As of Monday, John and I have been married for seven years. Or a hand and two fingers, as Clara likes to joke (“what’s seven?… A HAND AND TWO FINGERS!” *maniacal laughter*).
As you can imagine, when you get married on 7/7/07, your seventh anniversary feels like a special one. The golden birthday of anniversaries, if you will. We went to Hawaii for our fifth anniversary, and have always thought we’d end up going somewhere awesome for our seventh (Australia is the ultimate dream – maybe for our tenth – but for lucky seven we were thinking about somewhere in the Caribbean). But as this summer approached we realized the last thing we wanted to do was load everyone up on an airplane. We’re definitely still adjusting to life with two kids, so we decided to save some of our trip money for next year when we’ll hopefully feel more settled/brave/wanderlusty, and we bought a painting with the rest of it.
At $850 it was a HUGE splurge for us, but we figured getting a painting that we both loved (of the beach no less) as an anniversary gift to ourselves was sort of a nod to taking a vacation without loading up the pack & play and pacing the aisle of the plane waiting for someone to fall asleep. And we hope to have it forever. Heck, maybe it’ll hang on the walls of Clara’s house someday.
It’s a 30 x 30″ painting by Teil Duncan, whom we’ve been giant geeky fans of for a while. We resisted our initial instinct to get a smaller (less expensive) print, and decided that our first large original painting would be the best seventh anniversary present we could think of. And when it arrived, it was even more glorious in person than it was online. We had it up on the wall in about five minutes. Really, these photos can’t capture half the magic of an in-person stare-session.
It looks great next to our blue front door, and it’s one of those scenes that you can look at for hours.
As for what wall color you see on the wall behind it, it’s our favorite neutral paint color: Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore.
Every time I walk by our new painting I notice something else. We even caught Clara admiring it (“I like that pink chair! We need a pink beach chair!”) and Teddy’s eyes catch it over my shoulder when I carry him up the stairs sometimes. Burger hasn’t shown any interest yet, but there’s still time…
The funny thing about hanging it in our foyer is that we realized we have two other paintings in there too.
Remember these smaller ones by our friend Lesli? They all have those soft blues and bright whites that make them feel related, but not too matchy. And they’re all of things we love: the beach, John’s Granny’s house, and Burgdorf Goodman himself.
You might remember that we originally hung our Samantha French print in the hall next to the door, so we carried that into the office and held it up over the desk. We actually tried our anniversary painting there first, but ended up liking it better in the hall, so that switch was pretty simple to make. It’s nice to have some art on that wall of the office too.
While hanging that over the desk, we realized we have a few more small paintings on the shelves in there (one of our last house, one of a pear that I found for $4 at an estate sale, one of two bees from Etsy). We always hoped to slowly amass some “real” art, so it’s nice to realize that over time you can inch up the ol’ collection, both with inexpensive finds and a splurge or two, and suddenly you have a hand and two fingers worth of it.
And of course we have all of Clara’s creations on the cork board over her desk. Priceless.
I think no matter how easy you know nail holes are to spackle (so easy! we’ve done it a thousand times!) there’s this instinct in a new house or a freshly painted room to hold off on hanging art for a while. I don’t know what that phenomenon is (Nail Hole Neurosis?) but we definitely aren’t immune. This is a very real issue people. Just kidding, but really, it took us TEN MONTHS to add some nail holes after painting our bedroom!
It’s weird that we hold back on the whole art-hanging thing when we know how much it can take a room from house to home (our bedroom feels 100% more us than it did with blank walls). I’m certainly inspired to get some stuff hung in our upstairs hallway and a few other walls of our bedroom now. What the heck are we waiting for?
And to all of you other 7/7 anniversary peeps, hope it was a happy one!
Allyson says
What a beautiful piece! It’s such a happy painting!
My husband and I buy a piece of art every year for our anniversary. It started with our desire to have a “family collection” (still not sure how we came up with the idea but it stuck). It’s been a fun collection to grow because art exists at all price points and mediums. And, like you mentioned, it’s nice to think that someday the collection can be broken up and enjoyed by kiddos (and maybe even grand kiddos).
Happy anniversary!
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Sylvia says
Happy anniversary! My husbands and mine anniversary is 7/17 so close too! We’re going on five years. Beautiful art!
Krystal says
I think that Clara might need to go to Disneyland in her gown. Just sayin’…
YoungHouseLove says
Ha!
xo
s
leatitia says
Happy anniversary!!!! Gorgeous painting! :)
(Nail Hole Neurosis is REAL yall. Been in my new house for over a month, nothing on the walls.)
