Today's sale features framed fine art by artists Ken Bailey, Howard Behrens, George Botich, David Dauncey, Art Fronckowiak, Sung Kim, Haixia Liu, Barbara Mock, S. Sam Park, Viktor Shvaiko, Karl Soderlund, and Leonard Wren.

Each piece measures 32" by 26" by 1.5". Stunning Fine Art Lithograph, press mounted to refined art board and coated with semi-matte protective film. Shields against scratches, fingerprints, liquids and UV fading. 2” black, wood grained composite moulding. Comes ready to hang. Made in the USA. Dust and clean with a damp cloth.

We are offering each at a 50% discount. You may view the live sale here.

Seasonal artwork (whether for Valentine's Day, President's Day, or National Cheesecake Day) is a great way to add interest to a space without committing to a permanent color palette.  Just the thought of painting a wall something other than "off-white" is enough to send some homeowners into a panic.

So for all the self-proclaimed "chromophobes"  out there (fear of color), we promise this approach will help keep your walls neutral while adding an interesting accent through the changing seasons.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we wanted to spread some love with a handful of our favorite holiday-inspired prints:

Copyright 2011 - Chun Eunsil (http://www.chuneunsil.com/)

Korean-based Chun Eunsil's use of pastel colors and animal motifs bring a touch of whimsy and fantasy to the season. Most recently, a number of these fun prints have been made their way to elegant iPhone covers.

Copyright 2011 - Meg Hunt Illustration / AngryBlue

We especially love these sophisticated prints from Meg Hunt (left) and AngryBlue (right). The color palette in Meg's "limited edition letterpress print of lovely Alice from the Lewis Carroll classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" just screams Valentine's Day, and there is something magical about sitting under a giant mushroom. "The Hive" is a signed and numbered new print from AngryBlue that (abstractly) touches on Valentine's Day themes: honey & hearts.

Copyright 2011 - Kate Spade (http://www.katespade.info/)

Send one of these beautifully designed e-postcards to your loved one via Kate Spade's "bmine" site. We especially love the use of text as a graphic element in the chalk board-inspired layout. And while these aren't technically available as prints, the colors and layouts are great inspiration to create your own piece.

How do you spruce up your home throughout the year? What are some of your favorite places to buy seasonal art?

This morning, I was honored to appear on a quick spot for FOX28's Good Day Columbus morning show.  I didn't have enough time to share these five tips for a successful room makeover, so I've included an expanded explanation of the process below. I hope the viewers of FOX28, and all of our BULX members across the country, find these tips helpful.  And thanks again to Jill and her team for having me out and sharing BULX with the world.

5 Steps to a Successful Room Makeover

• Step #1: Start an Inspiration Board (or Folder)
  The most obvious places to look for redecorating ideas are in publications that specialize in kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom makeovers.  But don't paint yourself into a box (pun intended).  Inspiration can come from anywhere (like here, or here, or here - for example).  Consider the mood you would like to create in your soon-to-be-remodeled room and then come up with a list of words or images that help evoke that emotion.  My favorite place to start is with a photograph I've taken myself. I will then pull colors, textures and styles from that photo to start compiling a list of paint swatches, fabrics, carpets, tiles and furniture styles that best represent my photo.

• Step #2: Set Your B.E.T. (Budget, Expectations, Timeline)
  Humans are historically bad estimators, which is why many projects take longer and cost more than we initially expect. (The Big Dig in Boston ran $10 billion dollars over budget and years past its estimated completion date!)  The more in-depth a project, the more you need to plan for unexpected problems and costs.  For this reason, it's always a good idea to set your:
  • Budget - Because most people don't know how much projects will cost, setting a maximum budget at the offset is a bad idea.  This method promotes spending the entire budget up front and allows no room for error. If (and when) unexpected issues arise, your well-intentioned budget is now shot. Keep in mind: the bigger the job, the greater chance for error.  My recommendation? Set your budget low (approximately half to three-quarters of your max) and commit to hitting that number.  If you don't run into any issues, use the leftover money to pick out something nice for the space!
  • Expectations - Remember this important point: things always get worse before they get better. The fastest way to get the best results is often to start from scratch. No, I don't mean tearing out the cabinets and removing all the drywall. But prep work such as moving furniture and de-cluttering a space will make a huge difference.  Don't expect to get everything done right away.
  • Timeline - Once you have set realistic expectations of the project, make an itemized "to-do" list and estimate how long you think each task is going to take.  Then multiply those times by two. Remember when we talked about  Experienced Once you have created your to-do list, put those items into a schedule.  Remember, things will almost always cost more and take more time, so build that in.  Similar to your budget, take

