The extra large framed Juniper print in the family room is done! I’ve framed a lot of art myself, and this was, by far, the trickiest and most frustrating piece I’ve ever worked with. It could have to do with the fact that I ordered the largest size that Juniper Print Shop has to offer (55×79…almost 5ft x 6.5ft). Or, it could be my impatience with projects that I think are going to be easy.
In any case, it’s done…and I’m still on the fence about liking it.
Crazy right? It’s beautiful, fills the space well, and was so affordable. But, I’m still feeling this one out. Right now, this room feels a little like a furniture showroom…beautiful pieces but absolutely no personality or warmth. That’s why I’m waiting until the other elements (new rug, oatmeal-colored slipcover for the sofa, wood coffee table, and new throw pillows) are in the room to make my final decision on the artwork.
I love the way the frame turned out though.
I used my own tutorial for building a frame for artwork, but instead of plywood, I used smooth brown hardboard, and mitered my corners for this frame. It was a pretty straightforward project, but ended up taking a lot of patience and creativity to work with such large materials.
Speaking of it’s size, I think the sheer scale of this piece is throwing me off. I knew I wanted an extra large piece of art in here, but I feel a little like Buddy the Elf when he discovers normal-sized toilets…“It’s ginormous!” I feel like it’s dwarfing the reading nook a bit. But is that a bad thing?
Like I said, still on the fence.
I was venting a little of this to Jeff last night, and he kindly reminded me that we had a perfectly good gallery wall in this space before I removed all the art to create our collected staircase gallery wall. I just really wanted one big piece here because I had too many smaller pieces before. So, even if I end up not keeping this extra large framed Juniper art, I know removing the previous gallery wall was the right move.
Part of the struggle with this space is the 20-foot ceilings. We’re toying with the idea of lowering them some day, but until then, the walls in here feel vast and empty without stuff to fill them up.
I almost never use printable art because I love unique, meaningful pieces to fill up my walls. However, this oversized artwork from Juniper Print Shop, titled Hillside, was such an affordable way to add personality and color to our family room that I bent my own personal rules a bit. Plus, when I asked my family to vote on art, they all loved this choice because it reminded them of the hills of Tennessee, which is where we dream of moving. So, even though it’s printable art that literally anybody can have in their home, it does hold personal meaning for our family.
What do you think of the extra large Juniper print in the family room? Yay? Nay? Give me your honest thoughts and opinions. Of course, I’ll always do what’s best for us and what we prefer, but I can’t tell you how helpful it is to discuss these things with you guys.
Okay, onto the next project…sofa slipcover. Coming soon!
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Hi! I know this was a while ago that you posted this, but can I ask where you got your printed? I just bought the 55×40 Ikea frame for it, but now I can’t find a place that prints that big! Thanks so much!!
Hi there, I ordered it directly from Juniper Print Shop. It’s the only place I’ve ever found that prints them this size.
It looks gorgeous!! Did you end up keeping it??
No…I gifted it to a friend. I loved the art but the scale was too large and because we have skylights, it read VERY gray and cool instead of warm like I wanted.
I think just from looking at it on a screen (which really doesn’t ever give the full effect!) that the colors in the print look to be more on the cooler side? So yeah, I won’t know until you make those changes either and even still I’d want to come over and sit in the room a bit before I’d know- lol! wished I could! Great framing skills friend, I’d love a tutorial someday on that?!💕
Ahhhh, hello my friend! Yes, the art is on the cooler side and it’s just not working. I wish you could come sit in this room too. I have a framing tutorial! It’s linked in the post! Love you!!
It is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of art, and the frame looks fantastic. I don’t think the scale looks wrong at all when looking at it from straight on. I do think I see your concern about the scale next to your reading nook. I’m not sure if that would’ve jumped out to me had you not said it, and I’m not sure that it actually looks wrong…I just am not *confident* it does work. I also have a two-story living room and struggled with what to do over our sofa that is against the wall. I ended up doing two large scale pieces, but they were smaller than your large scale piece. I believe they are 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall, or something similar to that. I left about a foot of space between them. So the height is good for our double story living room, but they are not so expansive like one piece would be. If you decide you are not happy with this prints, you could try two slightly smaller, maybe square, but still larger pieces. Also, where did you get that ottoman? I love the small window pane pattern.
Yes, I considered two pieces, but I kept seeing oversized art and thought it would look great here. I just really think it feels like too much. Thank you for your suggestions. I know I can always sell this piece, so that’s good at least. Oh, and the ottoman is custom made but I’m selling it to make way for a large wooden coffee table.
I love the art….I think that the pillows are throwing it off. I would switch the black pillow with the green and see how that goes. Maybe a different throw.?
Oh yes, all that will be changing, as well as the sofa color, coffee table, etc, so I know it’ll all flow better together once those changes are made. I just had to throw some things together for the sake of photos of the art.
I think you did a beautiful job and the scale of it is good for the space. The print is beautiful and it flows well in here. To me, the problem is the scale of it next to the reading nook. The tops of the frame and the nook are almost the same and that is the part that feels off. I feel like if the art was a little bit “less tall” but the same width the scale would be better with the nook. I love everything you do and I have total faith that you will figure this out!
