Living with Art

I didn't grow up with Art.  There are no artists in my family and in my culture, most artists come from poor families because that was the only way they could support themselves.  Art was never encouraged or thought of.  Of course, time have changed and being an artist and a creative is finally thought highly of.  Back when I was fifteen and fresh from Burma, I found so much refuge in museums and books.  Something about standing in front of larger than life art pieces make me feel so happy.  I guess I have been trying to recreate that feeling and appreciation for art with the girls.

For Christmas all I wanted was a John Waterhouse's print to go inside this frame.  The frame is about seven foot tall and four foot wide.  B who is now used to my crazy ways got me a print of Waterhouse's Circe Invidiosa.

As a lover of Greek mythology, I have a soft spot for Waterhouse's paintings.  His romantic colors and depictions of women are incredible.  There is something dark and moody about this particular painting that really attracted me.  Circe, who is the goddess of magic, is seen here poisoning the water to turn her rival into a monster.  I was as giddy as a child when I got this print...so can you guess how disappointed I was when I found out the print was only three foot wide and too small to fit into my frame?  I cried.  While trying to figure out what to do with the print, I decided to hang it up in Bella's room.  The print is printed on a heavy canvas and all I had to do was used decorative nails to hang it up on the wall.

Without a frame, the print seems flat, doesn't it?  After finding out how much large frames really cost, I decided to make one myself.  All I did was buy three pieces of eight foot moldings to build a simple frame.  I added left over appliques to the corners and gilded the frame.

How gorgeous does it look against the black wall?

The details on the print are amazing.  It actually looks and feels like a painting.

Here you can see the details of the frame.  I nailed the two pieces together.  The frame is very light since there is no backing.

Where there is darkness, there is light.  In this case, where there is a problem, there is always a solution.  Now I am in search for another painting to go into the frame.  I suspect soon our house will actually look like a museum...and I can't wait for that day!!


Love,
Victoria


Linking up with:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/
http://shabbyartboutique.com/

Crazy Chair Lady

I think it might be fair to say that I am turning into a crazy chair lady.  I have chairs.  I collect chairs.  People give me chairs.  Chairs remind people of me.  So this was the case with this little vintage chair.  A friend of mine found it at a local Savers and bought it for me.

 

It had broken cane on the side.  I stripped it down to its bare bone.  It was the perfect size for Bella's room and she even picked out what she wanted me to reupholstered it with.  Faux Fur and Velvet.  Yup, that is my child.  Here is Bella's chair all beautified.

I decided to use two different color velvet for contrast.

It is the perfect chair for her little desk.

Of course, the chair also got gold leaf treatment.

I might be obsessed with this new dark moody room.  The room isn't always this dark.  Actually it is the brightest room in the house with lots of windows.  I love the moodiness of the black wall when the sun sets.  

It took a six year old child to push me out of my comfort zone but I can honestly say this might be my our favorite room in the house.

I think this pretty chair adds a little drama into the room.

Wishing everyone the happiest of Holidays!!

Love,

Victoria


Linking up with:
http://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.shabbyfufublog.com/
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/

Community Dinner Party

Do you sometimes feel like we all live inside bubbles?  The kind of bubbles we built for ourselves to feel safe and comfortable...but at the same time, we get too comfortable that we lose our sense of adventure and wonder.  I have been feeling that a lot lately.  I miss the kind of feelings you get when you meet a complete stranger and somehow you end up having the most rewarding and amazing conversation with that person.  I miss the kind of conversation where you leave feeling inspired and your soul is filled with so much happiness. So I decided to host a dinner party where strangers would get together and converse over great food and wine.

The concept of the dinner party is almost like a pot luck dinner.  I pick a cook book and everyone who will attend the dinner choose a recipe from the book and bring it to the party.  I set up the table with fresh flowers and my vintage china.

I picked A Kitchen in France by Mimi Thorisson.  Not only are the recipes amazing, the photography is so inspiring.

I made Roast chicken with Creme Fraiche and Herb.  Delish!

Nothing make me more happy than seeing people enjoying good food and great conversations.  The owner of the cafe, Pan'e Dolcetti, made this out of this world delicious poached pear dessert from the book.

Strangers are just friends we haven't met.  My soul is very happy tonight.

When life gives you a $15 bed frame and a sneak peek of Bella's Black room

When life gives you a $15 bed frame from Savers, you dress it up with some luscious velvet.  I mean did you expect anything else?  Here is the before.

A friend from my upholstery class found it at a local Savers and picked it up for me.  It was kind of a perfect timing since I sold the girls' iron beds very quickly.  Do you remember these??

They are now gone to other little girls.  Oh how they grow fast.  So for the last two weeks, I have been painting, upholstering, and moving things around.  I think when you work around a very tight budget and buying things you want is not an option, you just have to take your time and get creative.  I used this gorgeous dark purple velvet fabric I already have but it was perfect because Bella was very adamant about black, dark purple, and hot pink being her color choices.

Ok.  Can we talk about the chalkboard walls?  I am not going to lie.  I was very nervous about them but they came out so good!  I am painting one wall white to bring a bit more light in.  I am so happy I painted the rest of the room black.  Now back to the bed.

I just painted a coat of Fusion Mineral paint in Sterling.  I didn't want the paint to look too perfect.  A little imperfect is needed to balance out the velvet.  I upholstered thin plywood then simply nailed them to the head board and foot board.  I really had so much fun upholstering the bed that I want to do more!!  Of course I have no need for any more beds.

I used things I have around the house to decorate this side of her room.  The gold mirror really shines with the black wall.  Right now I am reupholstering a chair per her request.  She sketched out a design with velvet and faux fur.  Yup she is my daughter.  I am thinking that is where the pink will comes in.  Next on the lists are building a small desk, sewing bohemian curtains, and some art works.  This girl got it good.

Here is to six years olds who know exactly what they want and don't let their mommies talk them out of anything.  I am wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Love,
Victoria