Do you have "art" on your porch or patio?
Continuing my obsession with my new screen porch while waiting for screens to come in... We will have one big blank wall out there that I'd like to hang Something on, just not sure what. The "outdoor art" pieces at places like Grandin Road just aren't speaking to me. I have seen some cool metal flowers that I'd like, but DH is not impressed. Just thought I might check in here for some inspiration, maybe photos of what you have on your porch? One thing I don't want out there is a "theme" if you know what I mean, so I'd like to avoid anything that screams Beach Porch or Tiki Room or "It's 5:00 Somewhere"....
You can see the space I'm referring to in the photo -- the wall to the left of the window. There will be a loveseat on that wall that will run partway under the window but won't be centered under the window.
Comments (28)
lynninnewmexico
11 years agoLoving art like I do, I have a number of different pieces. Although mine work great (IMO) on my New Mexican hacienda's front portal, maybe they'll inspire something from your part of the country.
Lynn
On the wall behind my porch swing, I have this sun and pair of sconces:
In another spot I have this gecko:
Standing guard next to our front door, I have this (Contemporary) shaman statue. He's 5 1/2-ft tall and has a sweet face:
This statue sits right off the main seating:
And then this sweet mask hangs over the main seating area. Totally NOT Southwestern, but I love it:
mustangs81
11 years agoMine is very dated. The furniture came from a yard sale about 10 years ago and was very cheap so I couldn't pass it up. Since it was so dated, I easily found a canvas at a thrift store (lots of turquoise and pink at a thrift store, right?) to put on the wall.
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What Kind Of Art Work Do U Do?
Comments (31)For those who wish to knit or crochet, try starting with the larger needles. It makes the item go quickly. Big is anything over a size 15. Some needles are huge, almost broomstick size. I got into knitting a couple years ago, DD wanted a pancho for school. Panchos were just starting to get popular. I made it pretty fast, loose weave was pretty, so garment was light and not overly hot in school. Just a couple rectangles sewn together, so there was a point in front and back, head opening. I crocheted an edging with real fluffy yarn in a nice contrast color. Turned out well, she got lots of compliments on it. If you use synthetices, you can run it thru the washer. Wool FEELS so nice, but does take extra care and summer storage for moth prevention. For kids, synthetics are the way to go, keep clean easily. I also crochet, actually prefer it. But finding a large hook, size S, made it fun crocheting rugs with strips of old cloth. I have made a number of rugs now, and they are fast to do, wash wonderfully. I just hang them on a lawn chair to dry on the porch. I just make the pattern up as I go along. I have squares and ovals, all about 36" x 24". Seems to be a good lap size, bigger is harder to handle and heavy. Sizes will fit well in front of the sink, bathroom shower, back door for the dog to lay on. I might put a piece of no-slip stuff under it, to keep rug still on a vinyl or wood floor. So if you are considering doing knitting or crochet, try just doing some easy squares, in a large size like 36"x36", using a big hook or pair of needles. You might want the needles with a string between the ends, easier to use with wider knit projects. Knitting is just back and forth, so the string/cable needles are very handy with bigger pieces. You only need to know one stitch to start, get good at it, to finish the piece. I did some with knit on one side, purl on the other. Really basic, but pretty with nice yarn. Pieces that size or slightly longer, can make lap robes, baby afghans, or be put together for a larger sized afghan. Really go quickly to finish. I tend to watch TV when working, don't need a lot of attention to project with only one stitch on each side, just keep doing the same thing. Other good, fast projects are hats. They can go quickly, done in a couple days or less. Can be done knitted or crocheted flat, then sew the edges together to be round. I consider myself a beginning knitter and crochet person. Only have a couple stitches in my skill list, but you can do a lot with just basics. Very fun to produce an object, rug, hat, with these basics. I HAVE learned to do cables this winter, so am moving up the skill levels. Cables are surprisingly easy! Now on to learning to do pattern reading! My SIL was making scarves a couple years ago, just one stitch. Now she does FANCY socks, lookes almost embroidered. Needles are so tiny, that she can do pictures on the socks. Huge jump in skill, just trying new stuff. I think she keeps all her socks, wears them to show off! As well she should, they are amazing. The knee socks shown above, are very attractive. I will try some one of these days! I am planning to work on mittens first though. We can always use mittens around here. Have to get the thumb part down. Maybe then I will be ready for sock heels and 4 needles like my mother does them. I do some painting of items used in the gardens. Stepping stone enhancement, coloring some statues, ironwork that I have around. Not really original stuff, not the artist. Painting is a winter thing, too busy in summer. Also do some sewing, with fancy pillowcases being an inspiration this year. LOTS of elaborate lace trim, which is fun to look at on colored cases. Make good gifts at Christmas and other occassions. I am using the few inches left over as trim on a case for the couch pillow. Just many kinds of lace on a piece of material, to be used as an accent piece. 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That was fun, picking matting colors, cutting the mats, double layers or fancy cutting, framing it up. Very satisfying to see them all finished up. Those who have seen the walls of pictures, like it too. Good thing Art can cover a lot of talent and skills!...See MoreDo You Like Art Books? Do You Have or Display "Coffee Table" Book
