Walking Toward the White - Before and After Photos

My friend Susan gave me this pretty footed bowl from Hobby Lobby. She used to keep a stash of dark chocolate in it. We decided we no longer need a stash of dark chocolate, so she gave me this nice large bowl. It was pretty, but didn't fit with my plan, so I decided to paint it white. I used the paint in the bottom of a can of off-white flat paint from my living room. Here's what it looked like before:

I was glad the gold decorative elements were recessed. Now after photos, with some white spheres in it:

Another item I recently painted white was this bird cage. It is a thrift store find that had yucky silk flowers inside it. I yanked them out before I even left the store.

Here it is in white, though I think it needs another coat:

I thought I had taken a before photo of this little metal urn, but I can't find it if I did. It was dark green. Now, it is a lovely shade of white!

Remember these little croquet balls I showed you last week? I found them in the shed in my own back yard. They had been painted black. If you look closely, you'll see them inside the footed bowl above!

Well, that is AFTER they've had a nice coat of white paint - more flat from my living room ingredients.

One of my blog friends thought I might leave them black, but like many of us, I sometimes feel like I walk around with a paint brush and anything is fair game! If Mason and his dog don't move out soon, I will not be responsible for my actions!


I love painting things white. Not only does it instantly unify non-related items, it makes them feel fresh and new - even the chippy, crusty things! They are renewed with a simple coat of paint.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

May your spirit feel renewed daily as you remember His mercies are new every morning!


-Revi

Linking with:

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
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Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

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cedarhillranch.blogspot.com Cowgirl Up!

Twice Owned Tuesday @ House of Grace

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

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http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

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Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
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http://katherinescorner.com/ - Thursday Favorite Things

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/Time Travel Thursday

Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

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Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

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Why Your Designs Work - An Overview of Gestalt Principles

This is not the post I was going to write for today, but smack in the middle of my post, I found myself getting off on a tangent about gestalt. In case you're thinking I'm going to be all "psycho-analyst" here today, it's not really about that. 

I first learned about Gestalt in ART class, from one of my professors. But if you think this is just going to be academic yawns, know that we all use it without realizing it. 

When we realize it, we can use it easier, faster and with greater success!

Gestalt - in German, it means "essence or shape of an entity's complete form" In plain English - a unified whole. 

If you've ever heard the term "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts," that was said by one of the Gestalt theorists.

In the 1920's, a group of German psychologists developed some interesting theories about visual perception. The theories attempt to describe how humans tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes by using certain principles. 

Our eye and brain likes to complete things. We like to see order and organization. We like things to flow gently and to relate to each other. Our brain compensates for the missing parts.

Are you feeling smarter yet? Well, you are AMAZING! You were designed to design! 

There are a few simple principles to help you learn, understand and USE the principles of Gestalt to your advantage. You can achieve intentionally what it takes much longer to do just using trial and error until it "looks right." You can understand what is right about your successful designs, and recreate it quickly. 


I have spent some time collecting photos on Pinterest to help illustrate these principles. 


Here are the principles of Gestalt:

Similarity

When objects look similar to one another. People often perceive them as a group or pattern. Similarity can include form, color, size, or brightness. The photo below shows items of a similar form (triangle) and brightness.

Below, there is a variety of different forms of items in different sizes. They become a unit due to the principle of similar color. It also helps that they are arranged in an orderly way that forms a larger shape (square). BUT - we cannot see the corner of this square - we complete the square in our brains. Isn't this cool? 

The items in the photo below are similar. They are also the same brightness (pastel). They are also going the same direction.

The photo below was named "chaos" on Pinterest. Chaos is actually the opposite of Gestalt - there is no order. This photo actually has a lot of Gestalt going on. Can you tell me what it is? Similar form, size and color. 

Again, this "chaos" has a lot of Gestalt happening! Similar shapes and color value, as well as the same font make it non-chaotic!

While it isn't totally chaotic, the artwork below is getting closer to chaos. Notice the differences of shapes, sizes, color brightness, directions, etc. 

