Decorating using Etsy - mantle art on a budget

12 years ago

I lurked around here for years trying to decorate our mantle. I learned on this forum that we needed to "go big" but a $2,000 oil painting was not to be for us. We're a couple and one of us (not me!) did NOT want a mirror. We turned to Etsy.com and if you have never heard of it, you can thank me now! It's a marketplace for all things handmade. I searched in the search box for "large landscape painting trees" since we agreed that would be what we wanted in our home. Voila! On another post I asked how to use my grandmother's large whiskey jugs in my non-country look home. So the prettiest crock is now on the mantle too.

Go gentle on me, but I would tweak this look and change out the items -- except the painting stays -- if you have some ideas on what would be a more attractive mantle look. Thanks everyone!

Here is a link that might be useful: The artist's store on Etsy

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Comments (12)

wallis104
12 years ago
Hi Sue... I love the painting(s) that you chose. I've used etsy a gazillion times and have many favorites marked there.

Love their handmade jewelry also.

Have you considered adding some color to your walls? From what I can see, you have have really nice furniture and I think all would "pop" if you added some color to your walls.

janice
wallis104
12 years ago
Hi Sue - me again....

I've purchased artwork from Garbiela also and wanted to share it with you but can't figure out how to post a photo. (Dang - I've even read the instructions.)

Anyway - I love her art and found her delightful to work with.
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nhb, thanks, we like the details in this room too. The house was built in the 1920s and the woodwork in this room is mahogany. It's the only room in our house that has such nice trim, though. gwb and sheesh, thanks for noticing my bunny. It's actually a mask that we bought during our recent trip to Italy. The artist's shop was one we went to just because it was in a book we had, not intending to buy "one of those tacky Italian masks" -- LOL -- the masks were amazing! I had to have the bunny. The wire cage thing... I guess you call it a finial? Um, more leftover Christmas decorations -- it had been empty but I was going to fill it with ornaments/balls for Christmas -- didn't have enough to fill it, but then I kinda liked it partway full. And yes, it's almost Feb. and they're still there! I think I'll keep them there. So far the general consensus is to keep the paintings the way they were and keep the candleholder there by itself... at least until I find something better! If I could find some pottery, maybe 3 squatty pots in various sizes that picked up the dark greens and purple tones from that painting, that might make me happy...
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I love original art and have collected a lot over the years. Wall art doesn't have to be expensive, but you are right in that you need to start by narrowing down what you like. For instance do you like framed art behind glass, like water colors, or do you prefer oils or acrylics? Or perhaps you prefer objects like metal wall hangings, ceramics or textiles. I recently saw three inexpensive metal wall hangings clustered together to form one large piece. Beautiful and ridiculously cheap to do. When it comes to framed art work I learned long ago doing it inexpensively works best if you find the frame first and then add the art. A frame can come from anywhere, remove what's in it and add what you like. A good place to get a large attractive frame is Big Lots, or Ikea,especially if you need a mat as well as the frame. Also thrift stores and yard sales. A can of spray paint can make the frame any color you want. When it comes to what to put in it almost anything can become wall art, children's paintings, posters, wall paper, blown up photos, blue prints, maps, fabric. postcards. If you need to fill more space you can make smaller items more important by increasing the size of the mat that surrounds the subject and framing them larger. If there is an art school two find out if they have a students art sale; museum stores often have posters of original art from shows they have curated that unless you are a real art buff you are unlikely to have seen .
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I post accessories because it would matter as to your art.... https://www.etsy.com/listing/915171928/18x18-throw-pillow-cover-thick-linen?click_key=00a9f6202d0d370c94866a7792e57679f5864f1f%3A915171928&click_sum=13fd9e20&ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.etsy.com/listing/877047017/william-morris-throw-pillow-cover-morris?ref=listing_page_ad_row-5&pro=1&frs=1&listing_id=877047017&listing_slug=william-morris-throw-pillow-cover-morris&plkey=2181f9bb37e207d1eaef8b9df895fd763e6e75b4%3A877047017
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User
12 years ago
Looks good. The only thing you might consider is a fp insert. Couldn't resist. ;)
k9arlene
12 years ago
Love the painting and jug. I thnk you need something bolder on the other side of the mantle. It looks too unbalanced now. I agree about adding some color to at least the fireplace wall.
sue_b
Original Author
12 years ago
Javachik....tee hee!
artydecor
12 years ago
It all looks good. Ad some coordinating pillows and a throw to the side chairs.
katrina_ellen
12 years ago
I think I would like the pottery better without the greenery, and something less vertical than the candlesticks on the other side that is a little more substantial to balance the pottery jug.
User
12 years ago
I don't want to hijack your question but want to say I have bought from Etsy and your artist and another who does these panels and they are wonderful pieces.
I also bought a dress from Emilyryan who made it exactly to my measurements.
User
12 years ago
As far as the mantle goes I would take everything off and let the beautiful art panels stand on their own for awhile and see how you like it. The paintings are substantial and should stand on their own without distraction.

The idea of a throw for color is a good idea and just enough.

There, I have said it as humbly and honestly as I am.
chickadee2_gw
12 years ago
Your painting looks great above the mantle. I agree with Ellie about the painting being by itself. With its staggered lines, I don't think you need to add any more height on the mantle.
cindyloo123
12 years ago
I don't think the paintings leave room for the things you've got on the mantle.

I think your big jug would look so much nicer filling up the corner on that table you have to the left. I think you need more height there so you might even put a taller arrangement in the pot.

I think both of your tables could use taller accessories, so the candlesticks might work well on either one. I'd paint the candlesticks in whatever accent color you are planning to use. The current "color" is lost against the walls.

I like your paintings but I think they pretty much fill the space over the mantle.
sue_b
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you so much for this wonderful, thoughtful and objective advice. I will have fun trying the ideas here. I am so glad all of you contributed and took the time to post. It's such a small world that two people who saw this let me know they had bought work from the same Etsy artist. I plan to make the changes and post results photos in the future.

Decorating using Etsy - mantle art on a budget

Comments (12)

wallis104

wallis104

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Decorating using Etsy - mantle art on a budget

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