A Room with Two Views

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyR-Cp_6RYF3sTQDtL4sjK70ZXx2VWwSFAQUINRGLelWh9DIbiuxEUifxu4wxCW3BoUjO38W5ElxBiaIQgz0DO4cUBU6siHzG5Ch9bS9Jvbs1ryU2mVTXQMN7uvTgZDXvd8JvPcwldCc/s1600/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyR-Cp_6RYF3sTQDtL4sjK70ZXx2VWwSFAQUINRGLelWh9DIbiuxEUifxu4wxCW3BoUjO38W5ElxBiaIQgz0DO4cUBU6siHzG5Ch9bS9Jvbs1ryU2mVTXQMN7uvTgZDXvd8JvPcwldCc/s640/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design:  Steven Gambrel<br />Photo:  Eric Piasecki</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love a good vignette and this room in a home designed by <a href="http://www.srgambrel.com/">Steven Gambrel</a> is a really good one.  I know Camille from <a href="http://thevintiqueobject.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-room-with-two-views.html">The Vintique Object</a> also loves a good vignette.  I first analyze the objects in a vignette to see if they fit a theme, tell a story or share the same "language."  Camille looks first at things like shape, balance, texture and how they're actually photographed.  Both are important, we just start in different places.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought I would deconstruct the elements of this vignette one by one to share my thought process for analyzing or even choosing items for a vignette.  And I've invited Camille to do a post with her own take on the same room.  A room with two views.  For some people this might be intuitive, but if you have a vignette or particular element that doesn't work, the sum of our two posts might offer a way of better analyzing your own work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXbnzN6WhOJhk9j0jxJ6V2ABE9kMfSztHrnDL8dTYyWRYEK8Ewy4O3fFhbtXY1o715ETZazgueLutvyzxXOOiMS68P5HqOXxYY_ob42NtQjjaq6-kQCaHCULqO8MeYQgfT6fq75irtE/s1600/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXbnzN6WhOJhk9j0jxJ6V2ABE9kMfSztHrnDL8dTYyWRYEK8Ewy4O3fFhbtXY1o715ETZazgueLutvyzxXOOiMS68P5HqOXxYY_ob42NtQjjaq6-kQCaHCULqO8MeYQgfT6fq75irtE/s640/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The reflection in the mirror shows a staircase, so I would bet this room is the foyer and this vignette sets the tone for the entire house.  My first reaction is this vignette feels like an underwater landscape.  It would be perfect for a home on the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCuoPbQL8oTZsHX-l45fOscxME1dOer2aEcS_dK9tn0U7TB0f8gfQyX6Z1ZoGSsVPGHUbo9mJHbJoXNN_jktr-urOw6DGCMH4ZcZbTzO5DYhL53porv1Bh3DiR1IjdJcPE-SgkLcxWto/s1600/A-Packard-Cape-Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCuoPbQL8oTZsHX-l45fOscxME1dOer2aEcS_dK9tn0U7TB0f8gfQyX6Z1ZoGSsVPGHUbo9mJHbJoXNN_jktr-urOw6DGCMH4ZcZbTzO5DYhL53porv1Bh3DiR1IjdJcPE-SgkLcxWto/s400/A-Packard-Cape-Light.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Light painting by <a href="http://www.packardgallery.com/anne.html">Anne Packard</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has the moodiness of a gray and misty day by the ocean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I believe there's even a seascape painting on the table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF7wKbAFmn04zoRjPeH6epFdDPBFHayOy9L8iE_zbQNlovUJ36Or5wsWRmhje13iFRFk6IRArv5UqZFv6kKd3FVMMm1Lk1_irhmN968RfZRn-kGPHG1rfGkoT2FCVPQI9xDU1hLeMhg4/s1600/shell+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF7wKbAFmn04zoRjPeH6epFdDPBFHayOy9L8iE_zbQNlovUJ36Or5wsWRmhje13iFRFk6IRArv5UqZFv6kKd3FVMMm1Lk1_irhmN968RfZRn-kGPHG1rfGkoT2FCVPQI9xDU1hLeMhg4/s400/shell+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The color palette that evokes things we associate with the beach and the sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each of the elements seem to have an aged, weathered quality.  The table looks like an antique.  The mirror might be new but it has an aged surface.  The lamp--not sure if it's ceramic or metal--also has a patina.  The large bowl seems slightly off kilter and has a finish that looks dull.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN-DCGMwDJcO4Ri-Fq6eaA4y8PSe_f41VGRcvpK2h_irU2odMIipL3cs9coBrBknnV1Zt_cjMekECbPBP4Sx2CeKb0i8NOCvlfRC3p-U4-cHjlLcp2Gm-By9r7mxZ_gAxNDh0EjsnlX8/s1600/porthold+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN-DCGMwDJcO4Ri-Fq6eaA4y8PSe_f41VGRcvpK2h_irU2odMIipL3cs9coBrBknnV1Zt_cjMekECbPBP4Sx2CeKb0i8NOCvlfRC3p-U4-cHjlLcp2Gm-By9r7mxZ_gAxNDh0EjsnlX8/s640/porthold+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking at the individual elements, let's start with the mirror that's like a porthole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeYfV6EOSFyiZYGU9xnCo8prZw9Ddu2_RcVBtrUOq8p19yEh9q0wUSsSREFFVQwQrXL90cnJcMkalxHamqjGhE2n5xojW7q-NFmGO1DnLPVJ9CGGRSPyadICUKILgPwSsHK9v9DaO1Rw/s1600/seaweed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeYfV6EOSFyiZYGU9xnCo8prZw9Ddu2_RcVBtrUOq8p19yEh9q0wUSsSREFFVQwQrXL90cnJcMkalxHamqjGhE2n5xojW7q-NFmGO1DnLPVJ9CGGRSPyadICUKILgPwSsHK9v9DaO1Rw/s640/seaweed2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The large bowl of whatever--it almost doesn't matter what it is--feels like a sea anemone or seaweed swaying in the current.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiXoJO18F_CF1l6TsvhTJJkPvrdooSPT2NV5fIzhGmATauZgy5KJPXZZCkqMvb1FJNyMMun6NGZzj3gOqT2UJ77A9UaghKEdSnqc9Xztdz6L_glPF3vrGi90uGfk0hN20wDcypAS9x38/s1600/rope+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiXoJO18F_CF1l6TsvhTJJkPvrdooSPT2NV5fIzhGmATauZgy5KJPXZZCkqMvb1FJNyMMun6NGZzj3gOqT2UJ77A9UaghKEdSnqc9Xztdz6L_glPF3vrGi90uGfk0hN20wDcypAS9x38/s640/rope+collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the cloche there appears to be weathered rope that has strong nautical associations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc8nYyZcEajK2FWPLePgvlkhvbxb3J9EvrP4wNn5uYAORw80pvklUn3QAtJlOt24HEnlsfdbQtDQ9ksm6Fu3JPQPFVd2i2GtRFsTVO9px9yEy1NOntgqXFGQ03TLa7kAToNcgpI0S0LQ/s1600/lamp+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc8nYyZcEajK2FWPLePgvlkhvbxb3J9EvrP4wNn5uYAORw80pvklUn3QAtJlOt24HEnlsfdbQtDQ9ksm6Fu3JPQPFVd2i2GtRFsTVO9px9yEy1NOntgqXFGQ03TLa7kAToNcgpI0S0LQ/s640/lamp+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the lamp I see a Viking's helmet.  But I also see wind-filled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sails reaching up to a mast out of view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And how perfect is the wicker steamer truck that lists to one side like a ship in the swells of a stormy sea?  We know this piece has a history.  A new wicker chest just would have the same feel, the same language.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aDC0zu9FPJQdw14aWea7ubqfALOpHMHoQrBdCskhw47ntTxRcDX8cpXEXFFRC3DW6ijea5M3aW4KCUpP5O0ZTLu7HgrXnSh9Ow1IBkfhieSh5qCzzqsANfp1xytccPau-3P4vF_55k/s1600/tele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aDC0zu9FPJQdw14aWea7ubqfALOpHMHoQrBdCskhw47ntTxRcDX8cpXEXFFRC3DW6ijea5M3aW4KCUpP5O0ZTLu7HgrXnSh9Ow1IBkfhieSh5qCzzqsANfp1xytccPau-3P4vF_55k/s1600/tele.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not sure what's in the black case or tray sitting on the table but I think an antique telescope would be the perfect choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXbnzN6WhOJhk9j0jxJ6V2ABE9kMfSztHrnDL8dTYyWRYEK8Ewy4O3fFhbtXY1o715ETZazgueLutvyzxXOOiMS68P5HqOXxYY_ob42NtQjjaq6-kQCaHCULqO8MeYQgfT6fq75irtE/s1600/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXbnzN6WhOJhk9j0jxJ6V2ABE9kMfSztHrnDL8dTYyWRYEK8Ewy4O3fFhbtXY1o715ETZazgueLutvyzxXOOiMS68P5HqOXxYY_ob42NtQjjaq6-kQCaHCULqO8MeYQgfT6fq75irtE/s640/gambrel_sixswans_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Careful thought went in to each of these elements and I think they're all perfect.  But I don't think it's necessary to construct a vignette using elements that fit the same theme or share a similar language.  Some of the connections may be purely personal but that's when things like shape, color, balance and texture become even more important.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To get Camille's view on these things, head over and <a href="http://thevintiqueobject.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-room-with-two-views.html">read her post</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To see more of this amazing house, go <a href="http://www.srgambrel.com/portfolio/country/six-swans/">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

