The Best Rooms Have Art!

I have several home decorating blogs that I read regularly so that I can keep up with decorating trends, (and also so that I can criticize those that I don't like!). I've noticed a distressing trend lately.  People don't seem to be hanging art on their walls.  

Now I know that many young people just starting out in life think that they cannot afford art, and sometimes they really can't.  But I've even noticed that people who are established in their jobs and their lives seem to have rooms that are distinctly lacking in art, especially paintings.  Look at the room below.  I love it! The room that is.  And the furniture.  The chandelier, the curtains, the mirror over the fireplace and the rug. 

But just imagine how much more beautiful this room would be with a painting next to the fireplace (over the bench) or a print or two on the wall to the left. For those going for the no color look, art still has a place in this room. Wonderful drawings, black and white prints, subtle paintings would all work here.

.The same goes with the dining room below.  Now, I do hate the chairs and love the mirror, but this dining room is screaming for art on its walls.

Look at this wonderful room below.  It has color, which I applaud, but this wouldn't be the same room without that wonderful painting over the fireplace.

Below, a very subtly colored room, but it would look like an empty rental without those wonderful paintings on the wall.

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There is no excuse for not having art.  Here the watercolors are hung on the shelves, very English country.

A fantastic wall of art. If that wall were blank, all the personality would be sucked from the room.

In a Parisian room, art runs up the walls and even over the doorways.

I love having gallery walls over sofas.  It's also a perfect focal point when a room does not have a view or a fireplace.

Below, just one painting would make a beautiful difference in this dining room. 

Corners can be used for art, too.  The space does not have to be huge.

The three framed drawings below are quite fitting in this formal room.

The all-grey room below needs a painting between the windows.

Another gallery wall of great interest.

This formal room has formal portraits to match.

I really don't understand the lack of art when there are so many artists out there dying to sell their wares.  You can even find original paintings in thrift stores. Watercolors and drawings are usually much less expensive than oil or acrylic paintings and can look just as good on the wall.  Even museum posters framed would be good for those who have a limited income.

But please, hang some pictures!!!!

Bedroom Decorating: The Latest Incarnation

Though I am still not finished with the little master bedroom, here is an update. The headboard is a lighter cream colour (I'm still not sure if I will replace it) and still needs to be higher.  Eventually we will have nightstands that are now in our Arkansas house.

I have had the painting over the bed for almost 30 years; I still like it.   Above, the plaster icon is one that I bought on the Greek island of Patmos several years ago.
Outside the bedroom is a print that features a lot of peach, a cat, goldfish, and my favorite peonies.

French Room Decor: Real French Dining Rooms

Today, here is a look at beautiful French dining rooms, breakfast rooms, and eat-in kitchens.  From the French country dining room to the elegant French city rooms with their crystal chandeliers, French dining rooms are a gathering place in French homes where families and friends spend their time enjoying delicious food, conversation, and the elegant table appointments.

  Above, this dining room is in France although it reminds me of many breakfast rooms I've been in in Portugal and Brazil with the lovely blue and white decor and white walls above the wainscote.

Above, pretty wallpaper, linen curtains and bay windows make this French country dining room especially beautiful. Imagine breakfasting here!

 Below, the love of French colour manifests itself in this dining room with green walls and accents of deep pink.

Above, a gallery wall adds interest to this dining room with modern elements like a concrete floor and industrial style table.

 Below, look at the wall and molding colours!  The elegant chandelier hangs over an oval table and formal French style chairs. Look at the gorgeous chevron-style floor.

Below, this French country dining room uses the bright yellow and red tile floors of Provence, but  adds modern elements such as the lighting fixtures.  The fireplace is wonderful.

Below, one of my favorite mixes of formal French elements such as the chairs and elegant china within a rustic setting. The walls look ancient (and most likely are) while wire baskets are against one wall and an elegant tapestry screen stands in the corner.

If you really want a French flavor in your own home, check out the unfinished looking French floors in so many French rooms whether formal or casual.

Below, look at the wonderful coral wall!



Below, one of my favorite eat-in kitchens in the French style. The deep peachy walls are gorgeous with the tile in back of the stove and blue-grey cabinets.  In many older French kitchens you will see fabric used to cover the lower cabinets which do not have doors.