I can't really see what is there now, or tell what it is. But, because I LOVED the before, for me it's going to be hard to beat the original/before, lol. I understand wanting a change, but I still love your oversized art there and if it were me, I might try to find something with the same feeling but fresh for your eyes.

But what I think doesn't matter! Are you happy? Do you love it?

@Olychick The art that is there now is a painting of a woman. I wanted something with the same color background as the wall so it sort of looks like a mural. I think the after looks a bit edgier than what I previously had. I loved the before too. Thanks. I took the old piece and put it on the wall behind the piano chair. My eyes had grown tired of that piece over the mantel. It had been there for years.

I love the before and after! I need to find a chair like that for my grand piano! Both art worked over the fireplace but really like the after. Is that on canvas cut to size? I would say no to black baseboards because you have enough balance of light and dark, but what about black blinds? I really love over sized artwork, especially a portrait, over the mantle. I need to find something like that! Source please!

@gigi4321

Thanks. I got that chair years ago at Bamboo and Company. Do you remember them? I think they have been out of business for at least 10 years now. I really prefer a chair instead of a bench.

The art is on a piece of MDF cut to size. I like to paint and almost exclusively paint on MDF. I dislike painting on canvas. I bought it at Home Depot and had them cut it to the perfect size but when I got to my car it wouldn't fit!!!! You might be able to see the seam in the first photo but since that picture was taken I have done a few touch-ups and it is now invisible. The seam runs horizontally about 1/3rd down from the top.

With the black baseboards, I feel like in parts of that room they will be lost and in other parts, they will be visible. The living room opens to my dining room and kitchen and I would really prefer black baseboards in those spaces. Also, my staircase is black and it separates the living room and dining room. Black baseboards will tie everything together. Maybe.

Your art is stunning -I do like the one with the same colour background and how it blends into you wall colour. I also have serious envy of your navy couches. I would have those in a hot minute were it not for my shedding dog!

Oh, I see it now! Or her! I thought her hair and head were a separate hanging, like a woven piece/wreath type thing and her shoulder was something on the mantle. She is beautiful and exactly what I loved about your old art!

In my defense, I broke my glasses and am wearing an old pair. I thought I could see fine with them, but obviously not!

@nekotish Thank you!

@Olychick Maybe my glasses were just broken when I painted her! Your comment made me giggle. My dh liked the old painting I did before her. My first update. The one I hated. I flipped the board and started over. Maybe I should flip it back again. LOL

Oh, I didn't know it was your own painting! That's even more wonderful.

I love the painting. I would consider painting the fireplace surround black. I painted mine (dark gray reads black) in the spring and really like how it grounds the room. I wish mine had fantastic art over it, but TV it is in this house.

I think your room is very nice. I had no idea you were the artist - such talent! Both ladies are nice, but I like the new one for this room. Maybe DH can see the older version if/when you decide to change it up or move.

Wow! Do you have talent!

Just a few. comments. Your chandelier is fighting with your art and the light is winning. I would move the light over a dining table or over the piano.

Move the facing sofas closer and replace the wood table, which is fighting the animal skin and winning, with something acrylic or glass.

Start by painting only the mantel black. For a few seconds I didn't see the neck and shoulders of the girl. If the mantel were black it would the art would have a ground...(that's the only word I can think of using).

The new art is perfect there. Really stunning! I still vote for the black baseboards. I think they'd be the perfect, unexpected pop.

@Ida

Thanks. I am sold on the black baseboards. I think they would pull my downstairs space together. I wish I could just twitch my nose like Tabitha. Sigh....

@elcieg

I love that space you posted. The light might be fighting but I'm not sure. I like when chandeliers cover a portion of the viewing space of the art. Anyway, that piece is not meant to be the focal piece of art in my house and it may or may not even be the focal point in that room. It's just a piece I like. The piece behind the piano is twice as big and faces the front door. I might have too much art in the room, and the house, to consider one piece a focal point. It all kind of fights with each other.

@elcieg, @jmck_nc

As for the black mantel, I went back and forth with it in my mind. I think the room might like bottom heavy with dark sofas and a dark mantel. Plus the wall in the next room, which faces the mantel is black. If I do decide to paint the mantel black at some point, I will replace the art with something with a black background.

I appreciate that you and @Olychick pointed out that you couldn't figure out what it was. It would have never occurred to me that the neck and shoulders could not be seen. The great thing about Houzz is it brings fresh eyes and different perspectives to a space. From a distance, it almost looks like a scoop of ice cream falling off a cone. Or maybe she was just beheaded. Yikes! Maybe I should paint the dress hot pink so it does not blend into the background.

