Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall

I have shared bits and pieces of the cozy reading nook I recently created in our main bedroom. Now that it is ALMOST completely finished (we still need to put up baseboard throughout the whole house and I am missing an outlet cover), I wanted to show you more and share the details of some of the art on the gallery wall.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
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Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
We had new carpet installed in our two downstairs bedrooms in October. Beforehand, we repainted our bedroom. This little nook or alcove previously housed a desk that was always a big mess of piled papers. I knew it would make a lovely reading nook area instead so I set to create the perfect cozy spot. I painted two of the walls in the nook a burnt orange color called Glazed Pot.  I shared the chairs here and the wall bookshelf here.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
I hunted my local thrift stores for art to create a gallery wall that started at the top of the twelve foot ceiling. I paid no more than $8 for a piece of art. I looked for vintage pieces, amateur paintings, nature inspired artwork, and art pieces with greens, oranges, golds, blue, and black and white. It took a few months to collect enough pieces to fill the wall. I believe a good collection does take some time and hunting is part of the fun. I like to create something that looks like it has been curated and thoughtfully collected rather than purchased brand new at a department store.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This oil painting is certainly not a masterpiece, but it looks like it could be a scene from the Montana countryside. Although it is not signed, this information was glued to the back, making me think it was probably painted by 1950's actress Irish McCalla.
Irish McCalla Painting
This antique embroidery is beautifully crafted and cost me only $5 at the thrift store. The black, oranges, and gold frame are a perfect fit. 
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
A vintage oil pastel has gorgeous colors. I placed it at the top because it is easy to see it without needing to view it more closely. I did lay out all of the art on the floor and moved items around until I liked the layout. I tried to balance colors, frames, subject matter, etc.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
An art deco, 1940's, airbrushed print also hangs at the top of the gallery wall.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This vintage print is signed in pencil. I gave the white bamboo frame a new finish, using antique gold Rub-n-Buff (BUY HERE). I also painted the fabric inset on the frame green.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
I also used the Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff on the tripod base of this lamp that I made from a metal construction tripod and a lamp kit. The black shade has a lovely gold interior that reflects the light beautifully.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This signed black and white print that is numbered 2/3 had a little water damage. But, for $4 I thought it was a great thrift store find. I wanted some black and white to give the eyes a bit of a rest. the tree trunk you might see in other photos is a pen and ink drawn by my sun.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This original acrylic painting looked a bit like a mass produced picture. But, the back is covered in paint splatters and the canvas is homemade. Our local university offers art degrees and often wonder if some of the thrift store art I find is from a frustrated art student. I did add the black frame to this painting.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This antique print in a lovely frame belonged to my husband's grandmother.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
Window coverings have always been a bit of an issue because these 90 year old windows are so tall. I added new, room darkening, white, roller shades and golden yellow "velvet" curtains. The curtains really finish the space off and help to create a gorgeous glow with the morning sunlight. The curtains are true velvet, but have a nice texture. They can be closed for extra warmth or darkness. I got the curtains HERE and I love that they are long enough for my twelve ceilings.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
The shadows and light that com through these windows create their own art on the opposite walls.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
I hung a gold framed, octagonal mirror opposite the windows. I wanted something simple that would not compete with the busy gallery wall. It reflect the sunlight nicely. The mirror belonged to my son, but he no longer was using it.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
On the bookshelf sits some bourbon for a nightcap. I could have hung another row of art right above the bookshelf, but I decided to leave it open for propped pieces. the brown print is a 1950's Turner print with the original $1.49 May Co. price tag on the back.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
A silver mirror I have had for several years also received an antique gold Rub-n-Buff update.
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
The rug was purchased new HERE and the dog bed is from the thrift store. It has a removable cover that I washed for our pup. Other art pieces are paintings, photographs, a print from an art book, and vintage oils. 
Cozy Golden Bedroom Reading Nook and Gallery Wall
This cozy, warm reading nook is quickly becoming my favorite sitting spot in my home and because I am challenging myself to read more in the new year, I am enjoying it more and more. I also can see this spot while lying in bed and it always makes me smile.

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