Woo to the hoo. Our bedroom horse art arrived, so we’re back to share the whole how-to-affix-them-to-canvas adventure. The title might have already given it away, but even though they arrived on Monday afternoon (spoiler alert) it took two attempts to get ‘er done in this instance.
First I went with the ol’ spray adhesive route (for $4 from JoAnn with a coupon), since I used this for anything and everything back in my art school days (it was like the duct tape of our world). It’s usually a great candidate since it’s acid free (which means it’s good for not ruining prints) and it’s listed as “all purpose” and “permanent” right on the label.
It was as simple as spraying the back of the poster (while it was upside down) along with the front of the canvas and then starting at one side of the canvas and lining up the corners and sort of rolling the print down to adhere it as I went. I was able to do it all myself (without any John help) and even snapped this pic midway through. Girl power.
Oh and I did this in the sunroom since I could seal off the fumes from the rest of the house while wearing my mask and opening the doors and windows to the outside world and running the fan (it’s stinky stuff). So if you ever dabble in spray mounting it’s great to do it outside or in a highly ventilatable space like a sunroom or screened in porch.
But back to my method. After laying my poster in place, I gently used a credit card my Kroger card to smooth things out (gentle is the key word, you don’t want to end up with scratches or dents):
Then I did the same thing with the other guy:
Wham, bam thank you ma’am. Or so I thought. I hung them with pride and marveled that it only took about twenty minutes to attach my prints to my canvases. I may have even done that thing where you clasp your hands together and shake them on either side of your head in a victory dance of sorts. Can’t confirm or deny that.
And then tragedy struck. Ok that’s a little dramatic. More like things slowly became un-stuck. Boo hiss (my dad always says that and I crack up). I noticed that they were looking a little wiggly and less taut before bed, and within about 12 hours (by early Tuesday morning) there were actually big speed bump looking separations between the print and the canvas. I should have taken a picture but I was too worried/annoyed/bummed to remember to document it. It was the butt crack of dawn and I kinda thought all was lost. Oh well, I did mention at the end of my horse art post on Monday that I could royally mess this project up. Do I know thyself or what? Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. But I gave a little tug at the corner of one print and happily learned that it was actually really easy to peel the prints right off of the canvas so I could essentially start all over again. The horse photography gods must have been smiling down on me.
So next it was on to method numero dos. This time I googled around for a more “heavy duty” technique that was a bit more reliable and commonly recommended. I found this and this, which both suggested using acrylic medium as glue. The kind that I grabbed was Liquitex Matte Varnish from Michael’s (for $3 with a coupon):
I brushed a thin and even coat onto the surface of the canvas…
… along with the back of the poster…
… and then stuck them together using the same method as I did with my spray mount, although for some reason I needed John’s help this time. So maybe have an extra person on hand to help you line up corners and keep your print from folding or getting crinkled as you go. Specifically I had two corners and John had two corners and we placed my two corners down first and sort of rolled the rest of the print down (like the second pic of this post while using the spray adhesive) and that seemed to be a great way to avoid bubbles or crinkles. Some small air pockets did occur, but I was able to work them out from the middle of the canvas towards the edges (gently with the palm of my hand). Oh and some folks can have a reaction to acrylic medium (we didn’t, but noticed it said that on the container) so wearing thin latex gloves while touching the corners and placing the print might be a good idea.
Sorry we didn’t snap any photos of this step (all of our hands were in use) but here’s the finished – and very secure – result after we adhered both prints with the Liquitex varnish and then laid them flat for a full 24 hours to cure (I didn’t want them to buckle or slide off the wall while they were drying). We’ve both taken a few steamy showers in the adjoined bathroom over the last few days and they really appear to be stuck for the long haul this time (after spray mounting I could tell they might be a bit wiggly, but they felt a lot more cured and hardened about 12 hours after I used the acrylic medium). Sweet. Of course I’ll keep you posted if it all comes crumbling down. But so far, so good.
As for the sides of the canvases, I debated painting them charcoal or deep brown or even using some metallic paint, but opted to just leave them white for now. The clean look works for us (it ties into the white trim and the mirror hanging above the sink between them). And as for covering the front with something (like acrylic medium or Mod Podge) we decided that we liked the smooth print-like finish for now too. But if anyone at home is planning to use something like acrylic medium over your print or poster I’d recommend testing it out on a tiny area first, just to make sure it doesn’t make anything cloudy or runny (although I’ve heard it’s usually great – just call me Captain Careful).