A Room with Two Views

Design:  Steven Gambrel Photo:  Eric Piasecki I love a good vignette and this room in a home designed by Steven Gambrel  is a really good on...

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Paperwhites and Gin Experiment

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqsqYrSxBDiie9i4Y2riWRhKElNKSUX9sz-rYCHqStNZtoeUe7CPwotlXOZBgZBtG9vfgdv7rZKwJbrKOSIC_4HVWpwjNSxaVuQ9bMdTtFfVuc4_BKNCymcUlIosOf5Hew2DL_rclht4/s1600/Paper+Whites+with+Gin+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqsqYrSxBDiie9i4Y2riWRhKElNKSUX9sz-rYCHqStNZtoeUe7CPwotlXOZBgZBtG9vfgdv7rZKwJbrKOSIC_4HVWpwjNSxaVuQ9bMdTtFfVuc4_BKNCymcUlIosOf5Hew2DL_rclht4/s640/Paper+Whites+with+Gin+7.jpeg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing pleases me more than to hear from people who read my blog and feel inspired to comment.  I like getting e-mails with questions or people who want to share their experience in renovating an old house.  But I was more than excited to get an e-mail from a follower named Ruth who performed an experiment with paperwhites using gin to keep them from getting too leggy.  The left pot received just water; the pot on the right got an application of gin as described in the <a href="http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2011-01/home/marys-farm-paperwhites">Yankee magazine article</a>.  As you can see, the right pot is nice and compact while in full boom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As impressed as I am with the paperwhite experiment, can we just talk about this vignette?  As eager as I was to see the result of Ruth's experiment, my attention was almost immediately drawn away to the composition of this grouping.  I love how the textures of paperwhites, the fossil and the animal print book (<u>I Married Adventur</u>e by Osa Johnson) all work beautifully together.  The small frame and what I would guess is an antique compass complement the theme.  And how perfect is the grasscloth?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to thank Ruth for sending the photo and for agreeing to share it with everyone!</div></div>

Paperwhites and Gin Experiment

Nothing pleases me more than to hear from people who read my blog and feel inspired to comment.  I like getting e-mails with questions or pe...

