personal preference art : Home Decor Themes - Your Style

If you want your home décor themes to show off your personal style and impress all of your visitors, you can find great ideas for home décor themes online. The internet offers a wide selection of possible home décor themes to choose from, and with the right home décor themes, your home can really be a place you enjoy, as well as one with the style and class you can be proud of.

· Bathroom home décor themes:

As few items of merchandise as there are for your bathroom, those items may be exactly what make your bathroom stand out. You can coordinate your bathroom décor so that it looks great and feels welcoming for your guests. The home décor you choose for your bathroom is going to be very important for the overall look of your home. If you want to go with anything from fishes to disco home décor themes for your bathroom, you are sure to find great ideas online, so have a look around.

You can coordinate your guest bathroom décor nicely as well, so that it looks great and feels welcoming for your guests.

· Bedroom home décor themes:

When you select home decor themes you have many things to consider, from the color of your trashcans to curtains to bedspreads etc., and of course, the particular theme you are going for. The home décor you have in your bedroom is very important, because you want your bedroom to be a comfortable environment especially designed for you to relax and unwind. Some people have bedroom home decor themes such as winter-type colors and designs for the colder months, and then separate bedroom home décor themes for the warmer times of the year.

For example: In autumn you can use a home decor themes such as a bedspread with autumn leaves and pillows in autumn colors. Perhaps you can pull out some specifically autumn-like trinkets to set on your dresser or nightstand. You can change the home décor theme in your bedroom as often as you like—some people even change simple things like bedspreads, sofas etc, four times per year to suit the style of the season.

· Kitchen home décor themes:

You spend a lot of time in your kitchen. So you want to have home décor themes for your kitchen that make you feel at home, comfortable and proud of the beautiful re-decoration around you. There are all kinds of home décor themes for your kitchen—depending on the kinds of styles you like best.

There are many options when choosing home décor themes for your kitchen—from different types of lighting that best suit your home décor theme, to wall boarders and easy stencils for the walls, to clocks, and so much more. Many people like to go with a bright, colorful motif in their kitchens, and then there are other people who want their kitchen home décor theme to be very elegant and luxurious. Everyone choosing a home décor for the kitchen should be sure to choose kitchen home décor themes that are something to be pleased with, something pleasing to the eye.

· Living home décor themes:

The living room home décor themes available to choose from include virtually everything you could want for your living room—from color design to rustic motifs. Such home décor themes can be trendy, simplistic or luxurious, depending on the type of living room that you want to design. Many people like home décor themes that have to do with color themes, themes such as collectors items, for example: a living room home décor theme that includes more than anything else little hand-made African instruments and African-style trinkets and statuettes on display, and there are many more kinds of home décor themes for your living room—all depending on your personal taste.

· Patio and garden home décor themes:

Furniture and other items you will need for certain home décor themes for your patio and/or garden are also available in casual, unique, luxurious, abstract, and even vintage designs. You can go with patio or garden home décor themes such as Victorian themes, modern art accessories, rustic designs and much, much more just for you.

§ Patio home décor themes

Enjoy the outdoors this year with a great outdoor home décor theme that best suit your needs and in which you can relax and unwind. Home décor for your patio is very important if you enjoy and make use of your patio at home. There are many types of patio home décor themes that range from plants in pots and beds, to the rustic look, to the relaxing, lounge-about beachside look and more.

§ Garden home décor

Your garden is also very much a part of you home and aside from what you plant in your garden to make your garden look stunning, there are also pieces of garden décor that can add a home décor theme that is fragrant, beautiful touch, and fits a certain category such as a Japanese garden, a Victorian garden or a garden with religious home décor themes to the beautiful garden you already have, or if you are just getting started designing your new garden. Add garden merchandise such as archways, gnomes, little picket fences, and more to create the most beautiful home décor themes in your indoor or outdoor garden.

The home décor themes you want will, of course, be exclusive to your ideas of what you want your home yard, and garden to look like—i.e. your personal preferences in home design. What looks great to one person may be unimpressive to another. You want home décor themes that you adore and can be proud of. And, hopefully, you will design home décor themes that your friends and family members will love too! So there is a lot of looking to be done.

But remember, your home décor themes should be the best home décor themes to suit you no matter what different kinds of personal taste others have. After all, it’s your home.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on home decor please visit Home Decor Ideas or visit Redecorating Ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

personal preference art : How to Frame Art

Purchasing framed art to many can even affect the decision they make in purchasing the artwork itself. However art is fairly simple to frame and is relatively inexpensive. Many of the art frames can be purchased to match your décor and/or other artwork adjacent. There are endless amounts of choices when it comes to finding the right frame online or offline.