@Allison0704

I didn't initially mention that I painted it because I didn't want that to sway opinions about the space. I only stated it because @gigi4321 asked what the source was. I am perfectly fine if people don't like the art or prefer the old piece to the new piece. I want to hear honest opinions even if you don't like it. But, I am happy that you do like it! Thanks!

I meant the mantel, not the entire surround.

WHAT. You painted all that fabulous art?! Wow, Friday! I’m so in awe of your talent. Amazing! ❤️

The room looks wonderful and perfect. And is so you. I’ve always loved that light fixture.

It’s always a treat seeing your house!

The before was pretty great, but I love the after. I think you should do the black baseboards when you have time and energy, but it, honestly, looks wonderful as is. I also liked the suggestion for darker blinds, but get that that is more of a $$$ commitment.

@Jilly

I love that chandelier too. It reminds me of a bundle of balloons.

The light fixture reminds me of bubble coral....a piece of nature just hanging in mid air....totally cool! You do have a good eye. Great proportion, color tones.... such eye candy. The new "lady" above your mantel has a more modern flair...almost a runway model look to her....not a bad thing to look at every day. smile

Your work is beautiful, Ilikefriday! I admire your talent. I like the old piece, but agree that the new one lets the focus of the piece stand out more, while the background blends.

I vote for painting baseboards black, but letting the mantel be for now. You can always paint it later, but I really like what you have now.

What a talent! And I love the new art over the fireplace - looks great.

I didn't read every one, so apologies if I repeat someone. I would never paint my baseboards black due to the dust issue. Too much work. Black really shows lint and dust.

Oh my goodness, I love that new painting (even before I saw it was your own work!). I would love to have it in my house!

Love the chandelier, too. With your eye, I would do whatever you like-it all comes together beautifully and not even a hint of boring!

@nicole___ I had to Google bubble coral. You are correct. It does look like it!

________

Thanks for all the comments! I might consider changing the color of the dress. Otherwise, my next big project will be the baseboards. I likely won't be able to get around to that until the beginning of the year. When that happens, I guess I will just have to dust more. That can't be so bad. Right?

ilikefriday,

So talented. I can't imagine a few random people on the internet telling an artist which of their paintings to live with and in what setting. You do you; you do it so beautifully.

@nicole___

That is so cool! Do you display your faces? I would have never suspected the purple whiskers. I am sure they are not called whiskers but the color is so vibrant! Maybe they are legs??? Nature is amazing! What kind of camera do you use?

Why is it that rooms that are "not everyone's cup of tea" are the most interesting and beautiful of all? Love your art.

likefriday...Nikon. Yes. I've blown up a few to large sizes and display them. More of the moody ones....cloudy day....buffalo traipsing through the snow type thang. The fun ones:

"Butt Bump"

@nicole___The locations of these shoots must be amazing! I think we need to start a GTKY with unusual, unique, or fun interests.

I love the new artwork and I can see the dress with no issues. I wouldn't change it at all. I'm looking forward to seeing it with the black baseboards. Did you already paint the one to the left of the fireplace or is it just a mock up? I think it looks good and blends into the room much better than the right side of the fireplace.

Absolutely beautiful. I love it!!!

(Now that you said she's wearing a white dress I blew it up and see it just fine. However on a quick first glance on a small screen it did indeed look like a severed head. I would not recommend changing a thing about it just because of that though. LOL. It's incredibly well done and in person would be a very different experience than on a tiny screen...)

You have a great eye. Normally I'm not a fan of black baseboards, but seeing your eye and aesthetic I say go for it. It's not quick, but it's not particularly hard - just tedious.

Thank you for sharing with us. If you do tackle the baseboards I'd love to see the after....

@Ally De

You are making me feel really good about the space. All of you are. Thanks! Also, I just might keep the dress white.

I like it white. I could give you my whole critic as to why, but then again it doesn't matter because all that matters is what you think. :)

I think it would also be spectacular in another color, but if I get a vote I'd say leave it alone because it's perfect as is. You're very talented.

@Ally De I would love to hear your critique.

You obviously are a talented painter but beyond that, you are able to bring the whole of the room together to create a truly interesting room. I think the room is great and I am looking forward to finding a time to show my DH just so he can be exposed to what a well done room can look like. It is fabulous.

@tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM
Thank you! Dh's are interesting. I would have never been able to sell mine on my vision and I will be forever grateful that he has never shown too much of an interest in helping out! He has walked in the house on a few occasions and said omg. Not in a good way... Every single time that has happened, he has eventually come around after seeing the project complete. That says a lot because I can dream up a lot of craziness that can be hard for most folks to swallow when it comes to decorating.

I hope you have good luck with your dh.

Nothing new to add. Just wanted to say, love your art work and your room.

Truly a special, beautiful space.