Can't figure out art in my living room

10 years ago

This blank wall (first photo on the right. Fourth photo shows the remaining area of the open concept living/dining room) has been left.. Blank for the past 6 years and I can't figure out what I like in that area. Been browsing houzz, Pinterest, Google and etc for a very long time and nothing has caught my eye. Kind of wished houzz had an inspire me button.
I don't want to have a rectangular artwork or frame otherwise everything would be matchy matchy. Something tells me free form, sculptural and abstract. Which is why I've been looking in that direction.

I've taken a lot of interest in midcentury modern and I do like some of the wall sculptures by C. Jere (still none of the work just strikes me). Without knowing much about what inspires me because I haven't come across it, I was thinking something copper or gold.
I don't like animal heads!

Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

acm

10 years ago

I don't see that anything is needed. It would fight with the adjacent wall.

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Comments (29)

Katie
10 years ago
Are you referring to the wall with the bird art?
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
No Katie, the wall adjacent to it below the AC unit.
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rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Really? Kind of thought something is missing there. I've used some art I had elsewhere over there but it became really boxy because of the blinds and the art to the left of the blinds.
It really is an awkward space. A small piece of art doesn't work because it becomes lost. Too big of a piece of art conflicts with the AC unit and matches up with the top of the blinds.
gustaruygers
10 years ago
Reinstall the birds on that wall in question, slightly overlapping into the wall they are on now. Purchase a muted watercolor that includes a sky and place it on the wall behind the sofa( where the birds are presently) giving the illusion that the birds are flying towards the sky.
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Block 41 #03-09 Symphony Heights. 20SGD

How timely. I repainted my walls and had to take down the origami cranes. I'll scoot them over to the area below the AC unit and take photos when I'm done. I think it'll be tacky if I connected the two walls with cranes. I've always admired Curtis Jere's flock of birds and though I can afford the original what do you think of it on my wall above the credenza
Flock of Flying Birds Weathered Finish Metal Wall Art Sculpture · More Info
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Tried super imposing the c jere wall sculpture. What are your thoughts?
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Check out this Sketch: http://www.houzz.com/sketches/838603
Katie
10 years ago
I like the art, but not the color and think if the birds were a different color than your console it would be better.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
I would move the art from the left side of sliders to over sofa and find matching Simple candle sconces to flank slider...something like this from zgallery would be beautiful...they are 33" in length in gold...simple clean lines....
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Katie, the console is actually a dark brown walnut, not black like the birds. The picture doesn't highlight that due to the poor camera phone quality.

Home interiors, I'm not sure if I understood you but what I could gather was have 2 wall sconces above the console?

The art above the console is less of a dilemma to me. What bothers me is the space below the AC unit. That space is just really difficult to find something that fits without overwhelming or without being minuscule or without being matchy matchy.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
Yes above console...the art hanging to the left of large window would bring color to other side of room...the white birds? Can't tell from photo would look nice on the large wall that is to the right of dining area looks to be part of a hallway??than add the large long gold candle sconces one on each side of big window in living room area one wall to the right with the air conditioning unit and other one to the left near the orange chair...hope you can understand what I am proposing?? Sorry
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
My best attempt to show you what I suggest:)
felizlady
10 years ago
How about a mossy green or a sage for the siding? The house is beautiful with all the white trim, which I would keep white.
felizlady
10 years ago
The white trim goes nicely with the tile. The wall color goes less well.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
Felizlady I think you are on the wrong thread :)
PRO
Chris Zec Photography
10 years ago
Don't think anything else is needed. Have you tried moving your plant over there?
studio10001
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I think you need something more vertically oriented, to balance out the left side. Your other issue is whether to look for something that supports an additional piece over the buffet, in which case wall sculpture could work well-
or whether you want this wall to take more focus-
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Home interiors, like the suggestion but I do not have wiring to light up the sconces. I do find that having sconces would interfere with the lampshade and lose its sense of purpose having two lights in one spot, both providing ambient light (my lampshade provides both ambient and task lighting).

