Designing a kitchen from scratch is very gratifying. Deciding not only what colors and style to use but where and how to use them. We spend a lot of time in the kitchen; selection of all aspects of decoration and design is important to putting your individual stamp on the finished project….one to enjoy.

 Ceramic tiles, for example, include color selection of the grout in the tiles. Design and placement of back splash tiles, color and style of cabinets, wall finishes, and selection of appliances are all part of the design process.

 A finishing touch is often the kitchen floor rug.  A hand painted canvas kitchen rug can be created to compliment or contrast with the colors utilized in the overall design of the kitchen. You could incorporate the design of the ceramic tiles to the border of a canvas rug. Or have a complimentary design that takes colors from the tiles or counter tops, wall finishes, etc., to pull the elements of design together. These should reflect your taste, whether your preference is fruits, flowers, animals, or a contemporary, colonial or country design.

 We at Laurel’s Originals love to create and design canvas floor rugs to be an integral part of  a home, including a kitchen. Our canvas kitchen rugs are sturdy and can withstand daily cleaning. Canvas rugs lay flat on the floor thus allowing cabinet doors to glide right over them. These rugs don’t need to be moved about to be cleaned; simply wet mop with disinfectant and wipe dry.

 Kitchen rugs are typically placed at the kitchen sink, but there are other options, as well. If yours is a galley style kitchen, having a canvas runner works very well as you can see from the photo above right.

Also, adding a custom canvas rug to an adjoining dining or family room with a larger area rug can pull the two rooms together, aesthetically. Or, creating an L shaped rug to go from the kitchen sink to the stove. I can go on and on with the possibilities!

 We spend a lot of time at that kitchen sink, it’s nice to place your feet on a work of art (even if it is “only” a kitchen rug) that reflects your joy in the kitchen.

 

 

Personalizing the bedroom has been a topic of late in our workshop.

A client recently asked where she could find bed sheets with tropical designs such as palm trees, fish and tropical flowers:I reminded her we can paint anything on canvas, sheets or any washable fabric.

Another client asked us to make a king size bed cover with a beautiful tropical flower called Torch Ginger. At the beach, we do not need heavy blankets, but we do like to have a bed cover to protect bedding and pull the décor of the room together.

As always, its fun to be able to create something unique for each room, and with 30 years of living in Costa Rica I have always been surrounded by many facets of art in the tropics.

Snorkeling has always been inspiring for creating tropical designs, seeing all the shapes and colors of the fish, combined with the plant life, swirling under the sea, beautiful corals, sparkling sand. It always makes me want to rush home to try and recapture it all with my paints.

We live in a veritable nursery of tropical plants. Flowers, trees, vines, bushes, so vibrant with their unique shapes and colors are truly an inspiration. And don't get me started on the birds! They are so exotic: at times they do not seem real.

Tropical designs for tropical interiors: bed covers, pillow case covers, curtains, alive with colors and details provided generously by Mother Nature. We love to experience it outside and love to live with it inside the home as well.

Over the years, many times people have stated,"Oh, I wish I could make something like that but I'm not an artsy craftsy person."

That is why I love to do custom art because it frees the creative spirit in people without their having to do the actual handwork. This goes for gift shopping too. We are always on the look out for something different for our friends and family. Imagine creating something that is unique for that special person.

 

Maybe you heard your friend talking about changing her pillows on the couch and you know she is crazy about zebras and the color orange so a pair of pillow covers made just for her shows you have given thought to her gift.

Or perhaps you have a friend whose dog is the light of their life and maybe the dog won't appreciate a hand painted floor mat for their food bowls, but the owner would love the easy clean up!

I think the important little piece of information that you know about your special friend or family member is what makes any gift special. The comment you heard months ago that sticks in your memory, or knowing how they love special colors, or animals or plants..using that information to create something unique is a fun opportunity without the fuss of paint, threads or frustration trying to create a special something for a someone special.

I just got an order for several Occasion bags for gifts. Each bag was ordered for the client's friends with different colors in mind for each of them. Some love Black and White or Pink and Purple: you can't go wrong making something unique for a friend who is passionate about certain colors.

In short, creating something personal for your home, creating something personal for your friends and family is an opportunity to be creative even if you are not "artsy craftsy" inclined, by sharing with the artist what you want.