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Feeling trapped by artwork

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I purchased this giant horse picture last year and have had it hung in my living since then. It's the first piece I've ever liked enough to buy. I don't know why I like it though. I have no special feelings towards horses. I left it at the store and couldn't stop thinking about so I finally caved and got it. Now I'm finally getting around to decorating my living room and can't find a fabric that I feel works with it. Any suggestions on how to make it part of a cohesive room? We have plain white sofas, and beige walls. Open to painting, area rugs, throw pillows, more art, new coffee table, ect.

The things we aren't willing to change are; the curtains, the console table under the picture, the sofa( and its soon to be mate) and the mirror on the mantle, and the & thing next to it. The rest can all be changed. The room is very narrow, and lacks a 4th wall (open to entry and DR), so the sofa can't face the fireplace (sadly!)

Comments (87)

  • 12 years ago
    I also don't see the disconnect. You have that blue gray in both rooms and a nice relaxed vibe - it feels friendly and welcoming. You can help connect by adding some of those beautiful pillows posted above on both your sofas and kitchen banquette. Your rooms are almost there just need a few finishing touches. I think the built ins will really go a long way in making the room feel more cohesive. You did a great job on the fireplace.
    zmhome thanked saratogaswizzlestick
  • 12 years ago
    Here's the link for the third pillow-

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/112339907/blue-gray-and-tan-vintage-inspired-throw

    The first two I just found out are distributed through Walmart.com, lol! They seem rather expensive for what I just read is a polyester shell and down insert.

    http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/tan-decorative-pillows
  • 12 years ago
    @ Genevieve- Do you mean we should have more white furniture- in addition to our white sofas? I'm open to removing the sofa table and replacing it with something else. The table under the horse picture was a birthday gift I just received, so painting that isn't a consideration right now. So you think I should paint the living room to a color found in the horse picture? I'm open to painting in here, I've never really loved the beige color this room is.

    I wish I could edit my pictures before posting them. The kitchen cabinets have true white uppers and deep gray lowers, a color called Almost Charcoal. It's a true gray, but is photographing blue gray.
  • zmhome thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    Not to get all new age on you, but something about that horse spoke to you. It did me when I saw it. I love what grover did for that room. When I started reading your post I thought the same thing. Where is grover? I think you have a start on a plan! Please keep posting pictures!
    zmhome thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    I would like to see your walls a different color. Can you provide a close shot of your carpet?
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Some simple changes that would make a huge difference........try the console table behind the couch (remove small table) and the painting where the clock is. Put the two small ottomans under the painting. Move the cabinet in front of the couch. Hang the clock over the fireplace and keep only the topiaries and urn. You don't want to hide too much of the architectural detail above the fireplace. Hang a third curtain in the middle to better frame the window. Another option would be to move the console table and painting where the clock is. Remove the small table behind the couch. Put small ottomans in front of fireplace. Copy paste for the rest. A bigger, rectangular coffee table would be better. Adding a rug would also define the space better.
  • 12 years ago
    Don't paint the furniture! You don't have your built-ins or the rest of your furniture yet. Get the accent pillows and candle sticks, etc. Don't do anything else that will take you farther into the beachy thing if that is not where you want to end up!
    zmhome thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I did not read all the comments so this may have been suggested. Put low book case/shelves on each side of the fireplace and paint it all (including walls) with the same paint as the fireplace. This will give it the look of built-ins. Hang your picture to the left of the fireplace. I saw a decorator use this method and it had a lot of impact. I think it would draw attention to your picture and show it off as a real statement piece. If you can't put your sofa in front of the fireplace, perhaps you could angle it in that direction.
  • 12 years ago
    I would not paint the furniture and would also hold off painting the walls till you get some accessories. Your rooms do not feel beachy to me but it could go that way. The horse makes me feel that is not the way you want to go.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Now that I see the kitchen, I think your wood console table repeats the colour tones of your stools and chandelier, it's great as it is. Don't forget to get a throw or 2, probably a rectangular table between the facing sofas, or 2 matching square tables beside each other.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Bluenan- funny you suggested those, we have the same ones in our master, in a different color way. Those are very gorgeous in person!

