Gallery Wall: Making A Start

I have been talking about having a gallery wall in my dining room since like forever ago.  Not having enough frames to hand nor having enough art really has put a damper in the proceedings as one could imagine seeing that most gallery walls are created using lots of frames and well, lots of art.

So my current gallery as it stands is a little stark at the moment because my ultimate vision - and let's not beat around the bush here - will require more money.  Which at the moment, I do not have.  Now, there's a surprise.

How about some inspiration pics to start us off?

I'm sort of obsessed with this dining room.  The dark walls and the industrial elements make my heart beat out of my chest.

via The New Victorian Ruralist

Again, here we have that fabulous dark grey with varying sizes of gold and black frames.  Of course, the chandelier and glass roof push it into another realm of fabulous but still, the wall is inspirational.

Hotel Telegraaf, Estonia

And I love the way this wall has a good mix of objects, natural wood frames and black as well.  Lovely.

Good Ol' Pottery Barn

So now that you can see where we are going here, you may be wondering why it's taken me so bloody long to get something sorted.  Well, I've been collecting a few things here and there for the last few months and I really just have the patience of a 5 year old waiting in the queue to get into Disney World so I decided to just start already.  Get some stuff up and see how it goes from there.

Anyway, here's what we're currently looking at in the ol' Swoon Worthy household.

As you can see, there's a good mishmash of things plus a couple of new bits which I'll go through. And it's in no way done yet so bear that in mind, I just thought I'd give you a progress report.

Excuse the BBC Radio 6 on the television.  After all the Royal Wedding hoopla, it seemed appropriate to just listen to some good music instead.

So one of my favourite pieces came in the post from a very dear sweet blogger mate who makes the most amazing mixed media pieces.  If you haven't read Michele's blog Hello Lovely Inc., you are properly missing out because it's all sorts of awesome.

Here's how the parcel came to me.  It was so pretty, I didn't actually want to unwrap it.

But once I convinced myself that it wouldn't be blasphemy to unwrap it, what I found was even better.  I truly love it and am incredibly grateful that I've got a little piece of Michele's incredible talent there upon my wall.

It's humorous, just like Michele.

And the little touches and attention to detail are rather fabulous.  

Here's how it looks gracing my dining room wall.  Brilliant, no?  Thank you, lovely lady!  

Also?  A little bird told me that there is an Etsy shop coming soon.  Can. Not. Wait.

So now that I've showed you the best bit, let's see what else there is...

I purchased these large mango wood letters from notonthehighstreet.com.  I've been eyeing them for ages and finally took the plunge the other day and ordered them.  I happy I did now because they added something different to the wall and they are quite good quality - nice and heavy and solid.

We've also got a multiple image frame that I had to fill in somehow so I cut apart a little postcard-sized book I had of wallpaper and fabric images just so I had something to go in there.  I actually quite like the images but they probably aren't permanent and I may add my own photography there eventually.  I do, however, think it balances out the big black television a little bit.

Sorry, they are a little difficult to see in the picture.

I also have proper girl-crushes on Sailor Jerry girls so I've framed a couple that have come from my collection which grows by the week couple of bottles that I've consumed responsibly of course...  For those of you who are not alcoholics among us, every bottle of Sailor Jerry Rum has an original Sailor Jerry girl on the back of the label.  These, however, may not be permanent.  I have an artist friend who is creating larger hand-painted Sailor Jerry girl pieces which will go on my wall but I'm trying to wait patiently for those at the moment.  Did I mention, I'm not the most patient person?  But, yes, I do my best.

Let's see, what else...

Well, I may paint the little Incan Sun God that W got in his travels to South America another colour (white or another bright colour? Hmm. Stay tuned).

One other thing I feel that I have to mention:  I have a wood wall hanging that I've had for a good few years.  I do really quite like it because it's chunky and heavy and is the exact same colour deep dark stain as my dining table and chairs.  The issue with it?