My personal preference is to purchase my artwork of choice without the frame if given a choice. As beautiful as the painting might be, the artist and myself might have opposing tastes when it comes to framing. If you can find the artwork with a frame you enjoy then that is a bonus. If you are purchasing an unframed work directly from the artist it never hurts to ask if they have a connection to get you a good priced frame. Artists that sell a lot will not purchase frames at a premium price. They usually have a friend or a good business connection that deals with frames, so talk to him or her and see if you can get you a discount. It never hurts to ask.

If you prefer to look for yourself then I’m sure you will agree that there are several professional framers in your area. As with any service or profession some are good and some are not so good. Shop around for the best service, best price, and look for value as you would for any other product or service.

If you know your frames you will not hesitate to purchase an ugly painting as long as the frame is worth the asking price. This is more on the lines of bargain hunting. So for most of us we will not be buying a frame to resell it for a higher value, we are simply purchasing it to enjoy the painting.

Below are just a few tips to help you choose your frame.

Size – Making any sized frame "work" with a piece one must ultimately control the proportions with matting. A wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame.

Style – by looking at your artwork you will see how the coloring, theme and medium will most often direct you toward an appropriate selection of frames. Generally the frame should go with the theme, medium and style of the artwork. If you are still having a hard time with choosing your frame you can also use the décor of your room in which the piece will hang as your guide.

Type - wood frames will look good on almost any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar, and pine - all domestic woods - in our frames. Stained wood can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. And, many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes, faux finishes, and gold or sliver leaf. Metal frames, which work well with certain décor, or with modern pieces and posters is often a good choice

View our Fine Art Gallery at www.houseofcachet.com

David Waddleton is the President and founder of http://www.houseofcachet.com, which is an exclusively online fine art gallery displaying artists and their artwork from around the world. David has written a number of articles on the subjects of contemporary art, how to buy fine art, how to frame art, Canadian artists, original artwork and much more

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Waddleton

personal preference art : How to Make A Great Press Kit

As an owner of an independent record label, I often get asked how to put together a great press kit. I have found that young musicians understand their music, but are often intimidated by the marketing end of the business. In this article I will help you figure out how to position yourself, whether you are a Latin female vocalist building her base, or an upstart garage band just looking for a break.

What is a Press Kit:

First of all, there is nothing magical about the term “press kit”. All we are talking about is a little background on you/your band, some basic facts, good quotes about your music, a couple of good pictures, and a sample of your music. You will use this to send to newspapers, lawyers, radio stations, A&R reps, promoters, and anyone else who is willing to spend five minutes reviewing your material. Additionally, on the internet you will hear about an electronic press kit, or EPS. An EPS is the exact same thing as a conventional press kit, except it is downloadable as an electronic file instead of a hardcopy form which must be mailed.

The main purpose of the press kit is to generate interest in the artist and their music.

What to include:

Include a limited amount of background information on yourself. It is fine to say where you are from, but no one really wants to hear about every singing performance you did during elementary school. Sometimes less is more.

Talk about your music. Who do you sound like, and who does your music remind people of. The reader needs to be able to have a good idea of what your music sounds like just from your description. Be thoughtful and feel free to be a little funny here (but stay professional). Saying something like your band sounds like a cross between “Maroon 5 and Green Day after 20 cups of coffee” helps the reader understand. Remember, if you don’t generate enough interest in the first minute, they will never listen to your demo.

Talk about what you are good at. What makes your band special and different from others? What skills and experiences do you bring to the table? Remember if you are looking for a record deal, you need to prove to your reader that you have all the right ingredients for them to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars marketing you. Launching a new artist is risky, so you need to help the record exec understand why you are a solid investment.

Include quotes and/or press clippings as you generate them. A good quote from a reputable source (not your brother-in-law) can add a lot of credibility to your press kit. It lets the reader know that you have already been reviewed and your material is worth listening to. Ninety percent of press kits unfortunately end up in the trash, some good quotes and positive reviews can create the momentum necessary to get heard, and who knows – maybe even become famous.

You can go with one page dedicated to a bio (biography), and a separate page focused on quotes about your music, or you can combine the two into what some people call a “one pager”. My personal preference is to boil everything down to a tight one pager. My desk gets cluttered and papers get separated. If you have you quotes separate from your bio, there is a possibility that I could misplace one or the other. With the advent of digital photography and high quality color printers, it is even possible to include a small picture on your one pager to make it even more complete.

Make sure the overall language and tone of the press kit is consistent with your image. If you have someone help you write your bio, make sure they have heard you music and know what you are all about before they hand you something that might sound great, but isn’t about the real you.

Include a couple of different 8x10 pictures that show off different features about you and your band. Include shots that would be appropriate in a news article, but also highlight your key assets from a visual perspective. Your press kit should look professional, but your pictures should reflect your style and music, so you pictures can be much more crazy and creative. Make sure you clearly label the picture with you name and contact information.

