Imagine creating a home for yourself and your family that feels cozy, stylish and representative of your tastes, without breaking the bank.

Imagine feeling that interior design does not have to be a daunting task, and that a beautiful space can be achieved with a few creative ideas, helpful tips and tricks, and original finds from independent businesses. 

That is precisely what Kat Mannell offers us with her inspiring interior design blog and Instagram account "Life at Number 63". 

Based in the UK, Kat left her job as an interior design assistant for the affluent and decided to show home enthusiasts that it is unnecessary to spend endless amounts on designer labels and bespoke items to create a perfect home. She is also a passionate advocate for small businesses and handmade items. 

​Kat thoughtfully renovated her Victorian home to create a stylish Scandinavian-inspired interior on a budget. Only 18 months after the start of her journey, her audience has grown to almost 60 thousand followers, with whom she shares her unique finds, favorite brands, inspiring color schemes, interior trends and design tricks. ​

What is special about "Life at Number 63" on Instagram is that Kat takes us through her space at least twice a day, showing us different angles and different ways of styling the rooms. In fact, Kat proves that a decor need not be set in stone! Kat embraces change at home, switching the color scheme and decor frequently. 

"I live in the moment, and if I feel like a room or part of a room isn't making me happy anymore, then I change it. I like to shop my home as well as buying new things, as even moving around furniture or accessories can make an area feel fresh."

Her two little girls Ruby and Molly also embrace a changing decor like their Mum.

"They are used to it! I think that, since we have lived in the same house all their lives, they are very settled children, and so a few colour changes or new items don't daunt them at all."

Kat describes her home style as "scandi, hygge and botanical".

​She loves clean lines, soft pinks and Scandinavian-inspired furniture and accessories.

There isn't a spot of the house that is hidden from our view - we can admire every corner, and sometimes Kat takes us on a tour of the layout in her Instagram Stories.

"It's not a large house, but I try to be creative with my shots, and actually photograph every angle and corner possible!"

Her personal favorite spot at home is simply her side of the bed. "I layer it up with blankets, turn my air diffuser and string lights on and curl up with a book and a cup of tea. Bliss!"

Other than showcasing her own space and guiding others in their home decor projects with her helpful blog articles, Kat also hosts an Instagram challenge she created under the hashtag "#spotthenewtrend", with prizes to be won. "I base the theme on current and future trends, and people use the hashtag on their posts containing that theme, and I share their posts on my stories. There are now over 18000 posts to the hashtag, which I'm thrilled with!"

Kat shares her surprise about the online community she has discovered. "There are so many people whose home is a huge part of their lives, and who want to make a cozy, inviting space to share with friends and family".

Aside from her work as an interior blogger and influencer, Kat is also the owner of the online shop Art House Illustration, where she sells her custom house portraits as prints.

When we talked about how she juggles her numerous projects, passions, collaborations and parenting, Kat confessed that keeping up with it all can sometimes be a challenge. "I have to be organized (which isn't my strong suit if I'm honest). I make a list of things to do at the start of the week, even down to small details and then work my way through them. If it all stays in my head, then sometimes I can feel a little stressed. List making is definitely key!" 

Although Kat is grateful for the huge community support she surprisingly experienced, she attributes her success to her persistence in following her dream. "Just believe in yourself and go for it," she advises fellow bloggers and entrepreneurs. "I really wanted Instagram and my blog to succeed, and I have put in many hours and late nights, which has often been exhausting, but it's always worth it in the end." 

Follow Kat over on "Life at Number 63" on her blog and Instagram to discover her home and her affordable tips and tricks to creating a unique home you adore!

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​I love living in a place that has four seasons.

But...

By the time February rolls around, I'm ready to say arrivederci to the snow, slush and sleet. Trouble is, winter will still have us in its grasp for another three months at least (if we don't see any flurries in May like we occasionally do! I know, *gasp*, right?!).

Although I try to live in the now, I do get antsy. As a form of wishful thinking, I start to surround myself with color, as an attempt to accelerate the arrival of spring.

​

Got a favorite? Let me know in a comment!

If you're a color-loving soul like me, you'll love what awaits you in the shop. (But don't worry, there are many moody black and white options too).
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From my heart to yours!

Last week, I was interviewed by designers Marianne and Brigitte from Tandem & Co. The original interview was conducted in French and can be found in all its glory on their blog! This is the most comprehensive and candid interview I have done so far, and it was such a wonderful experience that I wanted to share it with my English readers as well.

So, read on, if you're interested in my story, in the driving forces behind my art, its mission and my own personal home decor style!

​The questions are those asked (in French) by Marianne and Brigitte. 

