Decorating a home is a lot like working on a puzzle, wouldn’t you agree? A grand, 3-dimensional, incredibly rewarding (if at times frustrating) puzzle. Luckily for us homemakers, in decorating, unlike real puzzles, there is no one single perfect piece to fit our scheme but rather multiple great choices, and a good couple exceptional ones. In the end, an interesting and personal home means the puzzle is never quite finished, you’re always tweaking things and leaving spots open for those serendipitous finds that somehow, if you’re patient, will find you.
Well, the puzzle of my own home is still undone (and will be for a while and I’ve made my peace with that) but last Saturday I found what was to me an important little piece. A good fit. Not perfect (we don’t want that, do we? Perfection becomes boring very fast because there’s nowhere to improve), but good. For about a year now I’ve been staring at the blank space above our fireplace mantel wondering if I’ll ever find a special little something to make my vision come true. (I did look at a few wonderful oils at a local art gallery but they were pricey and I was reluctant to buy anything at the time and now sadly the gallery has closed). Wrong scale, wrong palette, wrong subject matter… I tried every piece of art we own (which is really not that much, but still) in that spot and nothing felt right. My initial thoughts were to get a round convex mirror to bring in some sparkle but at the same time I wanted to travel through pictures and colors so a landscape was going to be a better choice. I wanted to inject color and personality into the room without it becoming too precious. It is a modest country cottage after all.
Well, lo and behold, last Saturday I came across a great fit for my fireplace puzzle! A favorite local antique shop opened for a couple of hours and a beautiful landscape by a New England painter was right there by the door, waiting for me. I grabbed it without a moment’s hesitation and was happily on my way. (I did remember to pay first 🙂 ) The painting is not perfect, it needs a good cleaning and revarnishing as the old varnish has yellowed and streaked down the canvas over time (the painting is some 80 years old), but the scale is just right and the subject matter reflects that all too familiar scenery of quietly meandering rivers and farms that peacefully surround us here in Western Mass. I love it and even as yellowed and imperfect as it is, it’s a joy to look at. Will it stay above the mantel “forever”? Probably not, but it will for a good while.
P.S: If you have any experience cleaning an oil canvas, or have any knowledge of a good varnish remover, I would really appreciate your advice on this. I’ve read about Windsor& Newton varnish removers and was wondering if any of you have had to clean a canvas before. (My mom nearly destroyed a cherished old painting in my grandparents house ‘ with soap and water, so I know that won’t work 🙂 ). Thanks a million! Have a peaceful weekend!
I’ve no experience cleaning an oil painting but the one you found is lovely. I hope it goes well with you on cleaning it. The puzzle analogy is spot on. So true, a puzzle that is never finished. I’m always happy with what I find when I can manage to be patient. It’s the layers and finds that make a house a home.
xo,
Karen
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Thank you, Karen! You’re absolutely right about the importance of layers, and the patience required in the process. Although it is not always easy, I too believe that waiting for the right thing to come by is always worth the effort. xo, Eva
I think those of us who like to decorate always need to have a running lists of items we are looking for when shopping. It’s the hunt we love whether thrifting or shopping in high end shops. Your painting is great. I to am drawn to landscapes and even though I live in N.C. now I was born and raised my family in Connecticut. I am very fond of winter scenes and now that I am in the south even more so. Can’t wait to see your painting cleaned and perhaps reframed?over your mantle.
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Thank you so much for your comment, Kathy! I agree completely with you about the running lists. I have so many going simultaneously that I need a list to keep track of all the other lists :)) It’s the madness and the beauty of decorating this way, I think. Take care! xo, Eva
I live half the year in Wales and painted a good portion of my home in Farrow and Ball Elephant’s Breath. It’s their most popular colour but for a reason, it is superb quality and such a soothing neutral.
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Hi, Ollie! I too am a huge fan of FB colors and Elephant’s Breath is one you can’t go wrong with. With paint, like with everything in life, we get what we pay for. xo, Eva
Hi there,
I have a good friend who is a conservationist. She told me she cleans oil paintings with good old spit on q-tips. It takes a long time but it is the safest way to clean an old oil painting. You just spit on the q-tip and then roll it along the canvas, a little bit at a time. Good luck!
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Hi, Diane!! Thanks so much for the comment. I can’t say that I didn’t chuckle reading your comment because I did (my husband too). I will test your suggested method as it is by far the most affordable one I’ve come across :))) I’ll just make sure to hydrate in advance 🙂 Take care! xo, Eva
Hi Eva,
Love your newly found painting! I cleaned an old oil painting with a slightly damp Mr. Clean magic eraser, it worked wonders(actually used 4!). Got lots of grime off and left the painting really clean! Another commentor asked about reframing and if you don’t want to do that you could just use rub & buff on all of it or on the inside frame, it would just kick it up a notch! I’m an oil painter and frame and reframe paintings all the time..a frame can make or break a painting!! Your blog is my very favorite!! Good luck with your decorating, it’s looking great!
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Thank you so much for your sweet comment and clever suggestions, Jane! Will stock up on Mr. Clean magic erasers as we need them anyway (chocolate fingerprints on walls from my chocolate-loving babes) and will try them out on the old varnish. Thanks!
xo, Eva
It’s so sweet, Eva! I’m sure it will look lovely in your country cottage!
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Thank you so much, Linda!!
Hi Eva. Your new (old) painting looks perfect over your mantle. 😊
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Thank you so much, Catherine!! 🙂 xoxo