I’m still navigating the balance of this. Over the summer I created these ink blots and ordered frames for them. The wood walls left me a bit perplexed regarding what kind of frame to use. Something that stands out? Something timeless? Something that blends in?
My heart told me to do a wood on wood look it’s a bit interesting and something you see in traditional rooms but isn’t done much today yet my head told me it may not work. I wrestled with the idea for quite some time, going back and forth between light wood and black, and with time ticking I pulled the trigger on the black. It felt safe and like I couldn’t go wrong. It was pretty, but not interesting and even as I was hanging them up I wondered what the light maple would have looked like.
Months have passed now and I still continued to think “what if I had gone with the maple?” Last week I decided to just reach out to Josh at Level Frames and tell him what had been rolling around in my head. Without hesitation he said that they were committed to satisfaction, and he’d be happy to let me try the frames in the maple. Talk about customer service! A few days later the new frames showed up and are exactly what I envisioned. The lighter color allows the art to be the focal point, and I love the mix of the woods. It feels fresh and a bit unexpected but really pretty.
I wanted to share this with you for a few different reasons. First off, I think when you put your life on the internet it’s easy for it to look different than it actually is. I mainly share some of the more beautiful things in my life, and sometimes it might come across in an effortless way. Believe me, every decision, every paint color, every tchotchke is something I’ve likely obsessed over in my brain and/or in real life for an unreasonable amount of time. Second, decorating is a process. You’re not always going to get it right the first time, but you learn. And those setbacks are what make the victories all the more perfect.
I’m still learning how to create a space that brings me and my family the most joy. These frames are such a small detail in this room, but design is in the details. Obsessing over the little things can make a big difference in the outcome of a space, right?
Please tell me I’m not alone. And while I favor the maple frame, do you have a favorite?
Arielle says
You are so not alone. We've been slowly (very slowly) working on our new (to us) home. I tend to go for a more moody, masculine aesthetic, but for some reason I thought our living room should be light and airy and feminine. And honestly, it feels all wrong. I love seeing the look in others' homes, but it's not working in mine. So I've recently started to pull some things out, add some new things in, and hopefully get to a place where it feels right.
Thanks for sharing some of the behind the scenes! It's a nice reminder of the process.
Jenna Pennell says
I like the maple too! However, I wonder what it would have looked like with a wider frame and hung a little higher (so it doesn't seem to compete with that little cut out on the right).
Claire Brody says
I love the maple, Gwen! Decorating is SUCH a process and you are so right – it is made to look so effortless and easy. Maybe it is for some people, but the amount of thought that goes into it is definitely overlooked.
Tricia says
I completely agree with you that the maple frame is a great transition from the black of the ink blot to the wood paneling. But what I really relate to is the thought that goes into putting a room together and making it work in the best possible way. I am known by my family for being a stickler for details. A black frame does not 'break' the room but a maple frame 'makes' the room. That's how I feel about every aspect of a design project. Sometimes it's difficult to know for sure unless you try it out as you did here. A little more look and a lot more thought is worth it in my book.
Tricia says
I thought I proofed my comment but obviously not well enough. The last sentence should say "A little more work.."
Emily Kuhlman says
HUGE difference! Love it.
Stephanie Confer says
I will admit that as I was reading, I wasn't sold on the idea of a maple frame on the wood wall, I thought the black frame looked fine. But, that maple frame looks fantastic! It really does make the art stand out, and it just plain looks better and has more character than the black frame. Decorating is a process and the more work I put into it, the better I feel about our home.
Klever Girl says
I was surprised you brought this out. I wasn't quite liking the black frame all along and now months later you brought up the subject! As a graphic designer, I like to finish a project and then turn the whole thing black and white and study the contrast…for some reason it helps me see the balance of positive and negative space. I tend to do the same with decorating, and in this case, the dark wood and the dark frame were competing too much for my taste. The soft maple is so buttery and delicate against the dark honey that it melts into it leaving the modern art piece to stand out. This works out so much better. Thanks for sharing!
hollarbackhouse.com says
Yes! Totally thankful you spoke about what it takes to pull together a space, and struggling with taking risks. I constantly struggle between the safe option and the risk assosciated with going with what's in my head. I'm so with you about the obsessing part because every detail does make a huge difference in the overall outcome/vibe. The amount of time I spend just sourcing one item is ridiculous. Everything you said I seriously nodded my head to:) I'm so glad I found your blog.And the wood ones look so amazing!
Krystle
Kimberly Duran says
Couldn't agree more that maple was the right choice! I totally agree that it may seem effortless but I too struggle and ponder over every single detail. I love a bold look myself but lately I find myself pulling back in some areas, allowing the most important details to shine. One room I'm struggling with is my dining room as I really would love to soften it without losing the impact it currently has. I think the example of this frame mirrors my thought process – the softer frame really allows the artwork to come forward. Thanks for making me think about this – great post as usual!
Tobe | BIA says
Gosh. I wish I could have written this myself. So so true, and you word it so well. (Also, realizing I have a problem wanting all standout pieces. LOL) It's funny how agonizing over every little thing can be so exhausting, but also so rewarding. You have an incredible eye, m'lady. Love the wood on wood.
sarah m. dorsey says
I definitely agree that designing a house is process. I'm constantly obsessing over every detail and changing my mind – hopefully before too much time/money is spent 🙂
Katie Payne says
It is totally a process. My husband came home the other day to me saying "I messed up" and then went on to tell him about my paint design mistake. He said "It's ok, I messed up at work today too, messing up is part of the gig". He is a lawyer so for whatever reason thinking of him messing up made me feel better. Then of course he came home the next night to announce he actually didn't mess up like he had thought but by then I was over my design mistake and on to the next creative decision.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, that's so nice! Sounds like you've got a good one. 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Katie!
tnic says
Gwen, I was in Washington DC recently, and while at the art museum, I noticed a lot of the rooms had the wood like your house. I felt so warm and comfortable sitting in those rooms, and it made me imagine how warm your wood room is. Like you, I would want to update that though, and I love what you have done. I can't help but to think about those rooms and the gilded frames and depth of the paintings against the wood background. I love your work, but if I were perfectly honest, I wonder if those ink blot pictures would work better in a different room, maybe on a gallery wall with different black and white pictures, or maybe the children's playroom with the bold colors and white. I feel like you need a picture with more presence in this incredible room, even if it isn't a "standout" but blends more with the traditional look. Something more along the lines of the kind of picture you put in your hallway (the really big picture), or even modern but artsy. Hope you don't mind that suggestion. I love how open you are on your blog to your own indecisiveness and that you show your process.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for your thoughts. I understand what you're saying. I have a really amazing piece above the fireplace, an original oil painting with the gilded frame, and I just love it in the space. Because of that I'm not sure how much more the room could handle without feeling old instead of a mix of traditional and modern. It's certainly a work in progress but for now I really love where things are at. I definitely want this blog to be a community open for discussion and love when you leave me comments, it means a lot!
Megan // Honey We're Home says
It's actually very refreshing when you share these types of posts. It reminds me of the one about Xander's crest in his old room. I enjoyed getting to see "inside your head" because you are so talented and creative and it helps me in my own decorating process. It's kinda like teaching by seeing how another person does it and what they go through to come up with the final result. It can be easy to just leave well enough alone, but when it keeps nagging, it's better to make the change! The contrasting woods really do look so good- I never would have enough thought of that!