• Step #3: Work Big to Small
  Once you have a vision and a B.E.T., you are ready to get to work.  To avoid wasting time and energy, always remember to work "big to small."  Keeping a broad view on your project will prevent you from focusing on minute details before they become necessary. This rule applies to any stage of your makeover, whether you are painting a wall or picking out wallpaper. Remember: start with big ideas, and work your way down from there. For example:
  • Painting - Consider covering large areas with a roller before switching to brushes (trim).
  • Sanding  - Start with the coarsest grit sandpaper (60-100) before trading it in for the 800.
  • Decorating - Select your wall colors first, then move on to furniture, then fixtures, then artwork, etc.

• Step #4: Document Your Progress
  As nice as it is to sit around and sip lemonade while you admire your handiwork, most of the fun (and learning) happens along the way. So be sure to document your work by taking lots of pictures ("before", "after" and especially "during"), keep your notes and drawings, and write down any challenges you come across or lessons you learned.  If you're tech savvy, consider starting a blog to document your transformation. Not only is a blog a great way to track your progress, but it can become a great resource for other people who hope to do the same thing.

• Step #5: "Remember Ralph"
  Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American essayist and poet once wrote: "Every artist was first an amateur."  Simply put, you need to start somewhere - and sometime. So why not at home? And why not right now?
  • Commit to Start - Most of the anxiety about remodeling or redecorating comes from the fear of the unknown. But you'll find that once you've started - it's not nearly as scary (or as difficult) as you would imagine.  Which ties into my final point...
  • Get Your Hands Dirty - Don't be afraid to try new things, especially cosmetic fixes in your home. Paint is about the easiest way to test the waters, and a new color in a room can make a huge impact.  Remember, there is no right or wrong way to decorate.  Trust your own instincts and let them drive your design choices. The most important thing is that you end up with a space that you love in the end.

I can't wait to hear about all of the BULX Members who take these tips and transform one (or more) of the rooms in their home into a space they love. Which room do you plan on tackling today? I would love to hear your plans and see your progress, so leave a comment below.

Until next time,

Looking to transform one (or all) of the rooms in your home from drab to fab? Here are some of the hottest trends we foresee in 2011...

Overall Color Palettes:

Use these cohesive palettes to create a common theme throughout your home.

• Neutrals - such as Tans, Khakis, & Creams.
• "Light as Air" - such as Silver, Off-White, and Butter Cream (see image #1, below).
• "Grey & Black Are Back" -  monochromatic colors that create a versatile base to work from.

Accent Colors:

Once your overall color palette is selected, use up-and-coming accent colors to create a mood and visual interest within each space.

• Soothing Cool Colors - such as Grey-Green, Sea Mist, Cucumber, Sunlight.
• Warm Accents – such as Brick, Burnt Umber, Dandelion, Magenta
• Yellows – From Bright Gold to Soft Milk

Patterns:

Variety is the spice of life, so why not mix things up? Mix and match patterns to create contrast, or create consistency by repeating similar patterns within a room.

• Organic prints – such as floral, rock formations, or bodies of water.
• Geometric – such as Bauhaus reproductions, stripes, or any graphics using linear or geometric shapes.
• "Text As Texture" – single letters or paragraphs used to fill space (see image #2, below).

Natural Materials & Textures:

Different materials can give the same space a very different look an feel. Here are some of our favorites.

• Wood - warm up a room by letting the grain of natural wood show through in floors, furniture, shelving, and décor (see image #3, below).
• Stone - used on tables, natural tile options, mantles, or accents (such as drink coasters & picture frames).
• Plants - bring the outdoors "in" by using potted versions of local (or exotic) to spruce up a space.

What trends do you love?  Or what have we missed that you would like to see in 2011?

Humans first learned to control and use fire as a heating source some 400,000 years ago.  But it wasn't until we moved our hunter/gatherer traditions indoors that the fireplace became a staple of the modern homestead.

For centuries, the fireplace was the heart of the home: a source of warmth, protection, and nourishment (food).  Today, fireplaces range from purely decorative to strictly functional and come in a variety of shapes, styles, finished, and heating sources.

Below is a roundup of some of the most unique options available today...

Traditional/Wood Burning: Many homeowners prefer the nostalgic feel of a natural wood burning fireplace in their home.

Gas Fireplaces: A modern take on the wood burning variety, these units utilize a natural gas line and realistic looking replica logs to create a cleaner burning option.

