Don't know why, but I have always liked art of English hunt scenes. Am I from England? No. Do I ride horses? No. Am I a fan of English and European decor? Yes. Do I like all things related to horses? Yes and yes.
This is a hunt scene print we have had for some time. It hangs over our fireplace. The artist is George Wright, it is called Crossing The Ford and it was printed in Italy.
I really like the colors in this print. The muted and various shades of green, blue and golden yellow. Black and brown with a pop of red. Very pleasing to me.
Although I liked the print, I did not care for the frame it was in. Blah. Boring. And please, not a gold-colored band thing-y around it. See the close-up?
This is how the mantel looked awhile back. I always felt the picture called for a frame with more oomph. Ya know?
I guess you know where this is leading. Right, we found a more suitable frame! We purchased it at a consignment store at 50% off. We paid less than $15.00 for it. It had this print in it with a green mat in a wooden black frame. I actually like this print so I am holding on to it.
Here is a close-up of the frame.
We used the green mat and my husband removed some of the black from the wooden frame to reveal more of the wood-grain.
And here is the after. You get the idea although this is not a great picture. For some reason the green mat is looking dark blue on my computer. It is not blue, more of a hunter green.
Probably should have turned off the spot-light we have on. Anyway....
I did a little updating of the mantel. I kept the tall candle sticks. I like these for the height they bring to the mantel. They previously were a putty color and I sprayed painted them brown. I brought in some old Readers Digest books. Kept the succulents I bought at Michael's Craft Stores that I had taken a sponge brush and white paint to. I brought my small brown and white transfer ware ironstone pitcher from another place in the home. I added a white oval platter on the other side.
Overall I am much happier with the new frame. I think it is a big improvement but I have a feeling we aren't fully done with this project.
On a completely different note and totally unrelated....I had the pleasure of attending a local Atlanta bloggers luncheon last Saturday. It was put together by Rhoda of Southern Hospitality who has recently relocated to the area. Here we are all together. Some bloggers and some readers. It was a lot of fun and I think the beginning of something special!
Thanks for stopping by! Libby~