Um.  It has some hidden swastikas in the design.  And to be totally honest, when I bought it, I hadn't even noticed this small strange fact.  Awkward.

Now, what I like to remind people is that swastikas, whilst in today's society, may be associated with Nazi Germany, have actually been around for many thousands of years prior to this and are used widely in Indian religions.  It is a symbol associated with good luck and well-being.  I am desperately hoping that no one in blogland will be offended by this crazy anomaly in a decorative object but just to make it perfectly clear, I am NOT a Nazi.  Not even just a little bit.  I just happen to like this wall art.  Okay?  As long as we've made that clear.  Whew.  Swiftly moving on.

The ampersand I bought from Hobbycraft for £1.18 and decided to stick it up in the blank frame because it gave it a sort of 3D effect.  I just stuck it to the glass with bluetack.  Somehow, I think it works.

As I mentioned, my intention is to eventually fill this wall.  I want a crazy sort of eclectic thing going on in this room and I think that just going full hog on this wall will definitely help that.  As you can see, there is a blank frame there as well which needs something in it.  Getting there, people, slowly but surely.

Also?  I need some colour.  Isn't it funny how you notice these things only after you photograph them?  But yes, definitely need some splash of colour, I'm thinking red and a bit more mustard yellow.  Possibly some blue as well.

How about a before and after?  We all like those, don't we?

Ok, here's what it looked like before we really started the room...

And here's what it looks like now.

So, anyway, that's where we are on the gallery wall.  It's only taken 7 months to get here.  It may take another 7 months to get the thing done.  Hope you have more patience than I do.

Have any projects that have taken you 7+ months to not even finish yet?  Any awkward artwork that you feel needs explaining?  Think Michele is the bomb just like I do?  Do share in the comments...

Images unless otherwise credited are my own. 

Linking up at My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday and Chic on a Shoestring Decorating Flaunt It Friday!

Design Obsession: David Wiseman

I came across David Wiseman's work the other day and had to share because I think I'm slightly obsessed by his gorgeous installations.

Each porcelin bloom is handcrafted in his studio in Los Angeles, California as prefabricated tiles to be lovingly reassembled as intertwining branches that cover the ceilings of his massive installations.

Christian Dior is a client and David made his Shanghai flagship store into something quite beyond extraordinary.

For a fantastic interview, read more about him at Sight Unseen. 

I think I'm in love.

Royal Wedding: The Post I Didn't Think I'd Ever Do

Ya know, I have no real issue with the Royals.  I understand their place in England's incredible history and I know they certainly hold their place today.  Britain just wouldn't be Britain without the monarchy.  I don't even mind that my taxes have gone into paying for what will be a pretty spectacular wedding of my ol' mates, Willy and Katie.  Ok, so they are not really my mates but one can pretend, can one not?

So of all the rubbish that seems to have permeated every motorway service station and every charity shop and every superstore of England, there's got to be a few things here and there that isn't completely horrific, right?

Well, luckily you have me because I've put together a little list of the things you may not even be embarrassed by if your mates stop by and see your support for The Wedding Of The Year.

John Lewis is carrying a rather fetching plate to express just how thankful we are to the Royals for everything this wedding has brought to the British public:

via John Lewis

Some other commemorative items that I thought were pretty cool amidst all the incredibly kitchy stuff that everyone and their dog is trying to cash in on.  Well, Oxfordshire would be a pretty sweet gift, no?

via John Lewis

Leaving the humour to one side, there's a distinct theme of crowns as well as is to be expected.  This wallpaper by Graham and Brown is actually rather lovely in your own personal regal space.

via Graham & Brown

Bemoaning the thought that now you'll never be a princess?  Perhaps a coaster to set your royal cuppa upon will make you feel better.

