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

7.9branch.jpgDear 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 (35)

If you're just going to throw it out, what would it cost you to hang onto it and see how it looks? If you're undecided what color to paint it, at least figure out how you want to mount it. Visualize colors, take it down and paint it. If you hate it by the time you pick a paint color, then throw it out instead. This shouldn't cost much, just time, possibly a couple holes in the wall or ceiling.

posted by K T G on July 9th 2008 at 8:35am
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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.

posted by gelatofreak on July 9th 2008 at 8:36am
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I agree with gelatofreak. nature is beautiful as is, don't paint.

posted by amt230 on July 9th 2008 at 8:45am
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DON'T paint it. Hang it as is. It's gorgeous!!!

posted by crzybckyf on July 9th 2008 at 8:46am
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I say paint it. RED!!!!!

posted by annaland on July 9th 2008 at 8:46am
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i like it unpainted. i say just mount it.

posted by Hillaryohillary on July 9th 2008 at 9:00am
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I'd strip it and buff it. You'll have the sculptural form without the flaking bark.

posted by Enjen on July 9th 2008 at 9:01am
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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...

posted by AMNY on July 9th 2008 at 9:10am
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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".

posted by rockypondgirl on July 9th 2008 at 9:11am
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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.

posted by Eric D M on July 9th 2008 at 9:16am
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I think your friend is brilliant.

I wouldn't listen to anyone else.

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

posted by myfeetarecold on July 9th 2008 at 9:17am
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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.

posted by jooly on July 9th 2008 at 9:20am
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lucky!

posted by HeatherAB on July 9th 2008 at 9:25am
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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.

posted by luckysquid on July 9th 2008 at 9:51am
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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

posted by Funnelcloud Rachel on July 9th 2008 at 9:54am
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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

posted by Tati23 on July 9th 2008 at 10:22am
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Hang it - don't paint it - its great as-is. And I second AMNY's idea of a painted frame.

posted by catspajamas on July 9th 2008 at 10:28am
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I second Eric D M - yellow lacquer is vibrant and sunny in small doses, and would look great with the blue of your sofa!

posted by moxielady on July 9th 2008 at 10:35am
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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

posted by Doogle on July 9th 2008 at 10:41am
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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.

posted by Daily Nuance on July 9th 2008 at 10:42am
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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...

posted by live2create on July 9th 2008 at 10:44am
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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.

posted by DahliaCactus on July 9th 2008 at 11:07am
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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 :)

posted by mikaela on July 9th 2008 at 11:12am
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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...

posted by bullie on July 9th 2008 at 11:44am
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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.

posted by beyd on July 9th 2008 at 12:50pm
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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.

posted by beyd on July 9th 2008 at 12:52pm
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Oops -- that first link I posted above is broken. It should be: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikaelamartin/355415259/

:)

posted by mikaela on July 9th 2008 at 2:02pm
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Mount it, but don't paint it!

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

posted by nausved on July 9th 2008 at 7:10pm
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Perhaps paint it white like the wall behind the sofa...

posted by nadyamadrid on July 9th 2008 at 11:55pm
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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

posted by NYJane on July 10th 2008 at 5:12am
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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!

posted by tahitianpearl on July 10th 2008 at 6:15am
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mount it au natural! well... mehbeh a bit'o'wax.

posted by Kung Fu Chicken on July 10th 2008 at 6:06pm
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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!

posted by everydaydiva on July 12th 2008 at 7:21am
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I'm a bit late to this thread, but I love the idea of painting it bright yellow, esp with your couch.

posted by rainyday on August 1st 2008 at 11:18am
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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.... ;)

posted by cooleo on August 27th 2008 at 2:53pm
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