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Narrow Ledge Vignette

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0U-sCWZP5gPwO_9SbKPrC53DEMfnDPofG7i3VJLjFjq4Le0M3UwlckzeLRe8sh2PGDknx1IhyD0wrNvQchZqyY9lMWeu54U97kQpYlXf_yu3-DVF0eIx-LywEbP0nNtF0hXHziNLCXE/s1600/P1010418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0U-sCWZP5gPwO_9SbKPrC53DEMfnDPofG7i3VJLjFjq4Le0M3UwlckzeLRe8sh2PGDknx1IhyD0wrNvQchZqyY9lMWeu54U97kQpYlXf_yu3-DVF0eIx-LywEbP0nNtF0hXHziNLCXE/s640/P1010418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After my Vignettes 101 post, a few of you left comments that you have really narrow ledges on mantels and have a really difficult time time getting them to look good.  When I was planting my first of three Amaryllis bulbs, I had an idea for a woodland inspired vignette that I thought would work on a narrow ledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the items on my dining room table.  The amaryllis is planted in the brown crock topped with moss.  There are several little zinc pots that I purchased from <a href="http://www.whiteflowerfarmhouse.com/">Whiteflower Farmhouse</a> with a little moss tucked in each one.  I took a few clippings off a Boston fern that's still sitting out on my back porch and added those to a few of the zinc pots.  It's finished off with a few vintage antler sheds and a sprinkling of  Japanese maple leaves for a little contrast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzlmZiS2CqEIdFdANSOwfcpL26j9UO_J05IPMLsQzofDVaJaBXs9jJt0wtk0yBu1UL2CSdaXUoQSA3ZEsxWXRZls9RTyvRwCSEycrb_8kPnTeIjmVcPVrEfJlcpKa_A04wvsxyIPAIqk/s1600/amaryllis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzlmZiS2CqEIdFdANSOwfcpL26j9UO_J05IPMLsQzofDVaJaBXs9jJt0wtk0yBu1UL2CSdaXUoQSA3ZEsxWXRZls9RTyvRwCSEycrb_8kPnTeIjmVcPVrEfJlcpKa_A04wvsxyIPAIqk/s400/amaryllis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the way, these two amaryllis are named "Lima" on "La Paz" and they're available at <a href="http://www.shopterrain.com/product/bulb-amaryllis-la-paz">Terrain</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRDjnju6_r_gVD8Phh5eYqnlffpPTVeqVcCrsdpemVJttW-XiaAtZX6oHT_FZ_m6Up0j1ciFeOAQywTxQN-AdStMaXU7LSoeWorEp1ExRM-5oaaRtWtQqFVotb0MuGlTpc9PCXdd_qsw/s1600/P1010427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRDjnju6_r_gVD8Phh5eYqnlffpPTVeqVcCrsdpemVJttW-XiaAtZX6oHT_FZ_m6Up0j1ciFeOAQywTxQN-AdStMaXU7LSoeWorEp1ExRM-5oaaRtWtQqFVotb0MuGlTpc9PCXdd_qsw/s640/P1010427.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here it is set up on a six-and-a-half-inch ledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ended up adding an even larger brass pitcher in the middle so I had more variety in the size of the elements.  I like how the color of the tarnished brass works with the frame and the antlers.  Even though everything is pretty much lined up in a row having the framed piece behind and the antlers tucked in gives a layered look.  I like mantel vignettes that are unsymmetrical but balanced and think this would look great on mantel for the holidays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't have zinc pots?  Perhaps a few little terra cotta pots spray painted with a metallic finish.  No antlers?  Maybe you could get a few tender branches to weave in and out.  Red dogwood branches would be beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope this gives you some inspiration for your narrow ledges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be back soon with a Thanksgiving post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>

Narrow Ledge Vignette

After my Vignettes 101 post, a few of you left comments that you have really narrow ledges on mantels and have a really difficult time time ...

