Let's jump right into it folks. The very first commenter over at Apartment Therapy said they didn't really care for the way the art was placed around the tv and invited future commenters to weigh in - and so they did. It was a mixed bag of comments, all of which I was okay with. I addressed most of them over there, so I won't go into it too much, but I thought I would post different photos here too to show other angles and styling. Obviously, whether you want art around your tv or not is a personal preference. It was one of a couple of ideas I presented to the client and this is what was preferred. I had mocked it up with existing artwork and pieces we were considering. Both the client and I am happy with how it turned out. Now on to the sources.
I am in love with the abstract watercolor. It comes from a dealer who has this deceased artist's whole life's work, which he purchased from the estate. It is pretty amazing to see all of the work together. The lighthouse drawing was found on eBay. It is something I searched for because the client has a family home near a lighthouse. The fern paintings were also found on eBay. I took the abstract photo when I spent a summer circumnavigating Menorca - oh how I wish I could do that again. I think the color and mood worked well here and the client's family hails from this region. The architectural drawing was a gift from the client's sister and the painting above it was done by her.
The round candle lantern, blue and natural basket and green planter were found at Home Goods. The blue glass covered dish was found at a flea market. We had a tight budget and I was a bit worried about accessories, so anytime I saw something priced well that I thought might work, I snatched it up. The tall glass vase, green ceramic dish, brass vase and bue basket were found on eBay. The firkin bucket sits under the long extension and helps to visually balance things. It is normally there while the Albini rattan and blue leather ottomans float around a bit more. It wasn't in the Apartment Therapy photo though. It hails from a thrift shop as does the rustic wood console (I don't know why I kept calling it a credenza on AT). It was one of the first things we bought and a pretty good deal at $85.
The Asian carpet is by Karastan and I'm pretty sure I found it at Center Stage Antiques, but through their eBay store. The navy velvet chair was found on Craigslist, The two rattan side tables were found on eBay. I do wish we went with something rounder there, as things were starting to feel boxy, but in the end I think they work alright. However, that is why I added round lamps and side tables. The green lamps are Pottery Barn. The client had a gift certificate and I actually really like these. The tall brass lamp is from Urban Outfitters and looks more expensive than what we paid for sure. The small round tables and large mirror were found on eBay. The Albini rattan ottoman and ikat pillows were from etsy sellers. The green pillows are Crate & Barrel. The vintage throw was found at a flea market in Miami (and dry cleaned). That beautiful blue velvet sofa comes from Room & Board.
I mean just look at that coffee table - love it. I believe it is vintage Sarreid, but I can't be sure. For years, I have been wanting one, but any I found came with a high price tag. Then I found a pair that were fairly reasonable. They came from a dealer in Florida. I showed the client to see if they might want one and they did, so we split the pair. This was another thing we bought early on. I love that it also speaks to the client's Spanish heritage and I think it helps add another finish to the room and bounces some light around too. The green agate coasters were also very hard to give up. I found them on eBay as I did the small vase. These coffee table books were found at Housing Works, a NYC thrift store with several locations.
Here are some other shots. I like that the side tables have glass tops. It keeps things light and the rattan adds a little pattern. Accessorizing someone else's house can be a bit daunting. Well, if you want it to actually feel like their house anyway. So, I asked a lot of questions about likes and dislikes and the more we got to know each other I just got a sense of who this person was. So, the bull, it's kind of cool on its own, but the client is also a Taurus - so I tried to incorporate little subtle things like that. I found it and the blue leather ottoman on - you guessed it - eBay. Are you playing that drinking game I suggested in the previous post? Drinking every time you read eBay, vintage, thrift or flea? Are you drunk yet?
Here is a longer view on the left for perspective, so the entry is in the distance, the bedroom would be behind you, the bath to the right. The dining area is to the right and you enter the office and kitchen area through there. On AT, I said the top pictures were close to the molding, but looking at this shot, I see they weren't, so don't know what I was thinking. How about that money tree? Guys, there really is no direct sunlight to this room. It was a challenge to photograph I can tell you. And, as I mentioned before, I wish we had done color, or if the budget allowed, grass cloth on the walls. When you are in the space it feels fine, but it was tricky to shoot. Anyway, they can always paint or add the grass cloth down the road. But, back to the plant. It defintiely adds to the room. I pushed for a budget for plants and the client really loves this one. I swear it could thrive in the dark. The painting was done by me. Pretty much literally the night before I photographed the space. In full disclosure, it is not what is up there now. Anybody want to buy a painting?
