edge-ify me...

Gagnere's Paris Apartment, Elle Decor, April 2010

When my gal at My Favorite and My Best posted this image, I nearly flipped over the black and white striped art piece. Perfection. Simple. Perfection. 

I waited patiently until my Elle Decor arrived about two weeks later, then slept with this page every night. Well, not really, but you get what I mean. That funky piece is just what I need to balance some of my antiques and vintage stuff. To edge-ify my look. 

OK, I'm gonna make one and let's see how it goes....

If you have any tips, let me know.   

45 comments:

charmaine said...

Oooh! yes! Simple but with a big impact. I'm no artist but you can try watercolor painting with spray bottle effects to give you that imperfect stripes. Can't wait to see it!

bluehydrangea said...

Can't wait to see how it turns out!! I want one too..maybe I'll join you and paint one myself!!

Brandi@ Flights of Whimsy said...

Please give us step by step directions for what you do. I'm in love with the artwork too and think it will work in my home for exactly the same reasons. Good luck!

tinajo said...

My only tips is to go with the flow and see where it leads you; it always seem to work in the end. Sometimes it even end up better that you imagined! :-)

Sarah Greenman said...

I'm with Charmaine - use an old brush or a sponge of some sort to create the imperfect edges. That's what really makes that piece of art work. I love it too and can't wait to see how it turns out!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Hello again new friend, I just went back and read every single one of your post! You have great style... this is a secret, I don't like many blogs. shhhhhh But loving yours!

Marija said...

Definitely anxious to see this! I would love to tackle a huge art project but I'm hardly DIY savvy let alond DIY Art talented. Report back! Marija

Kathysue said...

Ooooh! I say go for it!! It looks like a perfect piece to give any room edge. Give me a black and white stripe and I am in heaven!! How fun, can't wait to see it, have a great weekend, Kathysue

Unknown said...

I love edgy! The best thing you can do, I think, is to have a beautiful, structured room, and then throw in some random eclecticism... voila, perfect room!

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

Can't wait to see your creation. I like the inspiration! Simple with big impact.

Unknown said...

You may be making me one too :) xo

Anonymous said...

I love this look too but I am so afraid of color and pattern that I could never pull it off! I love your home and all your vintage accessories so I can't wait to see what you do!
:) sarah

Dumbwit Tellher said...

A girl after my own heart. I do the same thing, & why not. Feels good when someone say, 'fab art' & you say, "I did that"! Can't wait to see you terrific rendition! Have fun being creative & enjoy your weekend. xx deb

Rashon Carraway said...

I certainly enjoy gray...Im going to have a good time reading your blog.

Follower. Yes.

Mr. Goodwill Hunting
http://g-w-hunting.blogspot.com

Rashon Carraway said...

I certainly enjoy gray...Im going to have a good time reading your blog.

Follower. Yes.

Mr. Goodwill Hunting
http://g-w-hunting.blogspot.com

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Wow that's really lovely!

Razmataz said...

I am no artist, although I did do some classes at design school. I think with black and white, I would use oils to give it some depth and texture.

Silvia C said...

Oooh, I would love to see the finished product! Please post it...

Windlost said...

I totally agree - a little contemporary/modern art is just what the doctor ordered for a room with a lot of more traditional elements. Go girl!

xo T.

Doug Davis said...

I like it! I keep meaning to edge-ify my house, I just never quite get there :)

Unknown said...

I know exactly what you mean...for the longest time I wanted to replicate the dots artwork in Jenna Lyons flat, NOW you got me thinking about that again! Good Luck with yours!

Kathy said...

I attempted something similar a couple of years ago. I painted the stripes on the horizontal and let the paint run (just a little) then hung it vertically. It had a very slight wind blown effect to it You could try a color first..let it run a little, then black on top to hide the color..leaving interesting colored runs. Of course..this is way too structured....sometimes it's best to just go for it. Please post the finished product. (even if you don't use it)..it's all fun and a learning experience. K
p.s. love the suzani spread too..

Unknown said...

I love big mirrors. Get lots of those!!

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

I reckon its totally do-able, look forward to seeing the result.

I'm head over heels with that Elle editorial too!

jules

Eighty-Eight Ideas said...

What an amazing play on colors!! This is brilliant!! Love it! Best, Connie

sketch42 said...

I made a faux franz kline for my apt... First I layered TONS of white paint on a canvas. Then I started adding black paint in dashes. AND I have a really good trick for you:

Hang the painting first, then paint it while its on the wall. That way you can step back and see it in its real spot.