Image Credit: Materials Marketing Stone & Tile

Modern: Brands such as EcoSmart and BioFlame use bioethanol fuel, a natural biofuel derived from corn, sugar can, and similar crops. As a result, it produces no harmful gases, soot, or smoke when burned - just water vapor and natural heat.

Image Credit: FastFireplaces.com

Gel Fuel Fireplaces: Gel fuel brands such as FireGlo help create the perfect ambiance for your decorative fireplace or gel burner. An alcohol based gel fuel, FireGlo provides genuine flames and even a realistic crackling sound. They are soot-free, odor-free, and can be burned safely in any size room. Each can typically burns for 2-3 hours, and can be reused until empty.

A variety of gel fuel fireplaces are available through on BULX through December 22, 2010.

What is your favorite way to warm yourself on a cold winter day?

The primary goal of decorating a room or an entire house is to elicit an emotion. Most homeowners want to be relaxed and comfortable in their home, but other spaces are intentionally designed to be exciting, serene, sophisticated, inspiring, and more.

When it comes to decorating their own space, most homeowners don't know where to start.  This post is an introductory guide on where to start to create an original space you love.

As cliché as it sounds, finding inspiration for your home starts from within. Because we all have different associations with the sights, sounds, scents, and tastes we encounter every day, the interpretation of these experiences will never be the same.  The key, then, is to identify the things that you like (or don't like) and use them to

Some of our favorite sources of inspiration come from...

Nature, such as trees, wildlife, flowers, foliage and landscapes.

Other architecture, particularly urban planning sketches, modern buildings, or classical references.

Art, such as illustrations, digital art, sculpture or paintings...

and the water.

This is by no means an extensive list, but it should give you an idea of where to start.

Steps to Decorating Your Own "Emotional" Room:

1. Decide what emotion(s) you want to feel when you enter a room (serenity, excitement, happiness, formal/informal, nostalgia, relaxed,
2. Write down some places or memories or themes that you have the most positive associations with.
3. Jot down some descriptive words or items that you most commonly associate with those emotions (" bright colors" or "fast music" for excitement, "English library" for formal, "grandpa's old-fashioned radio" for nostalgia, etc.)
4. Visit Google Images or Bing Images and type in some of the phrases you have written down.
5. When you find an image that you like, save it into a folder on your computer.  Use the images you save to extract ideas for:
   1. Color - for your walls, furniture, fixtures, and accent pieces
   2. Texture - smooth vs. textured, plain vs. patterned, one-time vs. repetitive, fine vs. rough
   3. Style - which architectural styles do you like the most?
   4. Decorative Elements - which images could be used as accent pieces to help fill your space?

In future posts, we will work to translate these inspirational images and concepts into actual spaces.

Until next time, what inspires you the most?  Where else do you go to find ideas for your home?

Here's to loving your home,

Inspiration comes from many places and in many different forms, but there are still a few sources online that we look to consistently to stay on top of the home remodeling trends.  Here are a few of our favorites:

[Photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design]

BULX Trends on Twitter is a great place to start. We've surfed the entire Internet, located our favorite blogs, extracted the top content from each, and compiled it into a daily stream of trendy goodness.  Each update is categorized by topic (#highdesign, #shabbychic, etc.) so you have an idea of what you might find before you click on a link.

If you're looking for a more direct source of inspiration, here are some of our favorite Twitter people. Give them a follow and listen to what they have to say...

• Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind is a steady stream of all that is cool and fun in the world of design. Her posts are short, sweet, and truly inspirational. She's also a guest blogger for HGTV.
• Jonathan Legate is a promoter of "design, style, humour, food, wine, love, books, music, kindness. In any order."  He has created some inspirational spaces, which you can view on his website.
• DesignMom (a.k.a. Gabrielle Blair) was recently named one of the 'Top 50' blogs in 2010 by Time.com.  She's a designer, mother of six, and great down-to-earth resource on what's cool for the home.
• SFGirlbyBay (a.k.a. Victoria Smith) "is known for representing ‘bohemian modern style’ and for showcasing the freshest designers, artists, crafters, products and trends."  Her website is great as well.
• Bruce Baron has made captured many phenomenal spaces as a professional photographer. He is also a published writer, art consultant, and gourmet cook; the man knows style inside and out.
• DesignBlahg (a.k.a. Erica Reitman) is a hard-nosed, potty-mouthed design cynic whose insights into the interior design world are not only hilarious, but spot on as well.
• The Moggit Girls (a.k.a. Janet and Joy) will make sure your design ideas aren't too far outside the box. Their blog tackles "fugly design and home decor on a regular basis."

For more resources, visit our Blogroll in the right-hand column.

Who else am I forgetting? Who are your favorite bloggers and sources for design inspiration?

