Young House Love

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Our First Big Art Purchase

That’s what Clara said when she woke up and saw our freshly hung real art in the kitchen. It was cute. And we laughed. And then she squealed “She’s swimming! Look, fishies!” which are most definitely not in there, but the girl has quite an imagination. So hooray for imaginary fishies.

KitchArt Close Angle

I described this gal as “real art” because it’s actually our first big art purchase ever. It’s a large print of an original oil painting by an amazing Etsy artist that we just couldn’t get out of our mind. And at $195 it was definitely a splurge for folks like us who usually frame free art that we make ourselves or hunt thrift stores and garage sales for cheapo options, but we figure that we’ve done a lot of things to save a really significant amount of money on our kitchen (like reusing our cabinets/sink/faucet, getting pendant lights from an outlet and a range hood on craigslist, reselling things like our old granite and over-the-range microwave on craigslist, building our own fridge surround/hood cover/open shelving, getting on-sale tile and clearanced out cork and installing it ourselves, buying inexpensive lab stools from a school supply shop, etc).

KitchArt 2 Samantha French

So yeah, it took a bit of rationalizing with ourselves and saying “dude, you have saved money in so many other places, and you love this art and don’t have any real art in the entire house yet- just take the plunge already!” So we did. And it feels good. In the words of Katy Perry: No regrets. Just love.

Kitch Art Full Room

So yes, we’re calling it our V-day gift to each other (and our beloved kitchen). And it was icing on the cake when Clara got excited about it too. Burger has yet to react but we’ll keep you posted.

Doesn’t our lady swimming with imaginary fish look especially cheerful with two pink tulips leftover from book shoots (yup, those are still going on – they wrap this Friday and today we’re actually shooting cover stuff – ahhhhhh). As for framing our lady, I’m sure one day we’ll man up and pay to have her professionally framed (they always seem to have those 50% coupons at Michael’s) but sometimes it’s a better balance for us when we spend in one area and then work a bit harder to save in another. So for now we have framed it really inexpensively ourselves, just by getting a simple black frame for $21 at Target and a $4 sheet of archival-quality mat-board at Michael’s (they sell it in their framing department for anyone else who wants to try DIYing it).

KitchArt 1 Frame And Mat

This entire framing job was just $25 (for a 31″ x 25″ finished piece!) thanks to already having some white Rustoleum Universal spray paint (the kind with the built-in primer). Yup, I’m completely predictable. You know I spray painted the heck outta that frame (after removing the pane and the backing and laying it out on a piece of cardboard outside). Then I just cut down the archival mat-board to fit the frame and placed the print centered in front of it.

KitchArt Straight At Fridge

So unlike a pro framing job, this mat isn’t a cut-out window that you look through to view the print – the print just floats right in front of it in the middle, with an equal amount of mat around it to beef it up and fit the frame. The luckiest accident of the whole thing is that the mat-board has subtle gray undertones while the print and the frame are bright-bright-bright white. It actually makes for a nice balance since the soft gray-ish coloring in the mat relates to other softly-gray things in the room (the penny tile, the appliances, etc) and the bright white of the print and the freshly sprayed frame ties into the glossy white molding/trim, our counters, and the dishware on the open shelves.

KitchArt Angled

We love that our print (on archival paper with an archival mat, no less) can always be upgraded with a proper frame down the line, but for now it slips right into the room. And it’s refreshing. Like a big ol’ glass of lemonade. Or a dip in the pool. This is actually how we frame a ton of stuff (like all of the things in our hallway of frames, for example) so although it’s not the fancy way, it works for us. Art is definitely one of those highly personal things though, so this method might be heresy for some folks out there! Just do whatever works for you and your house and cover your walls with stuff that makes you smile.

KitchArt Radio Focused

We have to admit that real art is definitely addictive. Our little swimmer lady confirms that sometimes a wall splurge can make you pretty dang giddy. So we’re definitely hoping that the occurrence of saving up for art that we love isn’t just a one time thing! What have you guys been framing lately? Do you have a favorite framing method? Do your children see imaginary fish? Let’s talk.