If you don’t have good pictures of your band, one of the best ways to get some is to go to a modeling agency and ask for a referral to a good local photographer. These photographers are often willing to do some great work for around $300 for the whole package. Make sure you get an agreement upfront that you own the copyrights after the shot and get the high resolution digital images on CD (with a copyright release you can print these photos at any major retailer). A photographer who does work with models is very different from a photographer who takes family pictures. They have a much better idea of what you want, they will encourage your creativity, and they are much more willing to give you the copyrights.

A current gig sheet can also be useful showing where you have recently played and where you are playing in the near future. This can demonstrate that the music is current and has a following in the community.

And of course, your music. Send a high quality CD demo, preferably mastered if you budget permits. Avoid burning your own CD on your home computer with a stick on label – it looks cheap. There are many new CD duplication services on the internet that will manufacture you CD with a printed color insert, and on disc printing even if you only want a few copies (CD replication is for batches over 1,000 but CD duplication is for batch sizes as small as 1). Expect to pay around $5 a retail ready disc for 1-5 CDs, with prices dropping off for larger batches. Make sure you clearly label the CD and the case with you name and contact information. The worst thing in the world that could happen is that they love your music, but they have already lost the rest of the press kit and don’t remember the name of the band.

What Not to Include:

Don’t oversell yourself. Saying that you are the greatest band that ever lived, might be true, but it probably isn’t. Be positive and promote yourself, but focus on statements that are credible. People in the music business hear hype all of the time, and for the most part are numb to it. Hype is good to use with the general public on things like posters (they often believe it), but your press kit reader is more sophisticated and will see it as cheap theatrics.

Including too much of your personal history can make you seem like an amateur with nothing meatier to talk about. Your reader wants to understand your music today, only your psychologist needs to know about every little detail of your childhood.

Don’t include anything that makes you look too desperate. You want to come across as a quality professional artist. Remember, you make great music. If your band is called the Chicken Heads, then it might be cute to include a rubber chicken in the box, but otherwise I would stick to the basics – bio, quotes, gig sheet, pictures, and music.

How to Package It:

Include a professional looking, personalized cover letter targeted at the person you are sending the press kit to. Your message needs to be different if you are sending it to an A&R rep at a label seeking a record deal, versus sending it to your local newspaper for a review in their music section. Be brief and to the point. Also, be clear and state exactly what you would like from them.

Put it all together in an organized package. Since you are most likely mailing your press kits, make sure that the CD does not bend the photos, and that your kit will arrive looking the way you intend. You may even want to test a press kit (send it across the country to a wrong address, and then it will come back to your return address) to evaluate your packaging.

Your Music Is Art, But Your Press Kit Is Business:

Remember, be professional. The person you are sending this press kit to probably gets hundreds of them, most of them are garbage (and that’s where they end up too). Your music can be crazy and wild, but your press kit needs to be more business like. You are asking someone to spend their valuable time reviewing your material. You may also be asking them to enter into a high risk expensive financial relationship with you. The person you are dealing with is in the music business, they need to make a living. The only way they can do that is to deal with real talent. By presenting a professional package you give them confidence that you are dedicated to making great music, and not just messing around.

A Word About Unsolicited Press Kits:

Avoid wasting your time and money sending a press kit to someone you have not talked with already. Always call and make contact first, ask who you should send it to and what their process is. If possible, have someone who knows the person act as an intermediate and make the initial introduction (this can work wonders). The music business is all about contacts, create and leverage your network. After sending your press kit, call in a couple of weeks and follow up to make sure they received it and got a chance to review it.

Example:

To see a good example of a press kit, go to Legend Vega’s website at http://www.legendvega.com.

Scott Richards is the president of an independent record label, 3JVL Productions, Inc.

Want to hear great music?
Visit Legend Vega's Official Website
http://www.legendvega.com

Like to download great tunes?
Download Free MP3s

Interested in pictures of beautiful models?
View sexy hot pics

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Richards

personal preference art : Goatee Grooming

Goatee Shaping

I use an electrical shaver and find it works quite well to shape my goatee. I simply shave around my goatee when shaving my face each morning.

Using a manual razor can also work very well since it allows to quickly and cleanly shape your goatee. A manual razor is also good for hard to reach areas such as the areas beside each side of your nose.

A new manual razor I've seen advertised has a special trimming blade that looks like it could be very helpful for goatee shaping since it would enable you to shape your goatee cleanly and quickly.

If you can find a clear gel or shaving oil, it's probably better to use than a regular shaving foam cream. Once you've covered your skin with the foam, it's hard to see what you're shaving to ensure your goatee is symmetrical!

Goatee Trimming

My suggestion is to buy an electric trimmer for goatee trimming. I bought a $20 cordless goatee trimmer two years ago after spending way too much time trimming my goatee with scissors.

Using a goatee trimmer like the one I have ensures that your goatee is symmetrical and neat.

Also, the built in length selector enables me to select the length of the hair rather than guessing with a pair of scissors. My trimmer gives me three different length choices.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that to avoid having to spend a lot of time and effort on goatee grooming, getting an electric trimmer is probably your best bet.