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Vignettes 101

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OzZyltlKOw2v2w3L8Dp2GLJ9wUtFfLAaoQU9t0m79cvimokFvSkqy7guW3TjMAZry1ZA4kJlzHTWjOVGjG0KU0GIXYs_HA4ZTI8bqwuD7iYqcT7eoN9gKRhhwWTwlKmyWk8dkRn_jEs/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OzZyltlKOw2v2w3L8Dp2GLJ9wUtFfLAaoQU9t0m79cvimokFvSkqy7guW3TjMAZry1ZA4kJlzHTWjOVGjG0KU0GIXYs_HA4ZTI8bqwuD7iYqcT7eoN9gKRhhwWTwlKmyWk8dkRn_jEs/s640/IMG_1249.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've seen this photo of my sea-inspired vignette all over Pinterest so I have to assume that there are at least a few people that connected with it.  So I thought I would talk a little about it and hope it helps shape your ability to critique your own vignettes, compositions, arrangements--whatever you want to call them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't claim to be any kind of expert on the subject but I have developed some clear ideas and I've gotten a lot of positive feedback; in fact, to quote one of my design (and comedy) gurus <a href="http://designindulgence.blogspot.com/">Sherry Hart</a>,"Dude, what are you, the vignette angel?" I take that as a huge compliment coming from this pro.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQW6u1IZknsIU9hJTfjlfjPL8OrmOvTUN4LGd9Gol8CvzJN6NfXzj3rlKDp1kSg6olHq3r5BG_GkG3UlABsCusKS9c6KPLojA1ioyg2EIE-BNe7pv-g38shkRk41nyJJctu5J8eXp-Mk/s1600/tumblr_lhdjy8uDzs1qei7a7o1_400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQW6u1IZknsIU9hJTfjlfjPL8OrmOvTUN4LGd9Gol8CvzJN6NfXzj3rlKDp1kSg6olHq3r5BG_GkG3UlABsCusKS9c6KPLojA1ioyg2EIE-BNe7pv-g38shkRk41nyJJctu5J8eXp-Mk/s400/tumblr_lhdjy8uDzs1qei7a7o1_400.jpeg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com/post/3580570726">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to--well, okay, I have a <i>need</i> to--analyze these compositions.  Sometimes I can make sense of everything and sometimes I can't.   I also like to name them.  If they're easy to name, they're usually well done.  I know, it's crazy; but I'll get to that in another post.  Sometimes I just can't figure out why I'm attracted to them or why they work.  I guess these are the abstract paintings.  I</div> don't know why I like them, I just do.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70dmG10jHDfDZyd2nxxQ5lw4lWG3rx6LrgF62fU28ps_lpRzRssdZ_V4kq9mq4MbDoSNYUUbGK_kqWPLDOkXTB7a5PnMG1Xcn7klTLbwPZnXt3EXDsbn7Bh9vOGRlMxB6HXpJ8Qqwbuo/s1600/camel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70dmG10jHDfDZyd2nxxQ5lw4lWG3rx6LrgF62fU28ps_lpRzRssdZ_V4kq9mq4MbDoSNYUUbGK_kqWPLDOkXTB7a5PnMG1Xcn7klTLbwPZnXt3EXDsbn7Bh9vOGRlMxB6HXpJ8Qqwbuo/s400/camel.jpeg" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The simplest way to create a successful vignette is using a theme.  Here's another vignette inspired by the sea that I really like.  Everything in it belongs.  The pieces all speak the same language.  They tell a story. The rope, the whaling scene...is that a blow fish in the front?  The book could be a ship's manifest.  Even the beaten up dark wood table seems perfect.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would imagine this vignette started with the engraving of a whaling scene.  It just takes being inspired by something.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKwJXIy1igBnsLQF0weX4nNohYOEdZGnUGkeBchyLFxN5lOII_qrCpnBCZkWqbrcNe2yYbG5RNfrtBfYlMxMYistx4mECgJdx38aOj8jT9SHrBs2vnQF6rh9io6f-Jxf1LWZmvoMfjs/s1600/IMG_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMKwJXIy1igBnsLQF0weX4nNohYOEdZGnUGkeBchyLFxN5lOII_qrCpnBCZkWqbrcNe2yYbG5RNfrtBfYlMxMYistx4mECgJdx38aOj8jT9SHrBs2vnQF6rh9io6f-Jxf1LWZmvoMfjs/s400/IMG_1250.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inspiration for my vignette came from a rather unusual place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMxz6ap3-Efam_Kc_Kl4PYDWwO60-O9p69Z9bPTzt8U3U_nFKPiqCOZ2Qn0qaAxlbPyeq2rAk9SJBYM9y9YUBF3keyXM3BMRVuNDMXaTJFam07lSOrvi44oIW6SJmFBLDwm3aY-4HUrs/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMxz6ap3-Efam_Kc_Kl4PYDWwO60-O9p69Z9bPTzt8U3U_nFKPiqCOZ2Qn0qaAxlbPyeq2rAk9SJBYM9y9YUBF3keyXM3BMRVuNDMXaTJFam07lSOrvi44oIW6SJmFBLDwm3aY-4HUrs/s400/IMG_1253.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The legs of the little table I set up.  After looking at the beautiful turnings for a while, I was getting the vibe of...</div><br /><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlTPS65DgxuOSWPrGqb0H1JiprbhasBZ4BVMTghIEDYMkuYR4OjDuaa3q2DQ8AUiaw_vgVtuuX4I9o8NH-EBp7fb4Wpo7Y36T7hpMvK4RLMrnNJ63VuVChT0RvJtVdM-FRZz0p_j3z54/s1600/ShipWheel108.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlTPS65DgxuOSWPrGqb0H1JiprbhasBZ4BVMTghIEDYMkuYR4OjDuaa3q2DQ8AUiaw_vgVtuuX4I9o8NH-EBp7fb4Wpo7Y36T7hpMvK4RLMrnNJ63VuVChT0RvJtVdM-FRZz0p_j3z54/s1600/ShipWheel108.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...a ship's wheel.  So I used that "language" that the legs were speaking to me as my inspiration and started to pull things together that spoke that same language.