Comments

  2. Emma says

    This looks fantastic – and that’s the cool thing about art – everyone feels differently about it, and that makes it more enjoyable for every individual :-)

    Reply

  3. Brooke Castelloe says

    How do you center the print in the frame/mat since its on top? And do you attach it to the mat somehow so it doesnt move? I like the idea of this method but curious how to do it!

    Reply

  4. Erin says

    I love the print and the framing instructions are well-timed for me, since I just bought two Michael’s frames and mat board to frame some unusually-sized art I have. I was planning to cut a window in the mat, but feeling pretty intimidated by the prospect! One question, are you worried at all about the glass sitting directly on the print? I’m slightly nervous about it getting damaged somehow…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Glass is a pure/solid material, so in our experience we’ve never had issues with things being framed this way (in over 5 years of using this method). But I think in a steamy bathroom it could be bad news (humidity could make the art stick to the glass). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

    • Paula says

      The only harm with art contacting glass is if you get condensation from abrupt temp change (not common unless you are transporting in vehicles or keeping it in a non-climate-controlled room).

  6. Linda says

    Love a mix of high/low art in a home. I have been collecting original art for about 20 years and I still love each and every piece I’ve purchased. Your framing looks great and when the time is right, this piece will lend itself to many options for double matting and framing. Congratulations

    Reply

  7. DawnSC says

    I also think the orange look like fish from a distance! My husband and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day (although our 5 month old son did get me a gift. :) ). But, I came across these yesterday and LOVE them: http://www.npr.org/valentine/ Any NPR fans out there should check them out. I printed/framed the driveway moment one for our hall gallery (idea borrowed from you! although ours is much smaller…)

    Reply

  8. Ivette says

    Love the new artwork, and love the contrast of all the colors between the print, the vase, the flowers, and the radio :) So cheery and spring/summery (if thats a word…lol)

    Reply

  9. Andrea Cotter says

    I was a picture framer “in a past life” lol and I’d recommend splurging on a custom mat and some UV glass now. Framing it with the art touching the glass is not a good idea over the long haul (the art can stick to the glass if humidity gets in there). Also it could really fade if you don’t slap some UV glass on there. I’d suggest using the frame you have and picking up a cut to size piece of glass and custom mat from a local frame shop (Michael’s totally upcharges so the price you pay with the coupon is about what you’d pay at most local shops). Just my two cents so you can preserve this art you love <3

    Reply

    • MJ says

      Ditto on the UV glass! Nice comment! Even good archival inks on archival paper should still be treated with care, especially in rooms with a lot of natural light. Framers don’t love cutting parts for frames that aren’t theirs and they typically dislike assembling these parts because of the liability involved with taking in someone else’s frame that they can’t easily replace, but they understand cost-consciousness and will work with you. If you have a mat cut, you will also need a backing board that’s archival to go up against the back of the piece. P.S. All professional matboards have been acid-free since the 80’s, but not all matboards are archival. I know you purchased an archival board, but to the folks who may not know the difference, there’s a lot of new terminology. Tru-Vue.com is also a good resource for the different types of glazing you can purchase. Also, to the commenter that mentioned purchasing a mat cutter — lean-bar mat cutters are not terribly expensive, but they don’t work too well when cutting larger mats because of the equal pressure needed to get an even cut down the board — then you need to do it three more times to get a nice-looking bevel all the way around.

