Sittin’ Pretty…
This sitting room was in need of lighter colors, smaller furniture, proportionate wall accessorizes and symmetry. By swapping out the darker colors for lighter tones, down-sizing the extra large furniture, removing the wainscoting, removing decorative trim, removal of the dark ceiling fan and simplifying the accessories, this room is now completely open and the attention is focused on the space. The theme of this sitting room was circular patterns, which are reflected in the chair fabric, hurricanes, coffee table and pendant lighting.
The pendant light is designed by Moooi from Design Within Reach. The custom Modesto chairs and rotating Valeta coffee table were purchased at Arhaus Furniture. The buffet table in the niche is from Crate & Barrel. The large mirror is from Z Gallerie, candle hurricanes are from Restoration Hardware and the artwork is by Henry Asencio.
Before:
After:
Art is From the Heart
Selecting artwork for your home is a very personal and often lengthy process. The art spectrum is so vast that it might feel overwhelming at times to find the ‘one’. I have found in my experience that you find the best pieces when you’re not looking – for example on vacations, recommendations, public places, etc. It’s important to realize that art, as a reflection of you, should not be something you settle for. It’s very easy to swing by generic home stores for artwork, however whenever possible, try to explore more creative ways of selecting art for your home. Stop by art galleries, seek referrals for local artists or commission an artist on-line for customizable pieces. What you get out of it is a one-of-a-kind that no one else has!
The posts below explore artwork I have purchased or plan to purchase for future projects.
John Whitmarsh is based in San Francisco and offers a wide range of wall sculptures, primarily focusing on recycled and natural materials. You can commission John to create customizable pieces for your home too!
I came across Patrick Shannon’s work at Azul Gallerie in Durango, CO. He creates copper plates in a wide variety of sizes and designs that you can hang in a cluster or display on shelves and alcoves.
I discovered Henry Asencio after visiting the Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery in Lake Tahoe, NV. His collections combine figurative drama with bold abstract backgrounds. You can find his work at various art galleries throughout the country.
The Phillips Collection offers this unique piece called the Galvanized Circle made with silverleaf cast-resin rounds.
Reed Studios is based in Galesburg, IL and Lori Reed creates mixed media collages in various nature and abstract themes using digital photography.
Are You a Barcelona or an Eames?
If you’re looking for a timeless accent chair for your space, consider the Barcelona and Eames lounge chairs. Designed in 1929 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Barcelona chair is still produced to its original specifications by selected manufacturers, such as KnollStudio. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman was originally designed in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller Company. While both chairs will cost an upwards of $7,000 each, you can find replicas on-line for significantly less.
Barcelona chair:
Eames Lounge Chair:
Were You Raised in a Barn?
Well maybe some of you have, but now you can you say you live in a house with a barn door! Barn doors have become the recent trend for decorating residential and commercial spaces. You can use these easy-to-assemble doors as room dividers, focal points (i.e. headboard) or just for decoration. Here are some of my favorite inspirations.
