Featuring "Decidedly Chic" Throw Pillows

Finding the right throw pillow for a space is a great way to add color, texture, and style, without a big commitment.  It's the most affordable way to quickly transform a room.  I love changing out throw pillows, to add punches of color and great patterns, go with the seasons, or just to create a different mood.  I love having a solid-colored couch in a family room or living room, because it allows you to get creative with accents, without blowing your budget.  My style has changed since my first apartment, and I like easy, affordable ways my rooms can adapt with me.

Decidedly Chic is an Etsy shop that offers an eclectic mix of affordable throw pillows. Customize your home with handmade throw pillows and accessorize without having to fall back on mass-produced items to stay on budget.  Click on any of the photos to find them for purchase. 


I asked Dixie, the designer behind Decidedly Chic, what her inspirations is.  She says,
"Ethnic art - textiles & architecture inspire me.  I really appreciate handmade crafts from small villages or towns from different parts of the world. Their artwork, as well as their architecture, is intricate, detailed and originally their own. It is the unique cultural contribution that influences the styles I seek out for my pillow covers, such as the ikats, suzanis, and geometric patterns, with the trellis and lattice designs being some of my favorites. "

I love this Ikat pattern.  On trend right now, and yet the soft tones make it timeless. 

Dixie loves her work, and it shows.  She enjoys every part of the creative process, designing, and sewing her pillows.  I asked her to describe her style.
"I love to mix and match from different styles, cultures and try to find an exotic, yet modern vintage edge. You will notice many florals mixed in with exotic patterns in contemporary colors in my shop."
For a more traditional aesthetic, I love the crewelwork on this pillow.

Visit her shop, and you will find traditional floral fabrics, along with modern and more contemporary pieces.  I love the vintage feel of these damask pillows.  The pop of orange brings just enough color to this calming, neutral bedroom.

Her mix of styles and colors makes her shop fun to browse through.  There's truly something for everyone.  I asked her what designer she admires, and she says, 
"I admire Diane Von Furstenberg for her contribution to functional and highly fashionable clothing for women. Her fashion forward sense is also noticed in her new venture into the home décor industry. I can see myself mixing and matching to my eclectic heart’s content."

Featuring Avec Dieu Couture

Couture for your home, at a high quality and reasonable price.  What more can you ask for?  


Avec Dieu Couture Custom Drapes

Meet Amanda, the designer behind Avec Dieu Couture.  Always creative, as a child, she designed clothing and home decor for her Barbies.  Shen then grew up and put her creativity on the back burner, as she became busy with her career in counseling and her family life.  About 4 years ago, she came up with the idea of a home decor business.  Upon prayer and great reflection, she decided to go for it, and started with a notebook of ideas.  Avec Dieu Couture was born.  She has achieved great success on Etsy, and she even had her drapes featured in a room remodel on HGTV!

She makes custom drapes, created just for you, for under $100.



Damask Drapes


What is your inspiration?
"I like the idea of a unique modern look. Fabric stores often have the same boring floral designs, and home decor stores often just have the same solid drape options. Since it was difficult to find a unique option, I decided to make that my focus....The idea behind my products was quality and a couture look that couldn't be found in the stores. Stores often use a thin cotton lining and all of my drapes are lined with a high quality liner to protect them from sun damage. "

She also makes pillows, ranging from $15 to $30.

Blue Haze Pillows

How would you describe your style?
"I would say my style is a bit eclectic, but mostly modern. Even with traditional looks, like to add a modern twist." 

Wine Bags

 Her biggest influences?
"My biggest influence has been God. My life has been transformed in ways I never could have imagined myself. I have found that when I listen, there is guidance to my next step. I would also say my parents. My parents are wonderful people and have taught me how to act to others and the importance of caring. They also told me I could do anything I wanted in life over and over again :-) That had to affect my willingness to take on the things in my life that I have. "


Spring Bloom Cloth Napkins



Amanda gives back.
 "I originally chose Uganda because I read there was a great need for wells and financial assistance with the orphanages. Being a counselor, I really feel for people in need and believe everyone should help each other out. It is a good virtue to have to give, and when you do and eventually find yourself in need, then you will be surprised how people around you will help. I have also donated to Haiti and to Japan after the earthquake. I usually pray on where the money should go before donating." 

