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Artwork decor suggestion, please? Transitional.

9 years ago

Hello! I am looking for an artwork suggestion for the large stairwell wall. Colour or B/W? Frameless? I think I have Transitional decor...not keen on wild colourful graphic prints. Like landscapes, castles, sea and open sky, historical images. Not forests or trees (although I love that) ...as the railing is linear. Anyone have any ideas please?


Comments (116)

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Calm trees on wallpaper still my #1 pick. Blends with everything, and you could find the colored, plastic sheets that stick to walls or windows and pull off and cut out red cardinals for winter and put 3 or so on the branches! And in Spring, blue birds. etc. Now that would be fun. I can't remember what they call that stuff, but I got some in dark brown and put over the LEDs on appliances to dim that stark light. You just rub it on and you can peel it off. Something fun to think about!

    Em Bee thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Also, speaks to Hubby's woodworking and love of the outdoors! haha! he is a true artist too.

    Em Bee thanked Flo Mangan
  • 9 years ago

    Well I just feel compelled to clarify that I am strongly in FAVOR of the clock! :)

    Em Bee thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
  • 9 years ago

    Yay Lindsey! High five!!!

  • 9 years ago

    My husband's home made cedar root table...in this room. He says I can move it somewhere else if it didn't suit. Plus the painting below that he likes...


  • 9 years ago

    Solid as a tree. :)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Someone suggested avoiding "the Thomas Kincaid look." However, you and your husband seem drawn to Late 18th and 19th-century Romantic paintings, which would certainly fit in with your decor. You can avoid the TK Look and still have what you like by looking for a reproduction of a European master such as Thomas Gainsborough (look for his landscape paintings-- he was also into lots of portraiture); Claude Lorrain (he was actually a forerunner of this genre in the previous century); or John Constable. If you want something with more light in it, or a softer feel, try Joseph William Mallard Turner. Although he was considered one of the greatest English Romantic painters, he actually turned watercolor painting on its head! He was known in his time as the "painter of light." Sound familiar?

    The Hudson River School painters in America starting at the beginning of
    the 19th century also created landscapes that tell a story and show the
    beauty and grandeur of nature in relation to the human element. Look
    for reproductions of work by Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, and George
    Inness.

    Prints of artwork by the great masters have allowed people who could never afford to own one to delight in their work. (I grew up with a lot of Andrew Wyeth prints in my parents' house, and that was an art education all by itself!) One good thing about getting a high-quality print is that you can specify the perfect size for your space. Art.com is one place to look for prints, but others reading this post may have better suggestions--you want an art printer that does the print on high-quality paper with high fidelity to the original colors.

    You two would probably enjoy a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan if you ever come across the border. There are several rooms of simply majestic, magnificent paintings in this genre. They take my breath away whenever I visit.

    Em Bee thanked Dottie Best
  • 9 years ago

    Nice thought on the Hudson River School!

    Em Bee thanked tfitz1006
  • 9 years ago

    A canvas-like material, and not saying this but just talking... :)

    Fine Art Murals Valley of the Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt - 42 Inches W x 26 I · More Info

    Em Bee thanked everdebz
  • 9 years ago

    @Dottie Best: THANK YOU! You are exactly right! I love the Old Masters historical artwork ...We went to Madrid (and beyond as part of the Iberian Peninsula tour) years ago, to several Palaces and art galleries and loved them! The soft, moody colours...the peasant scenes....We will make sure to take a trip to the DIA in MI perhaps this summer. We don't know our way around...maybe we can catch a bus tour or some such. My brother owns an original oil painting from 1838-40 of Queen Victoria. It looks awesome in his reception room. The burgundy and golds and royal blues, browns,...the artwork has a gorgeous patina about it and no over painting. A good reproduction of a landscape by any one on the list of aforementioned artists you suggested could be as impressive. :)

  • 9 years ago

    Also, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to some of your fine Canadian artists. If you are interested in a print, you may want to investigate The Group of Seven. They experimented quite a bit in their day, so many
    of their paintings might be a bit too "whatever" to go in your space.
    However, you might consider something by one of my favorites, Franklin
    Carmichael:

    The Valley, c.1921 Stretched Canvas Print by Franklin Carmichael at AllPosters.c · More Info


    Lake Wabagishik Art by Franklin Carmichael at AllPosters.com · More Info
    You can find prints of these in many sizes on a variety of sites. Everdebz mentioned doing a print on canvas. Many sites do print on canvas, and then the artwork can be framed or not as you wish.

    Em Bee thanked Dottie Best
  • 9 years ago

    Finally--and then I'll shut up--if you want to purchase original art, here's a Canadian artist I love: Carolee Clark. (caroleeclark.com) My current feeling is why not spend a bit more and have a bit of the real thing? (Only if you love it, that is.)

    Carolee S. Clark - Gallery of Landscape Paintings · More Info


    Carolee S. Clark - Gallery of Landscape Paintings · More Info


    NOTE: If I know a particular artist, like Carolee, I will go directly to her website. If I'm trying to find someone new, Saatchi.com is a website that has a lot of fine art from current artists.

    Em Bee thanked Dottie Best
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes, a Giclee. The look and texture of an oil painting...

    Many years ago we did school trips to the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburg, ON. It is north of Toronto, Canada. Several of the elderly Group of Seven artists sat around in plastic webbed lawn chairs as we gawked at their works on the gallery walls...but most of us 9 year olds were far more impressed with the indoor pool, lol! I wish I had brought my autograph book with me!! (Remember those?) Imagine having the real autographs of these gentlemen!

