Embrace a New Style this Year: 17 Creative Home Decor Ideas to Bring into Your Space

Originally published by Redfin by Alison Bentley

A new year brings new beginnings, and maybe one of those new beginnings is a refresh on your home’s decor.

Whether that’s adding a piece of art or pottery that speaks to your soul, or redesigning your space with functional and creative furniture, there are countless creative home decor ideas that can help you embrace a new style this year.

That’s why we’ve reached out to experts from Phoenix, AZ to Toronto, CA to help you figure out the right decor that will spruce up your space for the new year. Read on to find out what they had to say so you can refresh your home’s style!

Create a painting over your current wall

For my most creative interior design effort, I painted a grape mural border in the kitchen. We had just moved into a new home and did not like the wallpaper border. When we removed the border, the paint below the border was lighter than the rest of the walls and a bit distressed from the wallpaper glue. Rather than repaint the whole of the kitchen, I painted grapes with water-based acrylic paints. We then continued the effect by gathering paintings and furnishings with a wine and grape theme. - Colleen Reynolds

Imagine each watercolor painting as an amazing window 

Place paintings to create the atmosphere you want in each room, whether a fun party with lots of dancing color in the dining room or a serene forest glade in your bedroom. Paintings completely change the energy of a room. - Jennifer Branch

Make sure to visualize what art will look like in your home

Home is not only the place that you live, work, and play, the art you choose is reflective of your personality and lifestyle. When you fall in love with a piece of art, it can be hard to visualize what it might look like in your home. To make it really easy and help you with your decisions, apps are now available, “WallPicture2Lite” is a free app of selected walls where you can get an idea of what the art that you are interested in might look like on a wall, or you can upgrade to see what the art would look like on your own home. - Birgit O’Connor, Birgit O’Connor Watercolors

Include words of encouragement in your home decor

I’m a business coach for creative entrepreneurs and artists, so a lot of what I do is to show my clients that no matter the life circumstances, they are always moving toward their goal. I like to include meaningful words that encourage. Like this normal, weird piece that reminds me that weird/off/not normal… is actually normal. - Emily Ellen Anderson, Curious Lola

Bring art into your home without spending a fortune

Thrift stores often have inexpensive frames that include mats and hanging wires. Just remove the picture that is in the frame, use masking tape to place your art behind the mat, and replace the backing. - Sharon Wieland, Sharon Wieland Fine Art

Hang art in your home that makes you feel joyful, inspired, or evokes a happy memory

Hang the piece near the door where you enter or exit so that it is the last thing you see before you leave or the first thing you see when you return home. Let your artwork set the tone for the day as you leave or as you settle in upon your return. - SteveGriggsWatercolor

Keep things neutral with a pop of color

I love including subtle accents to my home with paper flowers along with other art pieces that are mostly neutral with a pop of color. These flowers are great to display as centerpieces to the dinner table, filling in empty space on bookshelves, embellishing the night stand, and even in my work from home office desk. They spark the same joy as fresh flowers but with low maintenance, they don't need watering and they don't wilt. - Sara Kim, Founder & Designer of Handmade by Sara Kim

Incorporate layers and color in each room

To display the menu cards, I design table settings to show how to design your table with layering and color. Staging a home to sell by staging your dining table is what the experts do. It will create a beautiful dining experience that buyers will notice. - Mysty & Bella Designs

Color coordinate with decorative paintings 

There are a couple of ways to style such as matching the color aesthetics of your home vs. contrast a stark painting against its elements. An example of this is a neutral color living room (black, white, grey, beige etc.) but complementary with a bright primary color infused painting (red, blue, yellow). - Susanna Lee

Use embroidered pieces as functional seating

Mission Hammock's macrame hanging chairs not only create a stunning art piece for your home, they're also a functional piece of furniture. From boho-chic to clean and modern, hanging chairs can easily be added to any room to create temporary or permanent seating. Adding a chair to a bedroom corner, reading nook, maternity room, living room, or patio can help to not only create additional seating, but create a comfy vibe. - Mission Hammock

Make art with fabric swatches and wooden embroidery hoops

One of my favorite ways to decorate for each season and holiday is to create wall art out of fabric swatches and wooden embroidery hoops. I find appropriate fabric prints, stretch them over the hoop, and hang them for pops of color and festive notes. It takes about 2 minutes to create and you can swap out the fabric swatch whenever you want a change. - Kendra Shedenhelm

