My daughter, Alexandra, and I spent a lovely morning at the Barberini Museum, in Potsdam, Germany, near Berlin. My second time there… It's a must-visit! Philanthropist Hasso Plattner, the founder of this Impressionist museum, displays his vast and truly stunning array of art. Why were the walls painted gray in this gallery room? I imagine the wall paint color was chosen to complement the cold, snow-scene paintings in the room. The iconic haystack has faint hints of gray too.
Have you ever been in a quandary about what color to paint the walls for a room in your house? Are you curious about how and where to start the color search? If you do not have a designer to do the job for you, then may I suggest a secret that notable art museums and galleries use brilliantly? They carefully select a color that is represented in one or more pieces of art in a particular salon/room and paint the walls using that hint of color found within the artwork. The artwork is subtly enhanced by the chosen “wall backdrop” color, creating a symphony of pleasing visual aesthetics.
The deep charcoal-navy wall color is a replication of the cathedral tower in this painting.
Tour notable art museums. Discover how the color on the walls complements the art in the room.
What a delightful experience it is to take my grandchildren into a museum and have them observe the wall color and then ask them to hunt for where the inspiration came from. I enjoy the challenge and search too. From the pink dress on a lady, to a blue shoe, or the gray tonality of snow, you will always find something that is the key to the color chosen for the walls.
Just a hint of gray, in the far left corner of Monet’s Water Lilies, is a clue as to why the same color was chosen for the walls in this room.
Choose a color for the walls with your artwork in mind. This will meld the art and the room together for a carefully curated aura. Or, select a fabric design or carpet color, or whatever will have a prominent presence in a room. Decide what hint of color you adore within that piece and use it on the walls. I tend to use soft, pastel shades and colors that bring visual happiness to me.
Paint the walls with a flat finish, which is the traditional finish, and it does not compete with the texture or sheen within the artwork displayed.
Happy hunting!
Oh, and here’s another secret for you! I have a new online shop- The House of Holly Holden, and it’s LIVE now! Go to www.ShopHollyHolden.com and take a peek! More curated darling goodies will be coming soon. But for now, you can easily order my Equestrian Collection…giddy-up!
Xx
Holly
P.S. Please be a dear and forward this on to a friend. Perhaps, they will be inspired to subscribe!
A Postscript from the “Bread and Butter” newsletter, which I thought you too may enjoy reading:
Dear Holly,
I had such a giggle reading your missive on “bread and butter” notes. As a Southern daughter, I was raised by my dear Momma, a true belle, to believe that thank-you notes must be written as quickly as possible or like fish, they would begin to smell.
I remember starting mine in the plane on the way to my honeymoon. Momma also felt that a postmark from a foreign location added to the impression that all due diligence had been expended to insure the recipient was thanked in a punctual manner. The fact that we only went as far as Florida was irrelevant.
Thank you for bringing back a fond memory. My dearest Momma, now ninety, still maintains her selection of proper note papers for all occasions in her writing desk. It makes me happy that you are passing on this knowledge to young girls who may not have been blessed as I was with a Southern belle to guide them.
Sincerely,
Nikki