If Your Walls Could Talk: A Wall Art & Home Decor JOURNEY

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Welcome to my Wall Art & Home Decor blog, Friends!

If your walls could talk, what would they say?

Do they tell any stories about your behind-closed-doors authentic self? Do they remind you, your family...your guests...where you want to go, who you want to be and what brings you joy?

I want to help you make your home representative of you and your family…your past, present and future, simply by focusing on what your walls have to say. Life is always changing, and sometimes ‘forever’ pieces that are simply there for sentimental reasons look refreshed after you’ve popped them in the basement for a while, tried them out in a different room or added another design to the mix.

There are so many ways to reflect different moods, seasons, vibes…and maybe even the occasional decorating trend or two...in the wall art you chose for you home. Bottomline, if your walls could talk, I want them to speak volumes about what is important to YOU in the most sacred space of all…your home.

Why did I start a Wall Art & Home decor blog, anyway?

I've been a designer in the wall decor industry for over a decade, having my artwork sold everywhere from mom and pop shops to the big box stores and online at multiple top wall decor e-retailers. My breadth of designs have also been licensed by top manufacturers of jigsaw puzzles, mugs, tee shirts, decorative blankets and rugs, and many other hard and soft goods. I've ‘been in the biz’ to see a zillion wall decor trends come and go, driven by what manufacturers believe will be hot in the next season. Some of these themes are wildly successful, while others don’t seem to catch fire as expected. Seen it all? Yup!

During this time, I've created a collection of wall art designs that can be defined as nothing less than eclectic. Everything from modern abstracts and coastal designs to urban art to modern farmhouse...just to name a few. I don’t really believe in focusing on a ‘brand look’ or one particular trend or vibe. To me, that would be inwardly focused, and would not achieve my longstanding goal of helping customers express themselves in their homes in THEIR own unique ways. I firmly believe that what one person finds to be an ‘oh yeah, that’s perfect’ design may be not quite right for someone else.

That’s the reason I decided to create this wall art & home decor blog. To share my knowledge of the wall decor industry, some things to think about when selecting wall art, and some of the basics about what design styles are out there in the wall decor universe that might resonate with you. I’d love to be a part of your continuous journey of creating a home space that really represents you.

What Brings ME Joy?

First, to get to know me a little better and what brings me joy, here’s a quick summary: photography, travel, all realms of design, cool vintage finds...but at the heart of everything: my family and the beach! I've been connected to the coast my entire life…from the Jersey Shore to my 'pinch me I live here' home on Cape Cod. The beach is my happy place, and I really resonate with all things coastal. So I thought I’d launch this blog with a collection of designs from the coastal places nearest and dearest to my heart, and in upcoming posts, chat a bit about the different types of coastal wall art designs that you will find out there, so you can get a feel for what vibe you’d like to create in your home. And that’s just the surface of our wall decor wave!

Sooooo…If MY Walls Could Talk, they’d say:

Jersey Girl!

Once you have the Garden State in your soul, it sticks to you like a bathing suit on a hot summer day. Some of my favorite childhood memories include going “Down the Shore” to Beach Haven as a kid, stuffing my face with Oreos fresh from Nabisco’s ‘broken cookie factory’ and watching my dad and uncle dive bomb kites at dusk on the beach. As a teenager, I headed to multiple friends houses in different towns along the Jersey shore, listening to "The Boss," Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes...and making incredible memories.

As a nod to my love of going Down the Shore:

Down the Shore, Jersey Girl style

CAPE COD WASHASHORE

I washed ashore on Cape Cod as a thirty-something, hearing all about how great the Cape was from a friend at work. That recommendation quickly blossomed into years of renting cottages in different towns and eventually putting down roots. For me, the best thing about the Cape is….everything! The down-to-earth, let's play pickleball, take a hike and go out dancing all on the same day people, the quality of the light, the constant discovery of hidden gem ocean and bay beaches, salt marshes and ponds, the wildlife (turkeys and bunnies and coyotes…oh my!), the solitude of winter walks on the beach…and of course, a summertime ice cream cone or two.

Oh…and let’s not forget:

The incredible dunes on the Outer Cape...

On Dunes of the Cape...come with me and escape!

...and the beach paths lined with fencing that directs you right toward heaven...

This serene pathway to a mid-Cape beach enhances the room's tranquil coastal ambiance.

Beach boy dreamin'...

A minimalist bedroom features our stylish black and white photograph of surfers walking along the beach, adding a touch of coastal serenity above the bed.

And of course, one of the top 10 beaches in the entire United States, Coast Guard Beach...

Serene Coast Guard Beach - a sandy path to the ocean, framed by a rustic wooden fence, with gentle waves lapping the shore beneath a clear blue sky.

travelin' woman

I've been blessed to travel far and wide. I can wholeheartedly say that my life has been enriched by enjoying the history, food, sites, sounds...and most importantly, the people in various locations in the world. From snapping graffiti photos while running down a highway in Quito on a tour from a family friend:

One of my favorite shots from the streets of Quito.

To touring with a guide who prided himself on jumping from rooftop to rooftop in Santorini...I am forever grateful for the traveling companions I've had, and the memories we've made together.

Whitewashed, cliffside villas overlook the tranquil blue waters of Santorini, offering a quintessential view of Greek island charm and beautiful memories.

Getting to Know You

I look forward to hearing from you over the coming months (and years)! Please reach out with any topics you'd like me to cover, and what is important to you when selecting wall decor for your home. In the meanwhile, my next few posts will highlight some of the art styles within the Coastal design world.

From my grotto to yours,

Nancy

Grotto Studios

www.grottostudios.art