Original artwork is a great way to express your personality on the walls of your home

Do you love the outdoors? Landscape paintings of mountains you've hiked, rivers you've rafted (or fished), or a beautiful oceanscape make beautiful statements. Are you a gardener? Bright, bold florals are eye-catching and mesmerizing. Consider an oil painting by a local artist and you'll help support a small business. And many artists can be commissioned to paint a special view, or place, or memory that means so much to you. No one else in the world will have one like it. - Marie Wise, Marie Wise Fine Art

Commissioned art makes your space truly special

A wonderful way to incorporate meaningful and unique art into your home is by commissioning a watercolor painting of a place that has special meaning to you. Imagine having a beautiful original painting of the spot you got engaged in or your favorite travel destination. I specialize in creating these one-of-a-kind watercolor paintings. - Kari Gale

Simply choose pieces that bring you joy

A piece doesn't have to be expensive in order to be considered valuable. Whether it's an antique French confit pot or a worn teacup that you found at Goodwill, the best pieces of pottery are the ones that warm your heart by evoking good memories. - The Hooga Shop

Handmade ceramics are one of a kind

Look for handmade ceramics which, unlike mass-produced, are made slowly and intentionally creating one-of-a-kind, functional wares that you can also display as art. Display them in plain sight – on your bookshelves, dresser, or kitchen counter – you’ll use them more often and enjoy looking at them when you’re not. Choose the pieces that tell a story or that you simply love and can elevate everyday rituals like your daily coffee, painting with watercolors, or removing your jewelry at night. - Sarah Jura, Sun To Sea Design

Pick a piece of handmade ceramics that work on multiple levels 

A visually strong piece that draws the eye, the story about its inspiration and making from the potter, and your story about how you found and met the potter, perhaps linked to a special occasion or vacation. These layered meanings will result in the piece being treasured by you, and also being a conversation piece when entertaining. Choose a piece that brings out these stories – it may have marks left by the potter’s hands or by the kiln in making, or the shape, surface texture or colours may be associated with its stories. - Tim Thornton, Tim Thornton Ceramics

Ceramic planters can bring life to the indoors and outdoors 

Enhance your indoor or outdoor style with unique handmade ceramic planters, bowls and containers. For a fun and whimsical look, pair brightly colored planters with unusually shaped succulents. Choosing a piece of ceramic art is very personal, consider the shape, texture or glaze color that makes you feel good and brings a smile to your face. - Susan Aach, Susan Aach Ceramics

Originally published by Redfin by Alison Bentley

"I Am! Yo Soy!" ePub now available for FREE download (iBooks only)

Many years ago, my sister Kelli came up with the idea for “I Am! Yo Soy!” She wanted to create a kind and affirmative baby/toddler book full of pictures of other babies and simple sentences a young child could remember and soak in. Together we made a fun-to-hold, little board book that proved to be wonderful for families. We heard so many stories of babies reciting the words with their caregivers or kissing the pages “Good night.” We have been thrilled with the feedback!

Because “I Am! Yo Soy!” is a bilingual book, we have now created an ePub version with sound, so you can more easily read both languages (if Spanish or English is not as familiar to you). We’ve also added a wiggly little bee that you can bounce from word to word while you read or listen.

As of now, this free ePub has been adapted for iBooks only. You can download it to your phone, iPad or laptop via my Freebies section (name/info required, but it will skip the payment prompt). If you prefer not to fill out the download form, you can also find it with my other freebies here (this option requires a .zip reader on your device). If you have any questions about using this ePub on your phone, iPad or laptop using iBooks, please feel free to email me at kendra.shedenhelm@gmail.com. I’ll do my best to help!

Thanks again for stopping by. Kelli and I hope you enjoy this digital version of "I Am! Yo Soy!"

Long Live IllustrationFriday.com!

If you haven’t already heard of Illustration Friday, I encourage you to check them out. There is something so friendly and encouraging about their site, and I always enjoy creating art for their prompts.

This week’s prompt was “Game.” I took it as “The Game” or even “Game ON.” Below are my two variations. Have a favorite?

Holiday Card Submission for MATS

Another year, another round (or several) of MATS courses!

This year, agent Lilla Rogers of Make Art That Sells offered a free course to the winner of the Holiday Card challenge. The prompt: Favorite Holiday Drink.

