Uhh... funky Christmas, early...? Compromise is tough, agree, poor thing. But try to laugh. (I certainly am! :-) However, it is her home as much yours. I don't think the art is the problem so much. It simply needs some company. You can detract from it's obvious-ness by surrounding it with some of your own touches. Together you can create something really unique, if that's possible. Or at least try. But don't let this fairly minor issue come between a good relationship and necessity. You need a roof over your head.

Haha! My old roommate was from a farm in Alberta. She had a little plaque that had a (real) cow patty on it and underneath it said "Scratch and sniff if you miss the Alberta air". She insisted that it hung right beside the front door. I realized that I liked her more than I hated the dung that was hanging on our wall, so I accepted it as a little quirk of our home.

@Design Lighting - hahahaha - that is awesome! I really like her so I don't want to hurt her feelings in any way. What about a bulletin board of some sort to get the snow flakes all in one area and condense them somehow. They actually have company in the form of two pictures of her dogs that died. I have no ideas as for the Charlie Brown tree with blue colored marbles and pearls. Well at least Christmas is coming soon so it's kind of relevant. Oh vay! I'll embrace it somehow.

This may sound backwards, but maybe you need to think a little opposite here... Why not try showcasing it?? I'm thinking maybe a bookshelf, without the shelves (or one shelf for the Charlie Brown tree), to act as a "frame." My suspicion is she may eventually be walking in with more "art," and by having a specific "framed area," she can keep adding to her collection (instead of potentially spreading it through the house). Like most collections, grouping adds more "impact," and might make some of this "art" a bit more charming to you.... and it will also keep it corralled, and actually looking more purposeful.... when gathered in a showcase. And maybe.... (get those creative juices flowing ;)... Add some pretty curtains to the "shelf" to frame the display.... and then when you just want to quiet-time for your eyes... you can pull the curtains shut. :) And I do agree... "embrace the quirky!" Good friends are worth it!

@artfullyput - Love it - thank you!

Haha, I agree with all of the above, particularly artfully's idea of showcasing it. Perhaps and ornate frame/mirror with glass removed so a more upmarket noticeboard. I agree she may add, I drive my husband insane with little things, cushions, dolls, signs......husbands!! ;)

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Frame it! Fun!

Kids art stays in her room. End of discussion. Yikes.

HI -- I would not class this as Art really but more as craft . Maybe come to an agreement of a time limit on the display and take turns so both of you are happy about your shared space .

You could focus on colors and arrangement. She does blue snowflakes, you place them so they seem more like art. On the other hand, picking a nice print/poster to fill up wall space and offering another spot for the homemade stuff might work, too.

Maybe use a nice three panel folding room divider on which her art /crafts can be corralled and displayed. Enjoy her enthusiasm for her work w little ones. Do you have an area where you have adult art about which you agree?

Convey to her that a refrigerator with magnets is the traditional way to display such art.

The three panels could be turned around toward the wall for an adult event. Personally, i do not like clutter on frigs. but understand the common use of frigs for school art. The screen is an alternative.

Can you say "Fridge art?" Give her a set of fridge magnets and make that her designated gallery!

Lol!!! I am not laughing at your situation...I'm laughing with you! Finding good roommates can be a challenge so keep the ones that work!

I would take this opportunity to make things work for you. It's Christmas - purchase some cute frames to put her artwork in. Does she change things up all the time? If so, get frames that are different sizes, that go together. Get silver frames instead of white so that's color is not an issue.

I would then purchase some things of your choice to go on the wall too. This way, you are setting up her area and yours. It could end up being a really cool wall that becomes a great conversation starter.

Have fun and fill us in on the end result!


Janis, GKB

Type in "Art wall" in the photos section to get some ideas. Some of these spaces really look good and come to life because of all the different art in the space.

Make use of mixed materials.... Look for 3d letters, objects, art, etc. If you find a long frame, you could group her similar "pieces" together (i.e. Her snowflakes could all be grouped in one long frame).

- Janis again, GKB