Sunday, April 22, 2012

Tropical Paint-By-Numbers

Welcome to my study.....


.....a room of high art and refinement!!!!!

I am in the process of adding more stuff to my walls.
YES!!!!
THERE IS ROOM FOR MORE!!!
Come with me to explore the frontiers of my walls.
(sounds like a song.....)
(the windmills of my mind.....)
(the frontiers of my walls....)

It all started here, when I first viewed the house with the real estate agent.....

The previous owners had added a molding around 10" down from the crown, and painted the blue stripe for an accent. 
WHAT THIS DID WAS: MAKE THE CEILING FEEL LOWER!!!!!
Here is this house with wonderful 10' high ceilings, so, I KNOW!!
LETS MAKE THEM FEEL LOWER!!!
OY VEY!!!
So I had to go to the expense of tearing out another upgrade that had been added into my purchase price.
And while I'm complaining.....
I HATED THE CEILING FAN!!!!!
I changed that too.
Put this in my garage workshop!!!!!

If you work in your garage, it's great to have ceiling fans, along with a lot of light. There were two of these babies in the house, and both are now in my workshop.

I wanted to find a wonderful desk......
I wanted to find a wonderful desk.....
I wanted to find a wonderful desk.....

AND I DID!!!!!

Here it is right after I moved into the house.
White walls, white rug.....

isn't it pretty?????
It's green Chinoiserie. 
If I had envisioned a desk for my new tropical retreat, 
THIS IS WHAT I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF!!!
(if I had been that clever.....which I'm not.)
I found it in an antique store in Essex Massachusetts, and had to beg the dealer to sell it to me, since he was using it as his own desk.
I was very insistent.....

So, just like the rest of the house, I had wood floors put down and the walls covered in Kneedler Fauchere bamboo wallpaper.

Isn't it amazing what wood floors can do to a space?
These are hickory.
I saw this floor in my neighbor Joanie's house, and she told me where to get it!!!
Unfortunately, they don't make this floor anymore. Now all the floors seem to come with a chamfered edge, so they don't look like a real unfinished old wood floor. It's probably easier for the manufacturers to get a tight joint between the boards, with an angled edge. 
OY.

I started assembling the furniture in its new home.....
I found a great looking double chair that looks like a little loveseat that fit in the small wall space.

And of course!!!!! more split reed!!!!!
Only, this chair ended up in the guest room and I found another for this corner.

It formed a cozy little sitting area in my study. I actually sit here sometimes!!!!

Then I started collecting artwork.
I HAD AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!
BRILLIANT I TELL YA,
BRILLIANT!!!!!
 I would do a collection of tropical bird paint-by-number paintings from the  1950's!!!
And I would reframe them in nice expensive faux bamboo frames, so they were all in the same frame!!!!!
I started collecting them, and took them to the framer, and then hung them on the wall before the wallpaper went up, so I could see how they looked!!!

The room started coming together.....
Then the wallpaper went up.....

Now I had to rehang all this @#$!!

So, I got this far in my decorating, having spent money on re-framing the paintings, and not saving the old frames. 
After I hung them on the bamboo wallpaper, and stood back.....
I was underwhelmed.....
The wall looked flat and not funky enough to me.
I WANTED FUNK!!!!
I had unfunked the wall by re-framing the art.
AND IT COST ME MONEY!!!!!

So, I did what I always do, and lived with it for several years.
This year I finally did something about it.
I bit the bullet, and re-framed the paintings in old frames
 from other paint-by-numbers.
I had to buy cheap ebay paintings in the same size, and switch the frames.
THEN!!!!!
I bought more paintings, and left them in their funky old original frames.
Then I reworked the wall!!!!!


I need to repaint the white frames. I think a yellowy creamy color, like the two red parrot paintings. 

Now I need to goose up the other wall.....

I have ideas.....
lots of Florida souvenir plates and parrot wall pockets.....
But I need to ruminate for a bit.
Hope it isn't another 8 years..... 

