Monday, October 13, 2008

7 Year Itch and The Wall of Commitment







Seven years already. I can't believe it. December will be seven years that David and I have lived in our house. We've never lived anywhere that long. Usually we pick up, move on, and I get to decorate a new house. Not this time and now I've got the decorating itch really bad. The 7 year itch. Add in the fact that the economy sucks and no one is building a house for me to help decorate and it's even worse.

Three years ago, I had a Russian artist, Irina, paint roses on my dining room ceiling. At the same time she totally sucked me into a beautiful mural for my foyer wall and Venitian plaster technique for the wainscoating. I really do love it. It's truly gorgeous. However, at the time I didn't think about what it meant when you have artwork painted on the wall instead of just buying a piece of artwork. Commitment! That's what it means. Commitment! Now I'm totally stuck with the Laura Ashley Pale Sand #1 color behind the mural that ties into the dining room, great room and kitchen. I can't paint over it. Oh no. No way. Never. I'm ready for Laura Ashley to take a hike. But, now I've got this wall of Commitment! Forever! Unless I move, which is not likely, I'm stuck with this Commitment.

I now have a challenge to see what I can do to change the background color. In the meantime I'm just driving David crazy with cans of spray paint and asking him to spray everything white. He's so good to put up with all my whims. In fact he's the best commitment I made 17 years ago. Hmmm, when I look at the pictures and see how pretty everything is, maybe this artwork was a good commitment too. What do you think?

Have a great week and I'll keep you posted on my decorating itch.

Hugs,Shell

This week IGF, paint and a husband that is a good sport

27 comments:

Deb said...

Hi Shell......well, that is just drop dead gorgeous! I do understand about liking to change things up a bit (see my New Vintage Beddroom post on my blog), and having something handpainted on your walls was a big commitment. Maybe someone who has big $$ (or who things they do) will hire you to decorate and you can scratch that itch!

Hugs,
Debbie

Cottage Flair said...

Michelle,
The painting takes your breath away it is so gorgeous but I'm sure, it does get a little old to look at after 7 years. What to do???
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Well...you could always change the color of all the accents...then that would fade...or...just cut the dry wall out!!! :-)
Susan *dutchrose*

Carolee Crafts said...

Your home is beautiful, just love the rose ceiling it is all very elegant, puts mine to shame.

Susie said...

Hi Shell! OMG!!!! Over the top gorgeous!!!!!! Do not, I repeat, do not change a thing. I even see that hatbox up top in your kitchen! Just beautiful!
Susie of The Polka Dot Rose aka roomie

Susan - InHerOwnWords said...

I agree with Susan! Follow the colors in your beautiful mural. Add new accents in those colors. You'll be amazed at the difference it can make. Good Luck Shell!

Cathy said...

Shell,

I had a mural painted on my living wall 15 years ago. It still looks lovely and I can't imagine ever painting over it.

I think your mural is beautiful, you need to focus on decorating Another Room! Leave this one as is. It's lovely.

xo Cath

Patricia said...

It looks beautiful as is. I have to agree, go to another room to decorate.

Pat

Inka Smith said...

Sorry Shell but I have to agree with Cathy and Pat. I love it and would not think of changing it. It is so beautiful and when I saw it I just went AWWW WOW! Scratch that itch somewhere else!!! Like my house....LOL
Inka

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Oh hello ! That is just stunning.

That's another commitment I think I'd keep :)


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gail said...

Hi Shell,,,, man I hate to say it, but this is a commitment I could live with forever. This is gorgeous!!! I love, love, love these rooms. thanks for sharing them with us! Have a great day, bunny hugs, gail

kath@retromantic antiques said...

Shell, I think it is all beautiful! I thought you were blogging about the "new" decor....YOu could always add some french in black...

Anonymous said...

Shell ~

OMG! I don't think that I could ever tire of that room, it's amazing. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com

Shabby Shan said...

Shell, Your home is gorgeous! I wouldn't change a thing. I just love the ceiling! Thanks for sharing!

Shannon

Noelle Garrett Designs said...

Shell, your home is just beautiful! I love the roses! Wow! But on the other hand I do know that after a while you are ready for a change. Maybe just try some new accent pieces. It would also give you an excuse to shop and who doesn't love that!
Carrie

Dianne Long said...

Shell, your murals are amazing and just to gorgeous to touch! I immediately had a great idea for you and of course I see my girl Inka beat me to it ... Leave your beautiful house as is, and get your little hiney down here to MY house and help me decorate it! I desperately need to finish my rooms, each is in a state of "partially done"! You can bring the rabbits, I think Bella will like to play with them.

Anonymous said...

OMG Shell!! I wouldn't touch a thing... your home is beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! Add some wonderful new items to enhance yet another color addition. The blue and white is a good choice now and your home is timeless. Please don't touch anything!

This from a toll artist!

xoxo

Teriann

Brown Bee Studio said...

Oh, dear Shell....that's drop dead gorgeous, and I'm with the other gals on the changing the accents line of thought. I'm sure there are some beautiful shades you can pull from those lovely roses on the ceiling. xoxo Andie

Miniature Patisserie Chef said...

Shell,
You have such a beautiful home! I really love the painting done by the Russian artist. It's beautiful beyond words. I wouldn't change a thing actually ;) And your kitchen is so clean and white. I am laughing at the point when you mention about spray cans and going around spraying things white.

I LOVE your place!

Have a great week ahead!

Pei Li

Carolyn Kocman said...

oh, you big dw....it's gorgeous...leave it alone! the only thing i can think of is if the paint she used on the mural is oil based, you could probably sponge or rag a transparent stain over it and it would alter the paint color without effecting the mural. but that's all i got. and you are definitely a dw on this!

Unknown said...

Hi Shell,

Wow! Your home is gorgeous! I wouldn't change a thing! I totally understand the moving thing. It seems that for the past few years I have been moving to different homes ,but I sure do love to start new and looove to decorate. You have good taste pinkie. Thanks for sharing it with us!
xoxo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Michelle - Absolutely beautiful! I know how tough it is to paint on a ceiling - it kills your arms! She did an amazing job. You have a gorgeous home Michelle!

Silena said...

Oh my goodness, Michelle, your home is a showplace! Your taste is impeccable and I don't think I would tire of the decor. Yes, how about hiring yourself out...you surely have the know how!! Good luck on the thought process...I know that sometimes we have strong desires to make changes!! Let us know how it goes!!!

Anonymous said...

Shell,
So lovely, but I know what you mean about commitment! I color washed my living room walls and it did take moving to get me out of that!
First, I'd try a knock down gorgeous silk arrangemnt on the foyer sideboard for a change. If that isn't enough try framing the walls with drapery panels on either side. If you're still yearning for more you could try the window display designer's trick of fitting a peice of homosote into each panel that you could wallpaper or paint.
Me, I'd try a new shade of trim work, easy to change after all.
Thanks for letting me dream of decorating schemes!

Lilli Blue said...

I say make some pillows and leave the walls alone. LOL Put a colored bulb in the lamp so it looks a different color. It is beautiful.but you know in your heart the right thing to do. Get another rabbit.LOL Lilli Note....my code for this post has the word paw in it. really.LOL

Unknown said...

Okay, that is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!!! Oh my gosh, it is breathtaking! I would never be able to paint over it, lol! I LOVE it!!

Hugs,
Amy

Sandra Evertson said...

OMG! That painting is so Gorgeous!
Sandra

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