topic Re: USING ART IN ROOMS in Home

USING ART IN ROOMS

Oznell — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 01:24:39 GMT

Ah, this lady above has all her pretty gilt-framed art working for her in her pleasant alcove. But she herself is part of a painting-- "An Evening at Home", by Edward John Poynter, done in 1888. So he's responsible for her nice little gallery wall.

I always notice when someone has art that complements their rooms in some way, no matter if the style is traditional or ultra modern, or a mix. It's ideal if you start off with your art, and then can build a room around that, but most of us don't have the luxury of that-- we get things in piecemeal fashion, art here, furniture there, and make it work together...

Love the way the vaguely exotic landscape here ties in with the "global" spirit of this room...

This cool, black-and-white art photo of a planet, is a little unexpected in a wood-walled den. Fun.

Here below, an English design team's deliberate mixing of periods, right down to the art. She puts the ornately framed, more traditional portrait, right above the little cubist still life. Her eclecticism continues, with the spool chair being paired with a modern mirror side table. And her combo of primary colors-- yellow, blue, red-- adds to the vibrancy.

Do you put art in your shelves? I like the way Studio McGee mixes little oil paintings and prints with books and other artifacts. Little treasures to discover...

I usually prefer big, oversize paintings, but curated 'art walls' are a good way of massing together your smaller finds. Young Canadian designer Joel Bray did one on a concrete wall in a loft-like apartment. Side note-- see the gilt framed print , top second from right, of a young lady clutching a small testament-- I have that too! Called "The Soul's Awakening" A very old one, crumbling a bit, that I found in an antique store:

(Another digression-- I like the Canadian touch of the Hudson's Bay blanket thrown over the couch...)

Here, the thing I like is that the abstract art is such a contrast to what looks like a burl wood wall. Like the way they play off each other.

This Channel Island house by Giannetti Home makes such good use of the unframed, soothing sea scapes to reinforce the soft coastal feeling of the room!

A cluster of antique prints enriches and brings warmth to a modern apartment space.

Steven Gambrel has an ingenious way with art. Below, his unusual placement of the mantel paintings just reinforces the originality of the room-- the room has depth, and even a little mystery...

10)

Here's a casual, rustic dining area, with a beautiful, dreamy landscape above the mantel. Love the casual touch of the wood cutting boards and mortar and pestle, mixing with that painting! After all, it is an eating space.

11)

I've asked this before, in different ways, but:

Do you have a favorite piece of art in your house, that you appreciate more than any other? Please describe. Have you ever pulled the colors from a piece of art, and then used them in decorating a room?

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

AuntG — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 01:30:50 GMT

The coastal art looked nice to me. Simplistic.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Sooner — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 02:58:01 GMT

For me? No to all. None are something I would hang.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

spiderw — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 03:29:09 GMT

I especially love the first painting, the detail, the lighting, colors, the relaxing feeling of the woman reading on her lounge chair, all stunning. The photos of different rooms with art work are so pretty and I believe art work does enhance a toom. I am no a modern art fan but I did like much of what was shown in the pictures.

I have mentioned before I love Pre-Raphaelite art, especially Rossetti and Waterhouse. Many years ago I order several prints from museums, including the Tate and framed them. They covered my walls. Eventually I had the walls painted again and I didn't hang many of the prints back up. However, I still have the prints and wouldn't part with them.

My mother had a few antique paintings given to her by a close friend which now hang on my living room wall. I also have a painting I bought at the Village art show I used to go to every year. It is a painting of a country stream and foliage. I gave it to my best friend because she lived in a log cabin and the painting fit perfectly. When she passed, her daughter gave me the painting, now hanging in my dining room. I cherish it because it reminds me of our friendship.

Sorry to be long winded but as you can see, I do love art and whether paintings hang on walls or lean on mantels or against walls, I love what art work adds to a room.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Lilysmom1 — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:26:29 GMT

@Oznell , thanks for posting. I believe art adds a great deal of warmth and personality to a room. I have many pieces from local artists reflecting our maritime landscape in all seasons. It is interesting to see each different display. Thanks for posting. LM

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

RNbynite — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:35:00 GMT

Thanks, @Oznell , for your contributions of interior design......love your art print of "The Soul's Awakening. I've always thought that any design style, if done with an artistic eye is most always pleasing, even if not one's preference. I know this may be somewhat pedestrian, but I have (and love) art prints of Monet and Van Gogh.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Oznell — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:46:24 GMT

Ditto, @AuntG -- there's something about the simplicity of those canvases, hung together in that breezy coastal setting, that just sings to me.

But the question was, what is your own favorite piece of art, @Sooner ? I know you have some cherished pieces.

Long-winded, never, @spiderw ! Anyone responding with such rich detail and thought so enhances the discussion. Love pre-Raphaelite also. You're lucky to have pieces too, that also have such important family and sentimental meaning.

It's my pleasure, @Lilysmom1 . You've obtained locally painted seascapes of your beautiful Nova Scotia coast for your home-- how appropriate and fabulous!

Thanks, @RNbynite . I completely agree, that even if the "style" isn't what ours would be, if you see some arrangement that works well-- within its given style-- it's cohesive and pleasing within its scheme. Your choices are not what I would call pedestrian, by the way-- they're time-tested and beautiful!

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

shoptilyadropagain — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:53:50 GMT

Those seascapes were my favorite but I would want only one larger print. I'm too OCD for a grouping of artwork hung w/out any sort of order. Groupings just appear chaotic and look like clutter to me.