Yes Chris, I've considered that thought many times but the space doesn't permit - only 1.5 feet. Think I should try with a smaller plant? I really feel that the weight of the room is to the left with the TV and decor is.

Now studio10001, funny how I was looking at nail art. Can't find anything like that that is not going to cost me an arm and leg. It goes on 1stidbs for really costly. Were you recommending to have the nail wall sculpture below the AC unit and then another wall sculpture above the buffet?
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Rickster88......... The scones are decor candle sconces not electrical..they are so beautiful in person...like art metal sculpture on the wall...the gold finish is to die for....the length is 33" kinda a mid century modern look....
studio10001
10 years ago
You could, but I was suggesting the wall sculpture as a more understated piece that could look well with any piece of artwork you used over the buffet.

Another option for you might be a room screen-
Brownstone Atherton Room Divider, Teak · More Info
PRO
Chris Zec Photography
10 years ago
Can you move the colored art from the left to the right? It would carry the color better across the room. Right now all the color and interest is on the right. The art would still work w the birds as neighbors because the scale is different. The art would actually help detract from the ac unit by giving a more dominant focal point. Plus the dark frame would carry the height of the tv unit to the other side of the room.
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
All lovely ideas. I had the same thoughts of placing the circle art to the left when I first made it. On second thoughts it feels more balanced not because of the dark frame but the colours of the room is carried over to that space. I feel that the colours are more suited above the buffet but the piece is far too small for the buffet.
I didn't think of a screen which is a great idea but where do I find one that has a mid century modern vibe? I googled mid century modern screens but most were buffets and floating shelves above the buffet.
If I moved the art over to the left I'll need something above the papa bear chair. The nail art looks too cool to pass up.
Where I live, I've seen screens that are of the traditional Chinese antique sorts. Doesn't really suit my space.
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Really small space to work with without making it feel cramp.
PRO
Chris Zec Photography
10 years ago
Really like the artwork moved to other side. Your call as to over buffet or beside window. Might lean the teensiest bit toward over buffet. Like them both; don't think it's too small for over buffet (since it's abstract, maybe hang horizontally?). Also don't think you need to accessorize every bit of wall space. Leave some negative space for the eye to rest. It's part of good composition. The lamp is enough by papa chair. Awesome space!
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
I initially placed the artwork above the papa bear chair because it looked like a good vignette - it does. I too prefer the artwork above the buffet for an overall look. I tried it horizontally, but somehow it looks better vertically. Two horizontal pieces (the buffet and the artwork) is too similar. Maybe a diptych?
Everything seems so boxy and square like. With two similar artworks there'll be too much boxes?
If I did move the artwork I still have the original problem of imbalance and empty space below the AC unit. Oversized artwork there? I really like the room divider idea. Just that I haven't seen any nice ones locally.
PRO
HMH Development Inc
10 years ago
Actually think the origami birds would be best over orange chair. They are light and airy and not "heavy" enough over console and behind sofa. The chair and lamp would ground them a bit. As an art lover, you buy the art you love then find the room...that may mean putting something on every wall :). For now, move the circle piece over console and leave space to right of window empty until you find the something you love.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
10 years ago
I feel like the proportions are all the same (art and birds cover around the same size space) that is why I suggested very minimal accent on both sides of window mid century is open space and clean lines...I would take blue booby's advice on the birds over chair and keep art over buffet...hang vertical and get a sculpture of some kind for to set on buffet off to one side...your art work is perfect size for that buffet...anything larger will make the room feel lopsided. I think minimal for under air unit...you really shouldn't put anything to large...I would want the eye to go away from that space and focus on buffet wall or orange chair....just my take on it visually......
rickster88
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes blue booby I've heard that many times. But I think people forget that even placing the right art in the right spaces is in a larger scale practising art itself. The composition is important and what I love doing. There are many things we love. But we cannot afford all things we love so choosing the best and making the best out of all the things we love is only natural.
I'll test out the origami above the chair for a while and see how that goes. In the mean time I'll be on a search of for something above the buffet