I LOVE it. Especially that last pic

It works in some pics

ilikefraday, because the last art is the best of them all..:)

First is a photo, second is very simple abstract-easier. Third one is less ornamental so to say..it's a thing in itself

all that was to say: i like your nickname:) sounds so happy somehow

April- You are the off centered art pro? I love it. I need to change things up. Do you mind giving me suggestions on how to place the art in my living room? Should I start a new post?

I'm a pro?? no, I'm no pro. I just love yapping lol. First, I love design, I really do..second, if I write something it means I didn't write something else on a totally different subject..a good thing sometimes..:)

But yes of course start your thread..you might enjoy all the suggestions. Or you might not, yet you'll still have all sorts of revelations. The threads I opened took me places sometimes, and it wasn't always easy but was helpful.

Lol I read your above comment as ' I'm a off center pro' not. ' I'm pro off center'. I will start my thread.

No need to start another post if you do not want too I think I could learn from your living room before I attempt doing it in my house!

i am surprised only one negative gut reaction to the off centered placement. I am going to try it for certain and I hope it does not drive me batty ;).

I don't like the first two photos. At least the second one you can see it definitely was hung to the side. The first one almost looks like someone tried to get it centered but didn't bother to ever correct it when they missed the mark. I don't care for the last one either but somehow it looks more interesting and intentional in a good way.

The furniture placement is far from perfect in my living room but that's just the way it is for now until I get new pieces. The wall behind my loveseat is large enough to visually need something but if you center art over the furniture it's way off to the one side of the wall almost hitting trim and covering light switches. I really should have a sectional or just a chair there. At any rate, I decided to put an art arrangement in the center of the wall and call it a day. In my specific case I'd rather see the loveseat off center than the art.

the first one might be centered on the wall that's true..we don't see the other side of the room-might have a side table etc...they might have decided they'd rather center that photo on the wall than to the sofa..it is a tad big to be off centered.

still like it though

all the interior is more..expected on that pic. yet it's still a pretty pic

two others are a level up from it..bones, etc. from what i can see

Roarah- I already started a new thread and dont see a way to delete it otherwise I would just post it here.

Sorry for being the one nay-sayer. I'm far from having a decorative sense. It just doesn't look right to me. But then again, neither does anything in my own house! I guess I need to hire a decorator.

Suzieque, I thought many would not like it. Actually, I am surprised I do for I am a symmetry follower at heart ;) .

I have not really thought about it or noticed off-center art that much. But after looking at these pictures, I wouldn't mind it. I'm not particularly OCD. BUT, I am not crazy about the first two pics. I think in both cases, a larger piece of art might look better. I do really like the third example.

This is the realm of "high design" and the examples are done WELL. I wonder if the average palate would ever "get it" as they come into these rooms to live?

Oh no, I looked around and do not have a single item off-center. Is there a shelter for people like me?

Arcy- what do you see as not liveable? Nothing looks breakable or irreplaceable. In fact the second room has nothing in it. Just a dinning set and a small piece of art, or two pieces of art because that chandelier is art. Even the actual art is very simple and very easy to replicate. I bet it would cost very little to replicate the entire room. I think most people dont decorate this way because the big box decorating stores do too good a job at advertising and drawing us in or we are too dictated by decorating rules. The art is more than 6 inches from the top of the sofa in #3 and the chandelier is probably 4 feet from the tabletop, forget that 36 inch rule or whatever it is. And the art placement is way off center lol. The first photo would be the sitting area in my bedroom. #2 is my dinning room and #3 is my family room. Now I just have to work on a much bigger house as my bedroom is too tiny for a sitting area. Bigger house equals more money. More money equals more work. Im kind of allergic to that as it takes too much time away from the stuff I love. I guess I have to go back to my tiny bedroom but I will rearrange the artwork in it. lol

I'm seeing a group of 4 items. The use of white space as part of the group.

You also have the symmetry of the plant material, with the equal size "missing art" between it and the painting.

My current home has been a struggle for this very reason.

I have a fireplace on an angle in a bowling alley living room.

It's not difficult for me to off center on purpose but, when it's your only choice it can be frustrating.

