Creating Custom Wall Art with Stretched Canvas

By: Dawn Monclova

Modern Abstract Ready to Hang Stretched Canvas Oil Painting

If you’re looking for a unique and cost-effective way to dress-up your walls, why not create your own masterpiece with canvas and paint. Creating an original work of art shouldn’t be intimidating, but it should be a fun and creative way to express yourself. There are no rules to follow, just create something that makes you feel good and complements your space.

If you're an artist, that’s great! But if you’re a novice you can use several tools to help you create a unique piece. Start your project by purchasing inexpensive stretched artist canvas in the size of your choice, then choose acrylic or oil based paints to put onto your blank canvas. I’m not a painter, but I used my limited skills to create a couple of eclectic original art pieces that work for my living space.

On one of my pieces I used several 16"x20" stretched canvas pieces and hot glued them together (side by side – up & down) to create the look and size I wanted for my wall space. I added lightweight fast-drying spackle to fill on the areas that were glued together (using a spackle knife), and created depth and texture to the piece by placing spackle onto  random areas around the canvas (you can also add white glue to random areas to get a crackled look).

I painted the background with a flat black paint and used oil-based artist paints (several rich colors -- use colors to suit your style/taste) sporadically  around the canvas. I squirted different colors to different areas and used a spackle knife to spread out the paint (instead of using a paint brush); the blended paints created a unique design/art piece. To add additional depth, I added specific colors to certain areas around the canvas to highlight it—remember, you’re creating art, as long as it looks good to you it’s art. When you’ve got the look you want, let it dry, sign your masterpiece and display it proudly.

In another original art piece, I used my limited painting skills and two 24"x36" stretched canvas pieces, glued them together (same as above) and painted a bowl of fruit the way I perceived it. You don't have to be an artist to paint your own masterpiece. Art is perception, it's based on what the individual sees and feels when they look at it. So, be your own artist and express yourself!

Tools Needed:

• Stretched artist canvas
• Spackle
• Spackle Knife
• Paint (any type—acrylic, oil, stains, glazes)
• Sponge brush- Paint brushes

*Canvas painting Ideas:

1. Stencil- use stencils on your canvas to create a great look
2. Modeling Paste- use modeling paste with stencils to create a raised textured look & feel
3. Wood Stain- use wood stain to create a wood block piece

Spruce up your Indoor and Outdoor Floors with Acacia Wood Tile

By: Dawn Monclova

Acacia Wood Tiles

I recently discovered a really cool way to spruce up indoor and outdoor floors using Acacia Wood Tiles. I’m sure that it’s been available for a while, but I only recently stumbled on it when I was trying to come up with stylish and affordable ideas for my bathroom floors.

Acacia wood tiles are Eco-friendly plantation grown Teak wood that can be easily snapped into place over your existing deck, patio, basement, kitchen, garage, gym and bathroom floors within a matter of hours. The tiles are interlocked and snapped into place without the need for a drill, hammer, nails, staples, screws, adhesives, etc. It's a perfect do-it-yourself project.

These tiles are very durable and weather resistant. It's also resistant to rot, decay, mold, mildew, termites, moisture and fungi, that’s why it’s really perfect for basement and bath floors. The raised under-locking grid helps air and water to flow through, making it easy for wet surfaces to dry completely.



Decorating Ideas for Acacia Wood Tiles:

• Create an outdoor wood path—try placing it over your old path.
• These wood tiles can be laid onto any flat surface, use it to create a quick & cool outdoor patio.
• Create a custom wood runner for your hallway.
• Use it as a rug in your office, living, dining or family room.
• Create a front door mat.
• Get a spa feel in your bathroom and place acacia wood tiles over your existing tile.
• Create a garage gym—cover up your garage floor with wood tiles.
• Cover up your ugly basement floors.
• Cover up your current deck floors.

Decorate your Interior with Faux Brick/Stone Wallpaper

By: Dawn Monclova

Faux brick/stone wallpaper is the easiest and most affordable way to achieve a designer look without the designer price. Faux stone/brick wallpaper looks like real stone or brick, and adds dimension, texture and style to your space. It's also a great way to create a focal point in your home or office.

These faux finishes bring a unique and funky look to living rooms, family rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, dorm rooms, and offices. Faux brick or stone wallpaper can change the entire feel of your room and instantly give it a dramatic and stylish touch. This is a great look for any contemporary, modern, traditional or French-country style interior.

You can find all types of faux wallpaper coverings (including brick & stone) at great prices online and at home improvement retail stores. Get samples of your favorites (if you can) before you make your choice to make sure that you love  the look. Most faux wallpapers are pre-pasted for easy installation and removal, and comes with standard, easy to follow, wallpaper installation instructions. Make sure that you measure the area of installation so that you'll know how much wallpaper to buy and wouldn't run out of paper in the middle of your decorating project (that's the worst ;).

Faux Brick Wallpaper

Where Can I Place My Faux Wallpaper? Ideas:

• Staircase wall (shows off the staircase).
• On fireplace wall for dramatic emphasis.
• Indoor columns- (for a Wow! Look).
• Behind the stove or sink (for an affordable designer back splash).
• The wall leading out to the deck or wall surrounding a window- bringing the outdoors inside (brick & stone).
• Main wall (focal wall) in the dining or living room.
• Bedroom- wall behind the headboard.
• Bathroom walls for the funky touch (add extra glue).
• Hallways, entire office space, etc.

Fauz Brick Wall Decals

Faux Stone Wall Mural