​I transform my local and international travel photography into wall art and home decor accessories. My mission is to inspire, transport and uplift you, and help you find a piece of art for your space that represents who you are, where you have been and where you dream of going. Veni Etiam is a celebration of the places, colors, moods, nostalgia and dreams that make us the unique individuals we are. 

​It is so hard to choose, because everything I have created through Veni Etiam represents a part of my journey as a person, as a photographer, as a writer (even as a scientist!), and each photograph is special in its own way. In fact, it is my slogan that everything is “from my heart to yours”. But one particular creation that represents me, my most profound inspirations and my brand is a photograph called “Barcarolle”. It is a photograph of a lone boat, anchored at an Italian port, waiting for its time to sail. Not only does this image summarize my greatest loves - the sea and Italy - it is also special because it represents how differently we may all see the very same scene. While I feel this scene is powerful and full of promise, others have told me the boat looks lonely, melancholy. What strikes a chord in each of us differs. I love this photograph best on acrylic, because the colors and the depth of the image just come to life on that medium. I have it hanging at the center of my gallery wall in my home office, as a representation of what Veni Etiam is to me. 

​I haven't always been a photographer. Rather, I always dreamt of being a writer and was professionally trained to be a researcher in neuroscience. My first camera was a graduation gift from my parents. I had finished my Bachelor of Science at McGill and I was moving to Europe to pursue my Master’s in three different countries. Through my studies, my work and my passion for world cultures, I traveled and traveled, not only while I lived in Europe, but during and after my doctorate. Those pivotal years enabled me to write my heart out and to fall in love with a new form of storytelling and collecting -- photography.

​In 2012, I began to get more serious about photography, becoming more experimental and artistic in my approach. I also started wishing to create postcards out of my photographs so I could mail them home when I travelled. Then a new dream formed: I wanted my photos to be "those free photos that come with a frame, and mine would be so beautiful that people would not want to replace the photo n the frame". Little did I expect that in 2015, I would decide to open an online shop selling wall art. What drove me to launch my business was the passion for stories, for travel, for that special way a place can play on your heartstrings, and for the feeling that your home is your sanctuary and it should contain your personal collection of objects and art that reflects and inspires you daily. 

​I think part of what sets me apart is my shop’s combination of three principles: wanderlust, innovation and inspiration. My shop has an international spirit. Although the majority of Montreal and Quebec shops carry my local photography in fine-art prints of small sizes, what sets Veni Etiam apart is that there are actually hundreds of images to choose from - from various corners of the world - and everything can be customized on canvas, aluminum, acrylic, wood or paper, in the size of the client’s choice. Another important aspect is that every piece has a story. Each piece has a title and a description, and the stories are told on my blog and on Instagram - the two platforms I use most for storytelling. What sets Veni Etiam apart, I think, is that there is truly something for every decor, mood, memory or dream.

F, other! My workspace is an unconventional mix of two personalities, two passions and two life journeys. On one side, my scientific space - a massive bookshelf, a desk, my diplomas, daunting texts about statistics and brain imaging. On the other side, my creative space - a gallery wall, an art desk, tools and supplies, colorful post-its for every idea and goal that springs to life. Both are my sacred zones, and I sometimes can’t believe that both can co-exist.

​I am inspired by inspiration. By its existence and our search of it. I look for it everywhere, in the simplest daily details. Practicing photography has been an exercise of mindfulness. It has changed the way I view the world. There are many elements that inspire my style of photography. I love color, reflections, lines, textures, the beauty that can be found in the most ordinary sights and all things maritime. I love the richness of markets, the wonder of raindrops, the magic of changing light, the moods of urban scenes. I love symmetry, asymmetry, motion and stillness. I love to capture fleeting moments, because it makes me feel like I can cheat time once in a while. Venice and the sea are my deepest inspirations. I feel happiest and most inspired when I pause to take notice, when I feel gratitude, when I laugh with loved-ones, cook, drink, write, share, inspire and help others.

​It happens often that I feel depleted, because there are always competing ideas and tasks, and I am always trying to pack my life to the brim. There are also moments of doubt that can paralyze you, at the worst possible time, of course. I usually take a step back. I try to take the pressure off myself. I sit in the sun (even in the winter) with only a notebook on my lap and a pencil that is waiting to break the ice. If I rest, get some distance and fresh air, and if I write only for myself without judgment, it helps enormously to restore creativity in all areas.

​'Veni Etiam' is a Latin phrase, meaning "return again". I chose this name as I have left many anchors in the world, and returning is an important part of me - for each time you return, you discover new hidden gems, new angles, new perspectives, and new beauty. No place is ever the same (and neither are you), and this is at once beautiful and tragic. 'Veni Etiam' is also a phrase used by 16th century Italian poet to describe Venice and her effect on one's heart. As Venice is my deepest inspiration, this is my tribute to Her. 

