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large art for (somewhat) little money
Art, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas Art, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas

large art for (somewhat) little money

One of the toughest assignments I give myself as an interior stylist is finding large art that doesn’t suck. If you google “oversized art”, you’ll know my plight. It’s a lot of hotel art and badly pixelized digital prints. And what do you consider large art? I would say anything over 55” on the longer side. Anything huge is simply a matter of luck and a 4AM trip to the flea market. And even then, the likelihood of finding something in pristine condition is low, so be prepared for dings and scrapes.

The other design dilemma is the affordability. If I have over $6K to spend, I’m in business. But often, my budgets are a total of $15K for one room, which includes sofas, chairs, rugs, paint, wallpaper, etc. I can’t spend half the budget on a singular piece of art and leave the rest of the room blank!

So what is a budding interior stylist to do? Well, I get my search engines ready and my filters primed. I’m always on the hunt and here’s what I’ve found lately… my suggestion for you is that if you need large art now, purchase these right away because I have no idea how long they will last.

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my top online vintage shops
Vintage, My Finds, Resources Melanie Thomas Vintage, My Finds, Resources Melanie Thomas

my top online vintage shops

If you’re reading this blog and are a fan of my work/home, then you know one thing to be true: I love vintage.

About 85% of everything in my home was either thrifted, bought at a consignment store or found lying on the sidewalk (I used to live in a very interesting neighborhood where they just threw a $400 chair out just because it was “old”). I attend the Rosebowl, Long Beach, PCC and other flea markets practically every weekend and ALWAYS find something (I don’t always buy). I’m of the belief that one can find great vintage and flea markets anywhere, but flea market finds do not always fit your exact needs. How many times have you gone out looking for a decorative tray and came back with giant wooden dragon? I’m raising my hand over here and pointing directly at myself.

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How i pick out wallpaper (shhhhh....)
Wallpaper, Tutorial, Resources Melanie Thomas Wallpaper, Tutorial, Resources Melanie Thomas

How i pick out wallpaper (shhhhh....)

I have been wanting and NOT wanting to write this post for a very long time. And I lied a little in my last post, in case you have been following. I ran two different polls asking what you wanted to me to post about. So while most of you voted for "How to make my house look cool" on this blog, my Instagram followers wanted to know how to pick wallpaper.

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How to pick art: part 2
Resources, Art, Tutorial Melanie Thomas Resources, Art, Tutorial Melanie Thomas

How to pick art: part 2

Hello! I've been putting off my blogging duties this weekend - I've been experiencing major migraines and just couldn't look at another screen. Plus, my keyboard is not working so typing has become even more difficult! But duties call and I can't leave you hanging on my next installment on how to pick art for your home. ICYMI, here is my first lesson:

https://www.melaniethomasdesign.com/post/how-to-pick-art-the-basics

My next lesson is in

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ahhhh... Ikea.
Inspiration, Lighting, Pillows, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas Inspiration, Lighting, Pillows, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas

ahhhh... Ikea.

Today is a BIG day in the Thomas family household. It happens only once a year typically, and it usually happens on a whim. Today I make my trek to IKEA Burbank. If you live in Los Angeles, you probably have done this once or twice or twelve times before. The showrooms, the wonky carts, the big yellow plastic bags, the aisle traffic rules, the arguing couples, the MEATBALLS. You go in wanting a rolling cart, you come out with a whole kitchen dining set, a few lamps, a quirky objet d'art, and definitely some loganberry jam for those frozen meatballs you never ate from last time. Again with the meatballs... but I do love them and if you haven't tried their cafeteria, the trip is worth it alone.

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ugly beautiful
Color, Theory, Inspiration, Resources Melanie Thomas Color, Theory, Inspiration, Resources Melanie Thomas

ugly beautiful

Hello and happy Valentine's Day! What are you doing to celebrate? I normally don't really care about this obvious corporate American holiday, but that feeling was so pre-March 13th shut down. This year we're going big with a lunch reservation at our favorite restaurant. Judging by my recent outing at Trader Joe's, I will probably spend half the meal awkwardly chatting with the waitstaff about what my cat has been up to in the last 6 months.

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large scale art
Art, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas Art, Resources, My Finds Melanie Thomas

large scale art

Hello and happy "Day Before You Officially Start Your First Work Week in 2021"! At least that's how I feel. Although, with the new work from home model, more people are working past the regular 9-5 M-F. What else are we going to do?

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