The strips on the wall have nothing to do with the studs. I made that mistake... mine didn't break and make a mess, but theres nothing behind them. (Were actually going to take them off in our house and mud and tape over the seam and then paint to make it look more finished...) Any way, back to the question, I had a fairly heavy piece of art hanging in my hall with out an anchor and it lasted for longer than I expected till someone walked too close to the wall and bumped it off. But in the same house I had to rehang my toilet paper holder 4 times cause it kept pulling out of the wall even with anchors (I finally put it vertically to make sure it hit the same stud). But when I turned an extreamly heavy paned window into a mirror to hang in my guest room I used 5 (seriously 5!!) wall anchors and I was still nervous whenever a door slammed. In conclusion I don't think I helped much, the anchors I tend to go for are the heavy duty ones, I don't remember the name, but i buy them at walmart and they have a bull dog on them...

I went looking for images of those elements. Ribbed glass panels in cabinet doors is easy enough. Here's one in a bathroom vanity: Ribbed glass (or ''seeded'' glass) is also often found in period light fixtures: As for marquetry countertops, if you asked most kitchen cabinet makers for such, I imagine they would gape blankly at the gabbling woman. But there are plenty of companies doing stock and custom hardwood marquetry inlays using CNC laser cutters. Here's the thing - they are doing it in floors. Google ''hardwood floor inlay'' and see. Yes, many of the rosettes are infeasible for a 26'' counter, but look for the ''border'' designs - or create your own. Assemble a 26'' wide section of inlaid ''floor'' on a 3/4'' plywood substrate, encase it in Waterlox, and I do believe you'd have yourself a marquetry countertop. Another option - perhaps cheaper - is stenciling on hardwood, of which this is an example. And so is this What else? Beveled glass is readily available, as is chrome countertop edging, and any furniture or auto upholstery shop can cover a panel of 1/8'' plywood in soft butterscotch leather framed in silver studs (maybe not actual silver, but close enough). I don't know exactly what version of Art Deco you are headed for, or if you even like butterscotch, but the point is, you are not doing yet another white kitchen, you're doing something that isn't being done by the mainstream, so the ordinary kitchen sources are not making this stuff. Sure, there is cool Art Deco hardware around, but what passes for ''Art Deco'' kitchen cabinetry in the online catalogs is . . . disappointing. You are going to have to make it, or at least source it, yourself - and I think if you're comfortable outside the painted lines, you can. You'll find yourself hiring a floor guy to work on a countertop, hunting down the local hot rod upholstery shops, telling your cabinet maker to fit bathroom vanity faces to kitchen cabinet boxes - they'll still look at you like you're crazy, but you'll know you're not. Go for it, girl!

Thanks Rosie. That painting is a pleasure for me on so many levels - the crazy coloring, the "art" labeling, the primitiveness... I am way too constrained to create that freely. And then there is the personal - knowing all DH was going through at the time and his very surprising decision to try painting for respite. It inspires me. For the OP, reflect on what is appealing to you about those museum pieces you like. Crystalize that as best you can. Any gallery would be happy to help you discover works you love, for a price. If that price is prohibitive, try 'lesser' galleries, student art shows, resale shops, art fairs - just look and trust yourself to respond. Let yourself make a mistake or two, it's the only way to learn what you really love. And yes, framing can make all the difference.

Thanks for all these great suggestions. I did buy larger table lamps and am expecting a new floor lamp shortly. I also ordered a large square print to hang above the couch. I hung the abstract print next to the bay window. (I'm still waiting for linen draped and cornices). But it's coming along nicely. Thank you for your helpful feedback! Here are some updated pictures.