​I work in a way as much as possible not to create waste. I print on demand. I recycle whenever possible. I do things electronically whenever possible. 

​Home decorating is one of my favorite activities. What a blessing to create our life, to build our nest and to fill it with elements that represent our personalities, our loves and our life journeys. I love it when tastes change and when there is no one coherent theme or style in a house, because that is what our life journey is actually like.  

Hihi, it's me. My husband knows I love anything to do with decor projects and that I often have a vision for a space, so he lets me have fun with it, sometimes reeling me in with his opinions. But, ironically, for wall art, he's the one with the final say! 

Hmm, I would say it's the guest room (the spare room). It's a beautiful, big room with an almost floor-to-ceiling window that opens up onto the back terrace. It's a lovely space - we added nice mouldings and we love the light of the room and the colors we chose for its walls. But two challenges actually result in the room currently being vacant. For one, which is very typical of our "Plateau" neighborhood in Montreal where the land is kind of marshy and continuously shifting, there is quite a noticeable slant in the room! The structure is solid but the slant kind of limits our options for furnishing it. The second challenge, and in truth the main one, is that health issues have caused troubles in the fertility area and have left us at a crossroads over the fate of this room. I am becoming increasingly outspoken about this because I know it's the reality of many couples who have to navigate these circumstances as well as others' expectations or judgments. Whether this room becomes a guest room for our visiting friends or a kids' room, it is a room full of hope that we can't wait to design and furnish.

​There isn’t really a unique style running through the whole place. The bedroom is more traditional in an Italian style, with Tuscan yellow walls and wood furniture. The living room has a lot of bamboo and some antique elements that my family brought with them from Egypt when they emigrated to Canada. The dining room is a mix of industrial and Italian wood furniture. My atelier is what I like to call “maritime industrial” and the laundry room is airy, functional but with a Burano (Venice) theme in its color palette and the art on the walls.

In general, my favorite color is pink. I also really like purple. But this doesn't necessarily translate into my decor. I really like certain shades of yellow on walls because of the way it catches the sun, but I also really like dark blue. I don't have a favorite color for decor. 

I love home decor projects. I love undertaking them and especially like it when a project is actually more long-term because this gives us the chance to develop our relationship with a space - to get to know its lights, its moods, its seasons - and to find original objects over time (rather than all at once) that represent our evolution.

I would say the kitchen and my home office / workshop have been my favorite decor projects and rooms I am proud of. The kitchen is both modern and rustic. I love the open concept, the blue island, the exposed brick wall, the fact that everything is within arm's reach and that the space allows me to display art among everyday objects. In the summer, I spend most of my time in this room and going in and out of the adjoining patio. The kitchen is the center of the condo and of our daily life. We love to entertain and to cook - even for ourselves, even on weeknights - so it's really the most important room in the house. I am also really proud of my workshop because everything has its place and everything has its story. The energy is special in there, creative. I can close the old door (that I couldn't bring myself to replace because it's just too full of charm) and I could spend hours in there without even noticing how much time has passed.

Not realizing that by putting a shelf unit in the wall in the spare room (the room with the slant) that we would immediately see that the shelf, the mouldings, the floor and the ceiling are not parallel to one another! It can be kind of dizzying if you stare for too long...

It has to be my leather "thinking chair" in the office. I fell in love with this chair and I think I spent about 6 months visiting it at the store. I couldn't justify the purchase, it was SO expensive. In the end, I don't remember if I finally caved because I wanted it so badly, or if it finally went on sale. I'm not a patient person, so waiting 6 months for it was my limit! I love it. It's so comfortable, and I placed it just under the smaller window in my studio, in my little reading nook. My kitten is definitely not allowed in my office, not only because I don't want any of her fur close to my photographs or packaging, but also because I don't want her claws anywhere near my precious chair!

​My coffee maker, my bathtub and my Sonos speakers. 

Marilou (from "3 fois par jour"). It's clear that she inspires millions of quebecers, but what inspires me profoundly is her voice, her way of writing, of observing, of storytelling (in both French and English), and the way her personality shines through everything she does through her art and business.

A dream bed frame from Anthropologie, a big screen TV that would like a discrete framed art piece when turned off, a reading bench integrated into the windowsill and a rooftop terrace.

Writing and publishing a book (or two, or three) is my biggest dream.

Ice cream, marzipan and NERD candies!

Probably in front of my computer, because I am usually most productive until 7pm.

To take a quick jaunt somewhere, probably to Italy. Ciao!

Original creations that we can't easily find elsewhere, in mainstream stores. Products that are created with care and feeling. It means supporting makers who are trying to make a living out of their truest passions. It means supporting our local economy and helping it thrive. It means having a strong sense of community.

I hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I enjoyed giving it! If you're proficient in French, you can read the full interview in its original language here over on the Tandem & Co Design Magazine and Blog. 

Now that you know more about me, how 'bout you connect by leaving a comment below? What was your favorite part of this interview? What resonated with you? What surprised you? Your turn...

On this rainy Montreal morning, my interview with the duo of designers Marianne and Brigitte from Tandem & Co is live on their design blog in its original French version. This is the most candid interview I have done so far. In it, I share with you the driving forces behind my art, its mission and all that inspires me. In addition, you'll get to see glimpses of my own daily space and hear about some of my personal dreams.

Don't miss this candid interview! 

An English version will be up on my blog soon!

And, if you sign up as a member of the Tandem & Co "Tribu Créative" (scroll to the bottom of the article on their blog), you get a special VIP coupon to use in my Etsy shop this month. Sign up before November 5th so you won't miss out on their newsletter with the coupon code!

A huge thank you to Marianne and Brigitte for their generosity and their vision of showcasing artists in our local community.

En ce matin pluvieuse à Montréal, mon entrevue avec l'équipe design de Tandem & Co ​est maintenant sur leur blog de design! ​C'est l'entrevue la plus candide que j'ai faite à date! Marianne et Brigitte m'ont fait parler de mon art et de mes inspirations les plus profondes et j'ai partagé aussi mon espace quotidien et mes rêves personnels avec vous!

Ne manquez pas cette entrevue candide! 

Restez à l'affût: une version anglaise viendra bientôt sur mon blog !

​De plus, si vous rejoignez la "Tribu Créative" (voir la fin de l'article sur leur blog), vous recevrez un coupon promo applicable sur tous les produits dans ma boutique Etsy. Devenez membre de la Tribu Créative avant le 5 novembre pour recevoir leur infolettre et le code promo!

Un gros merci ​à Marianne & Brigitte pour leur vision et leur générosité envers les artistes de notre communauté.

Since I was little, planting flowers and watching them grow was one of the most joyful aspects of summer. I would shadow my Mom as she chose her favorites at the farmers' market. I'd learn their names and listen carefully as she would tell me which ones liked sun and which ones preferred shade. I'd enthusiastically dig my small fingers into the cool, fresh earth, making a memory of what it felt like when I pressed my palms shut. For a few years, my most prized possession was a tomato plant that I was fully in charge of tending to. I still remember how proud I would feel when I'd place a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table at supper, contributing to whatever my parents had prepared.

When I moved to Europe, my city balconies and my fast-paced scientific schedule were not very conducive to starting a garden. But, once I returned to Montreal, I was certain that whatever apartment I chose, however small the urban space, I wanted to be surrounded by flowers. My first apartment -- the Pink Palazzo -- had a balcony that could take a maximum of three pots and two people (preferably in alternation). I would cram as many colors and petals as I could into each pot, and I was happy enough. When I eventually outgrew that place, I landed on a beautiful flat to succeed it, with not one but TWO large terraces and the potential of a rooftop terrace (a project on the horizon in the years to come). I couldn't wait to create an urban oasis that would represent me, inspire me and calm me - daily. 

Vibrant colors, unique decor finds and a wild mix of plants with different personalities (some ultra resilient and some more capricious) have made this treetop garden a zone of pure tranquility and joy. 

In decorating the space, I enjoyed playfully blurring the line between inside and outside. The terrace is right off the kitchen, so I worked to enhance the flow between my favorite and most functional space of the house, into a lounging area that rivals the living room during the summer months. The easy-to-clean aluminum floor and the comfy carpet make it possible to run in and out barefoot and carefree. It helps that the terrace is covered and largely undisturbed by rain, so the prints hang safely on the walls, and my grandmother's lace ages gracefully. The herb garden is right outside the kitchen window, making it easy to grab basil, rosemary, oregano, coriander (yes, I'm among those who loooove it), rucola, sage or lemon to throw into my improvised recipes. 

Colors have always had an important place in my life; quite possibly because I am a synesthete, I am drawn to colors and combine them in ways that may defy perceptual preferences.

This little haven has honestly enhanced my way of living. Flowers teach us important lessons, after all. They teach us mindfulness. I wake up every morning and tend to the plants, watering, feeding and noticing them - how they bud and grow. It is nearly impossible to dwell on any other thoughts when tending to the garden. They teach us to lean into our senses - to breathe, to see colors in their fragrance, to hear their stillness. They teach us patience and acceptance, that everything blooms at its own pace, that certain unfavorable conditions will make their mark, despite your heart's wishes and your best efforts, but that there is also gratitude to be found in wind, and rain, and heat, and drought. They teach us nostalgia, with their reminders of my childhood and those precious feelings of curiosity and discovery that I can still feel in my fingertips. They teach us appreciation - for time and creativity and sustenance - and for all the tranquil hours I spend in this lovely space I created, I count my blessings. 