We did switch the sides that we hung them on (from my original photoshop rendering), since J liked the one on my side more and I liked the one on his side more. Now we can each wake up and see our favorite prints from our side of the bed (J’s is the beach one and mine is the wild horses one). Sidenote: We realized that we switched “sides” when we moved, and finally figured out why. No matter where we live, I subconsciously prefer to be on the side furthest from the door. I guess I feel more cozy and nestled that way. Weird, huh?
One of my favorite things about the prints is how luminescent they are. That soft glow is definitely something that our rough little photoshop rendering didn’t account for, which is why some people might have been turned off by how much harsher they looked in that “guestimate.” Or they might just think horse art is weird. Which is valid (I know not everyone is on the Equine Train with me). I’ve always had a strange animal fascination – I just graduated from My Little Ponies and Popples (remember those?) to ceramic and photographic versions.
In money news, each poster (found here and here) would have been $169 to get ‘em printed on canvas to the size that I wanted and I was able to DIY each one for just $64 a pop (including the poster and the large canvas). So I saved over $200 bucks. Here’s hoping it sticks.
And now for a money shot of the sink nook. My least-favorite-to-favorite place in the house. We really like that the light & airy nook is a nice counterpart to the moody horse photos (we thought lighter/softer art might be a little too sweet and matchy-matchy for our tastes, so we went for something a little wild to contrast the big white mirror).
As we mentioned in the original poster post on Monday, we know these prints are a bit of a departure from our first house’s beachy, light, and airy (and sometimes very “safe”) style. And that art is definitely one of those in-the-eye-of-the-beholder things. In general, we’re having a lot more fun taking risks in this house (although every time I think I’m going to shock & repulse my mom she ends up liking it, which is totally throwing me off). Embracing the Just Gotta Do You School Of Decorating (which is taught by Queen Latifah in my mind) has allowed us to be more true to ourselves, and our house already feels more special and more like us.
One brave-for-prudes-like-us choice seems to somehow fit right in with the next one, and it gets easier to trust ourselves as we go. All with minimal nail biting and second guessing, which was a constant occurrence at our first house. I’m not going to say that we’re never nervous (just the idea of saying that makes me nervous), but lately we’ve had some luck doing the whole “what’s the worst that can happen?” exercise and it has always been something not-that-bad (ex: we’ll get new art, we’ll repaint, we’ll return something, etc). Which are all things worthy of ending up with a house that we love – so we get all Thelma & Louise and hold hands and drive off the cliff together. Oh and one more I’m-kinda-freaking-out tip: it’s always nice to look back on other bold-ish choices that we’ve made since moving here when we need a slap of it’ll-hopefully-be-worth-it confidence, like the painted backs of the built-ins in the dining room (which were so much more of a visual payoff than leaving them white)…
… and the still-in-progress contrast-y dark-beamed and dark-sectionaled living room (we were ready to try something beyond the white beams and the white slipcovered sofa in our first house’s den)…
… and the deeply saturated guest room (which is kind of moody but still happy and fun)…
To us, our little ponies in the bedroom just seem to fit right in with the photos above. It feels like home.
And it’s so crazy to think that it looked like this five months ago:
You thought I’d wrap things up with those before shots, right? Nope. Still babbling. Because the other day I had this thought that I wanted to share with you guys: although all of the risky-bid-ness that we’ve been experimenting with is definitely fun, one thing that we never expected was that it would work so well with the softer and more calm “moments” in our house, like the serene white-framed hall art gallery:
We’re learning that it’s not all or nothing. Areas of color and contrast seem to go well with (and balance out) the less bright and saturated spaces. So going bold in one spot doesn’t mean your whole house necessarily needs to be saturated and stimulating. It’s as if those quieter zones seem to temper things (like our white-on-gray frame gallery which leads to our more colorful and contrasty bedroom). A little of Column A, a little of Column B if you will.
