I like both but am just wondering if the one with the yellow will overpower the other one a bit? Love to hear what others think.

I'm posting them here so I can see them side by side.

Hmm...not crazy about it...

I see what you mean about the yellow now that I see them side by side. Really loving the dark blue though. Hmmm.... I am terrible at this I buy so many things and try them for a week and then take them back. I love what I have done so far but just get so stuck on how to inject some color and modern elements. I basically just need someone to accessorize for me ;). Thanks for your thoughts.

This area begs for one large, dramatic, colorful piece of art. Which would really further enhance the rest of your cool, calm & beautiful decor. If you're opposed to bright color, then go earthy with something completey opposite your traditional, slightly glam look. A large piece of wooden folk art, or rustic piece of farm equipment; a big iron cog wheel; or a huge piece of twisted, gnarled gray driftwood. One very large, shallow antique cotton or harvesting basket/tray would look nice, too. Or simply, a very large, ornate & interesting empty picture frame. Paint it white, gray, red or blue - any color you like. Junk stores & flea markets are full of them. Or have a framer custom make one from molding you choose. Whatever art you choose, the pendant light might obscure it when veiwed from your living room. You may want to replace it with some down-lighting that enhance the object & lights your foyer.

Keeping with the blue theme this is another option I found very large three piece set... 36 x 72inches total...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/39879256/abstract-blue-painting-purple-painting?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=blue+in+art&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=18&ga_search_type=handmade#

Good for you to take things back...you should love walking into your home everyday. Your home is such a beautiful example of restraint, I love it. Your "Hollywood Glam Goes To Europe" look could be brought up onto that significant wall by going to the art store, buying one or more canvases then painting them with a metallic thick bodied paint (attached is an example of a reclaimed frame, thick bodied paint plus crazy hardware--- just focus on the paint technique). If you are ready to change everything then that's a different story and hopefully you'll find an interior designer with whom you click. Best Wishes, InsideoutDiane

Was thinking the blue could take it this direction...
also really like the photos on the right wall... could do this in the hallway

I see where you're going with this - I do like the one above but wonder if it's too stark compared to what you have. What you have seems muted and subdued; I like it. How about something like this?

You could have the artist do a bigger piece in this style for you...

Ahhh I like these, where did you find them? The blue one is very pretty. Thanks for all your insight bonmio.

You're welcome - I'm in the market for art, too. The artist above will do paintings based on your dimensions, colors, etc. I found him on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackdaisyblue?ref=seller_info - good luck!!

http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/casegoods15/165483200-sunpan-white-swirl-canvas-art

too modern? was thinking two of these on on top of the other, really like the dark gray.

Just an idea--- Are you open to a few large mirrors?? We just found some mirroer with brushed nickle frames at the Home Depot for $28 a piece we grouped thee together on a wall in our dining room. They are about 3.5 ft by 4.5 ft. The mirrors make the chandalier look great! You could always paint the mirror frames a contrasting color.

Hey Amber thanks for the idea... the challenge is we already have a huge mirror in the living one and another in the dining room so don't want to over kill the mirrors. I do love mirrors though!! Sounds like a cool idea in your dining room, you should post a picture.

Massullo, I love the soothing restraint of your decorating style. The placement of every piece is wonderfully intentional and the glass railing system is genius. I would suggest a collection of matted and framed back and white architectural photos similar to the example.

How about just painting the front entry wall a nice soft color (Tiffany blue?) or maybe something bolder, and putting a related color on the walls of the dining room, and maybe some accent pillow(s), rug, throw or a vase or something in the living room? Any color, or even a darker nuetral will really bring out the light fixture and the flower display.The color can be derived from your artwork (fabric, painting, quilt, rustic pieces?) or contrast to it.

Also the top of the flowers are too flat--bend them into a nice arc and perhaps add something tall in the middle for some drama.

You have a very nuetral base, so adding color can be a very nice accent. You could even change a few things seasonally to give it a different look, so you will never get tired of any color you do add, and it would be inexpensive to change..