(as for chandeliers-tricky..the rule is actually less than 36', but it's just a very general guidance--will depend on ceiling height, a room, a table, the chandelier itself(since besides diameter and height they possess other qualities too lol..they might be same dimensions yet look totally different)..in short you have an idea but then you adjust..which is kinda hard to do when somebody stands on the ladder holding the chandelier, waiting for your definite answer..I felt so bad..then even worse though to ask to re-adjust it...))

some people have high, very high innate preference for symmetry

(like my DH)

some are actually bothered by it(like me)

from time to time, we drive each other crazy

(ah..mental note..to sill lower that bear painting...))

and yes..many things in art placement-they happen to me because I can't afford big art that I love enough

read recently here on the forum: "take a friend with a very good taste, go to Pier 1, choose together one of the canvases they have, in 200 dollars range"

I'm sorry..no one with a very good taste will step his foot in Pier One..he will of course, for other stuff, as in every other store out there..or he might see something by chance and like it..but not to deliberately pick a piece that would go size-wise and color wise on the wall X..every person that I knew with a really very good taste -they looked for art to work with them first, with the room-well, que sera sera. What's a very good taste, essentially? It's a sense of appropriateness, some inner music playing in harmony with some external one. I can believe that you can really love something in Pier One. I for example really like some bright piece from Ballard Designs catalog right now..no, I won't buy it, but I like it. It has flowers. Bright wild flowers,dark background. That's a dress on one of my dolls when I was a little girl. I didn't have too many dolls. I remember all the dolls, all the dresses. I think influenced me a bit too hard..)))) can't shake the image..

I can't believe though that you come there, with a friend no less, really prepared to really love something that will exactly match your room or fireplace or whatever, and you turn very very lucky and see it and love it and pay exactly 200 and bum! a very good taste.

I don't think I could hang something off-centered like that. Even with the proper balancing elements, it would still either look completely "off" to me, or completely contrived. I guess I'm less of a rule-breaker than I'd like to think.

April- if you love big art but cant afford it and like abstract art I suggest you diy. Get the canvas size you want or a piece of mdf. Paint it a soild color with a roller. Then get a toddler, less than 4yo and give him or her 2- 3 colors of paint. Tell him to paint a picture of the family. You will end up with something amazing. Older kids know how to draw shapes and it does not turn out right. I dont think I have ever met an under 4yo who wasn't a great abstract artist.

ahahaaa "get a toddler"!!!

there was a time I could easily get a toddler..))) no, really.

I like abstract art. But I just start liking it. I think I'm in the very beginning..started with more exposure..Pinterest and all..

will take me some time

Something that hits me hard enough-doesn't need to be exactly realistic..realistic to the highest degree..but it probably won't be very abstract either.

Maybe in another several years or so. If ever.

But yes, things evolve..the more you see the more you appreciate..takes time, but I love so many more things than I did once, simply because I saw them.

(I know how to prepare canvases. Well not with oil, I never tried oil in my life, and now it's kinda too late. but say gouache or acrylic. I'd say that's the only thing I remember..))

April sounds like you know more than me. I dont know what gouache is. I must google. I do know enough to create what I like and sounds like you do too.

Aprilneverends. You can DIY....I did one for our living room that you can see in my ideas album.

Elaine - I looked in your ideabook. Did you do the black, white, and red painting? That looks really amazing. What type of paint did you use? Is that oil with wax? Was this your first painting or are you an artist?

I'd love to see it!

but no, I personally really can't. I could but not now. And even when I could I wasn't talented. I have a good sense of color and balance. That's it. The lines..you don't want my lines..:) I myself don't want my lines lol

Also, I really love other people's art..:) it's hard to settle in these cases.

I do have a daughter that actually does a nice job..or has a potential to do one..the problem is she never finishes anything..unless it's related to biology..All her other passions are short-lived. I'll ask her-she'll start-and there it will stand for months..I already know the drill

(Elaine..it's pretty awesome actually..thank you for sharing..impressive work

no, i'd never be able to do something like that. that's from the category of things that seem simple. they aren't)

Thanks. Like Aprils daughter I don't finish things...lately...and also like my art and English degree. Lol. Didn't even finish my associates. And yes the black and red is mine. All acrylics. I have done one oil and it's difficult to work with IMO.