In short, we’re definitely still “students” who are just figuring things out as we go. Wax on, wax off. Diving in and having fun and embracing the whole trial-and-error and why-the-heck-not approach seems to work when it comes to inching towards a place that feels like us. Yes, this is another one of those yay-you moments where I encourage you to go for it and play around and be brave and have fun – all in the name of landing on something that you couldn’t love more. After all, it’s only paint/art/bedding etc – so it’s likely something that you can semi-easily undo if you hate it. So quit horsing around (aww yeeeeah, a last-line-of-the-post horse pun) and just go for it. Can I get a yeehaw? No? Alrighty then.
Psst- Here’s an awesome post all about taking risks from The Nesting Place. She says it a lot better than I do, so… what she said.
Psssst- Is anyone else in total denial that Oprah is over? I can’t bring myself to delete her last episode from our DVR, so I guess it’ll sit there a while. Maybe for twenty fiiiiiive years.
Olivia says
They look awesome! I love the contrast of the prints against the light walls. I’m a bold color/bold art kind of girl so I love the choices you’re making in this house. Your last house was gorgeous, but was definitely more safe, so it didn’t do it for me like this house does!
Ellen says
I thought for the best adhesion with spray, you had to spray both things to be adhered. Then it holds like the dickens!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, I sprayed both things (the back of the poster and the canvas) and totally expected it to hold like crazy. Maybe I just got the weaker spray or something (it was all they had at Michael’s).
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
Hope they stay put on the canvases this time! I’m liking the more moody colors, I think.
Also my dad totally says “boo hiss” all the time, too!
YoungHouseLove says
It must be a dad thing!
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
Agreed, must be a dad thing. An awesome dad thing! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Agreed.
xo,
s
heather @ at home with h says
Nope – my mom says ‘boo hiss’ so its not just the dads. ;)
Sadly, still not a fan of the horses but I hope they adhere better this time. I think part of your initial issue was that you hung them right away. Any time you spray things with adhesive you should let them dry flat for a day (at least in my experience).
erika m says
This might be too personal…but have you ever shared about your dad? I remember seeing pics of your mom and stepdad but not your dad. Do you consider your stepdad as your “dad” and use the terms interchangably?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, I mention my pun-loving math teacher dad a lot. He lives in NJ and reads the blog on occasion (mostly to look for Clara photos- hah). So he and my step dad are different people (my step dad worms his way in too- there’s room for both of them, haha). In face here’s a post about my dad with an old pic of us when I was just a little bean: https://www.younghouselove.com/email-answer-money-management/
xo,
s
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
I’m glad the second try worked for the posters! In my photography class, whenever I used rubber cement or spray tack, it was always a disaster. The art looks great on the walls!
I love that you guys are using more saturated colors in this house. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the beachy/airy feel your first house had but I am a girl who loves color.
And is it weird I imagined you using an Oprah voice when you said “twenty fiiiiiive years” at the end of the post? I hope not.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I wish I could do a decent Oprah impression. I’d be doing it all day.
xo,
s
rachael says
I almost cried when I watched Oprah leave her stage last night!!! I know shes not dead, but still, something about it seemed so FINAL. BTW, Love the horse prints, and love that you LOVE them. Keep rockin’ on!
Kathryn says
It looks amazing, amazing, amazing! The photoshop made the colors look slightly off, but now when it’s “real” it blends so perfectly. Love the horses :)
Robin @ our semi organic life says
I suprisingly like the horses – never thought I’d say that. Weird. Also I didn’t switch spots in bed after we moved and now I’m closest to the door. Should I make dear husband move so he can ‘protect’ me in the middle of the night in an emergency?!? Don’t think I’d like the adjustment.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we did it without any discussion or thought. It was kind of accidental. I collapsed on a side after a long day or moving stuff and John came in and got on the other side (at this point it was just a mattress on the floor so maybe we didn’t think it warranted a big chat yet) and we just fell asleep that way and have been doing it ever since! How weird is that?
xo,
s
Lyndsay @ Mr & Mrs says
We have moved three times and I always end up on the “inside” side. I’m not comfortable being closest to the door! This always happens when we go anywhere else too (family’s houses, hotels, etc).
Amanda says
After reading this, I realized my boyfriend and I did that too. And also did it without discussion. It’s one of those things that just feel “right”.
