose always give you a laugh? These double meanings will make you smile every time you pass the picture in the hallway.
Make sure interesting parts of the photograph intersect with the edges of the frame. For example – if you’re taking a photograph of a tree, make sure the tree trunk and branches lead your eye around to all four sides of the photograph. This is pleasing to the eye and helps your eye to move around the composition.

Tree and sky photograph gathering of lines travel — Make sure interesting parts of the photograph intersect with 3 or 4 sides of the frame.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! Do you want to see more tips for photography and creating your own art? Let me know in the comments below and tag me on Instagram – I’d love to see your pics!

Posted on May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 by Kathy

How to Pick a Paint Color

Picking a paint color, Gathering of lines home design

Pick your favorite neutral. For most people, this means gray, beige, or white. But take a look at the lightest two colors on paint swatches and see if one of those colors speaks to you.
In the neutral rooms, have fun with colorful accents – colorful art, curtains, bedding, rugs, towels, etc are an inexpensive way to have fun in a room (and they’re easy to change).

How to pick a paint color, select your favorite neutral — Neutral color is Sherwin Williams Popular Gray SW6071.
Trim/Molding is Sherwin-Williams Snowbound

Pick one or two brilliant colors for 2 rooms in your house. For example, keep the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms neutral but paint the dining room a darker color. Note – in these boldly painted areas keep the other color accents simple – white bedding, white curtains, black dresser, etc.

How to pick a paint color - choose one room for a brilliant, bold color. — Pick a bold, brilliant, color for one or two rooms in your house. Paint in this picture is Sherwin Williams: In the Navy SW 9178

Test the paint before you buy it. Paint a small area of the wall and look at it throughout the day as the light changes. This is great for your neutrals because you’ll be able to see them side by side and notice which one may look too brown or too gray. Note – be careful testing darker colors. If you’re testing a darker color, sometimes it’s hard to cover this test area if you decide on a lighter color later.
Use paint to make the room’s features stand out. For example, use a different paint color on a fireplace wall to make it stand out without having to pay for extra tile or molding. This is also fun for little nooks or walls with ornate windows.

How to pick a paint color - use to highlight fireplaces — Use paint to make a fireplace feature stand out. Blue color is Sherwin Williams: Watery SW6478. Neutral is Sherwin Williams: Popular Gray SW6071

Select the right type of paint sheen
- Gloss – easy to clean/wipe down but has a shine (great for children’s rooms/kitchens)
- Semi-gloss – easy to clean but offers less shine and may be more visually pleasing (great for living rooms)
- Flat/Matte – great for imperfect walls but shows dirt and doesn’t clean well (Great for older homes/apartments where the walls aren’t perfect)
- Eggshell – cleans well, masks flaws and is durable. (Popular sheen and is great in most rooms)
If you’re in a rental, have fun with an accent wall. Check your renter’s policy but most facilities are happy to let you paint one wall in your apartment as long as you paint it back to white when you move out.

How to pick a paint color, use artwork and colorful accents — Use artwork to add color to neutral walls.

Thank you for visiting Gathering of Lines Home Design! What’s your favorite paint color? Let me know in the comments below and share your room colors with me on Facebook and Instagram!

Posted on May 10, 2019May 10, 2019 by Kathy

Custom Home Decor Ideas for Shadow Box Frames

Gathering of Lines Shadow Box Decor Ideas

I love using sentimental items in the artwork around my house. The best news is: it couldn’t be quicker or easier to create a personalized framed art piece for yourself or someone else.

Start with an item you’d like displayed. A few years ago, my little son was a “ring bearer” at a wedding (Just a cute toddler in a tux with no ring bearing responsibilities haha). All day we kept saying, “Look at that tiny, cute, bow tie!” It was so small and cute that we just couldn’t handle it!
Optional – add a picture where the cute item is being used/worn.
Find an inexpensive shadow box frame. These frames have up to an inch of clearance so the glass won’t crush whatever you put inside. Here are some great options:
- 11″ X 14″ White
- 11″ X 14″ Gray with hinged front. This is cool because you can open and close the front easily to change things up.
- 8″ X 10″ Black – this one is very similar to the one I used for the bow tie.
Optional: add a cute background. I love the idea of using an old shirt, onesie, wallpaper that was taken down, handwritten notes, receipt from the night he/she proposed, or hospital blankets behind a picture, that way you will always have it on display.

It’s not just for kids or babies! I use a box frame to display family heirlooms (Old silver spoons that were passed down to me. They are not valuable in a monetary sense but they are priceless to me).

The background of the one above is a typed explanation from my Grandma who owned the spoons originally and how they were passed down through the family – pretty cool.

Other ideas for items to frame:

Flowers are awesome pressed into frames especially from special occasions!

