The living space in our new place is pretty much an open floor plan, but there is a smallish floating wall that divides the dining room from the living room (you can sort of see here). Considering it's the first wall you see when walking through the entryway, I've been putting a lot of thought into what I want to hang there. After scratching off a ton of ideas that just didn't seem right, I started to feel like I was never going to find the perfect fit.
I discussed the situation with a friend, and she suggested blowing up and hanging one of my photographs... something that was sentimental to me and my family. Truthfully, after leaving art school [many, MANY moons ago] and realizing that a professional photographer was the LAST thing I wanted to be in life (this, of course, is no offense to my many professional photographer friends), it would have never in a million years occurred to me to blow up one of my own pictures. Actually, it never would have occurred to me to hang any of my pictures, blown up or not. But after much contemplation, I started to warm up to the idea. After all, I've always preferred taking scenic pictures, and as much as I love my kid, a huge picture of her face in our dining room would be, I don't know, weird?
I've narrowed it down to three different beach pictures I've taken. All of them are incredibly special, so picking one, the one, has proven to be especially difficult. The first was taken while we were snorkeling off the coast of Lana'i on our first family vacation with Cheech. I took the second on Cheech's first trip to NH last year. We were about a mile away from Joe's childhood home. And the last was taken during our recent trip to Big Sur. I like the idea of a California beach because, after all, California is our state. And now I'm torn. They're all so meaningful in their own way, so which one wins?
My vote goes to BIG SUR. Love that shot! It would look great on that wall too...
ReplyDeletewhen i was about 11, my family spent a week on lana'i. it was so beautiful! anyway, all three shots are so pretty! i understand the dilemma :( i personally love the big sur shot. it's so sunny and bright. makes me think nice and positive thoughts ;)
ReplyDeleteI like all three! Could you do a triptych?
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful. But I think Big Sur wins. It looks the most personal, if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteme, i like rye beach. because it's unexpected and not textbook and I love those stones a lot.
ReplyDeleteBIG SUR. hands down.
ReplyDeleteBig Sur. It's a great, great shot. The colors are kickass, as long as they go with your decor in a pleasing way.
ReplyDeleteRye Beach. It just draws me in... I want to stare at it for hours. xo.
ReplyDeleteI really love the first two. I feel like they have more... I dunno... *texture* than the Big Sur shot (which is, indeed, awesome).
ReplyDeleteall three are great, but the rye beach photo is just so interesting i love it.
ReplyDeleterye beach. oh me oh my. swoon. it's gorgeous (all of them though really).
ReplyDeleteI'm digging the second one.
ReplyDeleteTo me, they have three different moods...
ReplyDeleteLana'i = In the big scheme of things (like mountains) you and your problems today are tiny, so take a deep breath and look at the big picture.
Rye Beach = similar to Lana'i but more solemn, deep, pondering life/death/existence stuff
Big Sur = sunshine summery frolicking, nostalgia crossed with hope and excitement for next summer
So for me, I'd put Big Sur on my wall. But that's just me and what I want reminding of on a daily basis.
Lana'i. The different textures of the clouds really draw me in. Second choice is Big Sur because yay, beach. While I do really like the Rye Beach photo, the colours seem a bit gloomy and moody to me.
ReplyDeleteI may be biased being a California girl myself, but I vote for Big Sur. I think there is a slightly vintage and nostalgic feel to it, rendering it romantic.
ReplyDeleteI'm an Interior Designer and I say that for purely selfish reasons so you will listen to my choice. RYE BEACH. Here's why: We've already established that they are beautiful photos that each have sentimental value. So let's look at it from a purely design perspective. Lana'i is too pretty and you'll get bored of it. Plus there's actually too much going on. Imagine a fully set table with the drama of the mountains and clouds behind it. Would make me a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteBig Sur is 2nd fav but I think that Rye Beach would be most complementary to any table setting, any mood. I love the simple grey tones. I love that it doesn't compete, it just is. It's definitely the most sophisticated out of the bunch and, as another reader noted, the least expected. Love it. I also think that the warmth of the wooden dining table would be stunning next to the rocky beach.
And here's a thought -- Etsy for your photos? I'm sure lots of folks out there would love to hang their own Rye Beach or Big Sur signed by Celia. Just a thought.
Cheers!
Love the Big Sur shot!
ReplyDeleteRye beach. The least expected and the most striking. But all are lovely! <3
ReplyDeleteBig Sur all the way!
ReplyDeleteRye Beach Rye Beach Rye Beach.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn between Rye Beach and Big Sur. They're both stunning photos. Rye Beach speaks to me, but that may be because I'm an East Coast girl. If you like the idea of a California picture, go with Big Sur. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleterye beach
ReplyDeleteRye Beach for sure. It's so understated and peaceful and won't hog the eyes (hog the eyes?) like the other two. I think it will be part of a bigger overall look and feel to a space without demanding all the attention be on it.
ReplyDeleterye beach, definitely. given where you are on the west coast, i like having that link to the east coast and joe's place. also, those greys are just swoony - i concur with everything zsuzsi said about how they'd interact with your stuff.
ReplyDeletejoining in the fun, rye beach. it's moodier. I like moody.
ReplyDeleteBig Sur for sure. I love the waves crashing and the yellow sand. I'm a sucker for warm beach shots.
ReplyDeleteI like the Big Sur one. :)
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ReplyDeleteps. I like this one and this one. The problem with your pictures (above) is that they're all too gorgeous. You could have bought them is some high-end photography gallery. I like the idea of blowing up something a little quirkier and more personal.
ReplyDeleteNow. Which one for my wall?
So, I love them as a threesome, because they speak to each other in such interesting ways!
ReplyDeleteBut, if you want just one, I am very drawn to the warmth and joy of the Big Sur photo.
Big Sur!
ReplyDeleteRye Beach! I 100% agree with Zsuzsi.
ReplyDeleteI want to hang that Big Sur photo in MY living room.
ReplyDelete