Steven Miller Art You Can Afford! Really!

Decorators like fashionistas jump on trends. Whether it's a designer purse or a Greek key anything, or the same type of art work, there is always something that everyone just has to have. Paloma at La Dolce Vita did a great post on this subject.

Mixing in abstract art with interior decorating is definitely a trend here to stay. From the high prices in the thousands, to Etsy and bloggers making art for sale at more affordable prices, there is something out there for everyone, even if you make it yourself.

The art of Steven Miller as seen in Elle Decor

Elle Decor recently had a feature on the stylish New York City home of Michael Leva. A piece of art jumped out at me, because of the popular motif beloved by many decoristas. The painting was done by Steven Miller. So I went on over to his web site, and loved what I saw. His work is wonderful. As I tooled around I found a link pointing to a place where you can buy prints of his work at Fine Art America!

Steven Miller art canvas print - $207.

Steven Miller art canvas print $207.

How fabulous! It's an art shopping site for the masses! You can get a reproduction of Steven's paintings that sell in the thousands, at very affordable prices. Of course who wouldn't want an original? But in the meantime, here's a way to get something really nice for your decorating dreams. I wish more artists would do something like this, offer reproductions of their work. The art market will always have those valued collectors who will only buy originals, but there is also a market of millions of everyday home makers who would buy nice reproductions like the ones Steven smartly offers.

Artist Lee Krasner - Why do girls love circle so much?

I don't know why circles and scribbles have struck such a note with decorators, both home and profesional. Like it or not, it is a trend that seems entrenched. I have a board at Pinterest with a ton of examples of this type of art. It's fascinating to see all the riffs on the same theme gathered in one place.

Go check out my Pinterest board called Circles and Scribbles

From Southern Accents Magazine - This image started the trend that every decorator an blogger had to do

From The NY Times (photo by Sara Essex Bradley)

I bought this little piece of trendiness three years ago for $75.

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Visual Vamp Report

I imagine by now most of you who are still reading magazines, have seen the latest issues from the big three that are still left standing: House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and Veranda. Architectural Digest is still here too, but it is not really as relevant most of the time due to its stagnant, but well financed editorial view.

Of the big three, House Beautiful is by far the best of them this month. Elle Decor fell flat again, and seems to really be struggling with content. Veranda fell ever flatter.

Maybe the big shake-up of moving Stephen Drucker to Town and Country, and replacing him with Newell Tucker will be good for T & C, because this the last Drucker issue is another great one in a series of them that he has been producing lately.

Veranda is getting ex Domino star Dara Caponigro at the helm of the luxury brand Veranda, though I have no issues with the stellar Leslie Newsom's excellent stewardship . I hope she is going to bigger and better projects. You just can't have a knock-out issue every month can you, and maybe this being Newsom's last issue gave it that "I'm over it" vibe.


The cover story from House Beuatiful is girly gorgeous. You can see all the photos and read a terrific back story about at The Style Saloiniste HERE

I was especially delighted because I have the same mid century chest that wunderkind Mellisa Warner has in her posh and pretty apartment!

I snapped a quick photo of mine for you this morning and styled it in the same vein.

I grabbed some flowering branches outside my door. They are so cool. I don't know waht they are. They look like mini passion flowers, but they are growing on a huge tree like bush instead of a vine.

For a moment I wanted to repaint my chest! The white and blue looks so fresh.

My piece is actually three of these chests hooked together, with a long pecan wood top. I have often thought about separting them, and making three new tops so I could use each of them in a different way.

The piece is vintage Baker, and when I bought it in a thrift store years ago, no one was attributing these Baker pieces to the pedigree they are now enjoying on sites like 1stdibs.

I repainted mine, but it is still close to the original color. I aged it a bit which fits with the faded decadence that is New Orleans. I think if I painted it a slick white (with possibly lime green insets) it would not work for my room. The beautiful hardware on my piece is also not modern like Melissa's, but more baroque.



Other news is that Amanda Talley just sent off the painting to the winner of the first The Visual Vamp Giveaway.

I think it is going to look wonderful in Kristen's space, don't you?! Amanda actually did TWO paintings for her! I thank Amanda again for her generosity!!!!


Via the giveaway, Amanda was commissioned by The Zhush to do a painting!
Contact Amanda if you would like her do one for you HERE

I hope they both post soon and show us where they are hanging their fabulous ATs!


Lastly, we are dog sitting our next door neighbors' dog Coconut. She is adorable and Cholo is smitten.

Readers Projects: The Amanda Talley Reveal!

What a blast! Yesterday Amanda Talley came over for lunch. Alberto made Gumbo. After lunch we sat down to look at all the photos you sent in, and to read all the comments in conjunction with the giveaway of one of Amanda's paintings.

Vicki A. sent a photo of her romantic bedroom in France
We were mesmerized by the shoes!