  10. mary says

    How do you keep the print from sliding down the mat? Did you glue or tape it?
    (I agree that Clara must see the orange ‘reflections’ as gold fish!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I actually use archival “hinges” (you can get them for like 25 cents at any stamp collecting shops) since they gently hold things in place and don’t damage the print!

      xo,
      s

  11. Meagan says

    Hey guys! Heads up on the professional framing:

    When the time comes framing places (even Michael’s) tend to glue the artwork down on the base matte board first. Request for them NOT to if you plan on passing the piece down generation after generation. The only reason is after a very long time the glue is hazardous to that cotton rag it’s painted on. You won’t notice any different from the front, but it will decrease the value of the painting. It doesn’t make the frame job look any different- they warn you to glue it down only so it doesn’t accidentally slip from it’s position once framed. But as it will be pressed between two different pieces of archival matte board (one in back, and a pocket one in the front) I wouldn’t worry too much about it slipping (As an Artist I can tell you that I have gone through this process at Michael’s and have never had a problem with slippage).

    You might also want to consider getting the special archival glass to go with it. That will help make sure that the colors stay vibrant for a very long time. It will add to the price of the framing, so you might not find it worth it. But as it is hand painted, I thought I would let you know anyway.

    Reply

  13. NatalieM. says

    My husband came across an old fashion polaroid camera at his job a few weeks ago and brought it home since it wasn’t being used and he thought our 3 year old would get a kick out of it. We had a great time and we got so cute candids. So I framed up some of the bests with a scrapbook embellishment that says “I <3 our Family" (red blinged out heart) as my hubby's valentines gift. It is in a horizontal shadow box and eat up some dead space next to our fire place :)

    Reply

  15. Erica says

    Just wanted to say that instead of someday paying to have it professionally framed, you might want to put that money toward buying a mat cutter. They aren’t cheap but I think you can get a decent home one for under $100. Then you can cut mats yourself – including making professional-looking beveled edges – and will never need to pay a pro again, which can save a ton of money as your art collection grows. (Not sure what pro framing goes for where you are, but my mat cutter paid for itself by the second framing job.) Not that it doesn’t look great as-is!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh, that’s a fun idea! Back in high school and college we used to cut our own mats (with just a t-square and an exacto knife) but I’m too chicken to try that anymore. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Dawn says

      I’d like to second the idea of buying a mat cutter but say that you can even get one for about $10 since I assume you have a t-square somewhere in your house (and they’re pretty cheap if you don’t). I’ve been cutting my own mats for years with just a small hand-held mat cutter. Sure, I’d love to have one of the nice, more expensive ones with a clamp and the cutter on a track but I’ve never had any problems with the hand held and a t-square. Totally worth the $10. You can cut a lot of mats out of a big piece of mat board. It kind of blows my mind how much people spend for already-cut mats.

  16. Jackie L. says

    Kitchen looks amazing. However, I searched your source list and I cannot find where you purchased that beautiful yellow radio? Any thoughts on where I can pick one of those up?

    Reply

  17. Allyn says

    I love it! We’ve started buying art too. It hurts. Prints of original paintings are the way we’ve gone too. I actually have two good sized one just waiting to be framed right now. The wall is my living room is so lonely without anything on it. I think our tax return will be going to frame those bad boys.
    I wonder what strange things Clara would find in our paintings.

    Reply

  18. Lindsey d. says

    I still feel that way about my first piece of “art” – an amazing original oil painting of an abstract saxophone. It was painted by an inmate serving a life sentence at Louisiana’s Angola Penitentiary for attempted murder.

    Every year, the prison holds an inmate rodeo and other inmates sell “hobby crafts,” ranging from leather belts to wooden chairs from kits to original art. The inmates get to keep most of the money they earn (some goes to taxes and processing fees) to buy things at the commissary or more art supplies. It’s quite amazing to wander around and see what the inmates have made. The inmates selling on the grounds are all trustees who have earned through good behavior the right to be out there and there is definitely a heavy guard presence.

    I haggled with the artist to get my painting down to $125 and couldn’t be more thrilled. It looks great in my house and the story is just as good as the art!

    Reply

  20. Angelica says

    Hi there! I wanted to tell you breifly about my Michael’s framing experience. I went to Michael’s had them quote a print that I wanted framed, and then went to a local framers and had it quoted with the same mat and frame. After 50% off coupon Michael’s cost the same as the local framer. Which means those Michael’s “sales” and coupons a really based on trumped up prices to begin with.
    I know you like shopping locally, so I would encourage you to check out your local framer before having anything framed at Michael’s.
    That’s just my two cents. I love the new art. The kitchen is really turning out amazing!

