Most of you already know that I don't blog because I know what I am doing. I blog because you do!
Once again, I need your advice...please!?
I am not certain as to whether I will paint the cabinet. If I do, you know it's going to be gray, right?
Anyway...my quandary has to do with the wings. Are they to close? Too far? Too high? Too low? Too wing-y?
Maybe it's the Blackamoor sconces? Are they too high?
Something just doesn't seem right.
The painting is six feet tall and the cabinet is about four feet, for a total of 10 feet. I am trying to dazzle you with my mathematical skills since my decorating ability is questionable!
Please help!
xo
Andie
I would hate to do this but you asked and remember it is omho, I love symmetry as much as the next guy but this too much symmetry. Maybe put the wings together on the side? Also for me with the candles, the painting and the wings this feels too religious for me.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely paint the cabinet.
But after all that is said, please don't ask to see my house because it is embarrassing. I should just keep my big mouth shut!
Good luck and great decorating! MB
No, I asked for your opinion and I truly appreciate you taking the time to help me here.
Deletexo
HAH! False modesty ill becomes you, dear Andie. You're a genius at this, and I can't believe you don't know it. ;-) HOWEVER, since you asked, how about a thin gray or even a gray-green wash that let's some of the old finish show through?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this would be right, but have you thought of gilding the beveled part of the door panels? Might tie in with the mirror, and then it might look cheap and gaudy, Heaven forbid! It would have to be a bronze-like shade that looked liked "old gold." I'd think more of the idea if there were moldings that enabled you to add a subtle touch of gold all the way 'round the base, and possibly around the very edge of the top too, that is possible -- SUBTLE and wiped off to look old.
Using gold you might even want to stencil or paint freehand designs in the panels and on the sides. Just a thought.
As I've said before, your home is magnificent, your taste impeccable, and your eye for proportion in juxtaposing items that complement one another is just superb.
Come visit me when you can. I love to see you at my place.
God bless!
Thank you, my dear friend!
DeleteI agree that the grey green wash would be lovely, as would he gilt edges. Thank you for that insight!
I am on my way to visit you now.
xo
Andie that last shot is stunning!! I love the way that whole space looks...but I think painting that cabinet a soft grey would look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martina! I am working in the gardens all day today but I think I will paint it tonight.
Deletexo
Hi Andie,
ReplyDeleteLove your style. Love your DIY s and all your Craig's List finds. I'm no expert but maybe there is just too much going on in this area. I agree with the reader who thought you should move the wings. Also it seem to me the painting (which is magnificent) is just too big for the chest proportionally .Maybe edit some of the candle sticks. Just a few thoughts....hope it helps.
Thank you, Cathie! I have about 32 nail holes on each side of the painting! LOL! Has that ever happened to you? I have moved the wings back and forth so much that they should have flown off by now!
Deletexo
leave the candles...loose the wings.
ReplyDeleteI took them off as you suggested...then I put them back on and moved them 35 times! LOL!
DeleteIt will get there...I hope!
xo
I think moving the wings on one side will be too off balance and appear too heavy but I would try moving them closer to the mirror and slightly above the sconces....it will feel like a more collected grouping. It is beautiful! I love the idea of an antiqued gray finish...think it will be spectacular!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteDear Andie,
ReplyDeleteLeave the commode as it is, as an interesting contrast to the gilded mirror and the candle sticks. I would not paint it. For the "other pieces":
Take off either the wings or the sconces, they 'fight" a bit to/which each other. I personally would leave only the pair of sconces, that would provide a very special setting, a kind of "still life", rounding up your lovely collection of candle sticks and candelabras. Well - that's my opinion, but we all have our preferences.
Warmest greetings, karin
Karin,
DeleteI am so happy to see you! I will be moving them around after I come in from the gardens today. I trust your advice and I will not give up! LOL!
xo
Hi Andie,
ReplyDeleteHere ya go (from the mouth of a design expert--- NOT!!) Too much going on in this area. I would lose the wings (and mail them too me) and I would actually lose all the candles that are on the commode because you already have the funky sconces that should stand on their own. Every single item you have in this area is gorgeous but I feel like they are unique enough on their own that they should not have to compete in this grouping. I would also leave the commode finish as is because the contrast with the gold is quite humbling for the little guy. Maybe add a coat of dark wax. Whatever you end up doing by all means do a follow up post because we love your posts!!!
