Many thanks for the comps on our views and artwork. Much of the art was very reasonably priced, as this is an artist's mecca out here in New Mexico. Richpoor, with no views, you might consider framing a view of your own. By that I mean, find a poster or print of a view that would fit your area of the country and that you like, and frame it nicely to give your kitchen the view it's missing. In our DD's room, I bought one of those inexpensive window mirrors on sale at Hobby Lobby. One that looks like it has window panes. I took it apart, threw away the mirror, had glass put in it and had HL cut down a poster and insert a great "view" for her one wall. The eye really is fooled into seeing the view beyond the window. Here's a pic of DD's other view. I've since added heaftier molding to the top and bottom to even it out.: And a trompe l'oiel pic I had in her room when it was done in a beach theme. I'm not necessarily suggesting either for your kitchen, but there are great possibilities in the idea. Tromp l'oeil means "fool the eye" and this kind of art does just that, especially in a place with no good view. It makes the room feel bigger, too. Just some food for thought. Lynn

Hi auntjen. Thats a piece I painted about 10 years ago. It was inspired by something I saw on the internet...I have no idea where at this point. It's a piece that was in my garage until 3 years ago because I never finished it. Still isnt finished (based on the idea I had in my head when I started it). But since it was started I now have a 3yo so it will likely not be finished in at least the next decade :). I have MANY pieces of original art (all my own) in my house. Art is my passion. I dont expect others to care for it but when they do, it makes me feel good, so thanks. My favorite pieces are those that my 3yo has done. We have a huge wall collage of his pieces. He's amazing. He finishes his pieces in 2-minutes flat and they are simply masterpieces! I probably have 100 of his pieces on my walls. Most people think thats a little overkill. I think its precious. He will look at a piece he has done..that looks like scribble to most of us...and will tell you exactly what it is, with detail. Kids are GREAT!

Thanks Rosie. That painting is a pleasure for me on so many levels - the crazy coloring, the "art" labeling, the primitiveness... I am way too constrained to create that freely. And then there is the personal - knowing all DH was going through at the time and his very surprising decision to try painting for respite. It inspires me. For the OP, reflect on what is appealing to you about those museum pieces you like. Crystalize that as best you can. Any gallery would be happy to help you discover works you love, for a price. If that price is prohibitive, try 'lesser' galleries, student art shows, resale shops, art fairs - just look and trust yourself to respond. Let yourself make a mistake or two, it's the only way to learn what you really love. And yes, framing can make all the difference.

"I prefer the term 'coastal' to beachy. LOL" Me too! This discussion is of interest to me as we are finishing a gut remodel of our house that we bought as a second home. I decorated fast and inexpensively with a lot of beachy themed stuff from furniture to wall art. Baskets of shells, baskets in general, walls painted shades of fairly intense blue and aqua etc. Lots of beachy Home Goods type artwork for the walls. 5 years later we live here full time and I'm more than ready to switch out from the Margaritaville AirBnB theme decor style. Eld, I love your look and I think you are spot on with your colors, style and decor. Here is more than anyone probably cares to know about how I'm trying to achieve the same blend and mix. I'm going for a coastal modern mix. White shaker cabinets in our kitchen, both bathrooms and office. This is my quartz countertop inthe kitchen and office. Kitchen is getting black bar pulls and black faucet to play off the veining in the counters. Maybe a black simple chandelier over the dining room table which will hopefully be this if it comes back in stock along with some kind of natural fiber chairs. And I'm putting these countertops in the bathroomsalong with a coastal blue/green mosaic shower surround tile with these faucets. Here's the store picture of my new couch, loveseat (didn't buy the chair) and coffee/end tables though I probably won't use all three of the tables together. Our windows have white plantation shutters so the above is similar to what the view looks like above our couch-our windows aren't quite so lavish though. In my house if you are standing at this angle in my living room, to the left are a pair of 12-foot sliders that face the water. So the room is flooded with light all the time. That slider along with 3 other large ones are all getting Hunter Douglas white roller shades, again a simple coastal look with a modern twist. Our new flooring is light wood look tile that's 5 feet long and 12 inches wide-again coastal but with a modern feel, not a wood facsimile. I'll be using some jute area rugs. Using this Benjamin Moore color for the 'public' rooms: kitchen, bathrooms, living room, hallway and office. It reads as a neutral but with a very, very pale blue tinge, enough to make a nice contrast with our trim which is squared off large base and door molding painted white. Bedrooms will be this Sherwin-Williams color which again is a super pale calming hint of green neutral. For art I'm thinking of stealing an idea I saw somewhere and liked a lot: enlarging some vintage family pictures to poster size and framing them with a simple metal or black frame. I've got tons of pictures of parents, kids and my spouse in natural/water settings so I'm hoping that will be a nice way to have a personal touch while keeping things simple. And last but not least I'm leaning toward a couple of Audobon bird prints so I'm right there with you Eld! Flamingo is a no brainer, again large and framed very simply. Probably another tropical/shore bird like a pelican or anhinga. So there you have it and once again Eld your home looks beautiful so go for what you want!