Sara says
I was the one who asked you about switching sides in a post a few months ago. After you replied that you like being away from the door, I realized I do the same thing. Even when we stay at a hotel, I just naturally end up picking the side of the bed that is furthest from the door. Gotta put the hubby closer to the door to fight any intruders or bogeymen, haha.
heather @ at home with h says
I actually read somewhere that men tend to like to sleep nearest the door since they feel more like the protector (you know, in case anyone breaks in). Not sure how true that is but I’ve noticed it happen in my relationships as well.
Karrie says
Heather @ Home with H–that’s funny! I always pick the side closest to the door–I wonder what that means about me? I guess I’m the protector? haha! And I wonder how my husband feels about this–he’s always let me pick my side first, I wonder if it’s weird for him to sleep on the inside?
Ted says
I tend to prefer the “right side” (if you are standing at the foot of the bed looking up at the head of the bed) just because I’m used to it, but when we travel, my wife picks the side because she usually goes to bed a couple of hours before I’m ready (I’m an insomniac and only need 3/4 as much sleep as she does). She usually sleeps on the side of the bed with the outlet with more open plugs as she has a couple of things that need A/C power that she uses at bedside. I sleep wherever there is space left when I get there. :-) We’re more tied to position on the bed rather than position relative to the door.
Megan says
It IS a proven fact that men will more likely choose the side of the bed closest to the door because of the protector thing.
In our house it’s the opposite now, since we’ve had our baby I’ve always slept closer to the door to get to baby quickly. Guess I’m the protector now. :)
Kirstylooli says
I sleep closest to the door….does this make my husband a wimp?! lol! I love your idea of printing and sticking to canvas, i may well try it myself!!x
Amy @ Triangle Honeymoon says
Looking good! A little unexpected for you guys – think you’re fulfilling your new house, think outside the box resolution!
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
Well, at least the second time worked! I’m glad you guys are loving the new art. I’m still not 100% sold on it. I like horse art, but I don’t know what it is about these. But, they’re in your house, you like them, and that’s all that matters!
ALittleBite says
I liked your sidenote about the side of the bed… the way I choose the side of the bed is a fine science (not really, but anyway). It’s normally the furthest from the door unless there’s a wall or something to “protect” me… haha. I’m crazy like that.
Izzy says
I also prefer the side of the bed furthest from the door, and in my single days always chose that automatically. But my boyfriend has a set “side” of the bed, so when we moved in together that meant me taking the door side…the things we do for love, eh?
Georgia Rowe says
Ooooh i like them!! they look a lot better in ‘real’ that the photoshop version!
I pointed my friend in your direction as shes moving into her own new home and she said to me ‘i love their website, are they interior designers?’ hehe
Oh and i also like to sleep on the opposite side of the door as its ‘safer’ if any monsters are going to come in they will get my Fiance before me LOL
x
Jessy F says
Your prints look amazing! Everything looks so good together, love love love! I’m trying to get brave and do some bold things in our house. Oh…and my high school algebra teacher said boo hiss too…and I catch myself saying it sometimes too (like 10 years later!) so reading that made me chuckle :)
Christine says
i like the prints way more than i thought it would. looking snazzy! and i always heard that the man was supposed to sleep closer to the door. i think so he can protect you from burglars or something like that :)
Melissa says
I prefer to sleep on the side further from the door too. Doesn’t have anything to do with coziness though… the kids always come in and bother the first parent they see. I’m less disturbed being tucked away in the corner. ROFL!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, verrrry smart.
xo,
s
Barb says
Love you guys alot…..just not the horse prints. Trying…….just not my thing. Glad you are thrilled though!!
B.
Christie says
They look great! I was a little unsure about the horse prints at first but reserved judgment until I could see it on the walls for real. Totally works and brings the room together. They add a nice touch of sophistication. Great job! :)
Meredith says
1) The Popples reference made my day! I totally got Popples roller skates for Easter one year. If only they still fit…
2) Unrelated to anything, I’m loving Pintrest! Oh my goodness, it’s amazing.
3) Finally, the Queen spells Latifah with an “h” on the end. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh- don’t tell The Queen that I misspelled her name. How embarassing. Thanks for the tip. Off to fix it!
xo,
s
Christa M says
Queen L-A-T-I-F-A-H in command!