    Reply

  21. Erin H. says

    I love your new art! I have to say that I love what you are doing with your kitchen, and I especially love the chairs you bought. I know y’all are waiting to put the flooring in to decide on whether or not to ORB them. (Is that a verb?) Anyhow, with the lighting in the photo above, they look darker than usual, and it gives an idea of what they might look like with an ORB finish. For what it’s worth, I think it would look great, but I just wanted to bring it to your attention incase you didn’t notice… but then again, maybe it is just my monitor that makes them look dark in that photo…

    Reply

  25. Caitlyn says

    Your piece is beautiful!

    I am really into the idea of “real art” lately. There’s a pop art piece at a local gallery that I saw recently that I cannot get out of my head for $350 (albeit it is a huge piece, like 24×24) and the cheapskate in me says no and the art lover and home decorator in me says yes (what a statement piece for a room, it’s so cheap for what it is, etc.)

    I have a feeling it’ll be coming home with me soon.

    Reply

  26. Melissa says

    Love the print! If you ever wanted to make the frame job look slightly more custom, you can have a framer cut a custom mat for a whole lot cheaper than a full-out custom frame job.

    For example, I just had a mat cut for a 16×20 frame (standard size) with a 10″ opening (for a 10″ photo) for around 20 bucks. The mat isn’t even distance from the print on all sides, but it’s a custom look at a DIY price.

    Yours looks awesome – just figured I’d pass along the info! :)

    Reply

  27. Michelle says

    Your kitchen turned out just beautiful! Great job! I’m pretty sure you probably mentioned this in a previous post, but what is the final total cost of your kitchen remodel?

    Reply

  29. Amanda says

    I love it! I saw the “goldfish” too from a distance, so I can see how Clara could see fishies in the orange! Is that a little yellow radio?! It’s adorable!

    Reply

  30. Anna says

    Love how your kitchen is evolving! So open and fresh and sunny.

    Just yesterday I framed two real art small pieces:
    A Shodô (Japanese calligraphy) with my daugther’s name (she has a japanese name) made by a professional calligrapher. I got it completely free in a Japanese Cultural event. Love the amazing characters, the lovely paper and the brigth red seal at the bottom!
    And a personalized small bird drawing from this Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackbirdsings?ref=seller_info. (I had a discount coupon from Making it Lovely)
    Though I must admit I learned to use discount coupons here at your house ;-)

    Reply

  32. Ashley says

    We have always allowed ourselves to splurge on art while scrimping other places. Our home feels so much more complete. Our friends always comment on how “grown up” our house is, and the one real difference is real art. Congrats on your purchase! If it brings you joy everyday then it is so worth it.

    Reply

  35. Karen F says

    love it! in my totally non-professional opinion, you need to put a few oranges in your clamshell bowl to bring a hint of orange to that side of the room :)

    Yesterday I framed a free piece of art for my husband for V-day(you have inspired me with all your free art). I saw something online that I replicated for myself. It looks like a word search, with our names in it (circled in red, connected by the word “love”) and then throughout the search there are tons of other words that pertain to our lives. It was so fun to make! It will go up on our frame wall (which is my Dude, get on that already project).

    Reply

  36. Catherine says

    Love the print! And I’m totally with you on the excitement of getting “real” art.

    I’m giddy with excitement because I’m going to be getting my first piece of original art this Sunday. I’m going to an event at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria that you two would LOVE. (I’m not trying to sell you on it for this weekend–it’s sold out–but I do think you’d be into it.)