I still have a lot of things to write about in this room.
So I will continue on Tuesday.....
till then.....
Later, Gator
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44 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

You certainly did the right thing with those frames. They needed their own "identity." You are such a wonderful decorator. Pieces "speak" to you. My house was built in 1934, and they have absolutely beautiful narrow planked floors. Don't see that much anymore.
Brenda

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Your gallery wall looks fabulous! Love all the different frames, you created such a cozy space.

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

Love the art wall! Glad you re-funked it :) I decided a while ago that I would collect some paintings from local antique and consignment stores to create a gallery wall. Guess how many I've gotten so far? One. I'll be lucky if I get it done in the next 8 years.

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Love the artwork, upholstery and desk! This room is one of my favorites.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

LOOOOOOVE that desk! I want one, I NEED one. I will never find one though:( Love the gallery wall too. I had several rooms in this house done in bamboo wallpaper and loved it for MANY years. Til it started to peal off so I removed all the wallpaper and painted. I am glad now since we are selling the house. Love this room of yours. XO, Pinky

Anonymous said...

Look at that desk! It looks like it was made for your home. The floors are gorgeous. I've done a few of those paint by numbers when I was ever so young! ;) Love how your wall looks.
I wish you were my neighbor - you're a hoot! ;)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Vintage Home said...

Maison Decor was how I found your blog....but I have follwed you in your print career for years!..Funny I saw your name & new! Wishyou where my neighbour!

Vicki said...

I'd live with those white frames a few more years--I like the way they relate to the lampshades and pillows. But that's just moi...it truly does look more alive with the different frames. I love the double chair.

Diane said...

Lots of inspiration here for my beach condo. Love those paint-by-number flamingo paintings - wow, what fun!!!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Oh my...that desk is amazing...How did you ever talk that store keeper into letting you buy it....you definitely have the power of persuasion!!

Connie said...

Betsy, your vision amazes me. I love the wall grouping. I would never have realized that it looked "flat" with matching frames but WOW at the difference you made in changing them. I'll try to remember that.

LOve following your blog. You're the mostest!

Cindy said...

Love love this room and your paint by numbers menagerie of birds... Reworking the frames was the just perfect thing that made it fabulous!

Cindy

Julie said...

Beautiful! If had an empty room in my house, I would so be copycatting you!!

Jen Beaudet said...

I love this room! Very nice job!
Jennifer

Michele said...

The room is so cheerful and inviting. You did a wonderful job.

Laurel Stephens said...

Incredible collection!

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

Wow, wow and wow! That desk made me laugh out loud, it is wonderful. Love everything about your room, including that gorgeous horizontal texture of the wall covering. The paintings are perfect for this room. Heck, everything is perfect!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

You can't beat old Florida via paint by numbers. Very cool collection! I found you at Funky Junk Interiors.

mom said...

My dear talented and funny lady I KNOW you. After finding your website I was amazed to find that I have clippings from your magazine gigs from wayyy back and never realized that my "Forever Favorites" folder was all about YOU!!! It is amazing that you don't do your style but manage to express your clients desires which they probably can't clearly express. I bought your book and that is when I realized that I have had you in my folder for years. You should write a book, you are good, really good and so funny, I giggle out loud at some of your posts.
Thanks for the years of inspiration and now flat out fun!!!

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Man, I would of begged for that desk too! So glad you got it. Love the paint by numbers art work. I agree the art looks for much better with the new old frames, before the frames were too matchy matchy looking. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay!

Summerland cottage said...

LoVe what you created here!
So charming and fun, full of personality and a pleasure for us to view as well!
Thank you for sharing!

Youaretalkingtoomuch.com said...

Such a fun room! I LOVE the desk too! You have such a neat sense of style. I can't wait to see what else you share about this room! Thank you for sharing at Meet Me Monday! Love, Me www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

Miss Kitty said...

SO much fun to see the room's progression to the fabulous room that it is now. Thanks very much for sharing the transformation with us. I saw your post over at "Mod Vintage Life".

Eclectically Vintage said...

