Don’t tell anyone but Artie Colors Outside the Lines!

 

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the best part of blogging is the friends you meet along the way.  Artie, an ex-pat Texan, is one such new friend.  He writes the charming blog Color Outside the Lines, a daily diary of his decorating issues with his house in upstate New York.  He also writes about gardening, entertaining, designing jobs he takes on, and recipes thrown in for good measure.  He describes himself as a “jack of all trades” and for sure he fits that bill.  He is young, very young, and talented, very talented, with a long life and career ahead of himself.  He’s funny and self deprecating and very sweet at that!   He loves HGTV’s Rate My Space and writes clever stories about his misadventures there.  He also launched a successful contest which was quite a hit with the winner receiving a very generous gift certificate to Calico Corners.  

Recently Artie asked if he could interview moi, thinking that I might know something about decorating worth hearing.  Too funny!!   To read Artie’s interview with me, go here. 

In the meantime – below are some of my favorite pictures Artie has posted of his work:

 

 

Artie recently made this charming lamp himself – he even posted his how-to instructions.  Using driftwood in design is all the rage today.  This natural material with it’s silvery tones fits right into the gray interiors everyone seems to love right now.   Readers of Cote de Texas will remember that Sally Wheat also makes objects out of driftwood. 

 

Artie and his partner Scott recently hosted a guest from out of town.   Naturally Artie fretted about getting his guest room in order.  Here is the room as it looked awaiting the out of towner.  Instead of a typical headboard Artie used a mural he had purchased before.  White sheets, khaki duvet and kilim pillows finished up the tailored look.  So nice Artie!

 

Across from the bed in the guest room are these bookcases that Artie recently refinished.  He arranged his books by color which is a very hip thing to do right now.  He stained the exterior of the bookcases and painted the interiors a shade of rust to go with the other colors in the guest room.  You need to see how these bookcases looked before they were refurbished to appreciate how the talented Artie fixed them up:

 

Hard to believe, but this is how the book cases originally looked before Artie remade them.  He also posted step by step instructions to copy.  Most everyone I know either owns bookshelves like this or did at one time and they could benefit with a makeover too.   They look great now Artie !!!

 

 

This summer Artie set up this tent in his backyard in anticipation of a dinner party he was having.

 

Here is a peek inside the tent right before the party.

 

Here’s how the table was set for the party - notice how he laid bands of burlap over a black tablecloth creating the striped effect.  Artie reported the party was a success and that eating inside the tent was magical!

 

Thanks Artie for everything!    To read my interview by Artie,  please go here.