Art for All

Real Art, Right Now

Remember when foam core mounted posters were the height of elegance? I swore I was going to get REAL art some day only to have my posters replaced by sticky first grade drawings of dinosaurs. They're cute, but someday I want to feel like a grown up. Except I don't have the money
... or do I?

Here are some sources for real art, right now.
 
Web Sources: Yes, you can buy art off the internet. Especially if it is only $20! The first three are from  the Jan Bekman 20 x 200 project. This gallery in New York offers limited edition prints of gallery work for as low as $20. New pieces come out every Wednesday.  Her motto is my kind of math!
(limited editions x low prices) + the internet = art for everyone

Velodrome,  James Deavin, 8x10, $20

 Birch Forest #7, Lisa Congdon, 11x14, $50

Where is that Middle Way?  Emily Noelle Lambert, 8x10, $20

Etsy  This fabulous crafters website is also a great source for art. They have a good search engine so you can narrow your tastes to photographs, prints, watercolors, landscapes and so on. Sure, you have to scroll through many pages, but think of all the inspiration you will run across!  

Central Park, Matte Stephens

print, 13 x 19, $60 

Goldfinch among the budding maple trees, Raceytay

Original photograph, 8x8, $25 

Serenity Blue, Dianna Poindexter

Oil, 16 x 20, $375

Local: Need something more traditional? Lyons Antique Prints in the Town and Country Center, Palo Alto offers prints for all interests: maps, sailing, children's books, animals, even scientific!

 Original Chromolithograph

England - 19th century
11.25" x 8.75" $187.50 

 Among the Big Trees, Mariposa, CA

Orifinal Gravure, 1888

15 x 11  $127.50

Hang Art in SF is a great place to find local artists. These are a bit pricier. Can't commit? They offer rentals! And 50% of your rental fee can be applied to the purchase. Look at this landscape. At 30x48, this could make an entire room!

Orcas Island, Ann West

oil on canvas, 30x48, $2200

 Boundaries #52, Clare Kuo 

mixed media on canvas, 30 x 40, $1250

Now go on and go shopping.  No-one will notice if your furniture still says 'Ikea' with art that says, 'I know what is important in life.'

One, Two, Flush

Dual Flush Toilets

The problem with dual flush toilets is not their function ... it's their style. Everyone loves new gadgets for the home.  And I am all for eco friendly but, honey, I want it to look GOOD! And they are finally getting the message. Now that California's law requires 1.28 gallons or less per flush, we are forced to look at high efficiency options. The dual flush toilet still meets these requirements, but allows you a larger flush ... when necessary. (Do you have boys in the house??)

These toilets have two buttons on top, one for liquid waste, 0.8 gallons/flush and one for solid at 1.6 gallons/flush. This prevents the 'double flushing' that was happening with earlier models. (Which, of course, negated the whole water saving idea!)

The standard for so long has been the Toto Aquia.  Nice clean design, but really only one look.
 This is available at Fixtures and Faucets in San Mateo.

Enter the Caroma Colonial. What a charming old world look with new world technology!  Do NOT be afraid to sit on these. I know. It is as embarrassing as lying on beds in the mattress store, but you must try them. Being a bit short in stature, I actually found one the other day where my feet did not reach the floor. Uncomfortable! Available at Pacific Sales in Redwood City.

Kohler has a nice line of dual flush including the Saile, Persuade and Strela (shown) They can be seen at Plumbing and Things in Redwood City.
To finish off your research check out the Consumer Reports review of dual flush toilets. (Yes, you must join, and yes, it is worth it.)