Betsy
A girl after my own paint by number loving heart! I recently started collecting - meaning I only have one! He's a matador - and it's fabulous!

Love all your mismatched frames - they definitely add the kitsch and fun factor.

Wood floors - always a do. Yours are amazing as well as the stunning desk!

You go with your kitschy self!
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Love the gallery wall. My family has the cockatiel painting (unfortunately slightly damaged).

Liz said...

Your tropical room is SO beautiful! Especially the green desk is awesome! And I like the composition of paint by number paintings. Very nice idea! Liz

Noble Vintage said...

LOVE it!! I l'm so glad I'm not the only one who spends a bunch of money on a project, only to find that I don't like it after all ;) The room feels so cozy and full. (trying to work on that feeling in my house....) Found you through Tuesday's Treasures!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

That desk looks like it was meant to belong to you, Betsy. It looks fabulous in your tropical room. I enjoyed painting by numbers as a youngster but I doubt anyone would want them displayed on a wall. Thanks for sharing another pretty room at Your Cozy Home Party.-----------Shannon

Cottage and Broome said...

Love the paint by number art! Isn't it amazing how you can turn odd ball pieces into an amazing collection. It looks fab in your room! Laura

Karen said...

What an amazing job you have done!! I've been wanting to find some of those old paint by number kits. For more years than I want to confess I have disliked that early beach/rattan look. Now I LOVE it! What's with that?? Age has its quirks, I suppose.
Can't wait to see your next post. I'm your newest follower.
Karen
Ladybug Creek
P.S. We are in the market for a beach home so of course my mind is swirling from your awesome decor.

Unknown said...

Betsy, Your decor is Fantabulous!!!! I'm more of a country, fall color, mountain cabin kinda girl, but your tropical 50's bungalow beach feel is great! But, when it comes to decorating were are kindred spirits..LOL...no wall is ever to bare..
heaven forbid..it is a canvas to be filled..floor to ceiling if need be 8o)

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

This sounds like something I would do...run with an idea, spend money on it, regret it, live with it and finally decide to change it. But the process is always a great lesson in learning what you like, what works, what doesn't...and I'm happy to know that I'm in good company. I love the funked up frames. (Did you have to read that line twice?) The room looks so fun and I love that you do use your sitting area. Thanks for sharing at Show & Tell.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

What a fun room! Love the before/after - that tells it all! The grasscloth and paint by numbers just tied it all together! Great job.
-Trish

Sarah said...

Betsy, your tropical room looks like a fun place to relax. I like the funky look with the old frames. ;-)

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Your style is so fun and happy with that vintage twist. Love the grass cloth and that desk is to die for. I swoon. Thanks for sharing on BeColorful this week.
pam

Roeshel said...

They look awesome, Betsy! I love what Becolorful had to say...perfect works to describe your style. I love this room!

cheapcraftymama said...

That looks terriffic! Love to see the evolution to! I would love for you to share this at my "May House Par-tay" at www.cheapcraftymama.com!

Ange said...

I just posted about paint by numbers a few months ago and how I wanted a wall of them! This is perfect! :) Love the new old frames!

Tisha Clapp said...

I just love your style! Here in East TN, tropical would not play, but it looks so good on you! That desk is amazing, I always love your bamboo wallpaper, and the paint-by-number birds were a brilliant idea. I like the mismatched frames too. Thanks for linking up!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Beautiful. You did such a great job. The decorating looks wonderful, those pictures are truly works of art. And your decorating with them is magazine worthy!
Blessings,
debbie

Maury @ Life on Mars said...

Love the paint-by-numbers! I actually plan on doing something similar in our house! I just started my first painting this weekend!

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Loving the paint-by-numbers. The desk is absolutely beautiful. Such a beautiful room. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best.

chateau chic said...

Oh, Betsy, this room is absolutely FABULOUS!! You have created a tropical paradise. Can I move in?? I LOVE, Love, Love everything you've done. That desk you found is amazing.
Mary Alice

very merry vintage style said...

What a fun wall. Love those flamingos! Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday!
Mary

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