NY Good Questions: Should I Paint and Mount This Branch?

7.9branch.jpg Dear AT,

The other month I came home to find this giant branch in the middle of my patio.

It's pretty huge and my ceilings are quite tall.

I had an idea to paint it and mount it to my wall as a centerpiece, but just not sure.

My first thought was to paint it a black lacquer, but a friend had suggested to paint it a more vibrant color.

Is this even a good idea to paint and mount this branch or should I just throw it out?

Thanks! Jane

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Comments (34)

Cool branch! I like it as is... the natural undulating shape and the color is a nice counterpoint to your more formal couch, perfectly round mirror, and general sleekness of the room. Depending on how you mount it, you could always use it as a sort of wall shelf and put some funky object on it, or even hang something from it.

I agree with gelatofreak. nature is beautiful as is, don't paint.

DON'T paint it. Hang it as is. It's gorgeous!!!

I say paint it. RED!!!!!

i like it unpainted. i say just mount it.

I'd strip it and buff it. You'll have the sculptural form without the flaking bark.

I say - Paint a rectangle on the wall ( either vertical or horizontal ) to act as a base/frame and then place the branch in the middle... dont paint it, just choose the color for the wall that compliments its natural color.

Or--- painting a silhouette of the branch on the wall first... but maybe an inch or two bigger and place the branch on top.. would act as a nice 'frame' to it...

I wouldn't paint it black... sand/strip off the bark and varnish or wax (as Enjen suggested), or stain dark, or maybe paint red. Natural would be cool, too, but I don't think it would work with the rest of your place, which is more "finished".

Oooooh... based on what you've got in situ, I would lacquer it a bright yellow. It would be a great natual/modern counterpoint to your Victorian-y sofa.

I think your friend is brilliant.

I wouldn't listen to anyone else.

Natural.....bah, you live in NY!

The whole tree branch as decor concept has never appealed to me. But out of all the ideas presented, I would strip and buff it.

lucky!

i say make a big mobile out of it. hang smaller branches with fishing line off of the big one. either as is or stripped and sanded.

I just got the most recent CB2 catalog in the mail yesterday - and it showed a branch hanging from the ceiling with round glass tea-light holders suspended from it. The whole thing was hung over a dining table as a "chandelier" - very cool.

Let's see if I can find a pic online...follow the link below and click on the "room view" thumbnail:

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=585&f=2447&viewall=1

I like the strip and buff comment. :)
I was going to do the same thing in my bathroom (in black) with the last storm branches that that fell but didn't want to bring in any bugs to eat up my wood floors.

Tati

Hang it - don't paint it - its great as-is. And I second AMNY's idea of a painted frame.

I second Eric D M - yellow lacquer is vibrant and sunny in small doses, and would look great with the blue of your sofa!

After sanding it down, I would paint it a hot pink, bright yellow, or baby blue.

Here are some lovely examples of painted branches:

http://www.architecture-page.com/assets/images/content/prj_clau_niss/1.jpg

http://www.asparagusinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/redbranch.jpg

http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/6/61259/46_2007/img_windowsgallerylg_ss6.preview.jpg

The "Dead Branch on the Wall" thing has been overused and is outdated, so I say throw it out. BUT if you like the look of it, go ahead and paint and mount it. The important thing is that YOU are happy with the end result.

Keep it!
I found one in front of my apartment last year (I also live in NYC) We have tons of trees in front of my house so cost $0

I put varish on mine and have it leaning in a corner. Everyone loves it and thinks I got it at Crate and Barrel. Go figure...

live2create... i think i would die laughing is someone thought i bought a branch from a store.

That said, i love the look, esp w/formal stuff, and my favorite is the "chandelier".

I like the idea of stripping the bark and waxing it, but for juxtaposition with especially that sofa i'd do the bold laquer color. Yellow, Teal, Pink all good ideas.

Keep it, use it, love it! I think painting it would be a complete pita, though :)

I've used several branches in my place. I've used them like this, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/355415259/in/set-72157600228827682/, on a bunch of windows, and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/375601688/in/set-72157594510606665/ in vases.

You'll love the energy and surprise that branch brings to your home :)

branch on the wall? i say toss it...
you've got a great wall...to great to waste it on a branch...make something out of it...and i don't just mean paint it or strip and shellac it...please...

Keep it as is. I think this is an example of the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi. That we are all part of an ever changing universe which lives, dies, fades away, becomes something else, and is reborn.

It's been a while since I read about this, but I think this is the correct interpretation.

It is also a good green use of object as art.

On the other hand, feng shui principles are against using dead plant material as decor.

I say don't let either system rule you.

Have fun and do what pleases you.

Oops -- that first link I posted above is broken. It should be: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/355415259/

:)

Mount it, but don't paint it!

It could make a nifty curtain rod, for curtains you don't open or close frequently.

Perhaps paint it white like the wall behind the sofa...

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the amazing responses! I will def. keep the branch and try to mount it first before I decide if I want to paint it or not.

My head is spinning with so many ideas, I love it!

Best,

Jane

I vote paint! In silver! No, orange! No, bright blue!

I know -cover it in eggshells! Cool! or what about suspending it from the ceiling and then hanging paper lanterns from it?

Or suspending it and perching some of those little birdies that were posted on AT not too long ago? That would be cute!

Or painting totem pole kinds of pictures on it? or covering it in patterned paper like python or snakeskin?

Make art!

mount it au natural! well... mehbeh a bit'o'wax.

I'm with everyone who said leave it as is, but also treat it for potential creepy-crawlies. Hang it horizontally over an object eg couch or table, and use it for something like hanging photos, art or tealights.
Let us all see the result!

I'm a bit late to this thread, but I love the idea of painting it bright yellow, esp with your couch.

Methinks Enjen is a genius. I love the idea of stripping it and buffing it! Poo to the paint. The blue of your couch is already a lovely colour accent to your room. No other colour is needed! I like the idea of the branch being it's natural wood colour because it becomes somewhat more neutral in the room. Plus it'll look more sophisticated. The thing is HUGE -- if you paint it any colour it'll just command way too much attention. Right now the focal point of the room is the couch and i think that's where it should stay. The branch should be the accent. btw, how awesome is your couch? that's a thing of beauty.

a very cool, handsome and hilarious friend of mine once said that using branches as accents in your home is a very subtle form of taxidermy.... ;)