This innovative shelving, Zyklus by creosa interior, is all about the play of light in Klimt-inspired spirals. At least, that’s more or less what Architectural Digest said back in May when they raved on about this designer piece. Whatever the inspiration, it’s a crisp modern interpretation of the Art Nouveau aesthetic that takes furniture into the realm of sculpture… Nice!

Stark white or subtle colours for the lacquered metal spiral, with cross members of coordinating MDF or natural wood. The unit is approximately 58″ x 50″ (15″ deep) and holds up to 700 CDs, or 70 bottles, or whatever else you might fancy. So, one piece of furniture is both art and multi-purpose storage and display unit — how often can you say that?

I want to talk about picture frames, really I do. But first let me tell you how this comes to mind. See, last night I went to visit my friend Betty, interior designer extraordinaire. And whenever I visit her, I get all excited by the many and varied trapeze lights that she’s used in her chalet-style home. Those airy wire and metal structures seem to fly across the open spaces, yet are so unobstrusive! — and a surprising choice against all the natural wood.

Since I’m living in This Old Farmhouse, however, something as modern as a trapeze style fixture doesn’t seem quite appropriate here.

So, much as I love the almost-not-there look of trapeze style fixtures, I’ll likely stick with my early-1040s ceiling lights until something perfect comes along.

But what about flying a few sleek wires on the walls?

Ah, that’s a different story!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got about fifty kabillion photographs to display and not nearly enough wall space! (Who isn’t always on the look-out for a nifty solution?)

I keep coming back to these Umbra Trapeze Frames that I’d first spotted some time ago at Amaroni — that’s a UK-based site, but the exact same Umbra frames are closer to home and considerably lower in price at Amazon.

And the reason why I keep coming back to this style is because they combine simplicity with elegance — and very practical, too. You can show a wide variety of sizes and types of photographs or drawings or whatever art needs hanging, and put the whole bunch up together as one graceful unit. I think it has a great uncluttered look that could work anywhere — in a ski chalet or cosy farmhouse just as beautifully as in a suburban bungalow or hip urban loft.

Finding a way to display photographs can be tricky.

Especially if you haven’t got the spare moola to buy dozens of photo frames.

Or if the landlord won’t let you put a whole lot of nails in the walls, to hang them.

Here’s a possible solution, spotted at Urban Outfitters — a long clear plastic sleeve with space for 28 photos of 4″ x 6″ size.

That makes it 76 inches long by 10½ inches wide, which is large enough to make a real statement as a personalized photo collage.

Bonus, of course, is the fact that you can swop out the photographs as the mood takes you, to create an ever-changing display.

Technorati Tags: photographs, wall, decor

Nothing personalizes a home like a display of your own photographs. I really like some of the ideas that Lesley sparks off with this article about different ways to show off those family pictures, too:

4 Fun Ways to Display Photos
by Lesley Dietschy

From baby pictures to vacation pictures, images of family and friends are treasures that are kept for a lifetime. They make great gifts and add cheer and warmth to the interiors of our homes. Below are four fun ways to display your favorite photos.

1. Display photos on a 1”-2” wide ribbon using self-adhesive Velcro circles or squares.

• Select desired photos and trim if necessary.
• Select ribbon and cut to desired length.
• Place self-adhesive Velcro on the back of the photos.
• Arrange photos on ribbon and be sure to press Velcro firmly in place.
• If desired, decorate open spaces of ribbon with beads, buttons, glitter, etc.
• Tie a bow at the top of the ribbon.

2. Refrigerator Photo Magnets:

• Select photo and cut out to desired size. You might want to make a copy of the photo to use in place of the original photo.
• Using photo-safe glue, attach the photo to a piece of medium to heavy weight cardboard.
• Cut the cardboard to the same size as photo. You can use regular or decorative edged craft scissors. This is the step where you can get really creative! Instead of cutting the cardboard the same size as the photo, leave a border around the photo and decorate with beads, miniature flowers, etc.
• Using craft glue, attach a magnet to the back of the cardboard and press firmly in place. Allow glue to dry completely.

(Alternatively, use your inkjet printer and Avery Magnet Sheets photo paper to create one-of-a-kind fridge magnets from your own photos!)
3. Photo Collage:

• Purchase a frame and a mat or poster board that will fit inside the frame.
• Select photos to be used and arrange (overlapping) on the mat or poster board.
• Using decorative edged craft scissors, trim around photos in fun designs and shapes, such as hearts or circles.
• Using photo-safe glue, attach photos to mat or poster board in the desired arrangement.
• Allow glue to dry and place finished collage inside the frame.

4. Photo Standups:

• Select photo and enlarge on a color copier until the person or image is at least 5 inches tall.
• Using a glue stick or craft glue, attached the copied image to a piece of heavy card stock or foamboard.
• Carefully cut out around image.
• To display the photo standup – use fun picture clips, attach a magnet to the back, or purchase (from a craft store) a precut, slotted strip of wood or plastic to hold photos upright. You can also make a stand from the heavy card stock or foamboard.
• These photo standups are also great for decorating packages or using as centerpieces for party decorations.

As you can see, these four inexpensive ways to display your favorite photos can be a lot of fun to create. Get your children involved and make some unique gifts to give to your family and friends.

About the Author:
Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange, a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, a shopping marketplace, and more.
Article Source: HomeGardenExchange.com