Really like the inspiration photos you posted (Living Room 1 & 2). That pop of color is a nice contrast to the calm tones of the room. Notice how they included the same blue on pillows around the room to tie it all together. Something simple to tie the print you choose to the rest of the space would work. In the photo posted by michigammemom the plants provide that contrasting color in a more subtle way. Dramatic or subtle, you have a great space that you could easily change as the season or the mood inspired. Please post your results!

I would like to see something in keeping with your monochromatic scheme, yet that is totally surprising. You were itching to start a collection anyway, right?





Or maybe a vintage rug:

Or a kimono on the wall:

I agree - wall paper would be great or fabric stapled over a canvas frame.

Interesting thoughts.... in keeping with that theme... what do we think of hanging this rug in a 2ft by 8ft on the wall?

http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/rugs-4/149615928-nuloom-barcelona-handmade-flatweave

I would love to see the rug but it asks for a login...could you save the picture and attach here?

I have an African dress and headscarf that I will be hanging in my entry after I paint. If not something like that go to Big Lots or Ollie's if you can find one or Hobby Lobby and look at the large prints and get a simple frame. I would go for something eye-catching rather than something overly colorful unless you are color crazy but it does not look that way. By the way,. nice entrance.

After looking at your pictures again I think I would really like to see some artwork in tiffany blue, robbin's egg blue or royal blue - Etsy is reasonable, and most people will customize something for you (larger size). I think that to keep up your classy look, you need a very rich color. Do you like Paris? The Eiffel Tower is a great color of blue. Fine Art America is inexpensive also. I think that a canvas would look nice, but you will need something large.
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/tiffany+blue/canvas+prints

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/royal+blue/all?page=8

I Love your house!

Sorry about that bonmio, I couldn't get the darn thing to save... oh well.

Amber thanks for the links, I will check them out, I really do like Tiffany blue and Navy blue, the color on the curtains in the dining room is more of a light grayish blue. I will get another picture to post of this room.

Thanks for your nice compliments!

Here's a closer up pic of the curtain in the dining room... I have more of this fabric. Thom Filicia love it. Could make pillows?

I saw the photos you provided, read all the suggestions, then looked at the photos again. I love your minimal style with clean lines and subtle color. I like the entryway just as it is! Am I crazy?

There is a set of these three prints I can get in either 30x30 or 40x40 and could do the set on the entry way wall... keeping with the minimal style? I think the wall does need a little something? Thoughts?

Or two of these side by side in 30x45????

I like your selections but if you want more selections, go to Etsy.com. There are shops there of artisans and craftsman from all over the US, Canada etc. You will find unique items there. Just input what you would like in their search engine. You definitely want it to be something you love particularly since it is the first thing people see on entery your house. You can find photography and paintings on Etsy. You are easily able to contact each "shop owner" and they frequently can customize what you would like. I have a shop of high def photography, nancyhehmann.

I like the calm seascapes posted above for that space if you wanted to add a bit more color...BUT another option would be charcoal drawings without a dark background, maybe portraits or nudes framed nicely in your monotone color scheme....maybe a silver finish of some kind or perhaps bringing that pale green/blue in your fabric into a frame color. You can find some fine charcoal pencil artists that are incredible. They are soft but striking all at the same time. These below are just some example of charcoal drawings that are wonderful as far as quality. And most charcoal artists work from photographs, so you could commission something and not have to sit for a portrait. Or even a pale watercolor would be beautiful.

your home is beautiful btw...forgot to mention that. :)

Loved the calm seascapes from bonmio - but especially love your home - you are very talented . .

I like both - I usually like groupings of three but that's personal. I could see the flowers working in your space very well. Would you share where you got these? I love both sets. Please post when you're done...I'm curious.

If you would like to try your hand at painting, you can make your own artwork like the flower, but with a bit of color. It is very traditional in charcoal to use a dusty blue paper, and you can use stretched canvas or primed pieces of masonite with a couple of layers of acrylic primer on it. Using a cheap sample tin of the color you want, such as a Tiffany type blue or maybe a burnt Sienna brown, coat the background, adding a bit of white or burnt umber or ultramarine or perhaps Viridian green or yellow to add a bit of dimension in soft swirly patterns with a large brush, or rag roll it until you get a nice cloudy look. Make it a bit darker than you want.