Here's to loving your home,

We are so excited about our first official sale that launches today at 12:01PM EST, and from the looks of your entries – you are too!

We literally received thousands of entries over the past week, and we were even more impressed by the creative ways you plan on spending the $250 worth of BULX product on your homes.

Late last night, the entries were counted and sorted, and this morning a winner was generated from Random.org.

So without further ado, the winner of the $250 Gift Certificate is: Sunny Slone!

Sunny had 20 entries in the drawing, and we hope $250 of BULX product will help her reach her goal of fixing up her "builder-basic home" (via Facebook). Congratulations Sunny!

Other Winners

Because so many BULX members were so excited about our giveaway, we decided to reward those who went above and beyond the call of duty.  The following two members signed up for a BULX account, invited their friends, AND left us a comment on Facebook. And as our way of saying thanks, we are crediting their account with an extra $50 each!

• Claudia M.
• Heather C.

We also decided to thank our top three referring BULX members with $1 for every invitation they sent using our referral system:

• Laura W.
• Megan S.
• Natalie B.

And last but certainly not least, we are giving BULX member Leah J. $50 for posting her very own photo on BULX’s Facebook page. Leah shot a picture of her dingy bathroom faucet and told us that she would spend the $250 gift certificate on a new Marc Newson Two Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet.  Leah - enjoy your new faucet!

Congrats to all of our winners! We'll see you inside at 12:01PM.

Here's to loving your home,

Wow.

We have been blown away by the overwhelming response to our $250 home makeover giveaway.  Since so many of our readers just learned about the contest - we've decided to extend it two extra days to give everyone a chance to win.

In celebration of our very first sale, we are giving away a very special prize to one lucky BULX member.

On Thursday, August 12th, a randomly-selected BULX member will receive the Grand Prize -  a $250 gift certificate to use on his or her favorite BULX sales.  (Since our sales are typically 50-70% off of retail, our winner could walk away with over $800 worth of product for their home.)

But because we have decided to extend the giveaway, you will need to do everything you can to increase your chances of winning.   Above are three easy steps to up the number of entries that have your name on them (pay special attention to #2).

So What Are You Waiting For?

You asked for more time, and we delivered.  But this is your last chance to sign up and win.

(P.S. - Here is a sneak peak of some of our upcoming sales...)

We want you to love your home.  Why not do it with $250 worth of free product?

Home upkeep and remodeling can be one of the largest expenses you face as a homeowner. But if done correctly, it can significantly increase the value of your home while allowing you to express your personal style at the same time.

At BULX.com, we pride ourselves in offering the best products on the market for significantly reduced prices.  Our 4-day deals are often 60 to 70% below the suggested retail price and far below any other website on the Internet.

But what if you could do better than that?  What if I could show you a way to upgrade your entire bathroom for FREE?

At BULX, our mission is simple:

1. Help as many people as possible create a home that they love, and
2. Do it by offering high-end products for incredible prices.

We'll take care of the product and the low prices, but we would love your help in spreading the word.  And as our way of saying "thank you", we credit your account with $25 every time a person that you've referred makes their first purchase.

The best part is that inviting people and keeping track of your referrals (and credits) on our website is fast and incredibly easy.

Here's a quick guide that shows you how easy it is to score a brand new bathroom suite for free:

1. Let's say you don't like the look of your bathroom and want to upgrade your toilet, shower head & faucet, pedestal sink, and vanity faucet.  If you buy these elements together through a typical retailer, everything might cost $1,700 (or more). But at BULX.com, our prices are often 70% off retail for the same exact products:
   
2. Using the "Invite" page of your membership, you can easily invite your friends and family to join by sending them an email, or by posting your 'Personal Invite Link' to your Facebook or Twitter pages.  Once your invitations are sent, BULX monitors who signs up and who places an order through your recommendation.We've put together the following scenario to show how quickly you can accumulate credit by referring your friends to BULX:

   

3. By inviting just 100 people from your address book, you could earn enough credits to purchase a new toilet, shower set, pedestal sink and faucet from one of our future sales on BULX.com. That's over $1,700 worth of product just for sending out a few emails.
4. Keep in mind, there is no limit on the number of people you can invite, or the amount of credits you can earn. If you invite more than 100 people (or if more than 25% of your friends and family purchase a product) you could receive well over $525. The sky's the limit.

So what are you waiting for? Sign into your account, invite your friends, and start saving even more. Because the only thing better than discounted designer products are FREE ones.

Here's to loving your home,

P.S. - Don't wait. Once your friends receive an invite from someone else, you've lost your chance!