Christin says
Great post. And My hubby and I have changed sides of the bed too because I like being furthest from the door! It’s not just me! Yay! :)
Kristen says
I like them a lot better flipped. The horse in water is peaceful and goes well with the chair and plant, like a little ‘calm’ area. I feel like the running horses are more ‘action’ and go well with the fan and all the stuff on your dresser because it’s a busier area. I might be a nut. But that’s just how I would have placed them!
Jenn(ifer) @ heim-elich says
I totaly agree. I think the colour of the dresser just works better with the running horses while the colour of the chair works better with the beach one…
Jenni says
I was thinking the exact same thing! For some reason the photoshop arrangement made me a bit antsy. This arrangement has a sort of ‘day’ and ‘night’ contrast. The running horses over the dresser would make me think ‘get up! get ready for the day!’ The horse on the beach above the chair makes me think of winding down with a good book. Good work, Petersiks!
Sara says
Yes! I was trying to figure out why I liked it sooo much more in real life than in photoshop life. It’s amazing how a subtle change (switching the pictures around) can really make a difference!
Brenda says
ah ha, I think you guys are right. I didn’t like the photoshop version either, but part of that was the arrangement. Definitely looked too busy the other way around. Also, the prints just look way better in real life. BTW, no need to justify yourselves to the naysayers, I bet they’d have plenty of stuff going on their houses that you wouldn’t like, lol.
threadbndr says
totally agree. And I also just noticed how the “sort of but not quite sepia” tones of the ‘runners’ and the sunrise/set colors of the ‘rider’ play off the curtain color. I didn’t see that at all with the photoshop version, but it shows up with the real deal
BTW, *I* say “BooHiss”. I think it’s a generational deal, since I’m probabaly just a bit younger than your folks.
Adriane Wacker@FortheLoveofPainting says
I am not usually a horse print person, but I do really love them in your room. They actually pick up the colors in your curtains also! Way to go!
Kate says
Thank you— we’re getting ready to blow up some of our favorite photos and i was wondering how i would mount them!
:)
Kristen says
I just realized that every place we’ve lived, I always sleep closest to the door. I don’t think it’s a protection thing – I just get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and can’t navigate around a bed! I wonder if there’s a psychological reasoning behind our decisions. And I also wonder if you thought your picture-hanging would lead to a discussion about sleeping tendencies. Ha!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love talking about stuff like this! Mostly because it kind of seems arbitrary but then to some people it ends up really mattering (now I would never want to change sides with John since I’m so used to it). So strange!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
They look great…much better than the photoshopped version!
Dum says
For all the “I sleep as far away from the door as possible”, it’s actually simple psychology. People (and even more so women) is more comfortable with something between them and possible perceived threats – in this case I’m guessing that’s murderous thieves. :)
brandt @ NewHouseOnTheBlog says
Amazing seeing the before/after shots of your bedroom. I don’t think it hit me until we started looking at before/after shots of our house how much layout of furniture/painting makes a HUGE difference. The light colors you have in the bedroom make it seem MUCH bigger, even with the furniture, compared to what it looked like before. WONDERFUL contrast!
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t that funny? Sometimes I think a few large scale things (like the art and the big sink mirror) can actually make rooms feel bigger since they’re more filled up or something.
xo,
s
Tanya from Dans le Townhouse says
Wow! Those look great! I was a bit dubious after the rendering, but the photos look phenomenal. Thanks for the sharing the nitty gritty details of the affixing project.
Kimberly says
I love the horse art. It really makes the room pop instead of being simple&cute. &I think if someone was to come into your bedroom, other than you, and john, would automatically see the horse art. I really love it!
Maura B says
Looks great! I love all of your color choices… very similar to my own!
I had to comment also because I have the same preference in side-of-the-bed choice. I like to be farthest from the door! Funny! :)
Thanks for your inspirational blog! (You’re motivating me to get back to working on mine!!)
Happy Memorial Day!