Remember to wash your goatee when you're washing your face, too.

Depending on how thick and how bushy your facial hair grows, goatees can take different shapes and forms. Your genes and your personal preference will largely determine how your goatee looks.

Temporary and permanent hair removal technology is evolving constantly and is relevant to both men and women who want to remove unwanted hair.

For more information on hair removal options, visit http://www.PermanentHairRemovalTips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C_Mueller

personal preference art : Aromatherapy: Understanding the Basics

Aromatherapy is the art of using scent to promote relaxation, influence mood and, according to some, create a healing environment in the body. Aromatherapists diffuse volatile liquid plant materials called "essential oils" into the air, believing that the tiny molecules are absorbed in the nose and carried directly to the hypothalamus of the brain where they perform their healing works.

Though any scent--whether natural or synthetic--can promote relaxation, proponents of "true" aromatherapy insist on using only those fragrances taken from freshly harvested botanicals. Practitioners call those fragrant materials "essential oils", believing that these materials contain the "essence" of the plant.

What It Can Do For You

Three types of aromatherapy are currently practiced in the U.S.:

Esoteric Aromatherapy is the practice of using scent to promote wellbeing primarily through relaxation and is probably the most common form of aromatherapy in practice today. Essential oils are diffused into the air or added to personal care products to create a warm, enveloping ambiance. Personal preference plays a key role in the choice of scents used.
Holistic Aromatherapy is similar to esoteric aromatherapy in that essential oils are either diffused into the air or applied topically; the difference lies in the intent of the user. Holistic aromatherapy is practiced with specific healing goals in mind. Unlike esoteric aromatherapy, which deals mainly with personal preference, holistic practitioners choose their oils deliberately. Holistic aromatherapists address both the physical and spiritual aspects of their art and work to blend the two into a single healing exercise.
Medical aromatherapy is by far the least practiced of the aroma arts in this country although it's considerably more common in Europe and Asia. Medical aromatherapy promotes (and even encourages) the ingestion of specific essential oils for a variety of medical conditions, especially infectious diseases. Medical aromatherapists focus on an oil's "active" properties--those chemical constituents that practitioners believe give the oils their healing powers.

Finding a Qualified Practitioner

Aromatherapy has never been recognized as a legitimate medical practice in the U.S. and there are no accredited educational programs in existence at this time. The vast majority of aromatherapists practising in the U.S. today have no medical training at all. Before you hire an aromatherapist, ask about his or her educational background. The practitioner you choose should have a solid understanding of natural medicine and a thorough understanding of the botany involved.

What The Critics Say

Outrageous claims of near-miraculous healings coupled with scant scientific evidence of its efficacy have done much to hurt aromatherapy's reputation in the U.S. Critics are quick to point out that practitioners often have no formal training at all. Well-publicized schisms within the major aromatherapy associations have further damaged aromatherapy's image.

Confessions from a Former Aromatherapist

There was a time when I took aromatherapy quite seriously but absurd healing claims and a lack of a credible science nearly destroyed my faith in the medical use of scented botanicals. Today, I can't possibly endorse the ingestion of essential oils and I'm definitely skeptical about most of the medical claims being made by other practitioners but I'll willingly confess to using natural botanical oils every day--especially as air fresheners. Essential oils have none of the "solvent" under-smell of artificial products.

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in "Empowerment through Education" or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Barger

personal preference art : Interior Design Tips And Ideas

Take Away All Interior Design Ideas

Why should the interior design of your home be any different from anyone else's? It could be so much easier to simply follow the crowd and show no fear about a lack of originality if every home was pre-packaged with a unit appearance. Here are some ideas to keep the interior of your home as conformist as you can, and perhaps these will allow you the simple peace of a non-designed house.

First - please be sure to remove all coordination from your home. Recent studies have shown that balancing the cloth of your living room upholstery to the window and floor treatments can spark sensations of appreciation and pleasure in household members and guests. It is therefore critical for the practicing conformist to remove all hints of matching or complimentary designs from his or her household.

After dealing with those messy matching issues, be sure to walk through the rest of the interior searching for original art pieces such as paintings, sculpture and folk art. An interior which includes originality in their wall décor would evoke a sense of personality and interest in guest of the home, and it should also be noted that these guests might then find themselves assuming the "good taste" of their host. That defeats the purpose.

To the delight of the true conformist, many interior designs are stagnating into set themes. But you must take this a step further, and be certain that no new design or decorating ideas are found throughout your home. Do not allow any inspiration to come from, say, your favorite books, magazines, or movies. In fact, stop using any of things for entertainment. They will only lead to further thought "outside the box."

Use your head people. Actually, do not use it at all, because that is the best way to avoid any originality or sensationalism in any interior design ideas. It is, unfortunately, too easy to find simple inspiration throughout your daily life. It is imperative that you do not write any of these ideas down, and then you will have a chance to forget your initial reaction and idea and move along in your simple, easy, and non-threatening little life.