Then pick some flower photos you like or take some of your own and either blow them up to size and print out on the computer in B&W (tile it to print to multiple pages or go to a copy shop) and trace with some paper coated in graphite or project them onto the background and lightly trace in charcoal and pencil. Or grid it out or hand draw.

Then take a 1-2-inch soft flat brush and work over the highlights in white, and the dark tones in black or burnt umber or a mixture of ultramarine and cadium orange which makes a dark brown. Keep the paint fairly fluid and thin to allow the background color to shine through. Try to model the tones and shapes, not to outline each petal. Add final edge detail with a smaller brush.

This can look fantastic with just a few basic artist colors (acrylic is fine--black, white, burnt umber, burnt sienna). If you are feeling really timid, you could use oil instead and get a longer working time and it is easier to wipe out mistakes--I like Grumbacher synthetic medium and oderless mineral spirits. But then it has to be done in stages and given time to dry in between. A old tin or tupperware type container lined with tracing paper can be your palette, and oil can be kept in the freezer for a few days.

If you want, you can glaze with subtle color after the base is finished. Let it dry for a couple of weeks and coat with Grumbacher varnish or a similar product.

Yea, I like the flower prints alright. They might look nice in simple silver frames. Maybe that wall could be painted in a warm sepia color as well.

LOVE the flowers and skyscraper pictures and think they would work well with your current color palette but they don't add color you were originally hinting toward :). Love the blue color suggestions and this would keep the peaceful feel your house evokes, with a little punch.
Have you tried onekingslane.com? I am addicted to their site! Very unique and interesting pieces. Just bought a 40 "x 40" abstract tulip on canvas for $139. It is gorgeous!i

Hey Bonmio the prints are all from Gilt.com amazing site! But sales go fast usually only last a few days so you have to make quick decisions.

Thank you everyone for your feedback, I still haven't decided but will sure let you know what we end up with.

Hi massullo,

Your home is beautiful! I can help with art if you like vividly cheerful abstracts like


. You can find options for commissioned works at http://www.spkcreative.com/thumbnail_list.php?mgd_id=168503#.UHs0wbTZqOI.

Best,
Shari

spkcreative@gmail.com

Abstract Art: http://www.spkcreative.com
Stationery Line: http://www.zazzle.com/spkcreative*
Fabric and Wallpaper Lines: http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/spkcreative
Color Consulting: http://www.houzz.com/pro/spkcreative/spkcreative-abstract-art-wwwspkcreativecom

What is your wall color?

For inexpensive art that needs to make a bold statement, I would recommend creating your own with the colors of your choice. You can customize on line at fatheads.com or allpopart.com Good luck!!!!!!

I think a nice piece of iron work in browns and bronze would look nice here

Shari, your art idea is helpful please just point it out; do not advertise. Thanks!

Wall color is Pale Oak Benjamin Moore OC 20

I don't think you need color. I think that is why you have been returning the items you've tried thus far.
That is a big wall with lots of flat surfaces. You need architectural interest. Why not install some moulding on that wall and leave it at that. It would be in keeping with the elegance in the room(s).

beautiful home. i personally like that wall stark.

but of the recommendations, i like this one, especially if it's toned down.

I still like the wall free of art and sculpture.

Take a photo of something you like, but only a portion of it and blow up at Sam's Club or some photo place. Cost is low to create a poster type size and then frame out with a modern geometric wooden or metal frame. Personalizes your space with things only you love. I have a horrible time picking out art because I can never find things that are me. So start with what you love...for me it's herbs and plants and I just blow them and display!

use trim for framing an item...see under this search, copy and paste next line:
Traditional Staircase design by Indianapolis Media And Blogs Thrifty Decor Chick

You could also consider an authentic art museum banner. We at BetterWall represent 30+ major art museums, selling their authentic street banners to people to put in their homes as spectacular wall art. As unique objects produced in limited editions, the banners embody great art, great museums, and contemporary advertising trends.

They're sized typically about 3ft wide by 6-8ft long and pricing begins at $300. Take a look at this Rembrandt banner that is also location similar to yours. See our complete selection of over 150 banners at www.betterwall.com

this discussion is from 2012

Wayfair larger art on a budget sale rotations free shipping or Big Lots,Target.Surprisingly!
also consider rug,Pier One fabric framed or wallpaper frame yourself.