Ann says
Love the painting. My husband and I have been married almost 50 years, and once we could (barely) afford it, we started buying original art for our anniversaries. Some years we never found anything, some years we found 2 or 3 pieces. But the search always involved lunches out together, seeing beautiful art, lots of discussion about the art, and a lot of fun together. Hope you can continue your new tradition.
A side note: Buy what you like whether it “goes” or not. Somehow, if you love it, it will fit in. And go for nice framing; lots of times a good mat and frame job can bring things out in the art that you didn’t appreciate when it was unframed. Further, you can have art re-matted at fairly low cost as your taste or decor changes; the art will still be great.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips!
xo
s
Cristina S. says
What a nice tradition :)
Stacy says
I don’t blame you for deciding on a painting rather than a long airplane ride with 2 kiddos. I love the painting and I think it was a great gift to yourselves! My husband and I seem to wait about a year or so before we hang art in our new homes (we’ve had 3 over the past few years) and we’re definitely keeping with tradition since we have yet to really hang any art in our new home and it’s been almost a year. Maybe by mid-August we’ll finally get there!
Laura says
I have a HUGE fear of nail holes in my walls and as a result we barely have ANYTHING hanging on the walls of our 1910 Dutch Colonial. My fear stems from making holes in the plaster walls; the few times we’ve tried, it’s left a gaping, larger than life hole that won’t hold anything. Any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
We had plaster walls in our first house, and we had some luck with anchors and screws. They held more nicely in place than nails. Maybe try Command/3M?
xo
s
Alicia madrigal says
Hi, first happy aniversary and when i read this post it was funny for me. My daugther born on may 14 2010 like clara and my husband’s birthday is 7/7 (he born on 7/7/77) .
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
CALI D says
Happy Anniversary Love Birds!! <3
Christine says
Hey, we buy art for our anniversaries, too! Great tradition. Congrats, you two.
Brenda says
Hi guys,
Can you explain what you mean when you say “real” art or “grown up” furniture. Just curious.
YoungHouseLove says
I think they can be interpreted a bunch of different ways, but to me “grown up” furniture is a step up from starter furniture (like saving up for a West Elm dresser to replace an old hand-me-down). In my head there are also all sorts of art: kid art, DIYed or homemade art, art from a mass retailer like West Elm/HomeGoods, and I might use the word “real” in quotes when I’m describing an original painting or a numbered print by an artist (I like to put it in quotes because it’s not a real definition). I think those terms mean something different to everyone though (there’s that age old “what is the definition of art?” debate). Someone else might consider kid art to be “real” art. It certainly is priceless!
xo
s
Lorelei Reed says
Yayy for one hand and two fingers! May you use up all the hands and feet and noses and paws in your home, plus more, to count the happy years with your lovely family…
And a beautiful idea to amass original art…in fact I happen to know you did acquire some during your book tour….in fact,I do believe in the number of one hand minus a thumb and pinky… in lovely Petersik-style colors…I do hope you enjoy them…and I would be honored to provide you more…with a specific size and/or color, and/or subject matter, your wish is my heartfelt command!
Honestly, you all have given me such fun and laughter and inspiration ( I am a loyal reader for 6+ years…never missing a day!) it only seems right that I, with joy , give to you!
with much love from (my “hairy babies”) Maizie Belle the Bouvier, Minnie Mousie the “cockapoo or something” rescue pupster, Bad Alice the potty-peeing rescued feral kitty and ME! xoxo !!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Lorelei!
xo
s
Lauren says
Happy anniversary! Did you guys recreate your wedding picture? I remember a post where you had the picture of your wedding and a few others including one with baby Clara. It’s fun to see how those things change!
YoungHouseLove says
We have kept up the tradition of taking a family pic each year on our anniversary. Just went to print this year’s today – and of course I still have to frame it and hang the past years. Will blog about it when they’re up on the wall.
xo
s
katalina says
I think a colonial can be beachy. It can have dual personalities.
I have a tiny one with alot of windows and tall ceilings–surround yourself with things and colors you love. I have not painted the walls however…because it seems like you would have to paint the whole first floor the same color.
I think I like that kind of denmark style with whites and beiges and color in rugs, sofa and pillows and art.
even my sisters son at age 8 said my place was very zen…even with 400 cat toys everywhere.
YoungHouseLove says
I love that!
xo
s
Colleen says
Really beautiful stuff, guys!
That painting is wonderful.
We’ve got the nail hole problem too.
Then my boys starting using thumbtacks on their walls…yikes! So we broke down and hung things, with real nail instead:)
So glad you had a nice wedding anniversary. That’s really special. We usually do some clean out/home fixing/major cleaning overhaul around our anniversary time. Sounds funny to think about it, but then we feel good and freshened up and ready for another whirlwind year!