Interior Design Tips

An interior designer faces many of the same questions when faced with a residential client. Issues such as theme and fundamental style are not frequently an issue with the home client. But there will always be concerns about painting walls, the furniture currently inside the home, and of course the floors. There are tips to alleviate concerns and questions regarding these specific design problems.

"What about this color of paint? It is too bright/dark/soft/etcetera." The first and best tip to eliminate concerns about paint choices is to purchase a sample of paint to place on the wall. Then, there will be a true understanding of what the actual appearance of a color will be. However, many colors - especially darker ones - attain their true beauty from the look of the entire wall after being layered with several coats of paint.

Trust a color pallet and a designer, but of course only follow intuition. A color that is difficult to stomach may settle eventually to delightful surprise, or it may lead to a horrible bellyache. Only cover a wall with a design's color that will provide security and happiness in a homeowner.

"Should existing and endurable furniture be reupholstered?" An excellent tip to be considered: evaluate the furniture for style and value versus the cost of the reupholstering. An antique chair that fits the feeling of a formal living room that was purchased for many thousands of dollars would be an excellent candidate as long as replacing the original upholstery did not degrade its value or worth.

"I don't know what to do about my floor." Decisions about floor designs should be based on a person's budget, the room's use, and personal preference. Certain floor treatments are incredibly expensive, such as hard oak floors, and they may not be practical in an area where stomping kids thrash through the interior. Carefully weigh options such as dying carpet or laying rugs over existing hard floors. It is all a matter of personal preference.

Actually, all interior design should be a matter of personal preference. It is not worth any expense to put something in a home that will force a homeowner to cringe every time he or she looks around.

Jamie is author of other Interior Design Tips located atHome Improvement Tips and Interior Design Information Please stop by and sign up for our free home improvement tip news letter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Ho_Snodgrass

personal preference art : Hospice of Michigan

Purchase a painting and help Hospice of Michigan provide comfort and care. In their final months of life, people have some important needs -- to live with dignity and without pain, to be able to make choices and be as independent as possible, and to know that what they did during their life was important. Hospice of Michigan helps people meet these needs, providing "comfort care" to relieve physical, emotional and spiritual suffering and enabling patients to live more fulfilled lives in peace, comfort and dignity.

Hospice of Michigan and Personal Preference, Inc. Co-Partner -- Joining together enables us to make comfort care available in our community. Proceeds from the Art Network will help pay the costs that are not covered by insurance for those in need. Purchase any painting and $10-$100 will go to support comfort care at Hospice of Michigan.

Welcome to your gateway to beautiful, elegant art - Decorating your home or office with art or giving a painting as a gift has never been easier or more convenient. View thousands of paintings in a variety of subject matter and price ranges.
"Try on" various frames -- we offer designer recommendations which best complement the style and colors in the painting.
Change the wall color behind the painting so that it matches your wall.
Receive great savings -- our prices are usually 30% below the average retail price.

About the artwork: To view art, select a specific category or click on "All Traditional" or
"All Contemporary" and see a large variety of art to complement your decor. Add this Web site to your "Favorites" so that each month you can easily return and view new artwork as it is introduced -- just click on the "All New Artwork" category.

Remember www.HospiceofMichiganArtNetwork.org when you want to decorate with art. Recommend this site to your friends, family and associates and help us expand our Art Network and meet our financial goal.
If you would like assistance selecting art or frames, call Art Consultant Fran Kouris at (248) 425-1074, or click contact us and she will contact you within 24 hours. If you would like further assistance, you can schedule a free private consultation and Fran will come directly to your home or office.

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personal preference art : Art Gallery

What type of art does Personal Preference offer?
Quality framed artwork at an affordable price. We have one of the most extensive collections of reproductions on canvas. Our collection of art includes thousands of giclees, lithographs and print transfers on canvas. We also carry original oil paintings. We represent some of the world’s most respected artists. Styles of art include everything from landscapes, art deco, street scenes, ethnic art, abstracts, florals - the list goes on and on. Also some of our artwork by our artists is only sold exclusively through us.


How can I purchase art from Personal Preference?
Through the interenet, private showings, office consultations, fund-raisers, as well as through group presentations.

How can I contact Personal Preference, Inc?
If you need to reach a Customer Service Representative, for any reason, you can contact us using any of the following methods: E-Mail: cservice@personalpreference.com Phone: (630)226-0700 (Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm CT) Fax: (630)226-4380 Mail: Personal Preference, Inc. 800 Remington Boulevard Bolingbrook, IL 60440

How does Personal Preference protect the personal information I provide?
We employ standard industry measures to protect and ensure the confidentiality of your personal information, including the use of firewalls and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. Through these measures your credit card, name, expiration date and billing information are encrypted, to prevent others from reading your personal information.