Fondly-Lisa
WELL!!! If it were my house.....I would paint the frame of the painting a very dark grey or black and age it letting the gold show through in places. I would take the candles off the floor. And then, being ME.....I would remove the wings and hang dome plates around the sconces
ReplyDeleteI wasn't done! This iPad is giving me problems. I would possibly paint the bottom piece of very dark turquoise with dark wax and than THIS is where I
ReplyDeleteIt keeps shutting me out! In the door panels, I eould decoupage some baroque scenes, and dark wax them. I'm done, this iOad doesn't like me giving advice.....
ReplyDeleteI'm not done! Instead of the candles on the floor, put two little French chairs on either side of the commode. Now I'm done!!
ReplyDeleteok maybe try putting the wings up above the painting? have you tried this yet? otherwise I might take them away....love the idea of a grey antiqued cabinet with a touch of gilding. you know how to do that!! I think of it looking like the paris grey with heavy waxing and light gilding on my buffet i showed a bit of in todays post.
ReplyDeleteI actually think it looks great... honest!
ReplyDeleteDearest Andie,
ReplyDeleteIt's me, Margaret!
The painting is way too large to be over the darling cabinet. try moving a chair next to the cabinet to balance out the large painting. The candlesticks should be to one side, leave the scones, and wings, and bring in smaller mirrors, or small paintings.
The paint on the cabinet should be matte.
Seriously, you're a genius, and I can't wait to see what happens.
Much love,
Margaret
Andie, my house is prim so this is out of my league, but I would paint the cabinet the same shade as the red in the lady's dress. The top part of your creation is gold and rococo and a six foot magestic painting and the bottom looks like a washed out prim piece that I might have..too much of a contrast. If the cabinet picked up the red in the painting, it would tie it all together. Marshel
ReplyDeleteDear, Andie, please do not change a THING about your latest "composition." I think it's just stunning. You asked for opinions. You got them, but please remember this little saying: "Too many cooks spoil the broth." ;-)
ReplyDeleteIf it pleases YOU -- and Handsome Husband,and Gracie too, of course --, it is absolutely wonderful.I certainly pleases ME, but in YOUR home what I may think -- one way or the other -- doesn't matter.
If you -- or any of us -- are inclined to self-doubt -- something that plagued the great Serge Rachmaninoff all his life by the way -- 'tis best to accept only the most affirmative, constructive criticism.
It's always easier to redesign someone ELSE'S life than it is to take proper care of one's own.
I too share your penchant for making home a continuously unfolding manifestation of artistic expression, as I think you know. My methods are different, because, being pretty old now, I don't have your patience -- nor do I have your incredible store of energy -- and I have never had your talent. Nevertheless, we have similar desires, similar goals and I too have achieved the fulfillment of many lifelong dreams in this area and a few others.
All I can say is that 8 times out of 10 when people enter my house for the first time, they feel obliged to making some sort of cutting remark, pick out flaws, and studiously IGNORE whatever virtue there might be.
Though it still rankles, I ALWAYS take it as a COMPLIMENT, because I KNOW they cannot be motivated by any emotion other than jealousy. Either that, or they are just not very bright.
My favorite criticism of all time came when the daughter of a friend of mine, a trained graphic artist with considerable talent and a notably critical disposition visited me. We took "the tour" and she said nothing at all. Finally, I just had to ask, "Well, do you LIKE it?"
Her reply endeared her to me forever. She said, "Like it? My God! You'd have to be MORON not to like it."
I still think a gray-green wash with added touches of old gold could enrich the composition, but it wold never have occurred to me to make any suggestion for improvement at all, if you hadn't asked.
Cheers!
A rug might help.
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness, I almost missed this great post Andie! I would probably paint the piece of furniture gold lately, as I am on a 'gold phase' and blue and White, lol! You have a stunning house, so I know you'll know exactly what to do...I adore the wings, wish I found some....umm, maybe from an old church! Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
but paint it dark grey to 'ground' the cabinet under that predominant painting. I think the wings are fine!
ReplyDeleteWings - proportionally vis a vis the entire arrangement, too small.
ReplyDelete