And, speaking of blessings, if you are wondering how I deal with such a garden despite my nomadic lifestyle, I am indebted to my unconditional Mom and my kind neighbors who help keep the garden blooming in my absence (and hopefully don't hate me too much for it!)

Tell me: Did you enjoy this glimpse into my daily space? What is your oasis like? (Tag me on Instagram, I'd love to see).

The sources of some of my favorite finds are listed below, in case something has inspired you for your own space. 

From my heart to yours.

Waterproof carpet: Buk & Nola | Lanterns, colorful tables, hanging pots, watering cans: Canadian Tire | Mosaic bench and galvanized pots: Home Sense Canada | Cushions and pillow: Pier One Imports | Bird hook: Anthropologie | Light fixture: Wayfair | Glass lantern hanging from bird: VdeV Maison | Art prints: The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy | Blue lanterns, mini pots, frames, pizza board, clothespins: Ikea | White colander: Zone Maison | Rolling bases under pots: Dollarama | Hooks for hanging pots: Rona | "On est bien ici" home decor: Chez Farfelu | Mug: Indigo Books & Music | Flowers and strawberries: Marché de l'Ouest, Marché Jean-Talon, Marché Atwater | Pico the Parrot is from the Dominican Republic (sorry).

I am one of those odd freaks of nature who thoroughly enjoys organizing and cleaning. So much so, that I do it habitually, before tasks accumulate to a daunting level. That being said, there are some tasks that I only do once or twice a year, usually with the change in seasons (we all know Montreal has only two main seasons: winter and not-winter).

There is something wonderfully liberating and uplifting about putting some order to your world.

If you absolutely dread it, here are 6 straightforward strategies to focus on this spring. They may be simple, but they will have a positive impact on your space and your own energy.

Follow your normal dusting and vacuum routine but spend more time being extra meticulous. Get to baseboards, inside cupboards, tops of furniture, door frames, ceiling fans, window sills, under appliances, inside frequently used drawers. 

To gear up for a new season (and new fashion trends), force yourself to mercilessly throw or give away old shoes, boots and clothes. Be extra strict with that elusive "clothes-I-might-wear-someday-once-I-get-through-wearing-all-the-other-things-I-like-better-and-all-the-new-things-I’ll-inevitably-buy-or-maybe-I-should-keep-this-just-for-painting" category. You’ll feel hugely liberated when that is done
(Confession: it’s the task I personally find most daunting). 

Cleaning the windows and window-tracks is one of the things I am most eager to do once the snow finally melts. Wait for a cloudy day so that the glass cleaner doesn’t evaporate and leave streaks on your windows. It’s incredible how the light in your place changes once this is done.

Everyone, even the most organized folks, have a spot that is notoriously known for being their temporary dumping ground. Dedicating some time to decluttering that space provides great relief. 

As someone who is sensitive and highly responsive to how my space feels, I try to practice this on a daily basis. The idea is to leave a room in a state where it doesn’t look like you’ve been there (and shoving everything into the cupboards or under the bed doesn’t count!). It adds effort to your daily routine but the advantage is that it doesn’t feel as much like a massive “spring cleaning” if you do it little by little. It may even turn into a happy habit!

​To celebrate the beginning of spring and summer, adding something fresh to your decor serves as a wonderful pick-me-up. Whether it’s a new rug or pillow, coffee table or art on furniture or on your walls, your eyes will be drawn to your new addition and it will make you feel good. 

As a general tip, start with the smallest task and give yourself 20 minutes to get into it. It takes the pressure off of having to devote a whole day to spring cleaning.

Have a crucial tip to add? I’d LOVE to hear it! Leave a comment below.

Happy Spring!

From my heart to yours.

​“What is that?” Tap. Tap. Tap. The temptation to gently tap the surface of the art with the tip of the nail is difficult to resist for most. Every time I have an acrylic piece on display at a show or in my studio, it catches the eye and prompts questions. 

​For colorful photographs with depth and detail, acrylic is by far my favorite medium. 

​Acrylic makes images come to life, more so than traditional surfaces like fine-art paper or canvas. Details are perfectly preserved through its crystal-clear sharpness. Acrylic highlights vibrant colors and enhances the depth of the image, and the result is stunning to the eye.

Printing on acrylic is a multi-step process that requires special equipment and expertise. The digital image is printed directly on a pure acrylic sheet. The image is then cut and its edges are polished. The back is sealed with a black or white film backing in order to prevent light from shining through from the back and causing glare. The image takes on a glossy brilliance from edge to edge. Acrylic also has the advantage of being lightweight and impact-resistant compared to glass. 