Copyright (c) 2002 Personal Preference,

personal preference art : Decorating With Art

Decorating with art completes every room by adding that finishing touch. To decorate, you simply select the art you like, review your style of décor and then frame your artwork to complement the painting and your décor. Decorating with art is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

Step 1- Select the Art You Like
When it comes to art, almost anything goes. However, most people have a tendency to like the style of art that is similar to the style of their décor. If you have more of a traditional style, click on "All Traditional Art". If you have more of a contemporary style, click on "All Contemporary Art".

Step 2- Consider your Decorating Style and Colors
Is your decorating style more traditional, contemporary or transitional?
A decorating style is the sum of all design elements in a room. Below are the three general decorating styles and design elements of each.
If your decorating style leans toward traditional, choose ornate gold frames, formal gold or wood-tone frames. The more casual wood-tone frames are an appropriate choice in the less formal traditional décor.

When your style is contemporary, frames with sleek, simple lines are an excellent choice.

If your décor style is transitional, it is neither traditional nor contemporary in its overall appearance, but rather a mix of both styles. Almost any style of frame can be used.

Rooms may also reflect a theme - use frames that complement the art and accent the theme created. Also, a white liner in a frame gives a crisp, clean, and sophisticated look while creating contrast between the frame and painting.

To make framing art easier, you will always find our "designer recommendation". Our in-house designers have taken each painting and carefully coordinated the frame to accent the style and warm or cool colors of the painting.

Color and Framing

When choosing a frame for your painting, select one that complements the color and style of the art while enhancing the decorating style of the room.

Warm colors create an active feeling, like taking a walk on a warm summer day. They include reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, earth tones and colors containing more red tones. Best Frames for warm colors are the "Gold" and "Wood-tone" frames.

Cool colors create a restful, soothing feeling, similar to sitting beneath a shady tree. They include blues, greens, silvers, grays, violets and colors containing more blue tones. Best Frames for cool colors are the "Silver" or "Neutral Color" frames.

The "Black" and "Neutral Color" frame groups are color neutral and may be used when the painting has either warm or cool colors. The "Other Colors" frame group is a mix of warm and cool color frames. When the painting has an equal amount of warm and cool colors, you can choose from any frame group.

Step 3- Select a Frame
Proper framing can turn a painting into a powerful design element in any room. When you are choosing a frame, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Does the painting have more warm or more cool colors?
2. Is the painting a more traditional or contemporary style?
3. Does the painting and frame complement your décor?

To make framing your art easier, our designers have carefully coordinated a selection of "designer recommendation" frames that enhance the style and colors of each painting. If you want to pursue looking at other frame choices, we have a selection of 100 beautiful frames.

If you would like additional assistance selecting art or coordinating frames with your décor, please call your Personal Preference consultant or talk to one of our art coordinators at (630) 226-0700 from 8:00 am to 4:45 pm CT, Monday through Friday. Or, click Contact Us and someone will contact you within 24 hours for assistance.

Copyright (c) 2002 Personal Preference,

personal preference artv : Art Information

As you browse through our art gallery, you will discover that most of our images are originals or original reproductions on canvas. Because we have been refining our innovative reproduction techniques for decades, today we can offer you the fine-art look of an original oil painting at a fraction of the cost. If you look closely at our canvas transfers, lithographs, giclées and Textured Expressions, you will see the richness, depth, vivid color and sometimes even the texture of a $1,500 original painting for only $200-$300!

We are dedicated to making art buying easy, convenient and affordable. All of our artwork is delivered right to your door, beautifully framed and ready to hang. Below are descriptions of the various forms of art that are featured on our Web site.

Canvas Transfer
This process starts with a paper print. The image is lifted from the paper through a multi-step process and then transferred onto a canvas. This process is labor-intensive, extremely intricate and must be carefully done in order not to damage the print. When successfully completed, the image takes on the texture of the canvas and the two become one. It requires one print for each canvas and is only done with the artist's approval.

Lithograph on Canvas(LOC)
Lithography is the process of taking an original image and reproducing it on a new surface, such as paper or canvas. The technique was discovered in 1798 and made popular by Currier & Ives in the 19th Century. The first step in creating a Lithograph on Canvas involves a specialized electronic computer process that separates the colors in the painting and produces lithographic color separation plates. The four ink colors that make up the plates are yellow, magenta (red), cyan (blue) and black. The plates are then placed on a printing press and carefully run one color at a time. As the ink colors overlap, they create the full, rich color palette you see on the finished painting.

Artist-Enhanced Lithograph on Canvas
Once a Lithograph on Canvas has been created through the process described above, an artist then hand-paints portions of the lithograph to enrich the color and texture of the image. This time consuming process is called an Artist-Enhanced Lithograph.