Comments (32)Outside, I enjoy those books too--- my late FIL went to school with Ferrol Sams and we love his novels. I hadn't realized he wrote essays as well. "When attending art shows, I swear off coffee table books but I am weak." We share that weakness, lol. Seems I am "always" never going to buy another huge book... Beagles, that room is fantastic, and I do see your pile of books peeking out from under that chair to the left :-) I'm with you on the kindle, but every now and then I like to hold a real book. Even though I find myself pushing the edge of the page instead of turning it (hanging head). No screen can reproduce the heft and color of those prints in large books, there is something about a good quality art print that is somehow more convincing than an image on a screen. Sloe gin, over the past decade or so I've seen many people putting lovely shelving in their dining rooms to combine functions or simply bring books into a room that doesn't often see them. I love that look, of a literary dining room! And your basket sounds eminently practical, we use our shagreen boxes and ceramic bowls for the same purpose--- the "stuff" has got to be corralled somehow. I have seen that Circus book, Robo, and the Atomic Ranch book also, they are both marvelous! It's clear that our collective enjoyment of these tomes is at least partly for the esthetic quality of the books themselves in addition to the content. I suppose that's what makes them "useful" decor :-) In some cases they might function purely as decor, as the leather books you've used, tinam. Have you seen the book purses that are so popular in some circles? Kate Spade has or had a few, and there's quite a cottage industry on Etsy making real old books into small handbags. They aren't a tenth big enough for me, but I love looking at them!...See MoreHow do you find art work like this?
Comments (8)In a similar situation, went to an art store in the mall, not the place that sells only high end originals, but one that sell reproductions in nice frames. The first place wasn't so helpful, but the women at the second place knew her art and had a ton of books we looked through to find it. Good luck....See MoreCollecting art that you love vs buying art to decorate your house?
Comments (10)I love, love, love art. I do somewhat intentionally match it to my room, usually with a common color. That does not mean the dominant colors are all the same, maybe just splashes. I know this is not a popular practice in these forums. I also match the theme of art because I am drawn to people. 99% of my art is of faces. Because I am drawn to particular colors, most of my art and my decor also reflects that. My home contains art that I love but it must also fit the criteria of being able to decorate my space in terms of size, color, and theme, all while speaking to my soul. Even though I coordinate my art, my house is the exact opposite of Home Goods. Truth be told, I do have a handful of items from them ;-). You can still have interesting and unique spaces that are not all matchy matchy while still coordinating art....See MoreUser
10 years agoI do! Screened porch over looking backyard has a museum banner from an impressionist exhibit at the Los Angeles museum (LACMA), and the downstairs patio has two banners from the Huntington museum (the same banner, hung to display both sides which shows more of the Constable painting advertising the exhibit).
upstairs:
downstairs:
Sueb20
10 years agorosie
10 years agoUser
10 years agoUser
10 years agosueb20-
We have screens on 3 sides and 2 sets of french doors on our porch, so not a great deal of room to hang anything, but we do have these two watercolors on the dining side as well as a few sconces, a clock and a few other things on the lounging side.
Good luck-
sandyponder
Sueb20
10 years agoUser
10 years agolizzie_nh
10 years agodlfrun66
10 years agoHello sueb20,
I Live in the Midwest and have this wall art outside on our deck year round.
Sueb20
10 years agohoosiergirl
10 years ago
Oakley
10 years agoSueb20
10 years agohoosiergirl
10 years agoHere are pics of the canvas paintings, Sueb. They're not great works of art, but they add a little color and have held up well. Our area gets too much direct rain at times and is much too humid for regular framed prints. I hope you enjoy your new porch as much as we enjoy ours!
neetsiepie
10 years agotuesday_2008
10 years agoneetsiepie
10 years agoannie1971
10 years agoEG3d
10 years agoI have had this basket for SO many years and It is on my patio right now. Here is a previous house. I needed something that would not break if it fell or blew off the wall. We can have strong winds here in AZ.
Sueb20
10 years agohoosiergirl
10 years ago
Irish2
10 years agoSueb20
10 years agofunkyart
10 years ago
Jennifer Carrig
3 years agoMy husband has had this painting since the 70's. Done by a friend, we've never really had a place to hang it. I just found a frame and he will hang on the blank wall on our newly built wrap around porch!
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