Gestalt can be used as a tool to emphasize a non-similar object.

 Closure 

Closure occurs when an object is incomplete or a space is not completely enclosed. If enough information is indicated, we perceive the whole by filling in the missing information.

Here's a prime example of closure:

Ever see one of those "cut along dotted line" things? You're using Gestalt.The panda illustration above is a famous example. Here it is again:

Proximity 

Even unrelated items that are close to each other will be perceived as a group. Adversely, similar items with enough distance between them will appear to be singular and not part of a whole group. The books below are warm, bright colors. Though they are going different directions, they still form a visually pleasing and cohesive unit.

Likewise the groups of painted stones are lovely singularly, but have a more dramatic effect when grouped.

Symmetry

Symmetrical images are perceived as a related group in spite of distance between them. Symmetrical means the design is exactly the same on both sides. Here are some examples of symmetry:

Asymmetrical Symmetry is balanced, but not the same.

Asymmetry is the most difficult look in which to achieve balance. When done well, it is very interesting!

Direction 

Elements with the same moving direction are perceived as a unit.

Continuity

The mind continues visual, auditory, and kinetic patterns.The eye is compelled to move through one object and continue to another object by inserting another element to connect them. 

My next post will include examples of room arrangements and home decor that illustrate the principals of Gestalt. I hope you'll check back!

Word for the Day:

Genesis 2:1-2

 ¹ Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. ² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested^[a] from all his work. ³ And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

May you be able to see all creation in it's complete form as through the eyes of Jesus Christ, who sees you in your completed form!

-Revi

Linking with:

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Wednesday

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Thursday
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
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Friday

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Saturday

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Shopping Place #1 - The Thriftiest Place To Shop

You probably know the place I'm talking about. It is convenient and so very close to home. The prices can't be matched. You are sure to like the merchandise.

Have you guessed the place I'm talking about? It's your garage, or maybe your storage shed. It could be your attic or any other place you or previous tenants may have stored things. 

Most of us have found something very cool on the street. All of us have purchased something very cheaply that we couldn't use at the moment because it had great potential! Maybe it needed a little paint or repair work. We tucked it away and eventually forgot we had it. 

Before you begin to feel uneasy or a little guilty for not yet getting around to that stash of yours, know that I am not here to chastise you! 

Au contraire! I am here to remind you that you can go shopping without spending a cent! You can feel the thrill of finding a treasure all over again! On the down side, you might get a little dusty. Or you might have to wipe a few spider webs off something.

But when you're ready, it is there waiting for you to paint it, repair it, reinvent it and revise it into something you'll use and enjoy. 

I have a rickety little shed in my back yard. When I purchased my home, it got a new roof along with the house. (I was happy, since I got to choose the color!)When the roofer finished, he laughingly told me, "The roof is the best thing about this shed."  

He actually thought I might like to tear it down. He had no vision. I saw a future potting shed, a rustic cottage-type structure. I looked beyond the stacks of moldering magazines that had been there for decades. The roof was leaky, so you know how yucky that was! 

Since I had plenty of inside projects and I was working in the yard as well, the shed was put on the very back burner. I took a little time here and there to clear away junk and inspect it for potential. As I did, I ran across a few interesting things. 


There is an old crate with the bottom rotted out, and this little primitive wood box. 

It is full of debris - some rusty nails I'll keep for who knows what. Shards of broken glass from stained glass projects are mixed in with the nails and leaves. 

It might be a good project to sort through carefully while watching a Jane Austen flick.

I found some old door hardware and rusty metal pieces. 

There was a milk glass florist vase. There were pieces of a child-size croquet set. I love the old wooden balls. Someone had painted these black.(!!!???)

I'll most likely paint the balls white, but I don't have any ideas for the mallet heads. Any suggestions?

Shopping Place #2 is for another post!




Word for the Day:


Proverbs 15:6
The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.


May your house contain and reveal treasures you forgot you had!


-Revi

Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
http://katherinescorner.com/ - Thursday Favorite Things

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/Time Travel Thursday

Friday

http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com – Vintage Inspiration Friday