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decorating ideas for wall recess

3 years ago

Hi! I am looking for ideas for decorating a recessed wall in a hallway in the front of my new home in Southwest Florida. Directly across from this wall recess is a tall window so what I put in the recess will be seen from the outside front of my house. The recess is 36 inches off the floor 65 inches tall 37 inches wide and about 31/2 inches deep. I have a coastal theme in my house. I love Seaglass, sunsets, sunrises, dolphins, ocean scapes etc. I don’t know if one large item would be more appropriate or if several smaller items would work better. I don’t know how far apart each item should be placed so it doesn’t just look like a jumble of small things. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated attached are pictures showing the recess and the window across from it. The item shown in the recess in the pictures is not necessarily going to stay there. Also in the pictures are samples of things I like. The seaglass turtle piece is 12” x 12”. Also available in this collection are starfish, waves, fish, etc. would these look nice? How many? Should they all be 12 x 12 and made by the same artist? Or would various sizes from various artists be better? Thank you

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Comments (4)

Jesse Fay
3 years ago
It depends on what you want. You want to brighten up the space or make it symmetrical, then use a large mirror the size of the window.

If neither of those are a concern, I'd get a large piece just a few inches in width than the niche. And at tall as your window goes (making sure to leave a minim of two inches from the bottom of the art to the niche bottom. This will allow for art to be a focus without being too small or taking over the entire space. This also let's you place something else in niche if you choose (ie. flowers, bowl of seamless, etc).
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Since you love seaglass and the recessed item will show through your window, consider a custom lighted installation of seaglass, much like a stained glass window, mounted in the recess and lighted from behind. I think it would be beautiful! Here's a source from pinterest. Check Etsy too.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/108438303510557966/
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Your style seems to be traditional, and a lot like mine~I have the same iron ballustrades which seems to be popular in TX. I have a series of this style of wall art on a wall in my great room. Mine are all arched, but I couldn't find one exactly like any I have, but thought this was a unique shape for a niche. I've used small topiaries in the 2 smaller ones, a birds nest in an urn in the medium one, and a larger topiary in the largest one~there are many options and can even be changed out for the seasons/holidays. This is the only one I could find that comes close to what they look like. Could be painted to match light fixtures, etc. Here is a link that might be useful: Here
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The tv seems awfully big for the fireplace and looks "off". Would you consider putting the tv in one of the nooks instead? Admittedly, that's what I have. My tv is on a slight angle in the right nook and I have a low bookcase from Crate and Barrel (it was a scratched one, and the scratch is on the side so you don't even see it - got a great deal!) on the left. I have a vase will tall wood flowers on the bookcase. The bookcase and tv stand are both black so they coordinate. Sorry I don't have any pictures.
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HI -- I do not like houses that have these large open useless spaces . This is always a problem for noise and how to paint them and how to decorate . You would have to hire painters and the use of scaffolding and the high cost to do so and to maintain. That wasted square footage could be better used in the upstairs living areas . You could have some applied moldings in a square pattern or wallpaper for interest , or quilted fabric panels but some does not help with the sound . Tapestries or rugs or soft wall hangings helps a bit... as for a large painting that can be home made or the affect done with a wallpaper mural or a hired Artist . Maybe in the future consider having some of the area built in for useable square footage . That will add better value to the house .
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suezbell
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
One thought might be to add wood trim to the narrow sides of the niche. Then paint the back wall of it as an accent wall to compliment and/or emphasize a color within the art you choose for the space. Have the finish of the wood trim and the finish of the wood frame for your art match. Have the sides of the art frame be the same as the narrow sides of the niche. Your entire niche then frames your art rather than your art getting lost in it.

You might consider a "shadow box frame" that puts your picture in the back of your picture frame and leaves a space between art and any glass you add atop it . You could even create 3D art by adding some real sea shells you've collected from the beach within the shadow box in front of the bottom of the art.

Alternately, you could add a shelf either above and/or below the art in a shadow box to add your sea shells and/or other beach small item collection such as hang a charm bracelet or charms collected from your beach vacation or display a few small photographs of your favorite beach adventure.
kathy Kingseed
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all so much for the awesome ideas. They are a huge help. Now I can move forward with some direction.

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