apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love oversized artwork - it gives a room a sense of scale. Especially if there are low ceilings.

-Karen
www.cheekyliving.com
http://blog.cheekyliving.com/

I just hung my HUGE obama poster that a friend gave me after the convention. It looks amazing in the small room at the top of the stairs. I love the surprise factor of seeing such a large print (its in the larges ribba frame ikea sells) in such a tiny room.

In total agreement! Not sure if her basement apartment is going to have that much character. Large artwork would definitely make up for that!
~Tracy @
http://www.dailydecorator.com

mmmm... large artwork is great.

large, graphic, dynamic artwork is even better!

http://cozylittlecave.blogspot.com

Totally convinced. Some of those rooms are stunning -- is that Grace Kelly?

What I would like to see is a list of sources for having photographs made into giant prints like those pictured above. And will it work with ordinary photos that aren't large-format negatives?

I have 3 large Disneyland attraction posters from the early 60's that work very well with white walls. Just my opinion, but a huge Obama in my place would kinds creep me out...
to each his own.

@laughing Tiger
Its the Shepard Fairey one and I like it. I agree that it could creep one out, but I have quite a few of his posters and prints so it's not as sore thumb stick out as it could be.

I love this it reminds me of one of my favorite artist Robert Longo who put this style on the map-
http://www.artnet.com/artwork/425978786/149852/robert-longo-men-in-the-cities-larry.html

http://www.robertlongo.com/work/

Lauren Bacall not Grace Kelly

just so long as we're not talking about those ubiquitous reproduction liquor ads, please.

The hard part is finding good sources for oversize prints.

With original artwork or personal photos blown-up (photos 1,2,6, and 7, I think) large pieces work great in any sized space. The big photo of Lauren Bacall and the big mass-production prints to me make a statement of "I am not just an ordinary consumer, I'm a super-sized consumer." That look lacks appeal for me.

Yes, someone please tell us where we can get things blown up! Or even, where we can get scanned jpgs printed large... I'm happy to do the scanning.

At Brimfield in July, I saw this awesome large print. It was simply a plain, black and white illustration from an old astronomy text, and showed the causes of solar and lunar eclipses. Black on white, but at about 5' X 5', it was GORGEOUS! Too much for me at that point, though. However, I would love to get some copyright-free (pre-1924) old books and make my own - I just don't know where to print them.

Oh, and... that large portrait on that blue wall? EXCELLENT! This is how you use color well. The painting makes the wall, and the blue frames it - it doesn't scream, "Look at me, I painted a blue accent wall!" It's entirely purposeful and well-drafted.

Digital printing technology is the key to big prints. The problem is now one of mounting the print and of getting it through the doorway of your house.

Incidentally, the term "oversize" is misleading. In my view, most framed pictures are undersized. The full decorative potential of a print can happen only when it fills a wall. Tapestries and decorative panels were once the mode of the day; "oversize" prints may be their successor.

I'm all for *oversize* art and the statement it can make, but some of the examples here don't do the concept justice.

Pic #1 has two seemingly identical prints with all sorts of furniture and accessories propped up against them, lessening their impact and making the room look chaotic. Pic #7 is also obscured by furniture, and would get pretty tiring to look at, IMO. Pic #8 is such an obvious example of "let's get a painting that matches the sofa!"

Pics #2 and #4 are just plain scary to me ... who wants a giant face looming out at you in your living room (except Obama's, of course LOL!)

There's just too much going on in pic #6, including the dreaded flat screen above the fireplace. It looks like the intent here was "let's just cover the walls completely."

I think #3 and #5 illustrate the concept at its best: interesting and attractive art, well-placed and well integrated in the room, really making a positive statement.

Especially Obama's.
And Kim Jong-il's. Peronality cults are mind erasing. Even when they are PC.
About that painting that matches the upholstery: My theory is that the sofa came first. For sure, it is the better of the two.

i love the matching painting sofa combo.. gorgeous!

I love oversized artwork! It adds some drama! Just wish some of it wasn't so expensive!

http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com