Souveniers from a trip – we bought this wood heart from a craftsman on a tropical vacation. I framed it with some inexpensive remnant fabric in the background.
Other ideas: key chains, Christmas ornaments that look like decorations (non-christmassy stars, snowflakes, etc make beautiful accents), Have a family member handwrite their award-winning recipe and put some antique measuring spoons in with it. Jewelry. (use small pins to hold it up in the box). Maybe the necklace you wore to your wedding, or that your mom, sister, brother wore.

The possibilities are endless!

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design. Did you create your own shadow box masterpiece? If so take a pic and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your work.

Posted on May 9, 2019May 9, 2019 by Kathy

Deciding on a Master Bathroom Vanity

Gathering of Lines Home Design marble vanity, arched mirror, decor ideas

When my husband and I decided on our master vanity, we wanted something that looked like furniture and had storage.

Gathering of Lines Master Vanity, Vanity mirrors, marble vanity, marble master vanity

We got price quotes from our builder for custom cabinets and countertops that made our jaw drop. We found this vanity, instead, at Home Depot for 1/3 the price. This vanity has authentic marble countertops with beautiful details, lines, and plenty of storage.

I couldn’t find our exact vanity but this one is very similar.

Gathering of lines home design bathroom mirror ideas

As for the mirrors, we were looking to add a little personality in this department. Mirrors can be a budget-friendly way to add some character while still maintaining the resale value of the home. Instead of the boring rectangle, we went for these arched mirrors. I wasn’t able to find our exact mirrors as we got them on sale but similar ones can be found here.

I was dreaming of a beautifully styled bathroom. Pretty towels, scented candles, orchids…and…my husband’s allergy bottle, mouth wash, nail clippers…wait..huh.

I struggled with how to mix real life with beautiful decor in the bathroom and came up with a simple solution.

Gathering of Lines Home Design marble vanity, arched mirrors, home decorating ideas

Pretty basket= less cluttered look. It’s easy to maintain as my husband and I can simply throw the items back in a basket without having to think about it.

We aren’t constantly opening drawers and cupboards to look for the items we need every morning/evening and we still get a clean, polished, look.

Easy maintenance and easy on the eyes.

A similar basket can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! Do you want be to create a master vanity buying guide? Let me know in the comments below!

Posted on May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 by Kathy

Small Price Tag ~ Custom Art Work

Here at Gathering of Lines, I’m all about customizing home decor. While I love mass-produced art prints (and use them in my home), sometimes it’s nice to display artwork that has a meaning or memory that is specific to our family.

The mantel in our living room needed a piece of artwork. I wanted something that had a sense of humor but also captured the love I feel for my family.

My husband took this photo on our family vacation in Washington, D.C. when my son was 18 months old. He was running around the Jefferson Memorial and he got this shot on his iPhone (no fancy camera’s here). Sometimes the best pictures happen in the moment and all you have handy is your iPhone. It’s ok to use what you have!

I ordered the print on Shutterfly, size 20″ x 30″ for $18.39 +shipping (note, check out Shutterfly’s home page as they always have promo codes).
The frame is from Ikea (link here) size 24″ x 35 ¾” <–This size includes the mat. Your picture size with mat will be: Width: 19 ¾” Height: 27 ½” Since I ordered the 20″ x 30″ print this means that I’ll have 1/8″ overlap on the top/bottom and 1.25″ inches on either side of the print.

All in all, this cost us $42.97. Yet, it has been one of my favorite pieces to look at every day. No expensive photographer, no expensive camera, no expensive custom framing, no posing or special outfit, just a moment from a day of exploring with my husband and my little son that warms my heart.

Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines! Follow along on Instagram to see more ideas for home decor and artwork!

Posted on May 3, 2019May 6, 2019 by Kathy

How I Keep My Orchids Blooming

Beautiful, affordable, white orchid. How to keep the orchid blooming — How I keep my orchids blooming! (c) 2019 Gathering of Lines

Have you ever gotten a beautiful orchid and found that within ten days, all the blooms have fallen off and you’re left with leaves and two empty sticks? Orchids are a beautiful, affordable, way to add flowers to any room without having to buy an arrangement every week. My coworker gave me an excellent tip that I thought I’d share. The orchids in the photographs here have kept their blooms for 3 months now.

Close up of white orchid
gathering of lines blog — How I keep my orchids blooming! (c) 2019 Gathering of Lines

tips for keeping that orchid blooming

Only water once per week. Every other week, I use a tablespoon measuring spoon and add 5 tablespoons of plain water. (some people use an ice cube, this hasn’t worked for my orchids in the past)
On the alternate weeks, I use 5 tablespoons of a Miracle Grow Orchid Food/water mixture. It’s inexpensive and can be found for sale on Amazon (link below).

Side note – don’t you love that planter? I found it on sale here:

As the instructions indicate above, mix 1/4 teaspoon of orchid food with a gallon of water and you’re all set! I only use 5 tablespoons every other week so that gallon will last a long time. Find the orchid food here:

Thanks for stopping by Gathering of Lines – if you have any home decor posts you’d like to see, leave it in the comments below!

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