Bought some damn art

Blue painters tape has been on the wall above my living room fireplace for well over a year. Okay, maybe two. Every time someone walks in our front door they ask if I've found something to hang there. "No, I haven't."

Many designers say that it's better to have a blank wall than to hang something you don't love to fill the void. I agree. And, I tend to be a bit OCD about certain things. Once I get an idea in my head, I don't settle for anything less. I really didn't know what I wanted to begin with.

Browsing through the February issue of Style At Home, the abstract landscape in this photo caught my eye. The painting resides in a Surrey British Columbia condo designed by Kerrisdale Design. Canada, I know. The couple who own it asked the designers to give the place a Something's Gotta Give vibe. The Hampton's house in that movie is one of my faves. Actually, I adore all of the homes featured in Nancy Meyers films.

I quickly turned to the source guide. No mention of the artist. Darn.

Good things come to those who read a shit load of blogs. As luck would have it, this same photo appeared on House of Turquoise a month later. Erin at HOT loved the art too and shared the artist's name -- Nancy Jean Tobin who lives in New Jersey and has an Etsy shop. You know how much I love Etsy.

I quickly contacted Nancy and a custom painting was in the works. I asked for darker greens and a bit of red to blend in with my home's decor. After some back and forth, we agreed on the finished product. Note: I hope Nancy doesn't think I'm a nightmare client. Sometimes I have a hard time giving up creative control.

The box arrived last week. After unwrapping it, this little package appeared. Nancy and I must have similar taste, because I bought that same ribbon from another Etsy shop -- no lie -- a few years ago. Don't you love the spool and adorable hat pin?

And then, the painting was wrapped up like a giant present.

Here it is unwrapped, with painters tape still showing behind it. Hope to hang it this weekend.

Moral of the story: If you see something you like -- even if it's in a Canadian shelter magazine -- don't give up. I addition to Etsy, there are other online sources to shop for afordable, original art. Kate Singleton, founder of Buy Some Damn Art, features a new up-and-coming artist every Tuesday on her site for purchase. Check it out.

Next up: mantel styling.

Photo credit: 1