Everyone has their favorite holiday, and I personally know a few who simply live for Halloween. They have life-size skeletons posed sitting around the dining table, and Halloween pieces drip from every square inch and surface. Very fun and creative!

Most of us, though, have limited space and no front yard. Maybe you live in an apartment, have a limited budget or no storage space for holiday celebration items. Maybe you're simply new to decorating.

​You can do a lot with a little, even last minute. We got ya covered!
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Don't let lack of storage space limit you!

If you have just about zero storage space for your decor once a holiday or celebration is over, you might think you have to skip decorating altogether. Happily, that's not true at all.

The key here is think organic. Think fresh pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, scarecrows, cornhusk dolls, Indian Corn, dried wheat wreaths, and Chrysanthemums.

If you live in an area that provides it, you can gather acorns and pretty leaves. Shake off any bugs first, but use these in flower vases or on plates and bowls as a pretty table decoration.

​(When I say "organics" I don't mean you need to spend extra to buy things that have been grown under Certified Organic guidelines. I simply mean that things are temporary and "live.")

A simple Command hook (one that can handle 5 pounds) can be put on the door to hold a wreath, wheat bunch, or Indian Corn arrangement. Even if you have a metal door or rent an apartment home these Command hooks are perfect for adding a touch of fun and color.

After the holiday is over these natural fibers and things can be put in the compost bin or garbage. No storage needed!

​If you want a little more pizzazz to your organics, simply love a more styled look, need something FAST, or have sworn off pumpkin carving for one reason or another, you can use simple crafts paint to spiff them up.

Painting gourds and pumpkins solid colors can be the fastest solution.

Painting them white, a variety of blues, or even gold are classic and classy ways to make centerpieces and doorstep decor.

Want something even more modern? You could do black and white paint for a dramatic solution. Use painters tape to help block off sections if you want to try a checkered pattern or get more detailed. 
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A quick trip to the fabric or craft store can net some very fun and simple decorations. Fabric that looks like cobwebs, or even simple black or white gauzy fabric is a fast way to add spook to your home.

Fabric can be draped over mirrors, artwork, tables, or even thumbtacked into doorways at odd angles to lend a cobwebby feel.

This can work even in an apartment where there is no lawn or floorspace to add anything big.

Fabric like this is very simple to roll up into a super small rolls or squares so you can easily store it in a place the size of a shoebox.
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Baking can be a great way to decorate.

Surprised? 

A beautiful spooky cake, yummy creative cookies, apple pies, cinnamon rolls, and fun cupcakes are perfect. Any or all of these set on the counter or table bring a new level of delight to the eye and the tummy.

I can't think of a more delicious way to decorate. It also adds a fantastic smell to the air. Don't be surprised if you end up with unexpected guests wanting to help you sample the yummy.
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Another bonus of using natural decor is it can be used for Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Yep, there is more versatility to Chrysanthemums, corn, and gourds!

You can pull down any fabric decorations that were Halloween-specific and leave the rest up for a beautiful November.

Keep an eye on the pumpkins and gourds and make sure they're still fresh and solid (not rotting). If you need to get fresh pumpkins just paint up a new set.

​There are so many simple, fast, affordable ways to bring energy and beauty into your home this year, you'll want to get in on the fun.

No matter your budget or storage space you can enjoy this time of year with all of your senses!

Tell me what your favorite way to decorate is in the comments below!

​Happy Halloween!

​You wouldn’t serve your friends food on a piece of paper towel saying “here, eat.” You wouldn’t sit your clients in an empty waiting room. You wouldn’t ignore LinkedIn profiles or business cards. So why are you ignoring your background on your video calls?

​Pay attention to that blank space behind you! That's where people are looking during the call, it's setting the tone, and becoming part of your brand as much as any marketing you're doing.

A boring wall isn't “professional” and isn’t building trust. It’s cold, boring, and shows you put no thought at all into what the other person is experiencing. You’re better than that!
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Maybe you're thinking to yourself "I use that virtual background option, so I don't need to worry about my real life background."  

Sorry that’s just not cutting it. If you need to use that once in a great while that's ok, but it’s unstable on the areas surrounding the most important thing: you! It also uncomfortable and difficult to look at. People don’t like being uncomfortable. If you're on a sales call or trying to build trust a virtual background won't cut it.

If you’re trying to project a safe environment, you’re missing out, too. Using that background only looks like you’re hiding something behind a curtain of technology.

​Level up! Get a real background!

