Playing Around
The decor of the walls is coming along. However, the large-scale damask stencil which worked well in the parlor is not quite right in the library as the ‘fields’ are really narrow.
See? While I am delighted with the ceiling and frieze, I have been uncertain about the wall decor.
This morning I woke with an unexpected thought: How about wallpaper? Arriving at the house I grabbed a roll of the paper for the Long Bedroom just to see. To my great surprise I like the black/white but the classical pattern is in conflict with the seriously unclassical frieze and ceiling.
I inserted this sample I purchased in 2014. Oh! I liked the idea of using paper just within the gold borders!
Like this!
The radioactive chartreuse will be softened by another stencil, and the gold border will receive the leaf border in relief, as in the parlor.
I began to worry that I was fretting over nothing. I mean, when the room is furnished the walls should recede into a the background. So, I placed objects atop the mantel. Batgirl is by my friend, Suzi, and will stay. I hope to purchase a lovely, large 1890s vase or two to replace the cheap modern vases.
I have been intending this frame for this location. I am furiously pondering what image to place inside the frame.
I might use this lovely portrait, continuing the social change theme of the parlor. You know, ‘things which were unthinkable’ in 1894.
How about a chair under? I kinda like this Kenny chair here. Kinda.
I like this better. This is part of a 1920s set that has been in the room for a while.
But wait! The Barb chair! Perfect (save the upholstery)!
I am uncertain how to proceed. I might finish the walls As Intended. But using some unexpected wallpaper between the gold borders has captured my special attention. The paper though needs to complement the frieze and ceiling, no easy task.
This though might work. By Bradbury and Bradbury.
Well, it is fun playing.
8 Comments
Leave a Comment
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
For what it’s worth, I love the black and white paper from the long bedroom. As well, I like the 2nd chair. The inlay and dark finish just work between the door frame and the mantle. What ever you decide will be decidedly YOU! Enjoy the journey in the library.
Fun to get to ride along on the thought processes involved! Looking great! (And a little fun is always welcome!)
Love the bradbury within the borders, still gives continuity between the two rooms and adds some personality to the library. 😊
The subtle, rusty browns of the 2014 sample, although lighter-toned, nicely complement the tile in the fireplace surround. It pulls at the color of the restored wood trim, too.
Ross, How about faux marble in those panels – it is so very easy to do and you can do thr marble in any color.
There are also walpaper stencils available in many historical patterns if you want to do a repeat design.
For the frame , I suggest you go to OceansBridge.com and for a very reasobnable they can reprodudce in oil on canvas ( hand painted ) any thing you can think of including almost every artist in the known world, I have around 2 dozen of their works and I can truthfully thay are fantastic. My pieces range from a miniature of the Madonna & Baby Jesus from the 13th century to a 6 foot by 5 foot painting of a huge antique carved garden urn surrounded by a large garden and a white male peacock with spread tail to the side of the vase. I’ve got a couple of Mary Cassatt paintings, 3 or 4 Lempicka’s ( Art Deco ), a Remington ( 2 by 3 feet ) The Stampede, 6 assorted ship paintings, some still lifes, and a few dozen prints ( Most still lifes’s, ship prints and just a few curiosities – framed – such as an enlistment document from a Confederate Sailor and his Commission papers. I have a shit load of watercolors of all subjects, too. The cheapest place that I’ve found to do professional framing and matting is Home Depot.
However, Good will have a fantastic selection of frames and once you get into framing stuff you’ll realize that frames in the $100. to 200 dollar range are available there for a couple of bucks the bigger frames are tougher to find. Sometimes I keep what’s in the frame other times I throw it out. I’ve been collecting for well over 40 years and aside from the filled house , I have two additional rented storage units with ton’s of more stuff.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
What a fun time trying possibilities!
Happy New Year!
I like the idea that the Barb chair is in the library. My Dad was a librarian, so I was raised in and love libraries. Can’t wait to see how the room comes together.
Big agreed.
A library is not a bookstore. You don’t stand there thumbing through books. A table and chair are a must.
I love the large table that allows several books to be opened and compared.
Chairs are necessary. You must be able to sit down, for several hours if possible, to read, relax, enjoy or contemplate.
The newly built library in my neighborhood has a fireplace with chairs around it. So I love the fireplace being honored in the library.