Archive for July, 2011
Tapestries: The Life And Art Of William Morris
William Morris is one of Britains most prolific textile designers with a talent in every area he managed to influence. A multi skilled designer with a appreciation of beautiful things he developed a design portfolio that encompasses many genres in the applied arts. Morris’ Early years In 1834 William Morris was born in Walthamstow Essex. He attended Exeter College Oxford where he met Edward BurneJones who later became his business partner and lifelong friend. Initial plans to study for Holy Orders were abandoned in favour of becoming and architect. With such a creative mind Morris soon tired of this and joined his friend BurneJones to paint. Art became Morriss forte and he developed talent in printing poetry and learning how to weave. His tapestry work is undoubtedly his finest creation. Acanthus and Vine was Morriss first tapestry completed in 1879.
The Arts and Crafts Movement The 1860s saw a transformation of the applied arts when Morris Marshall Faulkner and Company was formed. This brought together some of the leading artists of the day as William Morris Peter Paul Marshall and Charles Faulkner began the Arts and Crafts Movement together with Edward BurneJones and Ford Maddox Brown. The tapestries and wall hangings created by Morris remain influential in the design world today. Morris said Whatever you have in your room think first of the walls for they are that which makes your house and home. The company eventually became known as Morris amp; Co in 1874. William Morris Tapestries BurneJones and Morris worked in partnership on some of the greatest tapestries to emerge from the Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris wove the tapestry that BurneJones designed.
One of the most popular tapestries is the Quest for the Holy Grail now on display in the Birmingham Museum and is a set of six tapestries depicting this famous legend. The Adoration of the Magi is perhaps Morriss most well known religious tapestry and was also the most complex. Depicting the nativity scene the foreground is scattered with British flowers and Morris declared that nothing better of the kind has ever been done old or new. The Woodpecker is one of the few designed by Morris himself and depicts the bird sitting in the branches of a fruit tree surrounded by an ornate background of leaves which came to typify the Morris design. An embroidered inscription of Morriss own poetry was included in the tapestry design. The use of colour and intricate detail can be seen in The Tree of Life a well known Morris design which also serves to display his expertise in patterns.
A timeless appeal
Morris once said Have nothing in your houses that you do know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. One of the most prolific artists of the nineteenth century his works are seen today in modern homes and is a testament to the fact that true beauty is timeless.
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About the writer: Angela DawsonField has written various articles for The Tapestry House. Her favourite subjects include Medieval and Religious Tapestry art.
Taking Care Of Area Rugs
Considering the wide range of designs to choose from area rugs can be nice decorative additions to a home. For those people who constantly move to a new place in search for their ideal home investing in area rugs can be of really great bargain. Area rugs can also be an affordable asset since unlike walltowall carpets area rugs do not require permanent installation. Thus can be shifted for redecorating kept for future use or brought along when you move to a new home. With the proper care and maintenance an area rug can last and be in good condition for many years.
To ensure that your area rug will keep hold of its original condition proper and appropriate care is essential. Most often than not some people would just send their rugs to a cleaning company rather than doing it themselves. But for those that choose not to send their area rugs to the cleaners for money saving purposes it is very important to have the basic knowledge on how to properly clean and maintain your area rugs.
Vacuum. Most area rugs are probably bought to be placed on receiving areas particularly the living room and the dining room. If youre a person that likes to entertain people or have guests for dinner and the like it is not unlikely that your rug gets abused due to heavy foot traffic. Thus it is most probable to accumulate dirt dust and perhaps even spills. Using a highquality vacuum cleaner would help stop dry soil from building up on area rugs. Doing so would surely protect and sustain the beauty of your rug. Most vacuums can only do surface cleaning and leave imbedded dirt on the rugs that will probably cause damage in the long run. Try brushing the rug to loosen up the soil and dirt. This will help the vacuuming process easier.
