Invite Curiosity For those of you who are super organized,  your neatly stacked scrapbooks of family vacations (events) on that side table in the living room is still a great conversation starter.  Guests are bound to notice and ask, “What’s in there?” You will have no choice but to bring them out and start storytelling.

For more information on LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE and all the decorating tips that made it in the book, click here.

[Photography by Steven Randazzo]

Inspire a Collection I have this wonderful client who was so passionate about collecting that she wanted her kids to appreciate it as well. So she started a collection of china for her daughter, Chelsea. The china was also called Chelsea. To this day, Chelsea still collects this fine dishware that she is connected to by both a name and her mother.

For more information on LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE and all the decorating tips that made it in the book, click here.

[Photography by Steven Randazzo]

Open Up Your Frame of Mind Framing is not just for photographs and paintings. You can put anything in a frame! Make a cherished note, a monogrammed shirt, or your child’s drawing a permanent decorative element in your home by beautifully displaying it in a frame as a piece of art.

For more information on LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE and all the decorating tips that made it in the book, click here.

[Photography by Steven Randazzo]

Identical frames containing photographs are fine to hang on your wall, however, I would suggest a different approach if you’re looking to create a display for a single flat surface, like a shelf, desk or side table. If all the frames share the same height and color, they lose their individuality. Choose frames that are as distinctively special as the photos inside them.

While most people typically opt for classic square and rectangle frames, I highly recommend looking into other shapes, like round and oval, that are more rare and, therefore, eye-catching.  Also, consider frames made of varying materials, such as glass, wood, leather, or silver.

I cannot stress enough how powerful it is to mix the old and the new. For example, it’s fun to place recent photos in vintage frames and, vice versa, age-tinged images in brand-new ones. You could also match frames from different eras to their subject, like an Art Deco-style one to a picture of your WWI veteran great-grandfather.

Once you have an arrangement you like, you’ll find that these frames become as familiar and companionable as the images they hold. I like to group my framed photos in sets of threes, fives, or sevens (odd numbers look more interesting) that complement rather than cancel out each other.

When photos come together to create what I call “vignettes”, it helps bring up conversations about cultural history, reminding kids (especially) that they share a family life with parents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents. Suddenly, your shelf, desk, table or even wall becomes a testimonial to your family’s past, present and future.

xox,
M

For more tips on how to capture your best memories and other home decor advice, check out my book LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE.

Before you commission a portrait, which requires some commitment of time as well as expense, you must plan ahead. Here are five important points to consider:

Decide Where the Painting Will Live Unlike photographs, which we´re likely to change over time, a painted portrait usually has a permanent place in a room. Figuring out its location early will help you narrow down which artist and style you prefer for the portraiture.

Choose a Medium Knowing in advance whether you prefer charcoal to watercolor or ink to oil will help you find the best artist for the job.

Select a Size Determine the dimensions you desire as early as possible. This is one of the first questions the artist will have for you.

Get to Know the Artist´s Work Take a long, hard look at various artists´ previous work by visiting their studio or gallery, viewing photographs of finished portraits, or checking out a website where their work is on display. The portrait that you commission would be unique, of course, but each artist has a distinctive style and that´s unlikely to change much from one work to the next. Make sure their style appeals to you and get recommendations, if possible, before you make a final choice.

Find Out How Much Time is Needed Some artists will only work from life, and if you want an oil portrait, it may require multiple sittings, either in a studio or in your own home. This isn´t a realistic option for young children who will having trouble sitting still. Some artists do work from photographs, but might need a sitting before putting on the finishing touches.

For more tips on how to capture your best memories and other home decor advice, check out my book LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE.

[Painted portrait by Napoleone Parisani courtesy of Wikimedia]

Rise and Shine to Your Favorite Things A bedside table is a fabulous place to put a personal collection of little trinkets and photos that you love to wake up to.

For more information on LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE and all the decorating tips that made it in the book, click here.