</div><br /><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSroBPDFH8uhKL96ZAcaMlsZF1ZPrkwlylymE-_7YHHWSVr8owANTq2hAuZCSKKQ3h-690mz9A0X0TKFJOz8lZ65gZywbD_l0UDd2MsdcJEA7V2yGErxFSQZUeicLNJDmD_7A2eUcdpHA/s1600/IMG_1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSroBPDFH8uhKL96ZAcaMlsZF1ZPrkwlylymE-_7YHHWSVr8owANTq2hAuZCSKKQ3h-690mz9A0X0TKFJOz8lZ65gZywbD_l0UDd2MsdcJEA7V2yGErxFSQZUeicLNJDmD_7A2eUcdpHA/s640/IMG_1251.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The frame I used for the table top was lined with paper that had a watery color palette.  I also thought the pattern was reminiscent of waves without being too literal.  So this became my "sea."</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBcC-Tn8TGOv0V46R3bAMCyRD1bbpkGtZS71TLmnJdz4HLT9vYPxiSv26Y2acGFQKAbmc3KH-Ms425wYVsT9OzsEbD2bUXi45o0e0mR52FOXM5FqpVJw5SF4_n7-PUiSQN1wxPrYvh6E/s1600/IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBcC-Tn8TGOv0V46R3bAMCyRD1bbpkGtZS71TLmnJdz4HLT9vYPxiSv26Y2acGFQKAbmc3KH-Ms425wYVsT9OzsEbD2bUXi45o0e0mR52FOXM5FqpVJw5SF4_n7-PUiSQN1wxPrYvh6E/s640/IMG_1244.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then I scoured the house--the prop supply in my basement--for items that fit.  Most are obvious.  The pond boat, the coral, the tortoise shell (which is gessoed and painted).  The bottles (although handmade) are something that might have been thrown into the ocean and a coral grew atop.  The old Chinese bowl perhaps something from an China Trade shipwreck.  I'm not sure a new Chinese bowl would work.  It speaks a different language.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I needed the coral to sit higher just for a variety of heights so I used some old books to raise it up.  I've seen some people criticize the use of books as platforms for other objects but I think these old books fit the story.  They could be old passenger lists or ship's manifests.</div><br /><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX5y-ANM8aawmB77Bn82WLwjoY38rZpCROg9j9xSyfXNI3geBp_ouAfLtJt0ZKw-Sz2I-W_oh74hw0-AIAOeXpTmfLmb81xI7SoUXOVirG8MvN4Y724hgaaIUyqEfWm14HtrkqfmLrNs/s1600/IMG_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX5y-ANM8aawmB77Bn82WLwjoY38rZpCROg9j9xSyfXNI3geBp_ouAfLtJt0ZKw-Sz2I-W_oh74hw0-AIAOeXpTmfLmb81xI7SoUXOVirG8MvN4Y724hgaaIUyqEfWm14HtrkqfmLrNs/s640/IMG_1243.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The modern artwork, at least in my mind, fit the story. The collage, by Marblehead artist Bernd Haussmann, could be an abstracted seascape.  I upper beige field has the same color and texture as the sails in the boat.  There's angular line in that color field that also repeats the shape of a sail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some other things I like to take into consideration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVf2IzkPFeY2n1w4d0wCKZQ8c-rQ46cRwj_HaL3xTt7S0GFvJc32Hz_wY1YgZkAtlTaE9LRguK62E-kVFwx7JU4ICQc8dZ51ZshHpxjlSx6s1VmrS8uO3-z0fDd9khcD1U_oUR3xfn3c/s1600/IMG_1243+shapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVf2IzkPFeY2n1w4d0wCKZQ8c-rQ46cRwj_HaL3xTt7S0GFvJc32Hz_wY1YgZkAtlTaE9LRguK62E-kVFwx7JU4ICQc8dZ51ZshHpxjlSx6s1VmrS8uO3-z0fDd9khcD1U_oUR3xfn3c/s400/IMG_1243+shapes.JPG" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Size of the shapes.  Notice how there's variety in the size of the shapes.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixALC_H-OPkdGa6OqHbmM6TSfsTvd41aw7TxckNPyMGDp3XIZOkfmaHTrzcDr4glMsGoauUZlqi_lIGzry1Jgm5KvdkGKSx99h7zDoazY8PilaHe6lnWmJMK4a2MCj5G2FJQ5sgRLnvcc/s1600/IMG_1243+lines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixALC_H-OPkdGa6OqHbmM6TSfsTvd41aw7TxckNPyMGDp3XIZOkfmaHTrzcDr4glMsGoauUZlqi_lIGzry1Jgm5KvdkGKSx99h7zDoazY8PilaHe6lnWmJMK4a2MCj5G2FJQ5sgRLnvcc/s640/IMG_1243+lines.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dominance.  I think a dominance of one quality over another is important.  In this vignette, there are more straight lines than curved lines.  There's also a dominance of hard surface over soft surface (the sails).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7hwEcr8LFqhj069Ej379US_hfWAZxuC__nTa7XXPRorEM92ZdW27Qd-GXKAQmCHfS2t49_XnArgVCorRgiDZ-rYeMwCin9xlvsNWIHadhTvWC3y3EGa8hh0V7HlsyiaH3NWeygbVPKw/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7hwEcr8LFqhj069Ej379US_hfWAZxuC__nTa7XXPRorEM92ZdW27Qd-GXKAQmCHfS2t49_XnArgVCorRgiDZ-rYeMwCin9xlvsNWIHadhTvWC3y3EGa8hh0V7HlsyiaH3NWeygbVPKw/s640/IMG_1249.jpg" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So let's just recap a few things that I consider when putting a vignette together: </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Inspiration or idea, theme or story.</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do the objects fit the story.</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Variety of shape sizes</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dominance of one or more aspect</div></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next time I'd like to take a look at some vignettes using some of these criteria and see how they stack up.</div></div>