Aside from coffee in the morning, my favorite holiday drink is red wine. I wanted to create a cozy, wintry look for this card, with a not-so-dainty glass of red wine.

Drink up!

Focusing on women and the body

It’s been a very long time since I’ve studied the human body in its nakedness or almost nakedness. I find myself embarrassed in front of a not fully-clothed model, and I shirk away from live sketch nights because of it.

For a recent pitch, however, I was prompted to look more at the female form, looking at her — staring! — and drawing her in all of her shapes and personality. I found it to be so much fun. Not embarrassing at all. Who knew?

Below are some of my recent line drawings…

Portraits and stories from the nursing home

My grandmother spent her last few years in a nursing home, and after my visits with her, I would always wish I'd listened more (wisdom! stories! life lessons! history!). Even though I cared immensely and wanted to make fulfilling conversation with her and her friends, I felt nervous about what to say and unsure how to interact. This really bothered me, and I've been ruminating since on how to be more present and at ease in similar situations.

Recently, it occurred to me that art might be my gateway.

After contacting the nearby nursing home, I arranged to go in for an hour every couple of weeks to draw quick portraits of any residents that would like to sit for me. For now, I'm choosing the all-one-line technique (drawing without lifting my pen), as it is not only fast (5–10 minutes per portrait), it does not allow for fussing over mistakes. The process forces me to stay present and allow for whatever happens to happen. It also gives me a chance to look — truly look — at the face of each person, and listen as she or he tells me stories of falling in love, past careers, and children raised.

Here are some of the people I've had the chance to work with...

Historical Heroines Coloring Book won an IPPY Gold!

The book that I illustrated last summer, The Historical Heroines Coloring Book, has won an IPPY Gold!

More watercolor portraits and faces

After reading Deborah Heiligman's Vincent and Theo a few weeks, I was so inspired, and I began experimenting more with color and portraiture. Here are some of the faces I painted in watercolor...

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

Although I'm a little late on posting this, I read Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman for book club in February, and I found it incredibly inspiring. I think it about daily.

I never studied Van Gogh in college, and I really only knew that he was mentally ill, cut off his own ear and was friends with Gauguin. But the story that Ms. Heiligman has weaved together through the letters between him and his brother told of a kind, thoughtful and extremely hard-working artist. He was dedicated to becoming a better and better draftsman and painter, and he consistently sought his brother's feedback on how he could improve. I was surprised to learn that he struggled with color (as do I), and he worked diligently to develop and modernize his palette. I was so impressed.

This book has much to offer — it's a passionate tale and also educational and inspirational. I highly recommend!

The portrait below was my take on Vincent shortly after I finished the book.

I won an Illustration Friday challenge! #stoked

I love Illustration Friday, and I've been using their prompts to create new work since 2015.

A couple weeks ago, amidst a dearth of gray days and a cloudy head, I found out that I won a challenge! It was exactly what I needed to kick start a better frame of mind. Thank you once again, Illustration Friday!

Here is my collage for the "Twins" prompt (as promoted on Instagram):

New Batch of Greeting Cards Available #moocards

I am in love with the quality of moo cards, and I use them almost exclusively when selling my art in card form. Here's my latest batch for the local birding and nature store, Feed the Birds.

This was a custom pack, so I don't have any more on hand, but please check out my cards in my Society6 shop or contact me personally to get your own custom batch. Thank you!

Farm Animal Pillows launched via Creative Co-op

At the Atlanta Market this past January, more of my Watercolor Animal collection was launched — pillows! Thank you, Creative Co-op!

I received a couple samples, and they look great. Excellent quality pillow, too. Yep, stoked again.

Awards and Reviews for The Historical Heroines Coloring Book

My cover illustration for Historical Heroines is now a finalist for the da Vinci Eye Award! You can learn more here. Thrilled!

I also recently caught this awesome review of Historical Heroines by Lois Henderson. Stoked! Thank you, Lois!

“...the extent of work that has gone into writing and illustrating the work shows that it is a true labor of love (as behooves any work that ardently supports the feminist cause, even in the most subtle of ways)” BOOK REVIEW by Lois Henderson

Author Elizabeth Lorayne seems to be on a roll, winner or finalist of several other Indie Book Awards, such as the fabulous Moonbeam Award and the Eric Hoffer Award. Read about them here: https://www.historical-heroines.com/press/

Have a review of the HH Coloring Book to share? Please let us know!