    I love the colours and subject of the Group of Seven artworks... plus the work of Tom Thomson. I used to like to view his artwork at the gallery named for him in Owen Sound, ON., but even more so, the works by his brother, George Thomson.

  • 9 years ago

    @Dottie Best: NO!!! DON'T shut up!! You are interesting and very helpful! Thank you!!! Let's keep in touch!

  • 9 years ago

    Wow--I would love to have met some of those artists! Let me know if you would like info on getting around Detroit.

    Em Bee thanked Dottie Best
  • 9 years ago

    @mayarod719: Even if we removed the clock and put artwork there, there would still be a longggg bare wall beside it. It is my feeling that art beside art would look odd, with the frames and or subject matter perhaps clashing but a mechanical (clock) and art side by side is acceptable. No??

  • 9 years ago

    @Dottie Best; Do you know of a connection??


  • 9 years ago

    Do you mean a connection to Detroit?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A connection...a way ...a tour...or a suggested website of how to negotiate the things of importance to see in Detroit...but a tour company would likely be the best. We could park at a good motel or hotel. Safety in numbers... as we know there are a lot of sketchy places downtown. My husband used to live in Windsor and went to Detroit often, back in the day when he could run fast, lol. :()

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    I was just going thru things and wondering if you made any decisions?
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    If you have an image of the people or a pet living there, or something from outside we can help customize its colors etc, to match the decor.

    Em Bee thanked Arvind Nagalla
  • 9 years ago

    Hi Snappy Canvas. Thanks for this...are you in the USA or Canada?

  • 9 years ago

    @Flo Mangan...Not decision yet but husband likes the idea of a series of stepped /staggered framed images united by same colour frames...but not family images in particular. We would have to think about that one...perhaps they could also be united by frame colour and subject matter such as ancient architecture.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    In USA however we also ship to Canada

  • 9 years ago

    @Snappy....well I have found that items coming across the border of late, to take forever...and the cost of duties and the money exchange makes it prohibitive at this time for me to consider purchasing from the USA. But thank you, anyway. :)

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Look at City By Night and Maps with an antique background

    Em Bee thanked User
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    look at 07-5026 in decor at Ethan Allen

    Em Bee thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    I don't think that wall need an art at all. There are so many interesting places to look at already.


    Em Bee thanked Nancy Li
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    A larger, maybe 30x40in rustic vintage piece with a lot of white, some browns and a few pop colors would look beautiful. Here is an example of one of my artworks that had those color tones. If you would like a custom piece for this space I would love to work with you on it!

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you everyone, but so far we like the images posted by Allanaspree. Scenery is more to our liking...especially the river one...


  • 9 years ago

    @Nancy...you know...you might be right! Lol


  • Em Bee thanked allanaspree
  • 9 years ago

    But...with taxes...over $800. for a print... ? I would have to LOVE it...and I like it, but don't love it. :( BUt you are so helpful...thank you!

  • 9 years ago

    Sorry forgot you were in Canada

    Em Bee thanked allanaspree
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    That winter river picture made me think "mural" - wallpaper. Check this out!

    murals · More Info
    this is a mural with wallpaper. magicmurals.com Check that out. Might be something you fancy. I don't think I would want to have "winter" in my space, except maybe here in July and August! haha Just a thought.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I forget you can look out your window and see this type scene! Maybe we should look for Bermuda beach scene!

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I am starting to lean toward adding some dark background pieces for a "grouping" around the clock and leave the other wall plain. Or maybe some black framed photos in black and white that are meaningful to you guys?

    Em Bee thanked Flo Mangan
  • 9 years ago

    @Flo Mangan...the mural made me wince... I had a wall paper mural of a forest in autumn colours back in the late 70's. Hahah! But I like the idea of the cluster or grouping of black and white images you suggested as well... but a water scene appeals.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    I love water of any kind. Guess that is because I'm a Pisces but not frozen water! Except in a glass of spirits! lol

  • 9 years ago

    Hey Flo! I am a Pisces as well,...I hear you!

  • 9 years ago

    Hi, Em Bee, Did you think I had forgotten you about visiting
    Detroit? I don't think you would need a tour company, but there are
    several listed online; try TripAdviser or visitdetroit.com. When I go
    to the Art Institute, I just drive in and out on the same day (I live
    about 2.5 hours away), so I asked some friends who have a stronger
    relationship with Detroit where to go and what to do. I'll see if I can
    message you about their suggestions so a lengthy post won't be on this thread.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Here's some suggestion for your wall you might like......to know more about my Art work and collections please visit my shop on Etsy website -

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/PooviArtGallery?ref=pr_shop_more








    Em Bee thanked Poovi Art
  • 9 years ago

    @Poonam...thanks for this...but I am only looking for a giclee print for now so I can change things up with the seasons. Lovely work, tho' !

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Please take a look at my site: www.appletonartdesign.com. ENJOY!

    Em Bee thanked Appleton Art Design, LLC
  • 9 years ago

    @Appleton Art...wow! What wonderful artwork! I loved looking at the room settings. The artwork perfectly complemented each space. I do hope others will check your site out too! :)

  • 9 years ago
    I love clocks, why don't you make a clock wall.
    Em Bee thanked KK1000
  • 9 years ago

    @Oskuee...that is a great idea! Hmmmnnn Let's see what DH says...

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Hi, just in case you are still looking, I'd love to throw my hat in the ring. I'm an award winning landscape painter. I have paintings available and also do commissions. Here's my landscape gallery: http://jessiesfineart.com/product-category/landscape-painting/ - Feel free to give me a call if you're interested.

    Paintings · More Info

    (P.S. Your house is beautiful.)

  • 9 years ago

    Lovely work, Jessie Rasche! I've signed up for your email list.