    Basically, I bought a $175 ticket–a big splurge for me–to attend this raffle-type event. Everyone who buys a ticket is guaranteed a piece of art. When they draw your name, you shout out the # of the piece you want. The earlier your name gets called, the more choices you have. And you have to be ready as soon as they call you. I’ve already spent at least four hours perusing the pieces to list out my top 70 pieces (out of over 650!!). There’s a bit of risk involved, because if your name doesn’t get drawn until later in the evening, you might not get one of your top choices–but I think that adds to the excitement. Plus, there’s such a huge variation of styles and tastes involved, it’s not like everyone’s going for the same 10 pieces or anything. Anyway, like I said, I’m giddy with excitement.

    I volunteered at a similar (though much smaller-scale … and less expensive) event in at the Richmond Visual Arts Center a few years ago. I don’t know if it’s an annual thing, but it might be worth looking into if you want to grow your collection. :)

    Reply

  37. Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says

    I like how in your pics, your frosted door appears slightly blue..and compliments that piece as well! :)

    As for art… I am about to task the kids with making some art for another gallery wall I am working on.. can’t wait to see what they come up with!

    Reply

  38. Karen says

    We bought some real art (and even met the artist) on our 1st anniversary. It seemed so precious that it hasn’t been put up on our walls 5 years later. We can’t figure out a place to put them that feels right AND won’t be in danger of fading in our new house. But I told my husband it MUST be done this weekend. FINALLY!

    Reply

  41. Susan says

    Every day I check for an update on your kitchen and I wonder can it get any prettier. Yep! That art work is icing on a very pretty cake. I just absolutely love your kitchen. It is so bright and cheerful!!!

    Reply

  42. Sarah says

    Love the print! The colors are amazing.

    After our honeymoon I decided to frame one picture we took from each of the 6 cities in Europe we visited plus 6 amazing vintage postcards we had bought while there. I had Micheal’s quote it and nearly passed out so I decided I had to do it myself. I used one of their 40% off coupons to buy a large mat cutter and read up on tutorials. Now I mat and frame everything. The mat cutter was totally worth the investment.

    Reply

  45. Lisa says

    I love seeing what people do around the web and in magazines and on Pinterest and I rarely have feelings of “want” or jealousy….BUT…I have to tell you that your kitchen stirs of the feelings of “I want” every time I look at it! How do you leave that room? I think we’d end up living in it…laptops, homeschool work, craft projects, library books…. Seriously, how do you get anything done other than admiring your work well done {and so beautifully!} :-)

    Reply

  47. Laurel says

    I love love love Samantha French. I first saw her work through Co Lab and have been doing the “should I buy?” dance ever since. I am also one of those people who doesn’t have “real” art up, opting instead for framing art scanned from books and what not. But for French’s art, I think a slurge is totally worth it! Great job, it looks lovely!

    Reply

  48. Paula says

    Thank you thank you thank you for buying some real art!! Your frame job is just fine (though cardboard on the back should be replaced with archival board of some sort soon)and you put it in a place of honor, a room you love and will spend much time in. Art IS an investment: not in financial value-that is left for the rare Warhol or Rembrandt piece– but in enjoyment and appreciation of something special. And please don’t think I am contrasting it with your previous wall pieces!! That is all fun and meaningful and beautiful as well, and that has shown us that you understand design and aesthetics (obvious with the whole house project anyway!) but this purchase is just really cool, for lack of a better accolade!!

    Reply

  49. Krys72599 says

    We are waiting to finish our fireplace in the lakehouse and then we’ll be matting, framing and hanging a piece of art we bought in Las Vegas. Just Google Las Vegas Street Art or Las Vegas Spray Paint Art… We chose a traditional-looking painting of a lake, some mountains, some trees… It will be a few weeks, but I’ll post it on my blog when we get it hung up… That’s the closest to “real” art we own, except for a canvas print of Jesus on the cross that a friend of the family brought back for us from Barcelona…

    Reply

  50. Melissa S. says

    To go with your funky fun titles that usually incorporate songs you could have done…. “she’s a lady woah oah oah she’s a lady!” haha….been thinking about that song all morning since I saw this post!

    Reply

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