Vignettes 101

I've seen this photo of my sea-inspired vignette all over Pinterest so I have to assume that there are at least a few people that connec...

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Middle Bedroom, Before and After

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8ifDC6OHpCyJ8XjBSKWOZjm_CLITRBpzJY6XCeQ64gh6K3op2gmAnOdvQS2i9e9LjAEvLXJHBjKFSwlyNt2ip9HQvKFmexJ1P71C3_0Z2RBYfLRHZ36VFmdiCd8zUSAjHAZM4Yh0O6A/s1600/P1010050_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8ifDC6OHpCyJ8XjBSKWOZjm_CLITRBpzJY6XCeQ64gh6K3op2gmAnOdvQS2i9e9LjAEvLXJHBjKFSwlyNt2ip9HQvKFmexJ1P71C3_0Z2RBYfLRHZ36VFmdiCd8zUSAjHAZM4Yh0O6A/s400/P1010050_2.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm having a tough time coming up with a good way to demonstrate my shutter speed post so I thought I would show you the middle bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The motivation for sprucing up the middle bedroom was, as you now know, the photo shoot.  Even though BH&G told me this room wasn't in the shot list, the openness of the upstairs made it quite possible it would end up in a portion of a shot.  Aside from the kitchen, whose makeover I showed you a few weeks ago, this was the other room that wasn't quite ready for prime time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3CY5Ud8M-OtRL3xXZDCiVJWjPCjSMuCLyDYhSZ5u1cbNhEA05KPt1cWU5z73x9VSoKwZLfDL7XTzBTSD2jasUsc1YQmyB_p3ah55eRLMMeDEVvn7_YHS37Nu7YU2Wp1wNo-Ew0-RkzQ/s1600/Picnik+collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3CY5Ud8M-OtRL3xXZDCiVJWjPCjSMuCLyDYhSZ5u1cbNhEA05KPt1cWU5z73x9VSoKwZLfDL7XTzBTSD2jasUsc1YQmyB_p3ah55eRLMMeDEVvn7_YHS37Nu7YU2Wp1wNo-Ew0-RkzQ/s400/Picnik+collage1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This shows the room's evolution.  Above is the room when I bought the house.   This was the only room that didn't have wallpaper.  I painted it Benjamin Moore Bali which I thought was a nice vintage/beach glass color.  I've tried unsuccessfully a few times to bring "sea" colors into the house.  They just don't fit and I can't explain why.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMWaX8f1dTjobH-qA2l16B9yEYhARKv7W8G8_NxoQn3xBiPNt_MMMqF8Ss1sm2hP5fP3K1Kdj8wwMnVA9Shg3Do6bB3EK19UNLdLmGnvnpwPf8ZnlOZVEQNz58HLPr7lhXFxw_66x56U/s1600/Picnik+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMWaX8f1dTjobH-qA2l16B9yEYhARKv7W8G8_NxoQn3xBiPNt_MMMqF8Ss1sm2hP5fP3K1Kdj8wwMnVA9Shg3Do6bB3EK19UNLdLmGnvnpwPf8ZnlOZVEQNz58HLPr7lhXFxw_66x56U/s400/Picnik+collage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I initially set up the room as a "studio" where I was going to work on my artwork but, after three years of never working on a piece of art, the large desk was becoming a dumping ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbRy0Nxf1S_w8LrxDEDgaQ0OiK8e13GAoR2LqSiQQg7yitD5bes6TlbNTWdcqIQxty-FsCOePNrHw8G5390RETRCTWzlGrVSE6EQjcQzcseBElG2u2zL146kpiS8HfoRpEPe-axKVB1w/s1600/IMG_0958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbRy0Nxf1S_w8LrxDEDgaQ0OiK8e13GAoR2LqSiQQg7yitD5bes6TlbNTWdcqIQxty-FsCOePNrHw8G5390RETRCTWzlGrVSE6EQjcQzcseBElG2u2zL146kpiS8HfoRpEPe-axKVB1w/s400/IMG_0958.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got rid of the large desk and replaced it with this antique spool bed that I stained dark brown using gel stain.  I built a platform inside the frame so it needed only a mattress to become a daybed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt6O1DX0cWX_v7v-ZED0cIdb1yjEt0WvkermFsmi3_DmNyhSGIV7cuEzSC0THh7VKcyU9n6GDHydsgLBBp3tEZyKekYezNZ5VF-BHlFJ71x6hYCg1i8kdI59nG_3l2JJ4Y1KIbU6r7cg/s1600/P1010016_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt6O1DX0cWX_v7v-ZED0cIdb1yjEt0WvkermFsmi3_DmNyhSGIV7cuEzSC0THh7VKcyU9n6GDHydsgLBBp3tEZyKekYezNZ5VF-BHlFJ71x6hYCg1i8kdI59nG_3l2JJ4Y1KIbU6r7cg/s400/P1010016_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the room today.  I've repainted the walls in Benjamin Moore White River at 50% strength.  My paint colors keep getting lighter and lighter and I'll probably navigate to Decorator's White next time around so the woodwork can be darker which has more of a historical look.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSd58-uQebG_ZVJI5GENUkyf_hDGunq_VPiFqgMdivzKBBe9NiyQ7evA3yDNwOSduePV0DuuwsiPwzq_3HrVm8aLO6UlkPrirqo1jjNqOVSOldPqePNrqTk9dAeRewUbXMLOyxH5LzI8/s1600/P1010018_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSd58-uQebG_ZVJI5GENUkyf_hDGunq_VPiFqgMdivzKBBe9NiyQ7evA3yDNwOSduePV0DuuwsiPwzq_3HrVm8aLO6UlkPrirqo1jjNqOVSOldPqePNrqTk9dAeRewUbXMLOyxH5LzI8/s640/P1010018_2.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rug is too small but I love the colors.  I've tried a few different Dash & Albert rugs that just didn't look right.  Too new looking I think.  The antique Bar Harbor wicker chair came from York Antiques in Maine.  I would have preferred an upholstered chair but with limited time and funds before the photo shoot, I thought this was good versatile chair that would work as an accessory in almost any room.