    Happy- Yes, the painting did speak to me. Its just speaking a foreign language at the moment. It's beautiful, but I don't understand a lick! I do know that I don't want to end up with a beachy feeling. Its gorgeous, and I'm drawn to it, but the feelings never last.

    Sara- I too would like to paint. Builder beige isn't my favorite. I'll post pictures of the carpet shortly. You are right, I don't want beachy. I want, uhhh, ummm, something like traditional+modern farmhouse-transitional+airy+i don't know.

    Nramsey- We are installing built-ins at some point this year. We love building things, so it will be a fun project we are looking forward too. Good thinking!
  • 12 years ago
    Sara, here is a close up of the carpet and also the curtains.
  • 12 years ago
    Would this black framed mirror work over the fireplace instead of what we are currently using? My thought is that our horse picture has black in it, our front door (visible from living room) is black, and at some point the lamp shade will have black trim, or a black shade.
  • 12 years ago
    I think you should hang it in my house! Lol. Beautiful! Where did you find it?
  • 12 years ago
    Yes! I like the round better than the rectangular mirror and it echos the black fireplace surround as well as the horse.
  • 12 years ago
    @ cbrichards- Ballard Designs. They have 5 or 6 sizes of this mirror, very affordable too!

    Bluenan- I'm feeling inspired to get these spaces redefined and pulled together! Glad this mirror is a yes!
  • 12 years ago
    grover added a diamond shaped mirror with a gold frame to the mantle. I think the black frame is leading you into matchy matchy territory. Do you have something that is square that you could put up on the mantle to simulate grover's mirror? A tray, maybe?
    zmhome thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    @ happy, I don't. I could cut up some cardboard or something I guess. Is pulling the black from the picture the matchy matchy part, or is it matching something else too much? We have black Windsor type chairs in the DR, and I have found that I enjoy touches of black, but don't want matchy !
  • 12 years ago
    I like that black framed mirror very much. I wouldn't go too far with accessories before you do the built ins. Those will change the whole tenor of the room.

    I think you've done a good job overall in your space. Here's something to remember when you buy stuff for the house: don't be timid or mousy. Look for the uncommon. If it's something you're seeing everywhere, don't buy it. If it calls to you (like the horse did), it will probably be a good fit.