Candy from Candied Fabrics says
Glorious! That bedroom is just glorious! And how funny is it that you moved sides? Married almost 18 years now, I do NOT think I could do that now! :-)
Kim @ girlevolving says
I always want the side away from the door, too!
jess says
I give you props for being more daring in this house. I love the direction everything has gone, and I love how the horse prints turned out! Great job!
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
First, I feel so bad that I totally encouraged you to use the spray fixative. I was 100% confident in my comment on your first horse-print-post and alas, I have been humbled. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. The great news is your room looks amazing. I love it when you post Befores and Currentlys. They blow me out of the water. every. time.
Chris Loves Julia
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no worries! Maybe I got a bum can. Haha. Or picked the weak stuff (it was all I could find at Michael’s). I’ve heard amazing things about something called 77 Spray or something! Wish I tried that.
xo,
s
shunta says
re: Oprah yesterday–oh my goodness, I cannot bring myself to delete any of the last few episodes. but the last one will definitely be a keeper! I managed to cry 3 times. Did you make it through tear free?
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, I always cry when she cries. Always.
xo,
s
Heather says
I also need to sleep away from the door! But it’s because I’m afraid if anyone were to come in, I don’t want them to see me drooling or something. My husband things I’m crazy.
Bob says
“It’s usually a great candidate since it’s acid free (which means it’s good for not ruining prints)…”
The acid free part is good, but adhering – ultimately with two different types of adhesives – certainly qualifies as ruining prints. Not to mention taking rubbing across the surface with a Kroger card!
On the other hand, I notice that they have copyright printed in the lower right hand corner, so I am willing to call these posters instead of prints. No harm no foul.
Elizabeth says
You are a ray of sunshine, Bob…thanks for sharing!
Bob says
Our girl Sherry is a work in progress but I see so much potential in her. Hopefully she’s learning a few things from me whether she’ll admit it or not.
Ultimately she knows I’m right though.
Kelly says
Wasn’t she talking about the spray adhesive and not her overall method?
Patricia says
I totally remember popples! I’m glad I’m not the only one. Always feel like I am! I had a giant plastic popples tricycle and in the center of the handles was a popple that would pop up and down when I would ride. I loved that thing! It was totally tacky 80s style.
Bob says
Kelly – Spraying ANYTHING on a photographic print effectively ruins it. As does permanently adhering it to another surface.
That’s what was funny about her comment.
Kate says
Without even thinking about it, at home and when we travel, I always pick the side of the bed closest to the bathroom. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that there’s a method to it though. Walking less distance to “go” is important! Haha.
xo,
s
Tammy says
I’m digging it! Good choice. I would have never thought to buy prints and put them on canvas. Now that we’re looking for art for our son’s playroom, I’m thinking this might be the route to go.
BTW – I’ve always preferred the side of the bed furthest from the door too. I think I subcontiously (sp?!) think it’s safer over there. You know, if someone breaks in they have to go through the hubby first to get to me, and clearly they aren’t getting through him! :)
Melissa says
Sherry, that whole “female” sleeping furthest from the door goes all the way back to when we were sleeping in caves… The male needs to be able to run interception on any charging triceratops… So not weird at all :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, John’s my big strong cave man.
xo,
s
Cait @ Hernando House says
Hahahaha! I love this explanation!
stephanie says
hmm…i’m not sold on the horse prints, but thank you for sharing the process.
Amanda says
I like the horses :) yeehaaaaaw hahaha
(I’ve to confess that I’m more liking the console behind the sectional too, the photo in this post with the console is beautiful)
And about the guest room is my favorite room in your house!!! :D
braelin says
SOLD! I was an initial nay-sayer (or shall I say ‘neiiiiighhhh-sayer’…hehehe…), but they really do look lovely and add a unique vibe to the space. I like that the photos add a realist quality to the otherwise more ethereal decor.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, dare I give out comment of the day so early? I do. Neiiiiiiiiiighhhh-sayer just made me giggle. Wear your crown proudly.
xo,
s
Patty says
I like the prints! (And I don’t normally like animal prints, I like line drawings better – like Picasso’s drawings)
I really like the color of your sink nook, but now with the prints up – I think if you wanted to, you could even do a darker color in the nook. That’s sort of bold though. LOL.
