At home: Wall to wall inspiration

It seems strange to get so excited about walls, but I do. For me, a wall is a beautiful blank canvas. A great big opportunity. I can't wait to get "painting".

My "paints" are virtually anything I can find, or hang, or lean against that wall - photographs, art, ceramics, carvings, obscure curios discovered in bottom drawers, gorgeous objects unearthed in unlikely flea markets.

Sometimes a wall is beautiful as it is. Faded wallpaper can look fantastic. Layers of paint revealed following centuries of decoration can be a mesmerising work of art. Even fresh plaster itself - drying at different speeds to leave a rich patina of pinks - has a warm, lustrous appeal that a flat, white, painted wall can never match. Cold minimalism has its place, but not at my place.

So does the world need a book about walls? Well, you can be the judge. All I know is that a lot of people are quite daunted by that blank canvas before them. How do I hang photos? Which colours create a feeling of space? Should I go framed or frameless? Can I mix the two? Is it okay to hang plates?

In my day-to-day role as a buyer of interior décor, I'm always asked such questions.

In fact it has become something of an in-joke: "Does Mrs James approve?" The fact is, what Mrs James thinks is irrelevant. You really don't need my approval or anyone else's. If it works for you, it works. Anything goes. Well, almost. We all have a taste limit. But what is key is creating walls that reflect you and your family and your personality. I'm always amazed by the creativity demonstrated within people's homes. I regularly steal ideas for my own home and, inspired by a particular wall scheme, will set out to find similar art or artefacts that I can sell in my store (or often just keep for myself!).

To prove my theory that style is 100 per cent personal, my new book offers a glimpse into other people's homes: friends, colleagues, friends of friends, friends of colleagues, all people who have been brave enough to take on a blank canvas and produce a stunning work of art. And there's the rub. To produce any art you have to be prepared to expose yourself to judgment, to opinion, to, dare I say it, the whims of fashion. You have to be confident enough to say, "This is what I believe in, this is what I like, this is my soul exposed". The best art is the bravest art, when artists have dared to create something new or challenging rather than copy what already exists.

So Mrs James is quite adamant that the walls you see are not there to be copied. They are there to provide inspiration for your own artistic journey.

keruu41qes: Wallpapers For Home Decor

My attorney signed my I-485 AOS/EAD/AP applications and posted them on July 2nd as he was in a hurry to apply because of July 2nd scenario. Is it ok for the attorney to sign our papers. Is anybody in the same boat as me. I am a little concerned as the USCIS FAQ says application can be rejected if signature is missing. The application reached USCIS on July 3rd. hello, I am in a F1 status for about 3 years, I have been working and filing taxes. I am going to get married to a USC and apply for a green card through it. I want to know if I can have any problem in the aplication since I've been working without authorization. Second in concern to the affidavit support how much should I show and who has to fill these forms since my future wife is unemployed. Third in case my wife file for bankruptcy in the future that could affect me and if it does how can avoid this. By the way I live in florida.

Old-House Journal

The Cheapskate's Guide to Home Decorating, How to Make, Find, Or Buy Inexpensive But Stylish Decor

The About.com guide to home decorating, a room-by-room guide to creating the house of your dreams

Creative Wallpaper, Ideas & Projects for Walls, Furniture & Home Accessories

House & garden