Want: Best of Harrisburg ArtFest 2013

There was a noticeable difference in this year's vibe: less of a gritty street festival and more like a leisurely art stroll...chalk it up to new organizers, the fact that we weren't panting in the shade or maybe a more carefully curated vendor selection, this was the first ArtFest 'want' almost became my master. My picks for Best in Show:

'Leaves by Jenny' garden fountain feature - beautifully made, well-priced and the kit contains everything you need
To Order

  

Barry Middleton of 'Woodsongs' creates these works of art in doors; obvious Craftsman style uses, but would also be wonderful in a zen-like bedroom

Two home-grown artists that are worth checking out: 

Tom Snyder of 'Swamphox Photography' has absolutely fabulous offerings of painterly, manipulated images - every home needs one...

Teresa Haag explores "environment, architecture and atmosphere" in her cityscape paintings...my first response brought to mind hints of an urban version of Maxfield Parrish's not-so-beautiful landscapes, but the longer I looked, I saw the heart underlying the brushstrokes; she's a painter to watch...

Want: Every Home Needs One

There is quite a history to the 'chaise longue' (spelling correct), which translates to 'long chair', but I won't bore you with it....suffice it to say that the styling runs from Rococco to uber-modern and it's uses range from decorative to cozy to space bridging. Look around your home and see what could be swapped out or added to bring in a chaise...and go from merely having your feet up to utter repose

Bit of a velvet rope around this one, but what a focal point, especially in an industrial-chic interior

Serves as punctuation here...

...and as sculpture here

Lovely reading nook for a bedroom

When stretching out, add a bolster under your knees to keep them from hyper-extending

Bridges the room to serve as a perch for conversing with either side

As a room divider 

Image sources:elledecor,nidahspa,newbedroomiedea,bonluxat,bs2h

101: Negative and Positive Space in Room Design

At it's simplest, positive space is an object and negative space is...well, when no object is occupying a space...which is when you see the interior finishes that, hopefully, serve to enhance the objects. The eye needs a place to rest and a good composition provides a balance between the two. While this concept is easily grasped in modern interiors, it's a bit more subtle in traditional ones...find your moment of zen below.

White is the ultimate negative space, elevating everyday objects to sculpture

Equal distribution of black and white creates balance here

Imagine how different this would feel with wood floors and wall color

Symmetry and bits of dark keep this from floating away

Color blocking against neutral backdrop

Lots of white, subtle upholstery pattern, similar dark tables and accessories calm this busy composition

An exuberant disregard for negative spacing; I'm afraid I'd develop a tic five minutes in, but what confidence!

Image source: Architectural Digest

Roundabout Mechanicsburg: Popcorn Pie and the Value of Nuance

I love small towns for their historic buildings and the synergy created by small business owners showcasing their niche passion, solely for our delight and, more often, consumption. We've gone from being a 'front porch' community culture to one of  'back deck' isolation, but these small-town businesses help ease that divide.

Recently, I had the good fortune to stumble onto a "First Friday" on Main Street, and more importantly, into a little confectioner's called "Brittle Bark". I paused in front of Brittle Bark Pie, (a lovely combo of popcorn, flavored brittle, nuts and chocolate drizzle), I perused dozens of combinations and I purchased a small bag of Brittle Bark flavored with coconut and cinnamon.

Now, both of these flavors can easily overwhelm, but in my mouth they struck subtle, discernible notes on their best behavior...as my taste buds were doing the happy dance, I couldn't help but think that conscious restraint in room design was just as elusive ( bet you didn't see that one coming...)

As I munched away - forget about sharing - I cast about for images that combined subtlety and great style or nuanced use of color and pattern....feast your eyes below

The words subtle and animal print rarely collide in the same sentence, but this works

Sigh....unbelievable tactile treat (silk/linen velvet) and remarkable for what wasn't added

Asymmetric use of color and nothing jumps in your face

Just wouldn't be the same with patterned pillows and landscape art

Traditional use of color and pattern in the deft hands of Charlotte Moss

Same skill with a Boho vibe

Lamps disappear into wall, bit of gleam, high/lows in sofa fabric and love the facets of light and shadow thrown by garden stool

Stone-cold traditional and incredible attention to detail: tape on sofa skirt, contrast fabric on leading edge of drapery and bullion fringe on tufted chair combine to evoke old money

It's red, it's bold patterned and it's cluttered, but it manages to keep your eye moving

Image Sources:housebeautiful,washingtonpost,jamiebeckwith,elledecor,11gray

...aaand they're off!

Besides mint juleps, the Kentucky Derby is all about hats...which look a lot like lamp shades...hmmm, no chicken and egg here... (and if historians are right and mans' first item of clothing was a hat, then we need to revise our notion of the oldest profession...)

...ooh, this brings to mind the intrigue of half hidden things...stay tuned for a room accessory post next

Image sources:ablocal,busyboo,cottagestyle,ladydiane,thriftystyleliving,treehugger,washingtonpost