    And concerning the builder beige walls, I like them in this space. Between the fab fireplace and soon-to-be built ins, and the art, the last thing you want to call attention to is the walls.
  • 12 years ago
    Here's your round mirror. You might want to put the clock somewhere else.
    zmhome thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thank you grover! You have a good point. The walls aren't special, it's the fireplace and future built ins that are special and should star. I will keep your idea about only buying uncommon things. I usually just buy whatever seems pretty or good enough, because I don't have a vision for the finished product. I'm taking the mirror and mantle décor down now, and waiting to see what I really want the space to look like. Thank you again for your help!
  • 12 years ago
    *everything grover says* :D
  • 12 years ago
    Please post pictures along the way!
  • 12 years ago
    Happy- I will do that. I'm going to start measuring and sketching tonight for the built ins. That will probably require another post! Thank you for the suggestions and thoughts today. This is why I love Houzzers!
  • 12 years ago
    I'm sorry. While the mirror is pretty, I was referring to the beautiful horse art.
  • 12 years ago
    Please do start another post and when you do, link this one to the new post so that those of us who love your horse art can see the room evolve!
  • 12 years ago
    cbrichards- haha, I found it at Home Goods of all places. It was packed away behind a ton of other prints, forgotten and passed over.
  • 12 years ago
    Keep your eye out for the unusual at flea markets and when traveling. For some reason, in your kitchen, I see an Indonesian carved panel. So I put one there. I'm also not a fan of your chandelier, so I replaced it with one that I think goes better with your bar stools.
  • 12 years ago
    zmhome, never settle for "good enough." I would sit on a folding lawn chair till I found the perfect piece. ;-)
  • 12 years ago
    I'm not familiar with that carved panel . Is it an antique?
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    This has probably been said, but I think your room needs more black (it is in the painting). Change the lamp shade to black for one thing, Stain the round coffee table black also. Black adds drama.
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  • 12 years ago
    I like your mirror. If you take all the other accessories down except the mirror, & sign, and maybe add the big candlesticks that you like? Candlesticks maybe in black or oil rubbed bronze? Then bring in the deeper blues/grays in with the pillows and throws. By keeping those darker elements you can keep it from being "beachy" and more keep with the casual, eclectic, look that you have definitely achieved in the DR and kitchen! ooh, maybe a large distressed leather ottoman for a coffee table? Would also provide that extra seating if needed. Can't wait to see the built ins.
  • 12 years ago
    Hirshy18- I like your idea of adding black/darker accents to keep the beach feeling away. I guess my taste is eclectic, and I do want the room to reflect that. Thank you for the compliments on the DR and kitchen. I wasn't feeling very good about them today, thinking I had totally missed the mark. Nice hear a kind word!
  • 12 years ago
    I'm thinking I saw some of those panels on Joss and Main, but of course they are mass produced, not handmade.
  • 12 years ago
    You can find these panels on Overstock ranging from $40.00 to $400.00.
  • 12 years ago
    I would like to adopt your horse. I know exactly why I love it. It is beautiful.
  • 12 years ago
    Overstock is where I'd seen those panels! They are beautiful!
  • 12 years ago
    First off, I did not read all the other suggestions. .. I would paint a Frame around that Horse Picture in Dark Teal, wide lines 4" and a 1" white frame around that. Dark Charcoal to finish it. Then go looking for Pops of Color...bookcovers for example to make the books pop. Teal and Greys in Prints for Pillows, or rugs. Easy and Interesting.
  • 12 years ago
    Have you tried angling the couch to actually face the corner/fireplace area, where the brown cabinet is currently setting?? Often it solves many issues, and adds needed interest...I have to do that in my Family Room to face a Big TV, and Built in Corner Rock Fireplace. Fireplace is just over 10 feet across the corner. It really shrinks the room. I have only one full wall in this room with 3 walls...and 3 entrances, not including entrance into the wet bar.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    could be fun... reminds me of your curtains
    zmhome thanked kdarda1
  • 12 years ago
    I really like your current chandelier and I see no reason to change it, though I guess others seem to disagree.
  • 12 years ago
    i haven't read through the posts [ :-(
    another consideration
    zmhome thanked anne dee
  • 12 years ago
    Bluenan , I like it too. But I also like the ones suggested. Glad somebody else likes my choice, it's newer so I'm not ready to part with it.
  • 12 years ago
    i was imagining using a beaded chandelier for a lamp in the living room, like hanging in a corner or something.
    zmhome thanked kdarda1
  • 12 years ago
    Love the picture! A plaid print (pillows, blanket) in those beachy colors might tie the horse and beach feel together, there are many for sale on this app. The built ins will be great to balance the large horse picture, all other wall hangings such as sconces and clock cannot compete with the large scale so it feels unbalanced. Hope you'll post finished photos of built ins, they would be lovely in white with gray painted in the back of the shelves to draw some of the dark color around the room. Good luck!
  • 12 years ago
    Dear zmhome. If you ever want to sell that painting, I want to buy it. My wife decided to buy it but we were at lunch, got stuck there, then went back and found out in the meanwhile the painting had been sold. She was crushed.
  • 12 years ago
    I love the paint and I strongly suggest you to put the sofa at the side of the wall where you paint is hanging and just put it a little higher. It is strange to have a sofa looking to one paint. And from the picture I see you have a window to the left... The mirrow at the top of your chimenea looks to me strange...
  • 12 years ago
    Yeah, well, I strongly suggest you sell the painting to me or at least tell me who the artist is.
  • 12 years ago
    This is such a well put together house. It looks so comfy to me.

    Have you made any changes to bring the colors of the painting into the room?