Going for Gold
May 14, 2010
When it comes to decorating my own home, I’ve always been a traditional gal. I adore French style, but despite my affection, I wasn’t really into decorating with gold. I believe my objections can be traced back to all those bright brass fixtures the late 80s and 90s – they made me fearful to ever go golden again.
But I eventually got over my phobia and I realized that gold is truly timeless ! You can see from my latest attempt at displaying art in our living room that I’ve come all the way around on my anti-gold stance.
This experiment began with the new wainscoting, and my desire for a gallery wall having seen so many of them in magazines and around blog land. Of the few pieces of fine art we’ve collected over the years, all of them had been framed in gold. It was not my decision, rather it was the original artist’s choice. But instead of painting the frames, or paying a hefty sum to reframe all the art, I decided just to roll with it.
So glad I did ! I love the black mats and frames too, because they coordinate with the piano across the room.
This adventure all started around dinnertime the other night when I began by taping a rectangle to the wall to form the outline of my display. My devilish plan included hiding that thermostat behind a canvas (which we only use for heat December through March).
I raided the kids’ art supplies, then cut out craft paper the size of my own artwork and taped it to the wall. I began to cause serious wear and tear to my floor with my pacing back and forth with a furrowed brow, trying to decide what would go where.
The sun began to set. The natives became restless with hunger.
I had to set the project aside for the night, but yesterday, I was finally able to complete the wall.
Me likey !
Our art ranges from original paintings and drawings collected on our travels, to prints found at antique fairs, to inexpensive DIY art projects.
For example, I made this silhouette art by framing a $3 dollar vintage embroidered tea towel with an inexpensive frame from Michaels.
A tiny black frame, some vellum fleur de lis paper, and script chip letters create this sentiment.
And I took these keys I found at a salvage shop. . .
. . . and simply hung them on the wall because I love their shape and size.
The inexpensive black sconce got a coat of white spray paint and some crystals.
I keep all the art straight on the wall with this little kit available at the home improvement or framing stores.
But you don’t need to bother spending the $3 dollars on this kit, no sirreee. A flat thumbtack and some glue dots will accomplish the same thing. After you hang your art where you want it, use the glue dot to fasten the tack to bottom corner of your frame, then press into your wall. The tack acts as a stabilizer so your artwork won’t budge!
Y’all remember that sideboard I picked up from the local thrift last year ? I’ve debated what to do with it for awhile now. Should I stain it dark ? Shellac it black ? There’s two reasons I hesitate. One, I do like the existing wood tone but the piece could use some new hardware.
And two, I secretly covet the Azure sofa from Crate + Barrel for this wall.
I have for many many many moons.
Someday, I dream of placing it right here . . .
*** Extra Large Sigh ***
A girl can dream, right ?
Hey, the picture is almost as good as having the real thing.
Meanwhile, I’m very happy with just the gallery wall !
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Tags: art wall, gallery wall
gorgeous! i have completely turned around on my opinions on gold. when i was a teen, i thought it was “so ugly”. i was so ignorant. i absolutely LOVE gold now. such a warm and welcoming tone.
Looks great, and you’re not the only one…a year ago I was anti-gold. Now I find myself choosing gold frames, lamps etc. You’ve done a great job with your wall I love it!
-Sarah
Hi there NearlyDawn, that’s a good eye girl ! I thought about that, but since we have no air conditioning and only use the heater December through March, the thermostat is not in use through the summer. Heh heh, so I can get away with hiding it. Come December, that canvas will just have to come down ! :-)
Oh, you know I love this gallery wall! And I have plenty of gold left in my house too, won’t ever be gone completely. It is classic, that is for sure. You did a wonderful job on your wall, it’s beautiful and inviting. Have a great weekend, my friend!
Oh my lady gaga, me likey too! You are a photo shopping picture hanging samurai!
xx
It looks gorgeous! For the sideboard – what if you just painted the existing hardware or replaced it? That would give it a little “pop” but at the same time, it’s a quick and easy fix and you’re not committing to a big change you’re not sure you’re ready for.
Beautiful! I have a ton of needlework that I’ve done over the years and when we go the big reno I plan on doing a gallery wall with that along with some artwork and prints as well. I had not though of mixing the frame colors but now you have inspired me!
STUNNING! I’m all about gold right now…which is totally weird because I have been all about silver my entire life!! In fact, up until a few years ago I didn’t own ONE piece of gold jewelry! That’s changed…. haha :)
I really love how your arranged your artwork and the choices you made. Beautiful!
Hi Kate,
We’re on the same wavelength I tell you!!! This week I have been taping paper cutouts in the size and shape of my art collection to determine the placement for my own art wall!!!!! Love how you’ve made yours symmetrical overall – it all fits into the original rectangle. Mine will be looser, yet still balanced, inspiration from Apartment Therapy. Thanks again!
Your gallery wall looks so cool, Kate! I love it. I’ve been warming up to gold again, too–but I still want to replace all of the cheapo-looking, brassy-gold doorknobs in my house. Hate those things. :)
Have a great weekend!
WOW, I have to tell you this galley wall looks amazing. But I am so impressed with the wainscoting. I never knew that could be done so easily (err look like it can be done so easily)! Very impressive!
I love your gallary wall! I think it looks wonderful. Have a great weekend.
Sandra
Gold is usually not my thing either, but this has come together nicely with the black accents! That cabinet would look stunning if the whole thing was gold-leafed, with some black handles and pulls. Though I’d suspect that would be a time consuming and relatively expensive makeover, it would completely look like a $3000 dresser. Even if only the top was gold leafed, and the doors, sides and fronts done in glossy black.