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqXe47SyXtDW3lG7Lf_WdaC9hL5F0_bAvQpAJjIc5iAsyfCScFmqsluGfAquCyNSzTU_ieo9iVdxS2hHI0kV33HPHYLADxFaOAqLTqhj1Vl_FS5CD1kO0pqV3-ohTKzOW9Xnh8mZ8e-A/s1600/P1010101_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqXe47SyXtDW3lG7Lf_WdaC9hL5F0_bAvQpAJjIc5iAsyfCScFmqsluGfAquCyNSzTU_ieo9iVdxS2hHI0kV33HPHYLADxFaOAqLTqhj1Vl_FS5CD1kO0pqV3-ohTKzOW9Xnh8mZ8e-A/s400/P1010101_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The paint on the chair is the original paint which is bluish-greenish gray.  The cushion is covered in a vintage ticking from <a href="http://www.textiletrunk.com/">Wendy Lewis</a>.  I love all the colors with the rug.  Now if I can only find a larger one in the same colors.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXuh4WcXm6FdugSR4_UvxKao6tQ_w2F7oJ_gSZ7RzeSFLOUCRf4m8ptp8JESJpALtkmvfR74e7SlPW-Vqu-Quac1aUZVJF5xZruoKsh-GzqzJ5Jmxd1AYy8sxNNG_yd1X09yydIsdXX0/s1600/P1010020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXuh4WcXm6FdugSR4_UvxKao6tQ_w2F7oJ_gSZ7RzeSFLOUCRf4m8ptp8JESJpALtkmvfR74e7SlPW-Vqu-Quac1aUZVJF5xZruoKsh-GzqzJ5Jmxd1AYy8sxNNG_yd1X09yydIsdXX0/s640/P1010020.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bedding.  The matelasse coverlet I got from Antiques on 9 in Kennebunk for 70% off...the best deal of my life. The pillows from back to front are:  A vintage linen pillow case from Wendy Lewis.  The Euro-sized floral pillow shams are Ralph Lauren.  The blue ticking pillow shams and red ticking are also textiles from <a href="http://www.textiletrunk.com/">Wendy Lewis</a>.  The bolsters are an oatmeal colored Ralph Lauren linen I bought on ebay for $20 which is trimmed in an old linen shirt from my closet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above the bed is the vintage cow print/chart that was formerly in the kitchen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many thanks to <a href="http://lamaisonlafortune.blogspot.com/">Ann LaFortune</a> for making the shams and the bolsters for me.  I sent Ann a bunch of fabric and she helped me figure out what to use where.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuWvA6ZAReVdeTVnzeDONdCAYngC5bJms2fhpCK8NyRJiY-yKfvm10DaKXcqrq6JMvKliV14v3CVDP1_rhw3gNMWTVHTbepr_K4Pl3y2-vBZ2nkGteVfedbD76iM6Mofjo7nkWdbNm0/s1600/P1010103_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuWvA6ZAReVdeTVnzeDONdCAYngC5bJms2fhpCK8NyRJiY-yKfvm10DaKXcqrq6JMvKliV14v3CVDP1_rhw3gNMWTVHTbepr_K4Pl3y2-vBZ2nkGteVfedbD76iM6Mofjo7nkWdbNm0/s640/P1010103_2.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back of the blue shams are done in the same oatmeal linen as the bolsters with a flap of oatmeal and brown windowpane plaid linen making them completely reversible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKC-xaj1AtUbHPfWqdsco4uX2XgN1pfWKNy8W-XFhA-isgzRUfoPGqV9U3KvDZfNhYsCDS_iZOvqvSqQJbxkM0wJYVc1vg9z2AZhmoxOpx6st792B3y9LK9PvJLAwWUgLwbVkjw5Zgng/s1600/il_fullxfull.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKC-xaj1AtUbHPfWqdsco4uX2XgN1pfWKNy8W-XFhA-isgzRUfoPGqV9U3KvDZfNhYsCDS_iZOvqvSqQJbxkM0wJYVc1vg9z2AZhmoxOpx6st792B3y9LK9PvJLAwWUgLwbVkjw5Zgng/s400/il_fullxfull.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also bought these cool pillow covers made from vintage material from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaFortuneLinens?ref=seller_info">Ann's etsy shop</a> that work really well in the dining room.  Be sure to check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaFortuneLinens?ref=seller_info">Ann's shop</a>.  Her prices are really fair and she also does custom work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N8s-0ZdyTqFYL_ynHMDEUGlw9Wa8k60YL-4tVQbBpGA3JzDu1R5X1qUS71H2ilySoafid3S3cjrl2UYOQKfAS8jCWbAIu3-LNkEhKy6oJ95cxLVyvZejRML8KRZ2BAt_mrwvH15TTww/s1600/P1010059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N8s-0ZdyTqFYL_ynHMDEUGlw9Wa8k60YL-4tVQbBpGA3JzDu1R5X1qUS71H2ilySoafid3S3cjrl2UYOQKfAS8jCWbAIu3-LNkEhKy6oJ95cxLVyvZejRML8KRZ2BAt_mrwvH15TTww/s400/P1010059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would have preferred to have a small chest rather than the small table under the painting.  I feel there are too many spindly legs in the room and a chest would allow the spindles on the bed to be the star in the room.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmp6lAe-a__ulleifPQ942CbARzkzgg8Y07MeCWQxj4Fi_ppQLxRaASKX2jPO5EkIlgb_CDjVf15maW3PsU2ql83hO_CFNDqDPEgyJBXZL6VhZEwbr5l1cf2rwmJr_Ul8mvp0qIxyNoE/s1600/P1010063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmp6lAe-a__ulleifPQ942CbARzkzgg8Y07MeCWQxj4Fi_ppQLxRaASKX2jPO5EkIlgb_CDjVf15maW3PsU2ql83hO_CFNDqDPEgyJBXZL6VhZEwbr5l1cf2rwmJr_Ul8mvp0qIxyNoE/s640/P1010063.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The table was $27 at the Cambridge Antiques Market.  