I have been seeing a lot of people discussing how to handle a big blank wall, and I thought it was time to weigh in. I too am faced with a big blank wall at the mountain house. Well not totally blank, there are windows on this wall. Still it is a big wall.
Well I have lots of thoughts on this type of wall.
GALLERY WALL
First off you can do a gallery wall. I have seen gallery walls that are gorgeous. But I do have a caveat here. I think sometimes they end up looking disjointed and cluttered. A gallery wall is a wall with lots of artwork all on it that work together almost as one piece of artwork. If definitely can be done, but it is more complicated to do that I think many people realize. You want it all to look like it was meant to go together like in an art gallery.
EMBRACE THE BLANK SPACE
There’s nothing wrong with a wall that has nothing on it. What I have found is that if I don’t like the wall color, I keep putting more and more things on the wall, and nothing works, because no artwork can fix a color on the wall that you don’t like. Throwing artwork on the problem just makes it worst.I know, I’ve done it many times! If the wall color is okay, then maybe the wall doesn’t need anything. Not every space needs artwork. It’s okay (and desirable) to walls areas with nothing on them. I like to think of it as curating the space. I prefer no art to the wrong art. (The wrong art I define as art you don’t actually like. It’s artwork you bought simply to fill a space.)
GO BIG
If the wall is big, then small art is not going to work. Adding more small art may not work either. Try something big. A large piece of art properly sized for the space can make a dramatic statement.
GO ARCHITECTURAL
You don’t have to limit yourself to actual artwork. You can use doors, windows, and fragments from a building for a lovely effect.
SHELVING
You can even add shelving to make the space more interesting.
SHIPLAP
We had an old farmhouse at one time and all of the walls were shiplap. Some may feel shiplap is a fad, but it’s been around for over 100 years. It adds nice texture to a wall, and I think it would be gorgeous, but probably a lot of work for a big wall. If you can add moldings, shiplap, chair railing or beams that would be awesome. I know it’s not in everyone’s budget.
MURAL
I haven’t seen many in a long time, but it’s certainly an option. There’s a cool one on my Pinterest board I think you’ll love.
WHAT I PLAN TO DO
Well for now, we will probably add a wall shelf between the two windows to hold some plates. Remember this big pine piece from my booth? Guess what. It never sold. So I’ll be using it!
Here’s what the front of the house looks like.
On another note, I would love to see you at Round Top this spring!!!! I’ll be at
2550 S State Hwy 237
Round Top, TX 78954
March 26th from 2 to 5 PM.
Love the pine piece and btw, your booth looks amazing in that photo!! Here’s one other approach but I’m not sure it would work in your case because it looks like you have 3 windows and not 4 – so not symmetrical. But I have seen this done in rooms with double height ceilings and 4 windows on the wall. Long simple linen drapery panels from top window to floor unite the space and add an elegant finish to an empty wall. Then all you need is something relatively simply between them – a line of vintage platters, a long architectural piece, etc. I definitely agree with your notion of embracing the blank space. Maybe not completely, but I agree you don’t have to fill it entirely… 🙂 I’m sure whatever you do will be beautiful!
Boy, this is a tough one because it isn’t symmetrical. I kind of think you should treat the two bottom windows as if they are the only windows in the room and dress them accordingly. I might do something like a plantation type shutter on the top window and paint it the eventual wall color so you end up having the benefit of the window without the visual significance of it.
I think I would do something to call the most attention to the fireplace. Do some type of treatment to the wall above the fireplace so it becomes the real focal point.
Just my two cents.
Nancy
I love all of these ideas — I guess a lot depends on your style. Me personally — I love anything rustic including using old windows and doors. I’ve seen some cute ideas using an old, single-rung ladder hung on the wall horizontally using the rungs to prop pictures, etc. on it which I loved.
I have been struggling with a big blank wall myself! I even wrote a post about it a few weeks ago, basically that I had (finally!) decided upon the idea of a wall of antique botanicals (much like your photo above, but I will probably do 6 or 8). Of course, I haven’t found them yet (or at least not for the price I want to pay!) Everyone keeps telling me to just get some on Ebay and frame them, but I really like the authentic antiques, the frames just look better. So I’m still on the hunt! But I do LOVE your idea of doors, windows, shutters, etc., as I think that is an awesome way to go, and they take up a LOT of space!
And as an aside, I just wanted to say that I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now, and following you on IG, and I love your house and your style. Especially that kitchen! The wall of glass cabinets is just stunning. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Best,
Sheila
http://www.maisondecinq.blogspot.com
Thank you Sheila! Great ideas too.
I believe it was Candice Olsen on HGTV that addressed tall ceilings and how to tackle them. She talked of the ” water mark” which is a level to decorate below only. I am probably not explaining this very well. At the time I had a living room with very tall ceilings ( 2 floors up) and was at a lost to decorate it. I simply ignored the top half and decorated from the drapery rods down. That is where your eye will be, not craning your head to look up.
I also think there is nothing wrong with negative space. It allows the eye to rest. The wonderful view out your windows will be the art in the room.
I know whatever you do will be perfect.
I would go with the simple linen drape floor to above second window on the left, use the “pine piece” in the middle. Top that with basket with quilts and maybe a few salt glazed crocks or large glass wine storage jugs. Then up by the second window hang chairs like in your picture two over two on Shaker peg boards. Curtain rods should be color of mantle. You may have to play with the lower height a bit to achieve balance on the right, again with simple linen curtains. If you get a lot of sun, think toward a lighter color linen as any fading over the years may show less, even with lining. That’s a lot of yardage!
Wonderful ideas. I also was interested in your take on ship lap as I wondered if it was going to be a fad, although I like it and don’t have the option to use it. I look forward to seeing what you use in your beautiful rental/vacation home.
Anita, This is a tough one since the windows are not symetrical. I hate to say what I would think of doing, it might look crazy. How about a large architectural piece in the blank space over the 1 window. Then drapes on the bottom windows, and 2 pieces vertically between them? Is that nuts??? Happy Spring!!!!!!!
Your suggestions are right on. We all need help decorating our homes. Thanks.