​Because it is so crisp and clean, acrylic also lends itself well to any space or style of decor. Acrylic art can be a standalone piece on a wall, or can be part of a gallery wall as a focal point. Depending on the choice of the image, the thickness of the acrylic and its hanging options, acrylic art can have an airy, minimalist look, or even give a space a modern, industrial flair. It works well in bright rooms, and has no problem being in damp or humid places like a bathroom. 

​When you custom-order acrylic prints from my shop, you can choose between the thickness of the acrylic, as well as between two wall-mount options: (1) a floater frame option, in which the acrylic is backed with a wood frame and wire, so that the acrylic pops off the wall in a sleek way, or (2) metal "standoffs" placed in each corner, anchoring the acrylic to the wall and giving it a more modern look. By default, the photograph is printed all the way up to the edge of the acrylic, but if you prefer to have a margin around the image, you could make a request when ordering. 

Bring the world home on acrylic!

From my heart to yours.

Follow me on Instagram!

Last week, I started this Monday series to help kick off your week with some color and inspiration.

​This week's theme: Kitchen decor

I have a not-so-secret fetish for fresh markets and food photography. I love the colors, patterns and textures of natural ingredients. Hanging a couple of food prints or magnets in the kitchen sets the ambiance for creative cooking and serves as a discrete reminder to be grateful for the abundance of food in our lives.

Have a wonderful week. 

From my heart to yours!

Are you searching for new, creative and space-efficient ways of displaying your wall art and travel mementos?
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Here are 5 simple ideas to display artwork at home.

1. Art among your daily objects

​This is one of my favorite ways of displaying art prints or photographs – in the path of your daily gaze and daily activities. Your hands might be busy stirring a sauce or foaming milk for your morning cappuccino, while your eyes take a micro-moment to flit over a piece you’ve collected for your haven.
 
Here are some pins I love.

2. Leaning and layered

​Not a fan of hammering nails into wall or fussing with a planned-out gallery wall? A creative solution that is always appealing to the eye is to display your art on wall shelves, bookshelves or furniture. To achieve an interesting visual effect (while also saving space), you can layer the art such that they partially overlap. There is no right or wrong way to do this – how you mix and match sizes, in what configuration you group the art and how closely you pack the space is up to your personal style. This is a great strategy for non-committal folks, as you can easily change things up with the seasons. If you run out of space on shelves or furniture, the floor is also an option.

3. Classic gallery wall 

A traditional gallery wall in a room, hallway or staircase in your home is sure to dress up any space and to give your eyes lots to look at on a daily basis. You can go with a classic look – a symmetrical grid with uniform frames and sizes, or you can mix up the frame sizes, thickness, colors and matting, while still focusing on maintaining an airy, harmonious look. If you don't opt for a full grid, you could choose to align the top or the bottom of your frames, or you can stagger their height. If you do vary the frame sizes, you can choose one larger focal point in the middle of the set – or not! If you really want to make a bold statement, you can spread your gallery wall out from floor to ceiling. It is up to you and your whimsy.

4. Mixed gallery wall

A mixed gallery wall kind of combines principles 1 and 3 – a gallery wall of frames intermixed with objects that vary in color, size and depth. Think of a clock, a ceramic piece, a sign, antique finds, a mirror, a wall hook, a planter, a sconce... You can mix decor and practicality by adorning your wall with stuff you actually use (like your pots and pans) interspersed with art. That's what I've done in my kitchen and it makes me happy at least 3 times a day!

5. Easels

​Easels are a simple way to display art prints on surfaces like counters or furniture when they are not easy to lean (depending on their style and size). In fact, I think they're somewhat underrated! Acrylic or metal wall art, for example, can look very nice when placed on a small easel on a surface. Larger easels can also add an artistic flair to your space. Easels, like shelves, allow you to easily switch around your art display as frequently as you feel like it. 

I hope you enjoyed these tips for creatively displaying art in your space!
​Which of these can be found in your own home? 

​Pour la version française, cliquez sur OUI!

So, you have a collection of prints and special photographs that you have been meaning to frame for a while now. But you keep putting it off as a project for a rainy day, or perhaps a spring cleaning project…and before you know it, it’s a new year, and finally framing your personal collection makes it to the top of your resolution list.

I don’t blame you for your procrastination. I get you. It can totally be daunting to navigate the world of framing – there seem to be so many options of sizes and styles. You’re not exactly sure about what you want. You’re not sure what to frame first, how to match things, what size frames to choose or where to start when it comes to custom framing your art.
​
There are two pieces of good news. For one, nothing is permanent. This reason alone should remove any paralyzing uncertainty and make you feel excited about your personal project. Secondly, there are experts on this topic who can guide your choices and help you get to a finished product you love. 