Giclée
This type of reproduction utilizes the latest advances in computer and printing technologies. While Giclées offer an incredibly high resolution and color definition, they take a longer time to create than images made by traditional printing methods. The Giclée method results in an image that offers a depth and intensity similar to that found in the artist's original painting. A Hand-Embellished Giclée is created when the artist hand-paints portions of the Giclée to enrich the color and add texture to the image.

Textured Expressions
This breathtaking re-creation is amazingly faithful to the artist's vision and integrity of the original oil painting. The ingenious collaboration between the artist and state-of-the-art technology produces a multidimensional, heavily textured image on canvas that captures the warmth, depth, vivid color and even the texture of the artist's original painting. Textured Expressions images utilize a revolutionary new technique for giving heavy texture to the painting, which creates an "impasto" effect.

Personal Preference Exclusive
When a painting is identified as "Exclusive," it means that particular image is only available through our Company. A PPI Exclusive is identified with the symbol.

Miniature Art - Accessory Art Line
Our Accessory Art Line is a collection of fully-framed miniature paintings in a variety of sizes from 4x4 to 4x10. These paintings make great gifts and are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, dens, or as accents on bookshelves. We also offer a wide selection of subject matter such as florals, landscapes, still lifes, animals, and ethnic art. Each of our miniatures is made up of a print that is transferred to a masonite board, which is used for support in place of a stretcher bar. Then, either a print transfer process is completed or a deep canvas-coated covering is applied, giving the texture and appearance of a painting on canvas. These paintings range in price from $36 to $59. They make great gifts and are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, dens, or as accents on bookshelves. These paintings are only available in the frame that is shown.

Personal Reflections Card Line
Personal Reflections is a unique line of artistically enhanced, textured greeting cards featuring a colorful array of some of our most popular and exclusive art images. The Personal Reflections Card Line features two different card sets: Reflections 1 and Reflections 2. Each set includes 5 blank greeting cards and 5 envelopes for $25. The Personal Reflections cards and the Accessory Art Line are also ideal for gift giving.

Copyright (c) 2002 Personal Preference,

personal preference art : Tralee Pearce on Calgary's new cool

It's hard to shake a reputation, but one place that's doing a better job than most is the city formally known as Cowtown.

"The New Calgary, with a going-out ethos that may be fuelled by the current oil surge, looks very different from the steakhouse- and cowboy-bar stereotypes that linger stubbornly in the Canadian imagination," writes Tralee Pierce in Saturday's Style cover, Cool Calgary.

The city's chic index is rising as fast as the price of oil.

Join the Conversation Monday at 2 p.m. with Style writer Tralee Pearce who will be on-line to take your questions and comments on the Calgary scene. You can also leave a question or comment in advance. The questions and answers will appear at the bottom of this page.

While there's little chance popular joints such as Cowboys nightclub will disappear any time soon (not to mention the Stampede, which opened Friday and runs through this week) the city's culture is changing thanks to restaurants like Belgo, a 180-table Belgian brasserie staffed by Québécois recruits who've been scouted and given moving expenses and one-year contracts.

But the transformation runs much deeper than eateries. Today, glossy lifestyle magazines such as Calgary Inc., Opulence and City Palate entice readers with city fare. There's the hipster scene is emblemized in Art Central, Kensington for shopping at indie boutiques like Purr and Inglewood for cool vintage shops.

Tralee has been at The Globe since 2001 writing on various fashion, lifestyle and entertainment topics for the Style, Review, Focus and Toronto sections. She's gone everywhere from the fashion runway in Milan to a N.B. potato farm to meet the "first Canadian boomer." Before coming to The Globe, she freelanced in Toronto and worked for a Now magazine's sister paper in Ottawa. She got her start in journalism in 1992, interning at the Ottawa Sun.

Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.

by Tralee Pearce

personal preference art : How To Choose Your Personal Scent

There is nothing like wearing a particular fragrance as a signature. Long after you have left the room your fragrance can linger. A particular fragrance can make quite an impact, on both sexes.

Most perfumes are made by combining three scents called notes. The top note lasts the least amount of time, the middle note lasts longer and the base note lasts around 24 hours. Generally when you first smell a perfume you will notice the top note. A few hours later you will smell the middle note.

There are seven fragrance types used in the creation of perfumes, they are woodsy or mossy, oriental, fruity, single floral, floral bouquet, spicy and what are called modern blends.

Today custom blended fragrances are becoming very popular. A personal perfumer will determine your basic preference, floral or citrus, spicy or outdoorsy. The perfumer will make selections based on your preference and then will "waft" these essential fragrance oils under your nose. They generally have you pick four favorites from that group. From that group of four you will pick a favorite one to be used as a base note.

Other perfumers will blend perfumes based on astrological signs and personality traits. Some perfumers have gone so far as to conduct tests based on color preference. Color psychologists say that colors supply information about the kind of fragrances we like. Events and seasons can also influence what fragrance a woman chooses to wear.

your body chemistry will influence how any perfume will smell. It's known that over time the same perfume will change on a woman due to changes in body chemistry.