Thank you for your vote of confidence…I really feel like it’ll all work out too. There is just something off about it that I can’t put my finger on, but I’m pretty sure once I make all the other changes, whatever is off will become apparent and then I can figure it out from there. Thank you again for weighing in on this!
I love it! I think it looks great. I forgot who said it, but an interior designer once said that it takes some time to get used to a new piece, furniture arrangement, complete re-do, etc. I’m sure that most of us don’t realize how much we become accustom to a certain arrangement in our homes and then, when we change it up, have a hard time adjusting to it! But I agree with what you said, adding some warmth through a wooden coffee table/different pillows may do wonders for cohesion! But overall, I looooove this piece and love the reasons why your family picked it <3
You are spot on…it DOES take time to adjust to a new piece. I’m giving it more time for sure, mainly BECAUSE of the meaning this piece has for us. But, I’m also not afraid to sell it in a heartbeat if it just isn’t right. I think I also rushed hanging something up because the wall is so stark without something there. OH well…it will work out in the end. Thank you for hashing this out with me!
I think the print is gorgeous and your frame adds to the beauty of the piece (kudos for taking on that challenge). I agree with your original reaction, probably a bit furniture showroom “ish.” The other rooms in your home are so lovely and have a wonderful collected feel, this oversized print seems to conflict with that feeling. Maybe a wall treatment, board and batten, wallpaper, paint color with the print as a layer would help to add that collected feel. But yikes, adding wall treatments to 20 foot ceilings could be crazy. Whatever your final design I know it will be beautiful!
100% agree with you…no wall treatments in the near future for this room, especially since we are considering lowering the ceilings one day OR moving out of state…ha! Either way, I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees the furniture showroom in here! I’m not crazy!
Beautiful room!!!
Thank you so much!
I’m thinking it needs to be hung just a tad higher, maybe 3-6″.
It’s already hung so high! I don’t think I could go any higher.
I think the art looks great … however, maybe in person it looks to “flat”? Your comment about the furniture showroom makes me wonder if the art just does not look like a genuine piece of art. If it does actually look flat, you can try (if you dare!) taking a palette knife (an artist tool, not a real knife, lol) and get some paints that match the artwork and add texture to it. Sounds crazy, I know. Otherwise your taste is fabulous and if something feels off it probably is. You are right about the high ceilings. I had a house with 24 foot ceilings in the great room and it was very difficult to add warmth. And you are right about waiting until some of the other changes are made to finally get a feeling for the painting. When you reupholster the sofa in velvet it may all come together. LOVE your home and blog.
Thank you for all your input…it’s all swirling around in my head right now…everything you’ve said plus some. Fortunately, I’m not afraid to keep trying until I get it right, and right now, it’s just not right. But, I’m going to reserve my final judgment for when I have all the other pieces in place…I think 😉
I love the art. It looks good. I also love your gallery wall. Your home is lovely, and I love your style of decorating.
Well thank you very much! I appreciate your input 😉
Look at how the colors in it draw your eye around to the green in the alcove.I think the pillows on the sofa are what’s throwing it off. If you repeat some of the greens on the sofa with a throw and a couple of pillows,and maybe place the pot with the plant that is on the ottoman on the little table next to the sofa, or maybe even a ficus plant that has some stature, I think you will find that you have a winning combination.
Oh yes, this space is definitely not styled the way I will have it when I redo the sofa cover and pillows and everything, so I know that will help. But I need to do those things before making my final decision because yes, they are throwing me off. Thank you!
It is kind of throwing me off though I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the lack of negative space in the art itself? It seems like it may be over powering the room.
Yeah, I can’t put my finger on it either. I keep thinking, “Oh, I love it” but then “Hmmm…something’s not right.” To be determined I guess.
i agree it’s a little off right now… the oatmeal slipcover will be perfect once it arrives; the couch seems too stark. everything else in there is more muted and cozy. and possibly too many horizontal lines? maybe try a (larger) plant in that corner and move the throw to cover the back of the couch so that it creates a vertical stripe? i don’t think the art itself is the problem. oh, also maybe a picture light above the artwork — again, to break up the horizontal lines and use up some of that wall space.
Yes! I want a picture light, but it would have to be ginormous and I want to wait until I make my final decision on the art. But I’m definitely with you on everything you’ve said! Thank you!
I really do like the large scale (and subject matter) of the print on your big wall. It can handle it. A suggestion would be to include just one more oversized piece somewhere in your area (perhaps a larger round basket tray on your ottoman etc) to keep company with your big print and provide a bit more balance?
However you style it your room looks beautiful as is, I love the intention and your eye for color.
Thank you for those suggestions Anita! I will definitely be doing some different styling and I’ll have different pieces in here, like a new, big coffee table, etc. I’m sure it’ll all come together, but for now, I’m still very much on the fence.
I love it! You did an awesome job on the frame. I really love the little table next to the sofa, is it thrifted? The entire space is really gorgeous 😍
Thank you Michelle! No, that table was gifted to me from a company called Oka. I appreciate your vote of confidence for this art!
I LOVE IT! The size is amazing and I also like the greens.
Thank you Diana! I really appreciate your input 🙂