I interviewed local Montreal experts Caroline & Mathieu – owners of the community’s beloved custom framing and home decor shop “Affiche en Tête”.

Here are their 5 tips for custom-framing your art:

1. There are no rules
​In home decoration, having a strong grasp of your decor is more important than matboard width, matching frames or trendy colours. Something can appear to be extremely gaudy as a standalone, and yet knocks it out of the park once in your home. Any stylistic choice can be a valid one –  you just need to be assertive. As a quick side note, it is important to know that bright colours (either as frames or matboards) tend to ''tire'' the eye over time, so are recommended more as an accent than a main feature. They will also tend to fade a lot more if regularly exposed to sunlight.

2. Protecting your art: Archival vs. Conservation
​It is tempting to splurge on artwork printed with archival inks, on archival paper or to use archival adhesives. After all, we have this idea of archives having been around for a really long time. However, these materials require more care in order to survive. What people have in mind is more often of conservation material. No ink can resist the degredations of harsh UV light for long, so UV glazing (see #4) might have to be considered for delicate colours like reds and blues. Acid-free matting and backing might be a tad more expensive, but they will ensure the paper of your print or lithograph doesn't yellow and degrade.

3. To mat or not to mat?
Aside from personal taste, matting actually serves a conservation function. Some prints, due to the nature of the paper or the inks used, will keep the artwork ''on the surface''. This can create problems down the line if you live in a hot and humid area, or an area with great variations in temperature and humidity. In essence, your artwork can stick to the glass (or other glazing) and be damaged by removing it at a later date or when the paper minutely contracts and expands due to atmospheric changes. A matboard creates a little bit of space between the glazing and the print.

If you do use a matboard and want to assemble your print into it yourself, it is recommended that you use single-sided acid-free tape, generally only on top and let gravity do its thing. This will ensure that there isn't too much tension on your paper when in contracts as the seasons change, as this will often result in ''wavy'' prints. It is the nature of paper; water, such as inks or watercolors, warp it.

Mat size depends on a lot of factors, but if you want it matted, my one rule of thumb is “err on the side of too big”. A larger matting makes the artwork pop independently of the frame, it allows the eye to focus on it rather than the ensemble only. It can turn a truly small piece into a statement, inviting discussion and refocusing its importance in your collection.

4. Glass, plexiglass, anti-reflective, hmmm?
All paper artwork will require glazing of some sort. Framer's glass is usually very thin in order to manage weight, so your local mirror and window shop might sell you something that is entirely too heavy for your found/handmade frame. You'll most likely end up with a mess in the middle of the night. The thickness usually limits how big a frame can be made with it, or the size of moulding required to hold the weight. Plexiglass will generally be recommended. For the same thickness, it is much lighter and ''unbreakable'', unless you really go to town on it.
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Once you’ve found the right type of ‘glass’ for your needs, specialty coatings come in the form of UV protection, deglazing (less popular nowadays) and anti-reflective (AR) coatings. Most can be combined, all the way up to museum-quality glass. Because of the cost involved, it is highly recommended that you let the pros handle those for you. Breaking or damaging such products will turn your foray into decoration into an expensive endeavour.

5. Frame choice
We refer back to tip # 1 for this last bit of advice. Literally any moulding can do the trick for a range of different decor styles. Sometimes all you need to do is dare. Find your voice. The only two important suggestions that we can give you concern the width of the moulding and its depth. For safety reasons, be sure to have a moulding strong enough to support the weight of the glazing you will be using. If you want a thinner moulding when viewed from the front, you will have to cheat by selecting a deeper moulding, gallery box style. 

​Caroline & Mathieu have been doing this for years, and they represent a wealth of knowledge and services. They always have stories and sneak peeks to share on their Instagram and Facebook pages. 

Head on over to ask them about your project in person.

For the month of January, they have a 20% sale on all custom frames.



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Keep an eye out for an upcoming post on How to build your gallery wall in a snap. Better yet, subscribe to the VIP list to be in the know, and to receive a 20% coupon for your first purchase in my shop.

​Happy framing!

Vous avez une collection d’affiches et de photographies que vous avez l’intention d’encadrer depuis longtemps. C’est un projet que vous reportez encore et encore…pour une journée pluvieuse, ou peut-être jusqu’au printemps…et avant que vous vous en aperceviez, vous voici au début d’une nouvelle année et finalement votre project d’encadrement fait partie de vos résolutions.