Steam Cleaning. Most rugs are sent to professional rug cleaners for steam cleaning. Nonetheless there are many equipments or machines that can either be rented or purchased that offer the same technique in the comforts of your own home. But there are also some risks in performing this method concerning what cleaning agent to use or how much youre going to use. Hence it is best to seek advice from a professional before doing so.
Spot Removal. Have you ever heard the saying “Accidents happen”? If you have kids at home or even pets it is in all probability that your rug would have spills or pet stains. If you can clean the spill immediately. By doing so stains caused by house pets and liquid spills can be prevented by a large percent. Using a liquid cleaning agent can be very tricky. Some agents can cause the dye from the rug to bleed or can cause improper discoloration. First test the liquid solution. Apply a few drops on a smallnotsonoticeable part of the rug to see if it is right for your rug. Use a paper towel or any of the like to absorb the liquid. To do so hold the absorbent material against the treated area. Do not use rubbing or brushing technique to spot clean the rug as doing so would cause the stain to spread.
Cleaning and Maintenance of an area rug can be very complicated. In order for the area rugs to sustain its original state one must be very meticulous. Considering the material of the rug is vital as it would have different effects towards different cleaning agents. Remember to consult a professional.
Vacuuming Steam Cleaning and Spot Removal are just some ways to take care of your area rugs. And though you can use these methods to clean your rugs during your everyday life it wouldnt hurt to send your area rugs to a professional cleaning company every once in a while. After all with all the beatings your rug gets from all those foot traffic it deserves the best cleaning treatment; and nobody does it better than the professionals.
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Summer Decoration Tips
Decorating can be just like picking an outfit to wear. Seasons can effect what is “in” and what is “out.” So don’t get caught off guard this Spring/Summer and pay close attention as I am going to give you some tips for decorating your apartment this season.
Buckle Up!
Airy Fruity Colors Add some bright vibrant colors to your living room. Perhaps an orange lampshade and throw pillow off set by a light green rug or throw blanket. Match the color of your accessories with a freshly painted and vibrant wall. Stop by your local flea market in search of bright colored vases or other colorful pieces to place throughout and radiate the warmth of spring.
Don’t Forget The Bedroom Wrap your beds headboard with a brightly colored fabric. it doesn’t have to cover the whole thing just part of it. Visit your local Target BedBath Beyond or other super store and pick out some “springy” new sheets pillowcases and a comforter. Have a big window in your bedroom? Cover it with a white sheer drape and then a brightly colored curtain.
Springtime Centerpieces We all know that the winter going away and the spring warmth brings flowers that last through the summer. Bring that natural decoration inside. Use fresh flowers as centerpieces! You might even float plants or flowers in a glass bowl as a center piece. Add a few floating votives to illuminate at night and you suddenly have a wonderful and conversational centerpiece. You might even go as simple as placing some bright colored fruit in a bowl and going with that. Simple springy and fun.
Accent the Plain Walls Bare walls can be a bore so be sure and accent them with some color. One easy way to do this is to take some cheap frames and frame colorful wrapping paper or art. Then hang a series of these on the walls. You might also look into peelandstick wall decals to place throughout your apartment. They are a cheap easy way to get accessorize those walls. You can even use them on furniture cabinets and other flat surfaces that need a little dressing up.
One of my favorite wall decorating ides involves the cheap frames again. Take some cheap cardboard coasters and put each one inside their individual frame. Then hang them on a wall in a series to look at. Its a fun way to create some art.
The patterns If you are looking for patterns rather than solid colors for your fabric materials try large dots stripes shapes and floral patterns. Nothing says spring like that. And don’t try things like duck or animal patterns…they just look kind of tacky
Las VentanasHonestly one of the best ways to “Springalize” any room is to do something new and bright with the windows. Whether its a new window treatment or hanging some stained glass or something else changing this up will add a whole new dimension to any room.
Follow some of these little ideas or come up with your own. Either way just remember that your apartment and how it looks is a reflection as you. Decorate! It’s fun and fantastic.
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