Homeschooling and The Historical Heroines Coloring Book

Homeschooling and looking for engaging lessons about history and science? Try The Historical Heroines Coloring Book!

A dear friend recently contacted me about his sister who homeschools her daughter and has incorporated the book I recently illustrated into her lesson plan. (Love!)

(My friend's response upon seeing this coloring page by his niece):
"Yay!! And do you quiz her about the people that she colors after? I’m curious if it helps with learning."

(Her reply)
"Yes, I make her tell me about them and she recaps. I think it does help because it breaks up the plainness of most book work and lets her be creative while learning."

I'm so thrilled about working on this Historical Heroines project. I've had several messages from friends like this one. The information really seems to sink in with this coloring activity, and there's curiosity for more.

If you have a story or an image you'd like to share with me about your experience with The Historical Heroines Coloring Book, please feel free to email me or tag me on Instagram. I'd love to hear from you!

What is an #alloneline drawing?

I took an excellent online course with Von Glitschka awhile back, called the 21 Day Drawing Challenge. One of the prompts is to draw an image without lifting the pen. Just one intuitive, free-flowing line. It has been such a fun activity for me, and it really captures the something-from-nothing feeling that I can get when I create. If you ever feel stuck or concerned about perfection, I encourage you to try it.

Some of my recent all-one-line drawings are below. To see posts of other artist's #alloneline drawings, search the hashtag on Instagram. Cool stuff.

All-one-line drawing of a girl saying grace (image referenced from the Internet Archives), ink pen, Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

All-one-line drawing of a woman with headpiece, ink pen, Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

All-one-line drawing of ladies having coffee, ink pen, Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

Thanksgiving and our ornament-painting tradition

Just about every Thanksgiving holiday since my son came along, my parents will drive from Illinois to New York to stay with us for the week. Aside from a daily walk that I take with my dad and some dinners out here and there, we tend to keep plans minimal. However, one plan we have made so frequently that it has now become a Thanksgiving tradition, is to stop at the local pottery place to paint ornaments for each other. It surprises me every year how enjoyable and calm it is to paint with my parents, and the pay off of memory and gift is huge.

Painted ornaments by my parents, my son and me. Thanksgiving 2017

My parents painting away. Thanksgiving, 2017.

How to boil an egg and not spend an hour peeling it

While my parents were in town over the Thanksgiving holiday, I realized that my mom's boiled eggs are always much easier to peel than mine. She assured me that four simple steps, as illustrated below, would make my life better. We tested both ways, and hers won hands down. My egg was peeled in seconds. Give it a shot...

Thanksgiving, family and a free coloring page

My parents drove in from Illinois this Thanksgiving holiday, and we spent an unusual amount of time drawing and coloring. My son has gotten really into what he calls "flare cards" — kind of like monster cards with different strength qualities — and we all pitched in to make about 50 or 60 over their visit. I also made copies of some of my line drawings, like the cups below, and we added color, designs, and my dad even made his into a family tree.

If you'd like to have a copy of my cups drawing for your own family activities, you can find a free, hi-res version here. I'd love to see what you create, so please don't hesitate to email me at kendra.shedenhelm (at) gmail.com or tag me on Instagram. I hope you enjoy it!

Cups drawing, free download available here

My son added various designs, while my dad made them into a family tree (pets included!)

An example of Flare Cards. Just need blank index cards and an imagination for monster-creating.

What's been happening this year: Update 6 of 6

After spending several months working in a simple line style for The Historical Heroines Coloring Book, I really wanted to spend some time with collage again.

Using the Illustration Friday prompts for ideas, below are some of my latest works...

The Mantis and the Moon, collage
Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

The Mantis and the Moon, collage
Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

The Recipe, collage
Copyright 2017 Kendra Shedenhelm

What's been happening this year: Update 5 of 6

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to get my copy of Cricket magazine. I loved every single illustration, and I wondered about the artists who were so lucky to have their work in there. I wanted to know these artists, and I hoped to be one some day.

So... a few months ago I was hired to illustrate for Cricket Magazine! Huge! I cried when I read the request. I cried, and then I called my mom.

Here is my watercolor for Carol MacKay's poem, Basset (Nov/Dec issue)...

My basset hound illustration in Cricket magazine!