It is alot harder than you think. Should we choose on the basis of the eloquence of a comment? Or should we choose because of the wit and humor of a comment?

Victoria Art also has a very romantic bedroom

So many of you are wonderful decorators! Should we choose the prettiest room?

Tara sent a photo of her bedroom viewed through the mirror in her bathroom -
Amanda and I love this color

Some of you are involved in the process of creating your spaces, and even unfinished we could see how fabulous your vision is.

Rebecca tells us: "I would put it on a fabulous small easel
that I already own on my favorite piece of furniture in my foyer!"

Some rooms looked like they needed some love, like a beautiful little painting.

Gina's current project is her pretty master bedroom, and the painting would be perfect

Should we choose the pretty or the needy?

Ms. Smart has an awesome art wall and the painting would be a fab addition

Back and forth we went, getting more confused, and wanting to give each and everyone of you a painting.

Missy would love the painting for her living room: "We do not have an entrance hall
and the front door opens directly across from the fireplace.
The Amanda Talley painting would be the first thing you would see."

There were entries from all over the world, including the Cayman Islands.

Michelle is an excellent New Orleans artist herself, and would love to have an Amanda

Readers from New Orleans entered, as well as New Orleanians living elsewhere wanting a bit of something beautiful from their hometown.

Mid Century Meg thinks an Amanda Talley painting would look swell in her house

Large expanses of wall space, and little nooks beckoned one of Amanda's paintings.

Renae told us, "I adore AT's work and have her on my 'go to' list next time I'm in NOLA!"

We loved this headboard in Mae's bedroom, who said, "A small AT painting would look fabulous over my little nightstand (and a fun restyling of that whole area)."

Amanda was so touched by the response to her work that she became inspired to create the painting for the winning space.

Linda has this lovely credenza - wouldn't an Amanda look smart here?

Finally she said: You decide.

Kwana sent a photo with Jack in it! No room is complete without Jack!

And I said: No, you decide.

Kristen hates her candles

I know some of you, and tried not to let my blog crushes cloud my judgment.

Kim wants a painting for this very nice office

I couldn't decide. Amanda couldn't decide.

Katie has the best entry hall table - how pretty would an Amanda look here!

Lunch segued into the cocktail hour.

Julie says: "In my little house, which I am renovating,
I have an open kitchen and I think the wall with the sconces is screaming for something
bold, graphic, and amazing...like and Amanda Talley painting!"

A rain and wind storm howled outside. We were ready to settle in and make a night of girl talk and cocktails.

JT has a show stopper of a room! We love the windows!

We thought about sleeping on it, but I said no, I've got to post the result.

Jennifer writes: "This is the hallway off of my great room and it definitely needs something."

Everybody wants to know.

Jamilyn's living room is so elegant. We could see Amanda's painting here!

We made a list with everyone's name on it.

Hana's living room is so stylish! She writes: "I would hang Amanda Talley's painting in my living room, above my sofa, as part of a grouping of art and photography.
This gallery wall is (obviously) a work in progress!"

Linda Lime In The Coconut sent this wee picture, but we could still see how great her space is!
She says" I love small pieces...and would love to create a spot
near the desk in the LR for her beautiful work."

Amanda tore the paper into strips, each piece with one of your names on it.

Gwen thinks her Keeping Room would be a wonderful place for an Amanda Talley

In our heart we had agreed on a favorite.

Talented Dianne writes: "Your Amanda Talley give away is very generous.
I too am a painter and would so adore owning one of hers.
Please consider this dining room. Something contemporary in there would be fabulous.
I did the self portrait you see hanging."

But we wanted to be fair, so we put all the strips of paper in a white ironstone bowl.

Courtney's bedroom is wonderful, and the painting would be surrounded by all this beauty

You pick. No you pick.

Christine would like the prize for her cute dining room

We were pathetic!

Cassie tells us, "I'm a Louisiana native.
Your blog helps me stay connected with the city-- thank you!"
PS Amanda and I love this rug!

Let's get Cholo to pick!

Carey doesn't want any more place holders! She wants the good stuff! She wants Amanda!

He sniffed the bowl and walked away.

Camilla would upset this perfect grouping to make room for Amanda!

We had a cup of coffee, and chatted some more. Did you know Amanda lives in the carriage house that belongs to the big house Anne Rice once lived in? The house that was the back drop for The Mayfair Witches? And that Nicholas Cage rents the big house?

Beth's bedroom is cool, chic, and modern. We loved the mirror nightstands.

And that her across the street neighbor is Julia Reed?

AK from the Cayman Islands sent this photo of this gorgeous dining room,
and we were transported there!

Okay we're just stalling.

Amy's classic living room really has the wow factor

We picked this name out of the bowl:

Congratulations Kristen!

And thank you all for making the first Visual Vamp Giveway so much fun.