Via Find Me A Gift

There's also a commemorative nail polish from Butter London called 'No More Waity, Katie'...  Unfortunately, it's not available to UK residents but everyone else can snap up this lovely greige with a touch of lavender sparkle and feel just like Kate Middleton! (Ok, maybe not)

via Butter London

And of course, no royal wedding would be complete without a little bit of good ol' fashioned lie-back-and-think-of-England...

via Crown Jewel Condoms

How will you be celebrating the Royal Wedding?  A street party?  A few friends gathered to eat cucumber sandwiches and canapes with champagne?  Or will you be doing what I'll be doing - a few cold ciders in the garden with the telly on in the background just so I can check out the dress and see what all the fuss is about?

Bang Up To Date: Trad Home

So the American magazine Traditional Home has teamed up with Lonny creators, Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline to bring out the newest in a flurry of online shelter magazines.

I have to admit something.  I really don't like the name they came up with.  Trad Home sounds like what Kentucky Fried Chicken tried doing to get the cool kids into the door by changing the name to KFC.  Stop trying so desperately to be cool, Lonny.  We love you.   The word 'Traditional' isn't as scary as you may think.  Honestly and truly, you and god-rest-its-soul Domino have provided me more inspiration than any other shelter magazine ever and I've stolen been inspired by so many ideas you've presented, it's untrue.  So what's with Trad?  I pronounce 'traditional' like 'tru-di'-shu-nul' so am I supposed to call you 'Trud'?  Or shall I pronounce it 'Trad' which just sounds like the name of someone in a daytime soap... Either way, I'm uncomfortable by the name. I really just felt that needed to be said.

Now that we've gotten that little niggle out of the way, I do have to say that the magazine, at 347 pages, is a pretty hefty issue filled with lots of juicy inspiration.  Ok, so there are plenty of advertisements in the first 100 or so pages but they are generally so beautiful that despite the fact that I can't buy the products either due to location or due to price, I don't mind looking at them.

Otherwise, you'll find some fantastic interiors with a nod to gorgeous metallics and mirrored finishes...

And absolutely succulent tufted pieces that just make a room that bit more opulent...

That gorgeous peacock blue I keep seeing made a few appearances as well...

I kept noticing a proliferation of black and white stripe as well, particularly in outdoor spaces.  Is that because since I put the black and white stripe tablecloth in my dining room, I'm more aware of it?  Or does there just seem to be an explosion at the moment?

I also enjoyed their feature showing 6 different designers reinterpret the Louis XVI chair.

My favourite, probably not surprisingly, was by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.  There's that black and white stripe again with a gorgeous modern mustard animal print.  Be still my beating heart.

So if you haven't already poured over this gorgeous new mag and you have a wonton lust for a goodly mix of traditional and modern interiors (preferably in the same room), go and check it out.

How do you feel about Trad Home?  Any particular favourite features?   Anything you'd change?  Sound off in the comments...

All images from Trad Home.

Colour Wash: Spring is Springing at Swoon Worthy

My Internet connection has been up and down like a cheap hooker's dress lately (What? Analogy a bit strong?) and as such, I've not been able to do much blogging lately.  Goodness, you don't realise how much you are addicted to this blogging lark until you can't do it!  Apologies if I've been a little quiet lately but I figured I'd write a quick post today before it goes again so that y'all know I'm alive and well.  Fingers crossed our ISP gets whatever issues they have sorted soon.

Anyway, I realised I hadn't done a  'flowers from the garden' post in a very long time - what with winter and all and realising our garden pretty much dies off completely in the coldest months (we are working on rectifying that a bit with some ever-green plants).  So I'm very excited by the first signs of colour...

With the sunshine we've had lately and the temperatures actually getting into the double digits, we have some little flowers sprouting up.

Now, bearing in mind, we haven't really done ANYTHING to the garden except for replacing the fence, we are discovering with each passing season what's actually planted there.

I know we have tulips and bluebells, but otherwise, not really sure what those other little beauties are called so if anyone knows the name, let me know in the comments; I would be ever so grateful!

Senna doesn't seem to care. She finds a soft spot in the undergrowth and has a nap in the sunshine.

Hope your weekend has been as relaxing as Senna's!

All images my own.