Or maybe it could look good painted soft turquoise with soft gold hardware, that would make less of a statement, but still, beautiful.
Love the mix of neutrals! Love the idea of gold! I have been covering furniture and walls in alumimum foil for a few year . . . I know sounds crazy, but it is a great alternative to silver leaf. I usually age the foil using black paint and medium, but I think it might be interesting to rub gold paint into the imperfections. Thanks for the idea!
This gallery wall is stunning. Would you mind if I posted one or two of these images on my blog as an inspiration photo? Also, what color is the wall behind it? It looks to be exactly what I’ve been seeking!
The wall looks amazing! It’s just the motivation I’ve been looking for to get me going on my gallery wall in my living room.
love the vintage looking keys, and the asymmetrical arrangement. and you are right, that sofa would look mighty fine there one day!
Me likey too!!! Job well done! I’m sooo inspired to finish my wall now. I think painting the hutch black would so rock that wall.
I love the pic of your son, hilarious!!! Just keepin it real.
I am right there with you! I have always been anti-gold everything. Even my wedding rings are silver. I think gold can be beautifil if it’s used correctly, though. I am loving it on frames.
I love the mini-arrangement you’ve created within the larger grouping of frames. Four curvy elements (the key, the woman in the adjoining picture, the curvy vase and the round tray) all play off each other nicely and are such a pretty arrangement. The shapes and curves bring a pleasing softness to your gallery wall. As the eye travels down to the vase and tray they become part of the gallery too. Clever girl.
*extra large sigh* I love it too and wish that whole wall (including the sideboard) would magically transport to my house. (c: Just perfect.
i have been struggling with crooked frames on my gallery wall above the sofa. I drives me nutty. they start out straight then in a couple of days….they are all leaning a little. THANKS FOR THE THUMBTACK IDEA!!! headed to the store now to get a box of em’ :)
I too finally came around to gold. Ornate gold to be exact, I think it was the movie Marie Antoinette that finally did me in. It made me go a little crazy with a living room make over, floral and gold everywhere. http://artsyannie.blogspot.com/2009/09/come-visit-my-house.html
WOW! That looks fantastic! I like you am afraid of the gold but after seeing what you’ve done (mixing it with black) I may have to rethink the phobia. Also, the couch picture you have created made me laugh. It looks like it’s really in your home!!!
Just seeing this b/c I’ve been out of town. I don’t know how you magically made that C+B sofa appear, but if it works maybe you can make something similar appear in my Family room? ;)
Don’t kids and their pesky mealtimes always get in the way of a good project?! Every time I really get going, it’s time to start lunch.
I liked seeing your gold frames. Looking at so many blogs had me thinking perhaps that gold frames aren’t “in,” but you make your wall look so lovely! Maybe the gold frames I have can work something out….
I love it! Gold looks so great when you pair it with the right things and you DID! I can’t wait to see more of the room. It looks heavenly!
I do have this sofa from Crate and Barrel, but wish I had this beautiful picture wall to put behind it! I love how you have collected the pieces over the years!
I finally finished my gallery wall and linked to you, hope you like it!
~Beth
You have inspired me! I LOVE the keys on the wall! Can you please tell me the length and width of the keys.
Cheers,
Sonia
[...] had to slightly rearrange the gallery wall to make room for the new seaside oil painting we picked up on our visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea [...]
Wow that wall looks amazing. It’s very hard to match up objects and different size and coloured frames ye you seem to do it with ease (and juggle kid distractions!). Amazing :)
Hi,
Can you tell me what is the paint color on that wall? I’m loving it!
TIA!
Sarah
I am so jealous of those keys!!! I have been looking for keys like that!
I found your blog yesterday and am enjoying reading the other posts…just thought I’d tell you what I use for our wall of ancestor photo frames… In Ireland, all walls seem to be concrete, so thumbtacks don’t work…we use “blue tack” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-Tack)… I am American but have been in Ireland since 97 and not sure that they have the same stuff in the States…it is my goto adhesive for hanging kids artwork because it doesn’t hurt the paint but hold things on the wall…might be even cheaper alternative to thumbtacks and glue dots!!! http://www.staples.com/Elmers-Removable-Adhesive-Putty/product_419997?cmArea=search_rr Just my two cents for the Centsational Girl, lol!!
I just love what you did with the pictures gallery. I did similar thing with our Florida home, in fact I posted on the wall in your Facebook along with a question on how to ‘balance the artwork with the wall and furniture surround it’. I love framed artwork and since I am an artist myself I tent to display my own artwork. But yess….I love gold frame that I bought from Ebay and some I intend to gold leaves myself, and ; many I bought from thrift stores in our area in Delray Florida. Oh boy…..lots of them ! I will have lots of my own art work to frame and hang on the wall in our home. But, again what you did is just stunning ! And balance with the buffet under neat it plus the finishing touch of the flower and glass bottles on the tray. How beautiful ! Thank you for sharing that with us !
What is the paint color you used in the living room? Love the blue and am having trouble finding one I really like. Thanks!
You’re killing me….my head is spinning. Where do I begin???? I love the board and baten but I also love the wainscoting. In which rooms should you use either of them? I have so many questions…HELP!
This sconce matches my chandelier perfectly! Where is it from? Ive been desperately searching!
Hi….. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS!!!! Centsational Girl this is such an AMAZING idea with those cool keys and all! … Also, I’m really LIKING the buffet/chest with your art wall just as much as your dream sofa! You are INCREDIBLE! Hats off to you! … Hugs
Sincerely,
Lynne Marie :)