Post a pic when you're done!

Mélanie A. said...

Yes I know what you mean !!Love this piece

Holly said...

you go girl... edge it up. can't wait to see the results. BTW, i got the tunic in violet AND orange. was that piggy of me?

Charlotta Ward said...

Hey gorgeous girl!
Yes, I agree on the painting - it is heaven!!
If you use acrylic paint, make sure you get a 'mattifier' (my word..) - a solution you mix with the paint to make it matte.
Also it looks like the stripes may have been applied with a sponge rather than a brush.. The latter might make the edges too straight and neat..

Can't wait to see the result. Good luck!

xx Charlotta

P.s. Have an idea I want to discuss with you. It's very hush hush so I'll revert to email.. Just give me a few days. xx

Greet Lefèvre said...

I wish you good luck!!
Thanks for your comment on my post of today!
xx
Greet

Barbara said...

You're going to MAKE one?? Good heavens..you must be really talented. I love the look, but have a sneaky feeling it wasn't done by a designer. I think it's real ART. (Did the article say?)And that won't be easy to duplicate. Have fun. Let me know what happens.

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

my tip, just go for it... do not think or study what you do to much and the art will be amazing...
as my art theory teacher used to say... know when to stop, if not sure sleep on it and check if you need to do more in the morning...

Love Your Homes said...

Many thanks for your sweet wishes.

You have a great eye for beautiful mixes....and I love gray!

Leslie, Lemon Sweet Life said...

Thats awesome that you are going to make one for yourself!! Are you going to post it when you are done?? I am getting a new house soon and if yours turns out good, maybe I will try it! :) I love your blog btw and am now a happy follower!!!

La Dolfina said...

Fab idea!! Go for it!! Can't wait to see your rendition... I know it will be nothing short of amazing!!
xo

Trouvais said...

I bought a sundress like that last Spring! With grosgrain ties. I find every excuse to leave it hanging outside the closet. Edgy uneven edges. Very cool. XO Trish

Terry Browder, www.saylesranch.com said...

I have just recently discovered your blog and have really enjoyed it. I see a lot of similarities to the piece you have spotted in the photo, and Robert Motherwell's work. He was a noted Abstract Expressionist, and if you look at some of his works, I think you will see some repeated layering and push pull that will give your painting depth. He worked a lot in black and white, and although his imagery was more organic in form, the basic two color/graphic quality is similar. Good luck!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Loooove the fabulous mix of patterns in that space!

erin's art and gardens said...

drink wine. play loud music. prime canvas with thick gesso. let dry. paint black stripes using a VERY old brush. drink more wine.
i like your blog.
erin

red ticking said...

you are soo kind... thank you for your sweet comment today... have a great sunday..xx

i am looking for the perfect gray color in my clients dining room... selecting tomorrow!! really dark gray with metallic silvered ceiling... it will be so pretty... her home is very cool...

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

I am loving that so much! Can't wait to see how yours turns out. I need a little edge too.

Alexandra Rae said...

I think erin said it best. wine and song. I love this post, because just today I was going to tackle my own painting project. But it's cold and rainy in SoCal and I don't like to paint indoors (fumes and kids). However...looks like my husband might be taking them out somewhere as I write this. Yeah!! I (and you) can paint in the kitchen with the exhaust fans going. PAINT in OIL. Also, there are a LOT more colors in there besides black and white. Mix burnt umber into the white, just a tiny. and before you do those black stripes, do an "underpainting" in burnt umber and yellow ochre. Then layer the black over that (see the brownish edges, that's underpainting).

If you have never painted in oil, this is the perfect day to start. Check my blog right now and I'll post the painting I'm going to copy. It's very similar. Well no, it's not. It's Black and White though. And meant to edge-ify my very boring living room. Looking through your post you have so many amazingly inspirational paintings. You should really dive into this. I'll answer any questions I can. I studied fine art and I was raised by a painter. So, while I'm not great or anything, I might be able to give you tips. Thanks for inspiring me ;-) !!

Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

I can't wait to see how it turns out. Great blog!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Yea I like it! Especially mixed with a great mirror like that one in the room. And I know you enjoy your mirrors!

PS- was thinking of you while painting this weekend. My dark gray turned out too blue :( Not the perfect gray yet...

Splendid Willow said...

Yeah, I saw it too! And you know how I love art. Make one! And I will by no. 2 from you!

Love,

Mon