YoungHouseLove says
I was thinking about a stencil project a while back. Hmm, maybe it’s time to revisit something…
xo,
s
Constance says
I was keeping an open-mind on the prints when they were photoshopped (b/c awesome way to test, but not a subsitute for the real thing) – I wasn’t sure, but I really like them! I especially like flipping them — I have this weird hang-up about not having the subject of the painting in the obvious place (i.e., the beach rider is now riding AWAY from the room instead of toward the center of it = my kind of hanging pictures). This change actually highlights well all the additions and projects you have put in place after the setting up the bed. Paint, nook, curtains, furnature all go very nicely. What sticks out to me now is the bedding. The rest of the room has a different vibe for me now than the bedding gives off – yes, I just oddly used “vibe” to describe bedding and not sure I can explain it much better than that. Bottom line, so glad you like everything and are enjoying risks with colors and patterns.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
So glad you brought up the mixing of styles! Since you always refer to your previous beachy-ness and current boldy-ness, I was starting to think I had a design identity crisis. Some of my rooms are (or will be) bolder, and some light and airy, but in my head it all works! I’m in the midst of a classy, white wainscoting project while thinking of painting my powder room a dark gray purple with some bright accents thrown in.
But my theory is as long as it’s all you and all things you really love, it works. Trying to fit into one style or another doesn’t work as well as going with the I-am-in-love-with-this method!:)
Suzanne says
I think that works to a point, but it’s also essential to keep an eye on the bigger picture too. I like pickles…and ice cream…and ketchup, but I wouldn’t put them all in the same dish. So just “I love it” needs to be tempered with what it will be with. If that makes sense. I think we can all have it all, maybe just not all at the same time.
YoungHouseLove says
Very sage advice Suzanne.
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Yes I definitely meant within a context. I tend to be picky about things, so when I find something I love (usually with a particular space in mind), I don’t worry too much about whether it’s too safe, too risky or what others are doing. It’s your style and that’s what makes your house special more so than limiting yourself to a particular style. But if it ends up not working with the big picture, of course it can always be changed :)
Am I making sense or do I sound like a complete looney? Haha! I guess to put my comment in context, my mom is looking to remodel her kitchen and is frozen on this concept that she is “country”. Rather than just picking out things she likes, she’s going with what she thinks is country and it’s totally limiting her. I’m trying to get her to go to the store, pick out the cabinet she likes the most, and it will all be okay!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re totally making sense! And you’re so right about your mom daring to break out of the country mold if it’s limiting her!
xo,
s
Kristina says
I am actually much more inspired by the choices you have made in this new house.
keep up the great work.
Carolyn says
I wasn’t so sure about the horse pictures in the first post, but I really like them “in real life”/in your real life. I like that you switched the sides they hang on too.
Looking good guys, keep up the new bolder approach!
Lisa says
I’m loving the BOLD! Keep it coming!
I liked the master before, but the addition of the “moody” horses took it way-up a notch. Love the contrast, the gold tone tie-in, the drama.
Allison says
Why not just have them printed to canvas to begin with? Cost?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, each one would have been $169 to get ’em printed on canvas that large and I was able to DIY each one for just $64 a pop (including the print and the canvas). So I saved over $200 bucks. Hope it sticks! Haha.
xo,
s
lynn says
me and my dad hiss at each other all the time.
i was just wondering where your going with your bedroom? it seems very similar to your last house, beachy vibe and not at all like the rest of the rooms in your house. it doesnt have that moody sophisticated vibe i thought you guys were going for. i know you do what you like but it doesnt seem to flow with the rest of your house to me. maybe i just dont see what you see but it seems off compared to your other rooms with the deep moody colours with pops of bright.
YoungHouseLove says
I guess that’s an eye of the beholder thing. The much brighter duvet, colored curtains, oversized light fixture, four poster bed, and the contrasty-horse art seem a lot more “out there” than the white curtains, muted blue duvet, and the tiny framed black & white art that used to hang over our bed in our old room. This room definitely has light and airy touches (I think we equate that to being restful so we like that look in a bedroom), but I think the last bedroom felt a lot softer and ethereal while this one feels more fun and moody along with a little serene. Maybe we just see those differences more because we were used to sleeping in a white draped cocoon and now there’s a lot more contrast and color going on in person?
xo,
s