Treasure is right that chosing artwork is very personal and hard to do for someone else unless you know them well. Personally I love holly-kay's idea of using something other than a framed piece of traditional art like china or a pretty tray. Maybe a shelf with some silver candlesicks or cut glass jars filled with pretty soaps? Maybe you even have some lovely or meaningful items you could use already. For framed artwork The New York Public Library Digital Library has a huge collection of artwork you can browse through to use as inspiration or even download and print low resolution images (see link below for tips from the Creativity Exchange on using the images) And just because you pick something now, doesn't mean you can't change it out later if you tire of your first choice or find something you love more. You could even purposely chose two options and display one with brighter colors for spring and summer and the another for fall and winter. I know the thought of choosing two when you can't chose one seems daunting, but I have found the freedom from having to find "the one" lets me focus on what makes me happy. Happy hunting!! Here is a link that might be useful: Creativity Exchange: NYPL Digital Library

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!

Hi Airycat: I like art quilts and am trying to learn more. I belong to an art quilt group through my guild and there are some very artsy gals in the group. So far I have done a small vine-type quilt (saw a picture of it in an old magazine and copied). It turned out well (which surprised the heck out of me). I have done a lake scene (someone on this site was giving lessons...Teresa NC 7 listed under landscape quilts. I did an underwater quilt which everyone in the group liked and I was pleased with. I took a class in thread painting and have to finish that project (mountains, trees, lake, flowers, etc.) I must have ADD also since I have a problem completing anything large. If you want to pick my brain for anything I might know, send me an e-mail. Lynn

Thanks guys for the compliments! I think the original photo that pammyfaye posted may be a little overwhelming because of the color. Although I like the overall composition it may not be to everyones liking. My staircase is full of family photo's, documents and city/state history. Also a few local artist B&W charcoal drawings. I collect old frames so I find old family stuff to put in them to hang in the staircase.