Michael is a local artist who is trained in art and graphic design. His medium of choice is acrylic on masonite, which allows for active working of the paint to reach the desired texture.

Many of his pieces are oriented in the vertical format for a unique display that allows for several works to be hung together. Michael also has sculptural pieces including several versions of the American flag. His style is inspired by Vincent Van Gough in depth, color, contrast, atmosphere, texture, and originality. His creations are often bight and decorative. Michael is a member of the Louisville Art Association.

He has had exhibitions in Denver, Boulder, and Louisville and won several awards for his art. You can find some of his pieces in Design Matters home stages is Boulder County and look for him on the local art scene web site www.artworknetwork.com.

We love displaying the wonderful work of local artists in our home staging and in our office. If you are an artist in the Boulder, Broomfield, Longmont, North Metro Denver area and would like to learn more about our local artist program send Helly an email at helly@designmattershome.com.

Labels: Home Staging, local artists

Christine Humphreys is a self taught wildlife and nature photographer, she has been capturing images for over 20 years. Driven by passion and love of the natural world and the adventure of exploration and discovery, she photographs the wonders of the smallest of animals, the expanses of the grandest landscapes and the alluring of fleeting wildlife.

Chris has traveled extensively to photograph, and view wildlife, the environment, and animals in their natural habitat. Her travels and photographs include subjects in Alaska, Australia, Africa, Bonaire, Fiji, Dominica, British Colombia, Galapagos Islands, Turks and Caicos, Guadeloupe Island, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, California, Florida, and Colorado.

She is also a certified scuba diver, experienced in underwater photography and video. Her underwater shots are as dynamic and breath taking as her land and sky subjects. Chris seeks to use her photography to educate and document protection of the environment.

You can see her work in regional and national magazines, books, and calendars. Her photograph of a coyote was on the cover of Outdoor Life this year. She recently took amazing action photos of a skydiving event in Longmont that will be published soon.

Check out her websites:
www.wildimages.net
www.christinehumphreysphotography.com
www.petpawsphotography.net.

We love displaying the wonderful work of local artists in our home staging and in our office. If you are an artist in the Boulder, Broomfield, Longmont, North Metro Denver area and would like to learn more about our local artist program send Helly an email at helly@designmattershome.com.

Labels: Home Staging, local artists

Jane is a classically trained fine artist who has mainly worked in oils for the last 15 years. She specializes in impressionist style canvases featuring still life, figures, animal portraits, and, Louisville, and Boulder County, and Colorado landmarks. Jane is a teacher and member of Plein Air Artists, American Impressionist Society, East Boulder Artist Alliance, Louisville Art Association, Art Students league of Denver.

Labels: Home Staging, local artists

Here are some tips to make your home festive for the holidays. If you have any questions or need some help let us know. Also, check out our holiday specials.

Table Top:

Place dried branches with mini-Christmas balls in a tall glass cylinder vase

Lighting:

Hang ornaments off of chandeliers with ribbon

Swag greenery off of chandeliers

Lay festive branches across your chandelier.

Swag Christmas lights in the bathroom and leave on at night. The warm glow will provide flattering and festive light for you and your guests without turning on the overhead light.

Wreaths:

Hang them with ribbon over mirrors especially rectangular and square mirrors to provide shape contrast

Center weath on front of built-in bookcases to overlap the items in the bookcase

Hang (3) horizontally on a wide ribbon (4")

Be creative with embellishment. Most things can be secured on with floral wire pinecones, ornaments, fruit, candy, flowers, or wrap ribbon around the wreath.

Flowers:

Cluster amaryllis, holly, and orchids in low silver cups the size of a toothbrush holder so the flowers are low in the up or holder. You can use a toothbrush holder!

Trees:

Use shorter strands to keep snarls down and for easier replacement of strands if one goes out.

Beaded garland is a great way to add sparkle with less ornaments.

Ditch the metal hooks for ribbon. Tie each ornament to the tree. This may be more work, but you will have to put less on as the ribbon serves as adornment and secures ornaments better than the hooks.

Don’t pitch ornaments that have lost their crowns, put them into a vase or bowl. Glue the crowns on with superglue so they don’t fall off in the first place.

Make color your theme and inspiration. Go for one color of lights, ornaments, garland, beads, bows, and floral on your tree to create an elegant color themed tree.

Labels: holiday decorating, holiday style