[Photography by Steven Randazzo]

10.) SOLD… $13,000

9.) SOLD… $15,057 Michael Jackson Jacket
This Military Jacket worn by Music Icon Michael Jackson received 64 bids before it sold on eBay, on June 30, 2010 

8.) SOLD… $17,799 Medieval Book of Hours
This Medieval Book of Hours written in Rouen, France, circa 1470, received 30 bids before it sold on eBay on June 1, 2010 

7.) SOLD… $20,000 Antique Purple Glass Insulator  
This Antique Purple Glass Insulator (Micarta-Core Suspension) received 20 bids before it sold on eBay on June 19, 2010

6.) SOLD… $20,100 Charles Loloma Bracelet
This Rare Charles Loloma Kachina Face Bracelet received 23 bids before receiving its final bid on June 27, 2010

5.) SOLD… $26,250 Yankee’s World Series Ring
This 1999 Yankee’s World Series Championship ring received 29 bids before receiving its final bid on June 27, 2010

4.) SOLD… $31,988 Twenty Dollar Gold Coin
This Twenty Dollar (U.S.) Gold Coin, dated 1873-CC (High Grade) received 14 bids before it sold on eBay on June 19, 2010

3.) SOLD… $48,300 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom
This 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom received 45 bids before receiving its final bid on June 28, 2010

2.) SOLD… $57,600 Vintage Marilyn Monroe Dress
This floral print dress worn by Monroe in ¨Something’s Got to Give¨(1962) received 12 bids before it sold on eBay on June 20, 2010

1.) SOLD… $323,300 1913 Stutz Bearcat Car
This 1913 Stutz Bearcat received 84 bids before it sold on eBay on June 11, 2010

See more photos and details at WhatSellsBest.com, a website which tracks the Best Selling eBay items on a monthly basis, in eBay’s most popular auction categories. Copyright 2009 whatsellsbest.com used with permission  

Use an Heirloom to Highlight Heirlooms Something like an antique wooden hutch is a wonderful way to keep priceless pieces safe from stray hands, like curious toddlers. Make a bold statement by displaying your most remarkable pieces here, such as a delicate tea pot collection or an eclectic mix of old cookie jars.

For more information on LIVING WITH WHAT YOU LOVE and all the decorating tips that made it in the book, click here.

9.) SOLD… $5,625 – Clutch of Dinosaur Eggs
This clutch of dinosaur (Oviraptor) eggs, estimated to be 84 million years old, received 19 bids before receiving its final bid on May 28, 2010

8.) SOLD… $7,351 - Signed Beatles Program
This Beatles Program signed by all four members during 3rd British tour in 1963 received 28 bids before receiving its final bid on May 9, 2010

7.) SOLD… $8,700 – 1928 Ruba Rombic Fishbowl
This Ruba Rombic Fishbowl (Phoenix Glass Company 1928) received 53 bids before receiving its final bid on May 21, 2010

6.) SOLD… $9,600 – Babe Ruth Baseball
This 1928-29 Yankees team-signed baseball has fifteen signatures including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig; it received 25 bids before receiving its final bid on May 12, 2010

5.) SOLD… $10,580 – Australia Two-Pound Stamp
This Australian two-pound postage Stamp dated 1913-14 received 31 bids before receiving its final bid on May 16, 2010

4.) SOLD… $11,700 – Antique Flask/Bottle
This 19th century (1/2 pint) flask with a raised design of an eagle received 61 bids before receiving its final bid on May 26, 2010

3.) SOLD… $14,199 – Antique Russian Kovsh
This Silver & Enamel Russian Kovsh (drinking vessel) dated 1900 received 15 bids before it sold on eBay, on May 3, 2010

2.) SOLD… $15,100 – Marklin Toy Battleship
This Large Marklin Toy Battleship (one-meter-long) received 49 bids before it sold on eBay on May 23, 2009

1.) SOLD…$54,950 – Chopard Necklace & Earrings
This Chopard Copacabana (Sapphire, Diamond, & Pearl) Necklace & Earrings received 15 bids when it sold on eBay, on May 22, 2010

See more photos and details at WhatSellsBest.com, a website which tracks the Best Selling eBay items on a monthly basis, in eBay’s most popular auction categories. Copyright 2009 whatsellsbest.com used with permission

Congratulations to the winner of our Father’s Day “His & Hers” Giveaway: Pamm Kesselring of Illinois!

She won a dark brown Monica Rich Kosann Leather Image Case (estimated value: $325) and a Monica Rich Kosann White Topaz Pendant (estimated value: $295). Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter to enter your name in our next random drawing for a chance to win a special prize.

For more information on Monica Rich Kosann collections, visit shop.fineartoffamily.com.