Amanda offers a wide range of products. Nursery and childrens' decor, shower curtains, bath towels, ring bearer pillows, and even political satire wall mirrors, which can be customized according to size and political views!

Thank you, Amanda, for letting us take a look at your beautiful shop and products! A perfect example of how we can all live a little more beautifully, by customizing our homes to get exactly the look we want, and by giving back to those in need.

Featuring Muse Silk Paintings

Think couture is just for celebrities?  Absolutely not!  It's obtainable for us all.  Let me introduce you to Muse Silk Paintings, hand-painted silk scarves from Angel Ray.  Her work defines wearable art.  She creates luxury items while offering a price range that is affordable.  Find the perfect one-of-a-kind scarf for you and know no one else will have your special accessory.

Watercolor Spring Floral

Angel Ray, the designer behind Muse Silk Paintings has a background in fashion.  She says: 
"After my clear love for color and almost obsessive patterns in my paintings, the field of surface/textile design provided a perfect career choice....I have created graphics and textile designs for some very big name designers...I will say that the pressure, limitations and fast-paced environment of a corporate design field do not leave much room for creative expression."

Love Entanglement

How was Muse Silk Paintings born?  
"It was maybe 4 or 5 years ago…. was working 16 hour days, and had lost all memory of what it felt like to be expressive of my own ideas.  I needed a creative outlet desperately and started looking through a community college pamphlet for extended learning courses.  I saw 'silk painting' and thought I would give it a try.   From the moment my brush hit the silk I was hooked!  My first silk painting experience took my breath away!...As much as I love painting and drawing, I felt my silk paintings would be more versatile and sell better than prints or canvas paintings, because not only is it a hand painted artwork, but also a unique, fashion accessory. There is something quite intimate about my painting draped close over my clients’ neck rather than stagnant, gathering dust on the wall.  Mixing my love of art with my experience in fashion/textile design seemed like a great combination, and so I decided to focus in and eventually start my business. Muse Silk Paintings." 

Black Cherry

What is her inspiration? 

"I have a slightly obsessive personality, so I go through phases.  I’ve been trying to focus my bursts of fascination into seasonal collections this past year.  For example, for the longest time all I could do was draw mushrooms and dream of the fairytale landscapes, therefore my fall collection theme last year was “Fairytale Forest”.  In general, patterns in nature, such as wood grain, butterfly wings, veins on a leaf and fairytale dreams, and anything beautiful inspires me."

Shady Bouquet

Who is her Muse? What person, artist, or designer does she professionally admire?

"
I think my number one muse is the sky.  The amount of stunning color combinations and gorgeous cloud formations, sun rays pouring through, etc.just blows my mind! 

Fashion Houses: Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Erdem, Dosa, Pucci

Living artists: James Sienna, Victoria Hunter McKenzie, Linda Monfort, Sally Trace, Mandy Budan, Helen Klebesadel

Dead artists: Hundertwasser, Klimt, O’Keefe, Van Gogh

Fiber/Silk Artists: Lynn Meek, Fiona Stolze, Dagmar, Marcia Ferris, Jan Billings, Carol Law Conklin, Maria Jurmae"


She also offers custom banners:

Nouveau Kiss

How can you find Muse Silk Paintings?

Her Etsy store - Click on the title of this post or go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/MuseSilkPaintings 

Of her customers, she says:
"My customers are usually women either buying themselves a special piece or a really thoughtful gift for a family member or close friend.  Hand painted scarves are a really intimate, yet still classy and appropriate gift for people, teachers, in-laws, and even co-workers/bosses who are sometimes hard to buy for."

She'll be on vacation from her Etsy store in June and July.  When asked about her biggest challenge, she says: 
"Time Management, hands down.  I need more hours in the day!  Silk painting is very labor intensive.  Between creating my new pieces and all the time and effort that goes into marketing, it leaves little time for anything else.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever overcome this challenge, however I will be taking the next 2 months, June and July, to really focus on creating a more reasonable schedule."

Scarf Display From Last Show

Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MuseSilkPaintings

"I call my FB fans my Musies, but they are not always my customers.  They are made up of friends, family, fellow artisan business owners, silk painters and just, in general, art lovers. Their words of encouragement and candid feedback are invaluable to me." 

Her other links:

Red Bubble Store: http://www.redbubble.com/people/musesilk/portfolio
Blog: http://musesilkpainting.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musesilkpaintings/sets/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Muse_Silk