Je ne vous blâme pas pour cette procrastination. Pas du tout. Je vous comprends. Cela peut être intimidant de naviguer dans le monde de l’encadrement – il semble y avoir tant d’options, de tailles et de styles. Vous ne savez pas à 100% ce que vous aimeriez avoir. Vous n’êtes pas sûr de ce que vous aimeriez encadrer en premier, comment faire correspondre le tout, quelle dimension de cadres choisir et où les trouver.
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J’ai deux bonnes nouvelles pour vous. En premier, rien n’est permanent. Cette raison devrait éliminer toute incertitude paralysante et faire avancer votre projet avec facilité. Deuxièmement, il y a des experts qui sont là pour guider vos choix et pour vous aider à obtenir un produit que vous adorez. 

1. Au diable les règles!
En décoration, il est plus important d'avoir une idée ferme du résultat qu'on veut obtenir. Un cadre d'apparence criard peut s'agencer à merveille dans une pièce décorée en conséquence, pourvu qu'on s'affirme dans ses choix stylistiques. On doit toutefois se rappeller que les couleurs vives ont tendance à fatiguer l'oeil à la longue, en plus de se décolorer si exposées à la lumière naturelle pour de longues périodes.

2. Conversation ou Archive? Protéger votre oeuvre d'art.
Le terme ''Qualité Archive'' peut s'appliquer aux encres, aux papiers ou aux adhésifs. On pourrait croire que ces matériaux sont plus durables, parce que le terme archives évoque un objet à l'épreuve du temps... sans prendre en compte les conditions qui sévissent dans une archive. On parlera plus de matériaux de conservation lorsque vient le temps de faire un encadrement. Aucune encre ne peut résister à elle seule à la lumière UV, c'est pourquoi le verre UV fut créé. Pour toute matière qui sera en contact avec votre oeuvre, on recommande de s'assurer qu'ils seront sans acide, afin de ne pas faire jaunir votre papier ou décolorer vos encres.

3. Avec ou sans passe-partout?
Sans compter l'aspect esthétique, un passe-partout sert principalement à conserver votre oeuvre en la séparant de la vitre. En effet, certains procédés d'impression laissent les encres plus en surface, et votre oeuvre pourrait se retrouver collée contre la vitre au gré des changements de température et d'humidité.
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Si vous voulez faire votre assemblage vous-même, il est recommandé d'utiliser un ruban simple-face sans-acide (encore ces mots), et seulement dans le haut de l'oeuvre. Ceci assurera qu'il n'y aura pas trop de tension sur le papier lors des changements de forme occasionnés par les changements climatiques. Coller tout le tour n'empêchera pas le papier de faire des vagues, de toute façon.

La taille du passe-partout dépend de plusieurs facteurs, mais il est toujours plus prudent d'y aller plus large que plus fin. Votre oeuvre respirera dans son cadre, et l'oeil pourra faire abstraction des autres éléments du cadre au gré de l'observateur. De sorte, même une toute petite oeuvre pourra avoir un gros impact dans votre collection.

4. Vitre, plexi, anti-reflet, hmmm?
Toute oeuvre en papier requiert une vitre (ou un plexi, pour les grands formats). Le verre d'encadrement est généralement plus fin que ce qui est disponible chez le vitrier, ce qui réduit les chances de bris pour un cadre antique ou trouvé. L'acrylique peut être suggéré dans le cas de cadres de grande taille, puisque qu'il est plus léger et incassable, à la même épaisseur que le verre.
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Une fois le bon produit identifié, plusieurs enduits s'offrent à vous, allant de la protection UV pour la conservation (encore?) des couleurs fragiles, le dépolissage (moins populaire de nos jours) et les traitements anti-reflets. La plupart se combinent, ce que l'on appelle généralement des “vitres musée.” Étant donné le coût de ces traitements, il est recommandé de laisser les pros faire le montage pour vous, afin de vous éviter un bris à la manipulation.

5. Choix de moulure
Il faut se référer au truc #1 pour ce dernier conseil. Littéralement n'importe quelle moulure peut faire l'affaire dans une multitude de décor, il suffit parfois de les choisir avec assez de panache. Osez, trouvez votre voix. Les deux seules indications importantes que cet article peut vous donner sont au niveau de la largeur de la moulure et sa profondeur. Pour des raisons de sécurité, assurez-vous d'avoir une moulure assez solide pour soutenir le poids de la vitre que vous utiliserez. Si vous voulez une moulure fine «de face», il faudra alors tricher en prenant une moulure plus profonde, de style boîtier.

Gardez un oeil sur mon blog pour mon futur article Comment concevoir votre mur de galerie en un clin d'oeil. Mieux encore, abonnez-vous à la liste VIP pour rester à l’affût et pour recevoir un coupon de 20% envers votre premier achat dans ma boutique.

À plus!