Have a great day!
Rachel Snodgrass says
We just celebrated our two year anniversary on 7/7! I have been a reader for years, so when it was time to pick a wedding date I may have intentionally picked the same date… It seemed lucky, considering how great your marriage looks!
Anna says
I think this is a great idea. Material things are made so much more wonderful with associated memories! BTW, I can’t find Teddy’s weekly photo project, can you help direct me there? I’ve been loving them. I was inspired by Clara’s project and have been taking weeklies of my almost-9-month-old daughter, and I’m so glad I did! It’s amazing to see the changes that are missed along the way. Thanks, and congratulations!
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry Anna! There’s a button on the sidebar that says Teddy’s Photo Project that you can click for that. Don’t have this week’s done yet (it was rainy/dark yesterday). Hope I can get it done today!
xo
s
Anna says
Totally missed that – d’oh! Thank you!
Cristina S. says
Beautiful and happy anniversary to you both! Enjoy!
(Taking a break from painting my baseboards! So worth the time!)
Jeremy says
“Nail Hole Neurosis” HA HA HA. Please tell me your starting a support group, because I too suffer from Nail Hole Neurosis.
Meagan says
Awesome painting! My daughter was born on 07/06/07 :) I was hoping she would miss 07/07/07 & she did!
YoungHouseLove says
So close!
xo
s
Ortisse says
As you did I think I can’t put a lot of money in art I really love, even if most of the time I triy to save it.
In two months, it going to be 3 years I’m in my apartment and I only start to hang stuff on my walls, strange…
Like you I really want to start a little art collection (photographs and drawings or paint) and mix it with my own travel photos.
Sue says
Happy Anniversary! Love the print!
Where do you usually get your frames? I want to do a bunch in my y hallway, but don’t want to spend a small fortune. Any suggestions?! Thanks!!!
YoungHouseLove says
We got the ones in our bedroom from Michael’s recently and really liked them. They were having a 2/1 sale, which was awesome!
xo
s
Greta says
Beautiful!! Love all the colors!!
Do you mind directing me to the post where you got your guest bedroom yellow leaf pillows? We have a tree with those leaves in our yard and I’d love to get pillows to bring the outside in! (:
YoungHouseLove says
Those were from a store in DC, but the tag says Dermond Peterson if that helps.
xo
s
Heather says
Congratulations on seven years! One of the things I love about your blog is the way you’re always positive about the other person – no tearing down or trash talking.
I love how the ocean and the sky in the painting tie in with your front door! It looks all light and happy in there.
Are you planning on framing it? We want to frame a big seascape by my grandmother, but custom framing is so expensive!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Heather! Someone else suggested a thin white wood frame. Sounds so pretty! We’d love to get that done.
xo
s
Alycia says
Nail hole neurosis is SO real. It’s going on 3 years for the living room and 5 months for the bedroom. I swore I would finish it this summer though and just have to find the right frames. They’re expensive!
Erin says
Happy Anniversary! And art is such a beautiful way to spend money. I never regret it later – it lasts forever!
Sayward says
Happy happy golden anniversary!!!
I love your art. For Valentine’s Day, fiance and I got one of Pinecone and Poppy’s watercolor prints of our shared home state (Jersey, holler!) with a heart over each of our hometowns. I’m excited to curate some more “real” art too.
(side note that I thought you’d appreciate, Adam is diligently trying to bring “no duh” back. It’s sort of working)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/poppyandpinecone
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Tracey says
Happy anniversary John and Sherry, your new artwork is stunning, and excited that you want to visit Australia!
Mari says
I totally get the Nail Hole Neurosis! We moved into our home in October & haven’t hung a single thing yet! I think the fear of nail holes is extra strong here because our house was a new construction, but your recent posts have inspired me to peruse for some homey wall hangings! I love the combination of your new painting with the front door color – beautiful as always. Happy anniversary!
Tish says
I really love this post. We struggle with spending the money on “real” art too–not to mention struggling with putting those holes in the walls! I recently bought my husband a couple of pieces for his birthday and we enjoy them soooo much! Congrats on your new purchase and on seven years!
Reshma Sanjeev says
Happy Anniversary Sherry and John. Buying something that you both loved and having it for years is really a nice memory.
Kelly says
I love the discussion of buying art! When I was a college student my parents took me to an art fair a couple of times, I fell in love with a painting there that I couldn’t afford at the time. But it definitely made me realize that as soon as I could afford it, I wanted to start buying art Like you, I bought a piece here and there over time. I’m 31 now and up to about 14 pieces and I absolutely love them. Even though many of the pieces were splurges at the time, because I connected with the art so emotionally when I bought them, I’ve only grown to love them more over time. Honestly if my house burnt down in a fire I (assuming my dog, bf and I were okay) I’d probably be most sad about losing the art. I think DIY art, art from mass merchants, etc has its place, but for me there’s just an emotion to “real” art that I haven’t been able to find in DIY or mass merch stuff.