If you do wear a scent make sure that you use the same scent body wash and lotion. You don't want to clash. If you want a strong scent wear a perfume. If you want a lighter scent consider a spritzer or using a lotion containing the scent you like.

by Mark Freeman

personal preference art : Know your color? Take the quiz

Painting walls, cabinets and ceilings can be a chore, but choosing a color doesn't have to be one. Experts agree that potential redecorators should not rely solely on trends, but look to their personalities and favorite things for interesting colors, whether they be ecru or eggplant.

Many people leave their walls white because they're afraid of picking the "wrong" color, says Josette Buisson, Toronto-based artistic director of Pittsburgh Paints.

"It's white by default, it's white because they're not sure," Buisson says.

She says there are no correct answers to color. "Decorating is an opinion, you're not wrong or right."

Color is an extension of one's personality, so Buisson has developed a personality quiz for Pittsburgh Paints that helps people choose a color palette with which to decorate.

Would a cup of coffee, an orange or a piece of cake taste best to you? And what would feel best: a walk in fresh grass, a swim in the ocean or a stroll on the beach?

Questions such as these are used to help determine what people enjoy most, and are then applied to what color palette would best suit their preferences. The personality test is part of the company's Voice of Color program, which also includes software that allows consumers to "paint" digital pictures of their homes. Find the complete quiz at www.voiceofcolor.com

Although choosing a color seems intuitive, Buisson says people sometimes don't realize that they already know what they like.

Meddling neighbors, friends and mothers-in-law too often talk people out of decorating in colors they truly enjoy, says Seattle-based color consultant Leatrice Eiseman.

"Develop enough confidence in yourself to go with what your own comfort level is, regardless of what others may contribute," says Eiseman.

Eiseman, who heads the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, has been in the color business for about 35 years, moving between fashion, interior design and color consulting. She has worked as a consultant for everyone from Motorola to Best Buy, and literally written the books on color, including "Colors for your Every Mood: Discover your True Decorating Colors."

She says women started demanding more color choices in the late 1980s when they realized that teal, mauve and grey were not one trend fits all. So Eiseman started developing color palettes, letting people's personalities lead them to the perfect hues.

Christine Haught, Sewickley-based interior designer, says she asks clients plenty of personal preference questions while determining what colors to use in their home.

"Are they more conservative? Do they choose art with a certain color palette or story?" she says. "These are all clues to what colors appeal to them."

Haught says people's most common questions are based on how appropriate a color is for the given room, or how bold or deep a hue they can reasonably use. She advises clients to trust their personal preferences, paint and to live with the color for a while to see how they like it.

Haught once based an apartment around an orchid, and is now creating an entire color palette based on a client's plate from Tuscany.

She says people should take time when choosing a color, and remember that it can always be changed. After all, personal preferences and tastes change.

"A successful palette is like living in your own heaven," she says. "My own home has been evolving over decades, is finally to my liking, and works well in the setting."

By Sarika Jagtiani

personal preference art : BAMA Galleries in uptown Hoboken

The art is always on view at BAMA Galleries, a space filled with natural light from the glass windows that frame the gallery.

Hoboken resident and owner Chris Burkhardt intends to elevate the community through art. He envisions Hoboken as a hub for incoming artists from around the world. The art he picks is reflective of the work he admires and the world he is trying to create.

BAMA Galleries at 936 Bloomfield St. opened in the fall of 2001, not long after 9/11. It was originally titled B.A.M.A., (Burkhardt's Art Materials and Atelier) until Burkhardt realized that his dream of a basement art supply store with a ground-level studio was unrealistic.

Accordingly, he removed the periods from the name, and BAMA was born. The two full sides of windows frame the inside of the gallery, while light wood floors enhance the room's spare lines. The artwork adorning the walls imbues the space with a sophisticated ambiance.

A curator chooses

While Burkhardt is proud of the community's achievements; he shies away from showing only local artists. One of his goals is to introduce outside artists in order to influence and inspire local talent. The process of selecting art for the gallery juxtaposes personal preference and strict business decisions. Burkhardt must consider the demographics in deciding what will sell.
"However, the buck stops at my preference," said Burkhardt. "Do I appreciate it, enjoy it? It's a big gamble."

The deliberation is difficult and the show's success is often based on chance.
"You're judged on the job and have to be able to take criticism," said Burkhardt. "I've stopped taking it personally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."

It must be working. BAMA is currently focusing on a new tier of higher end collectors. The gallery is moving towards displaying paintings in the $5,000-$15,000 range.

An art gallery offers significant benefits to Hoboken residents.

According to Burkhardt, it not only cultivates their artistic knowledge, but also elevates the stature of the community. He believes it is a testament to the community's investment in itself as well as its awareness of the world and current events.

Burkhardt is happy to bring this to Hoboken's burgeoning art community.

By: Jacqueline Beach,