Blog - Page 2 of 9 - NLS Design, LLC

Gallery Goals: How to Start an Art Collection on a Budget

How to start an art collection on a budget: For when you fancy yourself an art collection, but the bottom of your wallet only has granola bar wrappers. During a childhood summer, my family and I ventured to the vibrant city of Chicago. The iconic Chicago Art Institute beckoned, and as we meandered through its vast halls, I became spellbound by the masterpieces around me. The intricate brushstrokes of Seurat's 'A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,' the dreamy hues of Monet's Water Lilies, and the striking form of Grant Wood's 'American Gothic.' I daydreamed about one day having such magnificent tales of art gracing my own living space. As I stepped into adulthood, this dream remained alive and kicking. However,…

How to Decorate Like a Pro: Finding Affordable Alternatives to Designer Pieces

Learn how to decorate like a pro for cheap: for when you have high-end décor dreams but a ramen noodle sized budget. So, there I was, sipping on my chai latte (ok, it was really $10 wine), admiring the lush interiors of my friend’s newly redecorated living room. My eyes landed on this striking, artsy piece hanging right above her couch. I asked as politely as I could where she got it and how many bucket loads of money she spent on it. She almost spit out her tea (wine) laughing as she told me it was a printable she snagged for less than my fancy drink. I hadn’t yet started my artwork business yet, so I was highly impressed.…

How to Decorate Kitchen Walls that Will Make Your Neighbors Jealous

Learn how to decorate kitchen walls that could be in a magazine – without having to drop $100,000 to get the look. Once upon a midnight dreary, I found myself standing in my kitchen, a paintbrush in one hand and a comically oversized clock in the other, wondering how I'd ended up in this little predicament. As it turned out, I had wildly overestimated my ability to eyeball a straight line on a wall and had grossly underestimated the square footage my so-called 'statement clock' would cover. My kitchen wall looked like Salvador Dalí's timepiece had collided with a Picasso - and not in a good way. But fear not, dear readers, because I'm here to ensure you don't fall…