For finding art I love going to local stuff – open studios, art fairs, art galleries when I’m on vacation etc. I know I could buy it online but have always really enjoyed talking to the artists who made the pieces and seeing it in person.
Alexa @ travelmiamor says
We like to buy art when we travel; we had a MAJOR splurge the last time we went to Hawaii. Similar cost to your new gem :) My parents always told me that if you see something you really like (particularly art) to buy it because you’ll end up regretting it.
Gnome Lover says
Happy Anniversary! Art is the best! And your painting is gorgeous. One of the first things we bought for our first place was a small 4 X 6 original painting. It was all we could afford. Eventually, we were able to collect more originals. I think they are worth the investment.
Jenni
Vanessa says
Happy anniversary!!!!
Krista says
WAR EAGLE to Teil Duncan!
So talented.
Ashley says
I love it and what a great tradition to start(continue?). You guys are so great at those, the traditions and charishing most everything I like to think. I recently decided to start collecting “real” art too(although I collected a lot of “street” art while traveling in Europe years ago) and started with a couple prints of Julia’s of Chris Loves Julia. One day I’ll own one of her originals!
I’ve been meaning to ask, is your PO Box still the same from years ago? I have a little something I made to give you if I could have met you all during your book tour.
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Ashley! And I love Julia’s prints! She’s so talented. Oh and our PO Box is still the same :)
xo
s
Megan says
Happy Anniversary from another 7/7 couple! Love the beautiful painting!
Alisha says
Happy Anniversary!!
I hope one day you can make it here “down under”, Australia is beautiful anytime of the year, however this time of year it is a little cool.. And the water is too cold to wade in.. Our beaches are really the best in the world!! But no bias here ????
Jodi says
I’m trying to talk my hubby into another US trip for our 10th anniversary! (Were in Australia) Let’s do a house swap…and hey, if you feel the need to do a little painting and decorating while you’re here… Mi casa and all that ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Sounds perfect!
xo
s
JustAng says
From someone who just traveled with two small kids, two car seats, a double stroller, etc etc etc….you made the right decision. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man! My heart goes out to you!
xo
s
Kyriam L. says
Hi Sherry and John (and Clara, Teddy & Burger!)
Happy anniversary!
Just finished reading your entire blog (do I sound creepy? haha) and I wanted to let you know that you are very inspiring! You succeed in sharing your love of life though your blog, and I hope you’ll continue to do that for a very long time!
Wishing you many other years of happy marriage and happy DIYing !
xo,
Your #1 fan from Québec !
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Kyriam! You’re so sweet!
xo
s
hjc says
It would be cute to take a picture of Miss Clara holding up her one hand and two fingers – focused on her hands with her face in the background behind them. Happy anniversary!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Brittany says
yepppppp we’ve now been in our house for a year and a half and there are rooms I haven’t hung anything on because when I do I want it right… plus the painting process took so long it does hurt a little to nail a hole in the wall! I miss the colors from paintings though so am planning on some soon – you just gotta jump in right?!
SusanM says
Oh how I LOVE this painting!! I have never regretted spending money on a good piece of art. Happy 7th!
Maureen says
From a Peter, Paul and Mary song:
God bless the Master of this House, and the Mistress also
And all the little children, who ’round the table grow
The cattle in the stable, the dog by your front door
And all that dwells within your gates, we wish ye ten times more.
Happy Happy Anniversary!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Maureen!
xo
s
Eileen says
Love the new art piece but I think I love the bedroom wall even more. Happy Anniversary!
Nina D says
Love the splurge!
Happy hand and two fingers!
xo
Nandini says
Heartiest Congratulations Guys !!!! This is awesome. I can truly understand how you feel since I got married on 5/5/05 :)) We recently bought our first home and am so excited with all the possibilities …. your site makes me smile, keeps me going and feels right at home !!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Nandini! Love that date too!
xo
s
Lynn @ Safebeauty says
Woohoo for splurging for “real art”! It looks so nice. Sofie walked by and went “Oooooooo…” and she is really one of the best artists in the family. I’m the only one who has mastered stick figures in this house, when meanwhile my 9 year old son walks up to me with a page full of awesome noses and asks “Which one should I put on my superhero?” Happy Anniversary. We celebrated our 10 year Anniversary on June 30 this year. I guess this relationship is really going places. :)
My best, Lynn
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s