If you video call in from a desk top computer, invest some money in two things:

1) a simple light source that can be adjusted to fully light your face no matter what time of day or the weather

2) Art to hang behind you for others on your call to see

After you invest in some Art and have a simple light ring to light up your beautiful face, take a look at what people are seeing when they talk with you. Be set manager and director and do some practice runs. Turn on your camera, take screenshots of your video, save them, and then look at them objectively.  Is the camera at eye level? How is the light? How does the art look? Are you projecting the feeling that you want to? 

Shift things until you get them right, then keep things set up that way, or mark and make note of where things are positioned so you can easily set it up perfectly for your next call.
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If you’re on a laptop, tablet, or phone trying to find a quiet corner of your house or apartment to video call from, you can still have a beautiful background.

It's likely you need to move from room to room for quiet and privacy depending on who else is home and what activities they're doing. 

To start use an ultra portable desk you can move to any room, even in small spaces. There's a great and very affordable desk that goes by another name: an ironing board! Easy to store no matter how limited the space, fast and easy height adjustment, and light and easy to move and set up even in small areas.

Next, light source. With the desk able to move so easily, you can angle to face a window (during the day), near a lamp, or you can use a simple portable light ring that lights your face.

Pick three places that are go-to spots, add Art in the background, do some dry runs taking screenshots of your video feed and adjust til it's great.

You know you'll sometimes need to take calls in your bedroom for example. Pick a wall or corner for the camera to face that doesn't show your bed but instead shows art, even if it's just part of it. Keep a chair available nearby, toss a throw blanket on the back to make it feel and look better. Use that ironing board desk to get angles just right.

Check your living room situation and choose two or three spots that will work (it's good to have options). Since it's a larger room, notice ALL of what is showing in the background. Make sure there are larger pieces of art for people to see.

For example in my living room I have a spot that works when the sun is up and one that's better even when it's dark out. Now I know how to get them set up in about 4 minutes.

As always they include Art.

Doing these simple things doesn’t mean that every video call you'll look like you’re a movie star. We're not even saying you need your hair and makeup done.

That’s ok! It's even more reason to let people know you’ve thought about their experience on the call and want to show you value them and yourself by having beautiful art. 

There is an informal 5 AM call that I’m on. The lights, heat, and chairs don’t quite line up in the morning. but i’m working on it. But regardless of how I look for that particular early morning call, I have beautiful art in the background.

It’s wonderful to hear people say I love that. Oh those blues! Or to have my clients contact me and say “people LOVE your artwork…I was on a call the other day and so many people commented on how they loved the artwork!"

​Art is a point of connection without being revealing. Professional without being compromising.

How do you connect with people online?
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Want to be known as a great gift-giver? Looking for ways to give true gifts this year instead of just giving "stuff" that isn't loved? Want to have more fun shopping? We understand! Holiday gifting is meant to be about love and joy after all. We got you covered! 

Heart felt and unique, art is the perfect gift!

Here are 5 helpful tips to make it easier for you to choose with confidence.
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If you're worried about buying a piece that "goes with" your loved ones decor, go with blue.

Blue is soothing and can work in a number of rooms: it works just as well in the living room as it does in the bedroom.

60% of men have some degree of color blindness. That means that blue and yellow are safe bet colors that everyone can truly see even if there are multiple people in the home. Yellow is stronger and brighter, a statement color that might be a risky fit. Blue is the safest bet. Even people who are afraid of color (a strong majority of men choose neutrals for decorating) enjoy the color blue. 
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Whether it was a trip you took together, a place they always wanted to go, or a meaningful destination, your special someone has favorite happy places. A piece of art that captures or reminds them of that place is a fantastic choice.

​It could be a very specific location, like Santa Monica, CA, or it might be a more general like "the beach" or "the woods". For those more modern art lovers, it could even be an abstract piece that is inspired by the ocean or the woods. Your goal is to share the feeling of happy!

Don't know where their happy place is and don't want to ask? Almost everyone has happy memories or dreams of the ocean and sun.
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Art that is big can be fun and interesting. Who doesn't love a statement piece? But even if you're an interior designer that's too much for a gift situation.

Even in a large space, most houses have open floorpans. This means there's not much room for hanging art. If their home is in an apartment, wall space is more precious. Offices have similar issues.

​Art doesn't have to be big to make a big impact as a gift, though. Pieces that are smaller - and we mean from 4 to 20 inches - are perfect choices! They'll still capture the eye, bring beauty and joy, and are easier to ship, hang, and keep with them even if they move.

Make sure that the art you choose can be put it up on their walls immediately.

If you choose art that needs to be matted, framed, or otherwise altered to get on the wall, you'll end up gifting a project instead of something that can be immediately enjoyed. Make it easy on them to fall in love. (See our post about that here.)