I've used an old square English fishing basket underneath to fill some of that space and disguise some of those spindles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The small green cabinet in the corner houses a lot of electronics for the house:  modems, wireless routers, phone, etc. and a small TV that would allow a guest to hang out and watch their own TV if they wanted to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mEj4FVC6rFrSTk9SxCzgIlb0gNJkH0YAfPQcn7NT1bMv6o193joC2DNaDS_EUagw9I2Vj1ZccZ_V0IY5vxfmqvfc4q7plsxPdgczpHRAkVG_d89E4PfWKX43Vn1BuvCV6xKVUuEBW5I/s1600/P1010030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mEj4FVC6rFrSTk9SxCzgIlb0gNJkH0YAfPQcn7NT1bMv6o193joC2DNaDS_EUagw9I2Vj1ZccZ_V0IY5vxfmqvfc4q7plsxPdgczpHRAkVG_d89E4PfWKX43Vn1BuvCV6xKVUuEBW5I/s400/P1010030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above the TV is a painting that you might think is vintage.  It's actually a new painting by a friend, Katrina Walker, from Provincetown. The painting provides a peek inside the Beachcombers Club, a private men's club of artists and writers that started in 1921.  Katrina found the vintage frame, that fit the painting perfectly, in the trash.  This is a very cherished piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPDdvDZdV7B9n96bC3mkDN2fWOT4AtSoYyEtxjExceFuCWZ8YFLBKalKp6fA7RO3qH1KL_nVDF3ZzmMdgwqTLs0I40ltSXl_CXIp5cK3AhunJ-Z6QDWcZRDT7H8cXd3xt0IXq3Qm3m74/s1600/P1010069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPDdvDZdV7B9n96bC3mkDN2fWOT4AtSoYyEtxjExceFuCWZ8YFLBKalKp6fA7RO3qH1KL_nVDF3ZzmMdgwqTLs0I40ltSXl_CXIp5cK3AhunJ-Z6QDWcZRDT7H8cXd3xt0IXq3Qm3m74/s640/P1010069.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's no hiding that my elliptical machine sits in the corner along with the wrenches pieces I showed in the last post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above the windows, I've kept the original shelves.  Since the windows are really low on the walls, I use the shelves as kind of a valance on which to place an ever-changing collection of things I find interesting at the moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-15C90Dpc6SBKLavPCll5C1fAmJqoU1c_VhXqAohcPS-cKoQRy-KTRq1WLYtbyIwZ7WfjVAsmLxggDh_XKda2wsiTMJGXgvCIRHRLzX475WJQUGj91qr3kqXHvc9U2NxZwpkLgQU8pY/s1600/P1010093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-15C90Dpc6SBKLavPCll5C1fAmJqoU1c_VhXqAohcPS-cKoQRy-KTRq1WLYtbyIwZ7WfjVAsmLxggDh_XKda2wsiTMJGXgvCIRHRLzX475WJQUGj91qr3kqXHvc9U2NxZwpkLgQU8pY/s400/P1010093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a  raku vessel, an art piece made from found objects including an old flag, a shoe last, an abstract bronze sculpture and a shadowbox piece by Provincetown poet/artist <a href="http://www.lynn-stanley.com/index.html">Lynn Stanley</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lFC-gYQfjw80QnyAXqIH6qCqhTkOafuDyh_gSEywpQqomrGZhC2SZrtJN4a006VCsPPG3o3bKx3ykvreiqwY6Y9YFFFfSkTIz29IaguljO0MhRgTiW-cspzHtAesluRkGMk1TFmQ9ZU/s1600/P1010031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lFC-gYQfjw80QnyAXqIH6qCqhTkOafuDyh_gSEywpQqomrGZhC2SZrtJN4a006VCsPPG3o3bKx3ykvreiqwY6Y9YFFFfSkTIz29IaguljO0MhRgTiW-cspzHtAesluRkGMk1TFmQ9ZU/s640/P1010031.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, this is the Great Great Grandpa vignette.  I love to pull these items together to study their relationships.  I'll do another post sometime soon on vignettes so I won't talk a lot about it.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7PhouNlY7v0b1ngw2Rc9MMxJynmT_AdN2Q9cIfeUjjpeeFe9mWjyDIhkJWAU0LCXWYXy1wgwoTOTewBKVEkfJyB01OEE3NKEcIVAwvM-eNANkR0NdX3jdMHjfn2g5o7WzWKNkkE4yc/s1600/Picnik+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7PhouNlY7v0b1ngw2Rc9MMxJynmT_AdN2Q9cIfeUjjpeeFe9mWjyDIhkJWAU0LCXWYXy1wgwoTOTewBKVEkfJyB01OEE3NKEcIVAwvM-eNANkR0NdX3jdMHjfn2g5o7WzWKNkkE4yc/s640/Picnik+collage+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a close up of the details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-l0eMvL6QXDxI2uShGqzBPezh0HjBeB6gmSi9oa3SbDDDmOx7iF-xmzcccfJRt4kAsB6lR5u_GSJHLLKHTIPuwZCAobHn0SJorcUFgdHLn4xaJlZScBphb8UZi0NxkRtyG3T5goBRFA/s1600/P1010071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-l0eMvL6QXDxI2uShGqzBPezh0HjBeB6gmSi9oa3SbDDDmOx7iF-xmzcccfJRt4kAsB6lR5u_GSJHLLKHTIPuwZCAobHn0SJorcUFgdHLn4xaJlZScBphb8UZi0NxkRtyG3T5goBRFA/s640/P1010071.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a quick makeover, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  I'm sure it will continue to evolve.  I was also pleased that the photographer was inspired to take a few photos in this room.  One of his shots was just amazing so I'm hoping to see it again in the book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

Middle Bedroom, Before and After

I'm having a tough time coming up with a good way to demonstrate my shutter speed post so I thought I would show you the middle bedroom....

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