Last month, I posted a time-lapse video of a train painting I created for my five-year-old son (link here). Within the last week, he said, “You need to do another project! Keep painting!” I had always heard the expression (I’m paraphrasing) – Keep creating art and you will find someone who loves it. I did not realize how special it would be for my little art collector to be my own five-year old son.
He and I looked through some of my photos from when I was in Europe and i told him to pick something that I could draw next. He picked a photo of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy.
This is the perfect place for a family vacation with active young children. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is to be stuck in a tiny hotel room with an active 2 year old on a rainy day trying to figure out what to do. D.C. is great because if it’s a nice day, you can explore the many outdoor monuments and memorials. If it’s rainy, you can visit the FREE Smithsonian museums (museum admission is free to many museums in D.C.).
Washington Monument
The D.C. metro is easy to navigate and a wonderful way to explore the city with your family. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Arlington Courthouse (link here), and took the metro all over the city. It was a fast way to see a lot in a short amount of time.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Because we had an active 2 year old on this trip, we didn’t focus too much on the food. (Though D.C. has many amazing restaurants). We had the free breakfast at our hotel and went for inexpensive and fast eating mainly subs, pizza, salads, etc at places where you order, get your food and sit down. (No waiting for a waitress). This helped our little one have more patience for other waiting situations during the trip (waiting for the metro, or waiting to get into a museum).
National Air and Space Museum
My son’s favorite place was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (link here). After one of his naps, the first thing he said was, “Go see Neptune again.”
National Archives
One of my husband’s favorite parts of the trip was seeing the Constitution at the National Archives.
My favorite places were the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. (Both had free admission!).
What are your favorite places to visit with your family? What are your tips for making it a great trip? Let me know in the comments below!
Hosting a wedding or baby shower, or just having the boss for dinner? Here are some easy centerpieces that are affordable yet beautiful and will add a special touch to any casual event.
I bought three bouquets from Trader Joe’s for $3.99 each (Total amount spent on all the flowers shown in this post is $12. but most arrangments can be made from a single $3.99 bouquet).
Here is what a single $3.99 arrangement looks like thrown in a vase.
Flower Arrangement 1
For this arrangement, I used stemless martini glasses that I already had. If you don’t have stemless martini glasses, Amazon sells them for $18 for a set of 4, link to purchase here. These are great to have as you can use them for 4 tables at an event and then bring them home and reuse them again and again.
Flower Arrangement 2
For this arrangement:
Rip the leaves off the hydrangea
Put a tea light inside of a water glass. Tea lights set of 30 for $6 (link here)
Put the water glass inside of a bigger vase. Use a bigger vase that you have already (Similiar vase can be found for here)
Position the leaves in the vase (outside of the water glass so the water glass is a barrier between the flame and the leaves)
This arrangement looks great next to a guestbook at an event! If you have a hydrangea bush in your yard and use vases you already have, this is practically free!
Flower Arrangement 3
This is another great way to use those hydrangea leaves. Add a little bit of water to the wine glass and a single flower. Set of 6 wine glasses can be found for $20 here. Another great place to look for glasses is the salvation army.
Flower Arrangement 5
For the above arrangement, I used 2 Trader Joe’s bouquets, 2 stemless martini glasses, an inexpensive vase, and candle. (links to the stemless martini glasses and the vase can be found above). I love that it’s a bigger arrangement but still easy to throw together. If you don’t want to buy martini glasses, that’s understandable. Just use what you have – water glasses, mason jars, etc.
Flower Arrangement 6
This entire arrangement was made from a single $3.99 bouquet from Trader Joe’s. I used a champagne glass, a shot glass, and a votive. Set of 6 champagne glasses for $30 can be found here. Set of 4 shot glasses for $10 can be found here. Set of 30 votives for $14 can be found here.
Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design! Got any creative ideas for a centerpiece? Let us know in the comments below!
When I was pregnant 5 years ago, I received a sentimental gift that blew away any option I’d seen at Babies”R”Us. She purchased it on Etsy and ever since, I have visited Etsy frequently for home decor purchases and gifts. Here’s my take on the top 5 Etsy stores for baby room decor.
Kid you will move mountains baby blanket. Link to purchase can be found here.Floral blanket link can be found here.
Emmiebel Studio sells amazing handmade items for baby. The fabrics are creative, beautiful and make excellent gifts. Blankets can be personalized, are made of soft material, and make great backdrops as you take pictures of your baby. Not only do moms get a lot of use out of these blankets but they become keepsakes that they will treasure for many years to come.
Link to purchase the “Kid you will move mountains” baby blanket can be found here.
Link to purchase the Floral personalized baby blanket can be found here.
Large animal wooden block toy. Link to purchase can be found here.Colorful Wooden Blocks make a great decoration and toy. Find the blocks at this link.
ChildwoodStudio creates wooden toys for children that are works of art. They are beautiful on a dresser or shelf in baby’s room and as baby grows he or she will have lots of fun playing with them as well.
Link to the purchase the large animal blocks can be found here.
Link to the purchase the cube-shaped blocks can be found here.
I received this mobile at my baby shower 5 years ago. It came in a kit with pre-cut fabric that I hand stitched. It goes with almost any baby room theme and is different than anything I could find in a store at the time. ButtonFaceCo no longer sells that specific kit but they do sell a pattern that you can download here.
If you’re not a DIY-er. I hear you. I get in and out of DIY stuff all the time. The Lovely Symphony Etsy shop sells something pre-made that looks similar (No cutting or sewing required):
Sweet Bananas Art sells lots of incredible wall art for any room in your house but check out these wood signs for children! They are full of imagination and fun.
Link to purchase the Forest Animals Nursery Name sign can be found here.
White & Purple Pennant Bunting Banner. Link to purchase can be found here.
I love bunting banners. They add texture and subtle colors. These are made from cotton and would be great to use for decoration at a baby shower. Bonus- mom-to-be can take it home and use it in the baby’s room. Decorations that have a great memory tied to them are the best. Mom can also use it for decoration at birthday parties too.
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
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.
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!
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.
Cast Iron Beauties
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.
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.
Dishes
Dinner plates can be hung on the wall as artwork. Water pitchers make beautiful vases, or to, you know, serve water haha.
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!
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 – Gathering of Lines
You don’t have to buy a plane ticket to have a travel experience or create great art.
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 – 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.
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 onFacebook and Instagram!
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″ 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.
When my husband and I decided on our master vanity, we wanted something that looked like furniture and had storage.
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.
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.
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.
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!
