traditional is nice, but sometimes it's fun to decorate "outside the box"

i grew up with a traditional live tree, which I still love, but being in apartment living, sometimes there is no room for tradition and the space it takes up! aside from lugging a live tree up a flight of stairs, and cleaning pine needles up daily, and having to re arrange the entire living room to try to find just the right place, I would love to put up a live tree at christmas! Unfortuneatly, I was forced to get creative. So last year, I scoured the internet for something fun, unique and designer-y. Thats when I stumbed across a black christmas tree. At first I hesitated, thinking maybe gold or silver would be a better first choice in my foray into "out-there" christmas decor, but then I had an epiphany walking around target when I found these jewel-toned ornaments; both metallic snowflakes and brightly colored mini christmas balls. All of a sudden, I knew I had to use these, with some silver spiral ornaments, on the black christmas tree! I spent days trying to locate the black christmas tree in a store near by, and finally found one at Khols for only $15 and at four feet high! The perfect apartment sized tree, no needles to clean up and, best of all, once I decorated it, it was the most creative , fun, designer tree I had ever decorated! Now, some people's opinions are that a black christmas tree is anti-christian or flat out wrong. My argument is that a christmas tree has no religous meaning to begin with -christmas trees are just a holiday tradition! And what is so wrong with having a little fun and thinking outside the box, and applying that perspective to the longest running christmas decoration? With the white lights twinkling and the jewel-toned ornaments shimmering, its hard to see past that and realize the tree's color is black. But even when one does, isn't a huge part of christmas just to enjoy the holiday in the way you see fit and appreciate this magical time of year? I hope this tree can inspire the designer in all of you; and whether your tree is gold, silver, real or fake, hot pink or traditional green, remember- if it is beautiful in your eyes, than that's all that matters! Happy decorating!!

the holidays are coming up fast!!

are they ever! for those of you on a budget, but with a creative streak, or even without one! here's an easy holiday gift to create! Start by picking three of the recipient's favorite colors, to go with the design of the room which will be its new home - i picked yellow, gray and hot pink!....... or if you're giving as a holiday gift, maybe you want to try picking holiday colors. Maybe , as the saying goes, Silver and Gold or, choose to go with White, Blue & Dark Blue and Silver for a wintery mix.

********note: this is a great thing (if you're a teacher or parent, aunt, uncle, babysitter whatever!) to get your kids in on to make as gifts for their parents, teachers, granparents,etc *********

for your first step, grab a package of wooden clothespins ($1 dollar stores sell these in packs of 50!) and a few bottles of the colors of paint.Paint all the wooden clothespins in variety of those colors. Make sure you cover the entire piece! 
Once dry, place them haphazardly (laying on the side- so you can see the metal spring) into a frame (must be deep enough to accomodate the width of the clothespin),  on to the glass, in no specific order (or maybe you like horizontal rows!) You pick! and then re-attach the back and voila! a fun, creative, one of a kind piece of art to give as a holiday gift!

heart & soul

personal creativity always helps one to develop their professional art. as such I have taken to "re design at home",  continuously adding to my creative environment.
furniture design has always been of interest to me, so refinishing is one of my favorite hobbies....currently my goal is to mix modern and antique to come up with my own refreshing style, which is of course, the heart and soul of Grace & Chaos.

damask printed fabric upholstery, sunny yellow paint......................here is one of many creations to come....

out of chaos......comes grace!!

in this crazy world we have to find time to do what we love.....Grace & Chaos is my hope for the future, to be able to do something that I love full time.
Welcome to our blog.
Twin sisters are amazing, and thats how our name was developed (thanks Em!)
And fathers know best, and thats how our catch phrase was founded : 

"out of chaos....comes grace!"

This will be a blog full of trials and tribulations---documenting a designer company's beginings. So stay tuned to see new creations, DIY's, interior design, textile design, home decor, and most importantly Grace & Chaos Designs, LLC 's milestones as I work to bring Grace & Chaos from start up business, to internationally known design firm...


just wait and see......


we appreciate your support!