Though you may try to get a casual look in traditional decor, in general, this style of decoration is used for formal setups. This article will take you through simple ways to get a traditional look for your house. One of the most important things to consider is color which in traditional style must never be too bright or gaudy. The colors are supposed to be neutral in most cases. For those who want to bring it up a notch, jewel based tones can be great too. In traditional decoration, wallpaper can be used in very creative ways. You can let your imagination run wild with the pattern on wallpaper. Pretty flowers, large fruits, entwined vines, or just simple stripes - the lack of experimentation in color can be made up with the varied availability of wall paper styles. 

An important feature of traditional decoration is the fabric used. The most commonly used material is velvet which can be hanged anywhere to instantly transform the look of the room. Brocades are also widely used for curtains and bedroom set covers. The windows can get many trimmings and you can use sheer curtains with heavily done fabrics to enhance their appearance. Also, the covers used can be patterned or embroidered. The more detailed the work the better. The idea is to make the decoration look very regal and expensive. You can use plush cushions and covers for your sectional sofas and even throw lovely fabrics on furniture to add to the glamour. 

The furniture used in your house can make a significant difference in the look. There are many types and styles of traditional furniture to choose from. Most of these furniture pieces have intricate crafting and fine detailing. These furniture pieces are made of wood like mahogany, walnut or rosewood. The ornate styles and curved legs of the furniture make it distinct from the other items available in the furniture store. Most of the furniture pieces will be very heavy due to the large size and use of heavy wood. If you are arranging your room in traditional style, try to make it look full of accessories and furniture. 

Finally, use artistic decorative items to make the house look well furnished. Unlike other decorating styles, traditional methods do not demand empty spaces or clean lines. The more the number of accessories, the better the look will be. Use family portraits, still life paintings and mirrors in heavy and ornamented frames. Large vases, statues and tapestries can also be used to add to the romance.

I hope the lady who won this is enjoying her flowers and I know that the proceeds went to a very good cause...

It has been fun collecting all these old and discarded 'containers'... I have now accumulated a fair sized collection of teacups , all having lost their original purpose without their saucers , and now ready to take on a new beauty either filled with flowers or indoor bulbs...

A collection of vintage containers... Stone jars, old pressed glass and china milk jugs...

XX Nicola

The vases are in the same style as the image on the left - medium to large beads threaded with a wire pattern. Some are made to hold candles. Others are open at the top and bottom (as most of mine are).

Does anyone have a name for these items. I appreciate the help!

I enjoy the free process of making the Pollock vases, and the unique characteristics each one displays. I use the same pastel colours of my Bambina vessels in combination with black and white. The splattering is layered with colours randomly, producing entirely one-off patterns each time.

These three vases will be auctioned in the Webbs Contemporary Art, Modern Design auction on the 22nd October, along with a set of Bambina vessels and Kowhai light.

Some exciting news lately, though I don't have a drawing for you, I can announce my inclusion in a new ceramics anthology called Confrontational Ceramics edited by Judith Schwartz. It's a beautiful coffee table book with a stunning international range of artists both historic and contemporary. It is a great honor to be in the book, although since I'm not working in clay right now, the experience is surreal. The piece is from 1999, and by the time it made it to print, it's almost ten years later. In a way, I'm enjoying it maybe more than if it were published sooner. I have distance from that time in my life and I don't feel frantic to try and leverage something from the publication. Sorry if that sounds crude, but as an artist with a responsibility to publicize my own work, it's hard not to think that way at times. The 101 vases pictured above is actually stored in boxes back in Seattle, save the few individual pieces that actually sold, so it's nice it has a life to live now in this form. You can read a blurb here about the piece of mine that is featured in the book.

Some of my favorite other pieces in the book are by Jeanne Quinn and Kim Dickey, my professors and two heroes of mine here at CU Boulder, as well as Tip Toland, Akio Takamori, and Jason Huff, who are old friends from Seattle and incredible artists. Definitely check out their work!

I highly recommend the book if you have an interest in ceramic work or work with a political or social lens, and not just because I'm in it, though that does effect my desire to blog about it...

Some "novel" uses for old books... ;-)

The Unity Sand Ceremony is a novel alternative for the popular "unity candle ceremony" incorporated into many of today's weddings. The essence is to symbolize the union of "two into one". This sand version is not only beautiful and interesting, but also more appropriate for an outdoor setting. With the addition of fresh flowers, these distinctive vases will make an intriguing addition to a home's decor. The addition of coordinating miniature nesting vases and contrasting colors of sand allows children to be invited to take part in a "Family Sand Ceremony".  What's nice about this set is that you can include your full names and date rather than just a monogram and initials.  Bellacroft has a September coupon for 15% off plus free shipping on any Bridal purchase of $75+.  Whether it's a Toasing Flute Set, Unity Candle or Sand Ceremony Set, or a Cake Topper, Bellacroft has all the top brands to offer.

Use coupon code BELLA15ST

The technique I have use to create the pattern is by double pouring the slip and carving through the grey to reveal the white. Each of the Zebra Vases are made in the same way, but because each is hand carved, no two pattern is identical.

Like all of my other work, the Zebra Vases are unglazed, sanded and buffed. This means that I can halve the amount of firing time needed, saving energy and being that much more friendly on the environment.

Single stem flowers look incredible in them, these orchids are sitting in the same little sealed tube of water that they came in from the florist.

The Globe Vases are simple and elegant. They have a feeling of calm and tranquility like Japanese ceramic design.

These vases will soon be available to purchase through my etsy store www.popkraft.etsy.co

Pop Art Velvet Assorted Vase  (Kare)

Linea Bauch Assorted Vase (Kare)

[caption id="attachment_73" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Simplicity Vase (Pil Bredahl for Menu)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_47" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Vase (Kare)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_48" align="alignleft" width="155" caption="Silver Mosaic Vase (Kare)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_78" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ghost Vase (Tina Leung for Innermost)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_59" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Rainbow Stone Groove Small Vase (Kare)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_60" align="alignleft" width="182" caption="Rockstar Noble Black Vase  (Kare)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_74" align="alignleft" width="300" caption=" Single Stem Vase (Spaceform)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_67" align="alignleft" width="231" caption="Wire Oval Vase (Kare)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Vase (Lemon Design)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_69" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sphere Vase (Pernille Vea for Menu)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Rubber Vase (Henriette Melchiorsen for Menu)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Plywood Photo Frame Vase (Ora)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_284" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Harvest Large Drop Vase (Bellacor)"][/caption]

Blue Dog With Apple, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Inside the family room in Oregon.

Taken with the Canon PowerShot SD750.

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