I liked the artwork of the planet but normally am not a fan of black and white photography or artwork. Those Steven Gambrell (I probably got his name wrong) prints were interesting and I would like them if they were hung differently.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Sooner — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:28:02 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Ditto, @AuntG -- there's something about the simplicity of those canvases, hung together in that breezy coastal setting, that just sings to me.

But the question was, what is your own favorite piece of art, @Sooner ? I know you have some cherished pieces.

@Oznell None. Really. I have things my mother painted, things a well known Oriental artist friend painted, Native American art from known artists--and it is all in a closet taking up space.

I hate curtains, my husband and a decorator we bought furniture from when we moved, hung some on living room windows--I gritted my teeth!

We have hung one Japanese signed modern lithograph in the dining room (we use that room a lot), one modern horse signed print with a figure and the figure's shadow riding by the front door, and a small painting of a lion over a thermostat in the hall. And I love my bare walls.

Oh wait! There is a beautiful painting of a golf course hole, a signed print of three Heisman trophy winners, a painting of of a horse my mom did that is by far her best work (and she hated horses!) in the office. I forget about those!

Odd that you ask because five days ago I promised my husband we would hang a couple more!

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Marsha2003 — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:13:59 GMT

The colors of art in my home didn't inspire the decor as most of the art came later, as so often happens. I was lucky enough a few years ago to find an original oil by an artist whose works I admire, I have some serigraph prints of his work that hang in my house, but the original has pride of place in my bedroom.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Oznell — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 21:11:07 GMT

I sympathize with that feeling of finding "art groupings" sometimes too much, @shoptilyadropagain . Generally one massive piece is my preference too. I have some small pieces that would work well together, but they're perpetually stacked, unhung, in a corner, because I'm leery of visual over-stimulation...

@Sooner, I knew you had some great items! But I understand the temptation and quiet "soothingness" of bare expanses of wall. (See response to @shoptilyadropagain ). I'm with you on window treatments, I like the least treatment consistent with having some semblance of privacy...

I can well imagine, @Marsha2003 -- original oils are my favorite also, along with watercolors, but I have almost none. Just a tiny "mountain scape" that I never tire of gazing at. To me, oils give such "soul" to a room.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

stevieb — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 23:07:17 GMT

I like the painting that started things off and the vignette featured in number 5, but otherwise, neither the rooms nor most of the featured art does much for me.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Sooner — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 23:20:25 GMT

@Oznell Plantation shutters are a wonderful invention! I love everything about them! LOL!!!

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

vsm — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 23:55:15 GMT

@stevieb wrote:
I like the painting that started things off and the vignette featured in number 5, but otherwise, neither the rooms nor most of the featured art does much for me.

To your two choices, @stevieb , I'd add a third: no. 11. Everything else leaves me cold.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

stevieb — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:16:56 GMT

@vsm wrote:
@stevieb wrote:
I like the painting that started things off and the vignette featured in number 5, but otherwise, neither the rooms nor most of the featured art does much for me.
To your two choices, @stevieb , I'd add a third: no. 11. Everything else leaves me cold.

@vsm Yep, and 2 might be appealing as well in a different room.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

ECBG — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:39:15 GMT

@Oznell

Thank you for the wonderful "walk". Looking for me is such a treat!

I have several prints here that carry the theme. I also collect drawings of quilts.

Dealing with the colors of our "season", although, every room is different, the art can be moved.

Our country kitchen

This one from Ethan Allen was in the Dinning Room until I found the mountain that spoke to me.

The Dinning Room. The Strawberry Girl was bought in 1975 and is an antique oil painting.

Great Room

I didn't do upstairs.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

Oznell — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:46:19 GMT

Fabulous, thank you for sharing with us part of your wonderful, diverse collection, @ECBG . Everything you've ever shown from your house shows such a sense of warmth that you've cultivated there. Also a sweet poignance too.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

wilma — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 17:07:05 GMT

I prefer larger pieces of art instead of groupings of smaller pieces. I like the focus to be on just one piece of art on each wall or space. My favorites are #2, 3, 8, and 11.

I like the neutral room in #2 with the landscape. Very harmonious to my eye. As a retired science teacher I love the planet art in #3 which is appropriate for that kind of room. I like the seascapes in #8, but I'd prefer they be on different walls. Number #11 looks very nice in that space.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

ECBG — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:59:00 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Fabulous, thank you for sharing with us part of your wonderful, diverse collection, @ECBG . Everything you've ever shown from your house shows such a sense of warmth that you've cultivated there. Also a sweet poignance too.

@Oznell

Many thanks. I had to shrink each one to get it on here.

This antique got left off. It is a Dinning Room piece.

Saturday evening, December 28, 1878. Original.

Re: USING ART IN ROOMS

ninjawife — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:33:03 GMT

@Oznell wrote:

I've asked this before, in different ways, but:

Do you have a favorite piece of art in your house, that you appreciate more than any other? Please describe. Have you ever pulled the colors from a piece of art, and then used them in decorating a room?

I have lots of favorite pieces but my most favorite is a print of Picasso's Guernica that I purchased at Ikea in the late 1990s. It is a very large piece and it hangs above my fireplace.

I also like the bullfight poster I brought home from Spain when I was there on a high school trip. I had it matted and framed. I love its color story.

My husband and oldest DD dabble in photography so I have lots of their still life and landscape photos that they have taken over the years. Some have been printed on canvas.

Edited to add: I don't usually pull colors from the art to decorate but i would say that the art compliments the style and tone of the room.