I’m a big fan of brooks burns art For a few years (since I discovered it on IG – IMHO one of the best, most positive things about social media). I “liked” every painting she posted and tried to figure out a way to incorporate them into any project, but we’re always on deadlines, and investing in something unseen from across the country can seem risky. But when I saw this painting, in those colors, I immediately did what I did before and DMed. I think my exact message was “I want it. Oh my God. So nice. Those colors. I don’t know where it’ll go, but how big and how much?) Apparently he had seen my enthusiasm earlier, knew about my following, and proposed a deal. It came 10 days later, and it’s obviously more incredible in person. Having contemporary art in my home is not something I take lightly, and I appreciate it. I’ve always said it’s that thing. That’s what I’d spend more on than anything else. There are plenty of great sofas out there that are more affordable (unless it’s statement furniture) and buy art instead.
It arrived, and I liked it even more. It’s both powerful and whimsical, with such strong lines and my colors. But there wasn’t an obvious spot for it in my house, so I thought I’d show you all the spots I was debating on putting it and see what you think.
dining room
Honestly, I liked it wherever I put it, but in some places it made more sense, or got more attention. Here it works perfectly in both scale and size. In photos, it looks fantastic, but in real life, it doesn’t get much natural light and feels a bit dark – strange that it didn’t pop. Like because of the contrast, the low light, the bright white colors and how deep and dark it is, it took your eye a second to fully absorb it.
over the fireplace
Although this fireplace definitely deserves a larger horizontal piece, once I styled it, I think it looks great. It catches your eye, obviously the white color stands out and again, the color palette works perfectly. And a quick update – all with light furniture (double barbs – blue and pink), I don’t want to paint the fireplace right now. The whole room (with that early Scandinavian eclectic intention from years ago) flows really well and feels very light, airy and happy.
Although it looks good here in the photos, in real life, it is dark here too – there is not enough light on it. Now I could hang it properly and put a spot light or picture light on it, which I am very fond of doing. Just need to find true love.
first landing
Although it seems like an insignificant place, it actually gets a lot of attention whenever we go up and down the stairs, which is often, obviously. But as you can see in the pictures, the side light made it difficult to see the painting. I think it may have to do with the type of paint (oil, perhaps?) that reflects a lot, whereas the painting we had before didn’t.
So while it fit in well with the living room there, I didn’t like how I experienced the painting. Also, yes, I have that chair right now because it’s one of my favorite vintage items of all time, and I love the soft lines and that color (I have two of them, and they’re always trying to find a home).
top of landing
So then I tried it at the top of the landing, which again is such a powerful spot that attracts a lot of attention. It works here too, but in all the family photos, it felt really intense.
Up here, it also has the side light that hits it (and I’m also afraid of the light damaging the painting).
If you’re wondering if the entry would be a good place, I can tell you absolutely yes, but no one ever goes in or out through our entrance, so it’s a last resort. I would love to put it somewhere that gets more attention (at least from me). Right now I’m leaning towards the mantle or (get this) trying it on our bed in our bedroom (not shown, sorry). I finally ordered a new bed there, and I think the colors could work very well; The darkness speaks to the curtains, and it will contrast less than a white wall. And perhaps this painting, which is on a large scale and the object on it is large, actually needs a larger room (like a bedroom) to give space around it so that you can see it from a distance and not so much up close (which makes it seem oddly intense).
But of course I would love your ideas 🙂 Thank you very much brooks burnsThe artist who painted this incredible masterpiece. I feel very grateful and lucky to be able to have it anywhere in my home. Please, please, please go check out his work, and if you have the budget to support artists (and collect original art), consider him for a future piece. his instagram That’s where he hangs his paintings in the first place (and how I got it).
*by photos Caitlin Green
