If I’m going to do the all-white gallery inspired walls, I should go all out with the art, right? I’m doing it. We hammered quite a few nails into walls this weekend. Up first: a quick art swap made all the difference in the dining room. Here’s the newest addition to the townhouse gallery:
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| New dining room art! |
Here’s the painting that was in the dining room before (don’t worry, it now has a better home within the townhouse):
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| The dining room with another painting by Hubby’s grandpa. |
Where did the new painting come from? In the fall, while I was in Budapest, Hubs went to visit some of his family, including his grandpa. (The same grandpa who painted the two abstracts in the living room, the one in the dining room and also two large and two small paintings in the guestroom).
Hubby’s grandpa was unbelievably generous and let Hubby take home another one of his amazing paintings. I hear they had some good chats and really connected, too. I think it’s always nice to visit family solo once in awhile. I visit my family alone sometimes too and, even though Hubby’s been around so long, some of my family is a bit more relaxed when it’s just me and so we get to chat more freely.
Anyway, it’s so exciting for me that Hubby not only had a chance to connect with his grandpa without me making things awkward, but he also got to choose a painting without me chiming in. I can be a bit bossy about anything that comes into the house, so it’s neat that this was all Hubby’s choice. I’m trying to make sure the space stays “ours” and not just my design, and having Hubby’s family’s artwork up definitely helps ensure our space reflects him. Did you know Hubby picks bolder art than I normally do? Hello colour!
Because this painting is special, I wanted it to have a special home. I originally planned to hang it over Hubby’s desk, but it was too big! In the dining room, it clashed a bit with the softer tones in the attached living room, but I decided I didn’t care. It’s too beautiful a painting not to have a place of prominence. The attached living room needs a shot of colour to keep up, but I’m already working on it!
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| The living room is going to be de-mellowed a bit. |
It's gorgeous! What amazing colors and so personal in that it was painted by family! Plus the scale is perfect for the space.
Thanks! I'm pretty excited. I can't stop smiling at it! It was a pretty awesome surprise to come home to. And I agree: the scale is just right. I always thought the other one was a touch too small, but I still liked it there. But this has just the right amount of impact. With little room for furniture other than a table in the dining room, I think the art needs to pack a punch.
Oh my lord – it's stunning!Does your hubby's gradpa sell his work, or does he do it simply for the pleasure of creating?
Hubby's grandpa is a professional artist. His name is Bert Weir (www.bertweir.com).
I love it, especially since it has such a special connection to family for you guys. Absolutely beautiful!
We're so lucky our family is artistic. Both of our grandpas and Moms have given us their artwork. I keep putting crayons in my little cousins' and niece's hands. I want to frame their colourful kid art too!!
oh tanya, it's special AND gorgeous!!!! i love the colors, too- amazing!
Thanks! I'm so honored to have Hubby's grandpa's work in our house. It is something we will always treasure. I am planning on adding more pops of turquoise to the living room, to pull some more of the bright colours from the painting into the attached spaces. Turquoise is my favorite colour, so I'm not complaining!
Looks fantastic! Can't wait to see what gets shaken up in the living room. I usually get my spaces "just so" but then get a wild hair and rearrange all the furniture and art, just for the sake of a shake-up!
I used to be like that! Now I get it just so and find myself increasingly unwilling to change things. My busy mind is at peace when things are just so. I need to be a little more open to change because I end up really liking it!
You guys are so lucky to have so many pieces of Bert Weir's paintings! I love the new painting in your dining room. If you ever consider selling the other one (yellow), please let me know. 🙂
Thanks, I do feel lucky! Unfortunately, we won't ever be selling his work. We plan to will them to our niece and nephew so when we're gone they still stay in the family. But Bert does still sell his work and has many other equally gorgeous pieces. The painting you like is from his work produced in the 1980s.
oh wow it's awesome that a family member painted it and your hubs does have good taste. i am nervous about letting mine pick things out himself for the house still. but yours did a wonderful job. cant wait to see what you do with the living room pops of color!
I'm almost surprised with how good a choice Hubby made!! Although, all of Bert's paintings are fantastic, so I'd probably be gushing over any one.
Wow! How beautiful! I really love the saturated colours- and I'm very much into bright green at the moment. Bert is very talented and you're lucky to be beneficiaries. thanks for the inspiration- I need to work on my 'gallery'.
I just was looking at Bert's site- amazing work! I saw a piece that was painted in Burk's Falls where my sister has a cottage on the river (given how small Burk's Falls is, it's exciting to see any reference to it). Sadly, I see that I missed a fundraiser featuring his work at MacLaren art gallery last Nov- MacLaren is very close to me- however, if it had been an exhibit solely featuring his paintings, I would have been very sorry to have missed it. I would love an opportunity to see a collection of his work.
That's so neat that your sister has a connection to one of Bert's paintings! Small world 🙂 If you're ever near McKellar (Parry Sound area), there's always some of his work on display at the Strawhouse Gallery. He lives next door so you might even meet him! I'm also really loving bright green, emerald green and teal right now, a bit of a deviation from my usual turquoise lust. Having hung this painting up, I'm looking at everything green with new eyes.
I loved visiting your hubby's grandfather's site. He's incredibly talented. How lucky you are to have so many beautiful pieces of art in your home.
Wow, adorable art.Thanks for your blog, it gives me ideas and inspiration.
I love the new painting. I like that it is a type of landscape. 🙂 Great placement.