Just because art is ready to hang doesn't mean that it has to be ready-made. Did you know that most artists LOVE to take requests? If asked, we'll happily paint pieces specifically for a person.

Known as "commission pieces" what they really are is personalized pieces.

When you're buying art online you can contact the artist and ask if they can do a special piece. This will take a little more time since it will need to be created and need time to dry. Depending on the artists' schedule, it also might take a little more planning to hit your deadline.

But there are some ways to make it easier to get a personalized piece. For example, instead of requesting something completely custom, you could ask them to paint a piece similar to one they already did but on a different canvas size or in a different color.

Remember it's art so no two pieces will be exactly the same, and you'll still need to factor in drying time.
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Art is a wonderful gift any time of year, but will definitely stand out during the holiday season. 

Trust your intuition and go with the feeling that the art creates. If you look at the art and think of the person or simply can breathe a little deeper when you look at it, chances are they will, too. Remember it's about sharing the feelings of joy! 

Dorms,  apartments, houses, and offices of North America are ready for more beauty and joy this holiday. You're right on time for getting the perfect piece for the precious people in your life. Have fun being an art gifted this year!

"I just want color. I want art. And I just want to hang it," she said with exasperation. "I didn't think it would be this complicated!" Cassandra was struggling to get her walls decorated. "I ordered this picture that I liked and looked cool on the site and it came and it was just a piece of canvas. What am I supposed to do now?" she groaned.
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Most of us think of art as something nice for the walls of the main hang out rooms in our place. Living, bed, or dining room wall decor so we have something to make the room look a little more finished.

In a bold move we might consider popping something in the entry area or the blank wall behind us that all of our zoom friends stare at when we meet. (Go for it!)

We think of art as ready-to-go, that we only need to decide where to put it. We expect the hardest part of hanging it to be getting the right sized nail and remembering where we put the hammer. 

We get it! It's not going to be quite that easy but we want to make it easier for you to get your place looking and feeling like you ASAP. Here are a few tips.
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If an artist has created a sketch or paints with watercolors, this means that they use paper and not canvas. 

Most of these creators will put a cardboard-like paper mat on the front of their piece and a plain piece of cardboard on the back and taped together. This is a mat, it isn't a frame and isn't ready to be hung up.

You'll need to pop this into a frame with a piece of glass on the front. The glass is needed to protect the paper.

You can take this to a professional framing service and do some elegant and beautiful things with trim, more matting, and frames.

For a fast, easy solution you can buy a basic glassed frame at a local craft or art store and pop the matted piece in. Choose the perfect spot and enjoy.
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If you're buying art painted with oil or acrylic paint, it'll be on canvas. That could mean a simple piece of flat canvas or canvas that's stretched around wooden stretcher bars.

If it's flat canvas you'll need to have it stretched or you can hang it in a very rustic way with clips on a wire.

When a piece says it's "On Gallery Wrapped Canvas" that means the canvas is stretched around the wooden bars and stapled or tucked into the back. This isn't framed, yet it is ideal. 

The sides might be blank black or white, or they might be painted with the image going all the way around the edges.

You can frame gallery wrapped canvas (no glass on these), but the nice thing is you don't have to! They can look beautiful on the wall just as they are.

Does it say multi-paneled? This means it's a few pieces, not just one big piece. It could be two, three, or even five pieces making up one image.

The tricky thing here is that the dimensions listed are of the entire work, meaning all the pieces put together side by side.

​For example my American Flag painting that had three panels, it would be listed a multi-panel 56" wide piece, not three pieces of 18"

Multi-paneled isn't bad, it's just a different look. There's more variety in how you can hang it, which can be fun. The bonus of multi paneled is that it's often less expensive way to fill a large space and also less expensive to ship to you and pack up later if you move.

Multi-paneled pieces are never framed.
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Most art shows, especially around the holidays, will say that all the work is ready to hang. "Ready to hang" means you will be able to get this on your wall right out of the box.

This usually means there are metal pieces screwed into the sides on the back and a strong wire tight between them. This is easy hardware to hang up quickly with one supported nail and get it straight the first time.

But it doesn't mean that it's framed. Framing is so unique for each household that even choosing white floating frame can be limiting instead of versatile.
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​Having art on your walls is the best way to express yourself and bring color and delight to your decorating efforts. So find those perfect pieces for you and for gifts for others.

A lot of people buy art online on art sites instead of in-person or through a gallery, so you may not have someone who really knows the art helping you shop. Most art sites will happily offer help and answer questions. Ask away!

Get ready to hang.