Trying paying your daughter!

I love to paint. It is really my passion and my hobby. Some of my paintings are in my ideabook My Houzz. I really dont think I have ever finished a painting. I kind of think of it as my signature. lol. Here I sit in my dinning room looking at a half finished painting. It has been that way for almost 3 years. I have another one in my living room that has been that way for 15 years. After that long is it really considered half done??? Really its as done as its ever going to get by me. I kind of love it. LOL.

Which paintings in your idea book is yours?

Sorry I thought I had it seperated out. I will point out a couple of pieces. This is one that I never finished. from 15 years ago.

My Houzz · More Info

My kid did the one behind the sofa when he was 4yo. This is my favorite piece. I did the bottom one next to the front door. I did the one on the matel that you can only see the bottom of in this photo.

My Houzz · More Info

All the ones you see here in my dinning room including those orange chairs. When I purchased the chairs they had red and green fabric. The lady I never finished. The 3 on the left are painted on Ikea lack table tops.

My Houzz · More Info

I have done many, many others but these are just a few.

Really cool! Im goung to have to enlarge to see some better but, I was in to big if a hurry to go gaga over your blue velvet sofa.

You have a great eye for arrangements. Your home is very artsy and interesting. Notpretentious at all.

I really do love the paintings. Undone is obviously done.

Ha ha...with that philosophy I can get away with not finishing a lot of $hit around here....laundry, paying off a visa card,doing another round of dishes, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden........

you're very talented. Is the fireplace lady yours as well?

Elaine..great suggestion btw..two reliable passions-biology, and getting paid..something to think about:)

I gotta ask though, with all that I love about your home....hiw do you put up with a floating coffee table!

Well April, the fact that she is interested in biology is impressive enough.

Left brainers...so lucky...they end up with an income.

Omg I never thought of undone in that way. You have opened my eyes! I really do love art and arranging and then rearranging and then starting all over agiain. Lol. Thanks for the compliment.

April- Thank you, and yes I did the one over the fireplace.

Elaine- I dont know what you mean by a floating coffee table. Is that thw style of my table? My husband picked that out many years ago.

In the middle of the LR.

I have to I have to turn in for the rest of the night. I'm making a liar of myself because that's what I told my husband I was going to do an hour ago.

(she's obsessed with biology..there's always compensation somewhere I guess)

ilikefriday, yours are definitely what I'd considered done..)) Or undone that's done..doesn't matter. That's the case here. Some things are good just at where they are. Art is often like that. Any art. Movies, books..some of them leave you with this feeling with "undonness"(is there a word like that?) .makes them even better

not everyone can pull it off though. that's an art by itself. or so I think

When something is off center and symmetry is found in careful and proper visual weighting, I find it much more interesting.

Insightful ANE....bah ha, who wants to spell out aprilneverends.

Referencing your thoughts on movies and books and undone.

I think I will add the Undone philosophy to "moms take on life" for my boys.

Thy can finish this sentence they have heard it so much.

Its from the mivie Wonder boys.

Don't worry about what other people think. Most people, don't think.

"Obviously can't be used in all life situations".

We have totally hijacked this thread.

I hope roarah doesn't think so..:)

Art takes people places, cuts them open, sews them again, puts something inside while at that, changes us..whether people talk about it or not..the thread is about art-it did what it does best-it took us places-meaning, it's a good thread..

PS they call me april for short

there's a generation of kids already-my friends' kids-that really think that's my name:)

Good heavens your insightful

April - I agree. Looking at art is like reading a good book. It takes you places you in your mind that you never dreamed exited. At least thats what it does for me. Sometimes my hubsand just thinks it takes up a lot of space. lol

thank you Elaine. you're too kind

that reminded me of one story by Isaak Asimov..but that would be hijacking the thread already I guess:)

it was called "Profession".

Start that conversation in the freelance section of home deco.

In about 10 or less hours I'll know who Isaak is.

Right now I'm looking for a place to reflect..