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Decorating My Home

Is your Home Picture Poor?

By 06/30/2011January 27th, 201726 Comments

I met Kent Southwell for the first time 2 years ago in July when I hired him to install a large wall of framed photography for my Yaletown loft project.

Interior Design by Maria Killam

That same wall along with the loft I decorated made it onto the cover of BC Home Magazine that September ‘09 (above). Since then, Kent has opened up his own framing shop (By Appointment only by the way) on 1666 West 8th Avenue in Vancouver.

I recently had one of my favourite pieces of art framed. It was this one you saw in my place in the Holiday Tour:

I just wanted a simple black frame to contrast against her hair. The background of this art is pinky and without the frame you noticed (well I did anyway) how it kind of clashed with my CC-90 Natural Linen walls. Here is the colourful section of Kent’s wall of frames:

I wish I had remembered to take a before photo of the tired, pickled pink frame this print was in before Kent re-framed it. I love the happy kids in the rain (here it is in my entry).

Kent has been in the business for 15 years, his big focus is service and his pricing is competitive.  Kent is always bringing in new and unusual mouldings and materials so he can offer a better selection than usual. He can frame anything from your little angel’s artwork to even a hockey jersey! He’s a one man show for now so call him at 604-329-9027 to make an appointment to drop by with your art!

My sweet nephew Markus 
So if your home is lacking in artwork, or you’ve had some old art that is languishing in storage somewhere, pick it up and take it over to Kent for a transformation. A new frame is like a new lampshade. Suddenly it’s like new again!
Fabric from Robert Allen;Big Zig; Fiddlehead
And here it is back in my living room with my new green chair and ottoman! Isn’t it fabulous? I love the colour and I still need an end table! It wasn’t always green by the way, the first round was black and white, I’ll post about that fiasco soon.
   Photo by Maria Killam
Here are my Hostas from the garden outside. I love this little white triple vase. We’re off to Vegas Friday to get some sun. This has been the worst year ever for rain in Vancouver. I’m just hoping I’ll remember what it [the sun] looks like when I see it again 🙂
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.

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26 Comments

  • That green chair just SINGS in your living room! I love it. Such gorgeous saturated color. And the pillow is killer. And art, well, it just makes a home. This looks fantastic with the living room and I love the scale of it. Have a great time in Vegas — the weather is so weird everywhere…

  • chezjolly says:

    Wow it is amazing!!! The color really pops against the crisp white.

    Talk to you soon! http://chezjolly.blogspot.com/

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/chezjolly?ref=seller_info

    Jessica & Holly

  • Hannah says:

    OK, that was weird…All I wanted to say was framing transformationsl, elevating the ordinary into art!

  • Kathysue says:

    maria, love love the green chair, I have the same exact chair in a small check. It is a perfect reading chair with the higher arms. Love the rolled back, it is a sweet chair. I really like it in the green!! Kathysue

  • Carol Standil says:

    I absolutely LOVE the fabric you ended up with for your chair!! What a marvelous green!

  • colleen@spruce interiors says:

    LOVE the chair fabric…great save given what you've said about the black and white fabric.
    How did you wire you lamps on the mantle ?
    C

  • Maria Killam says:

    Colleen,
    Actually the cords happen to be clear instead of black or something, the one on the left runs behind the mirror and then because the mantle ends right at the curtain the cords are hidden behind the drape and that's where the plug is. Also I can turn them on with a switch in a room so that is even better!!
    Maria

  • Katie says:

    Love painted brick firepalce! Looks great!

    Katie Flynn
    Acreativeinterior.com

  • Kristie at The Decorologist.com says:

    I really love that piece of art, Maria! Hope you have a great time in Vegas and have lots of sunshine – too much rain and clouds make me CRAZY.

    xo
    kristie

  • Jil Sonia McDonald - Interior Designer says:

    That black frame is like an exclamation point around your art! Love it and the green chair. I bet the chair looks great with the green, large plants outside your sliding glass door!
    Bring home the sun from Vegas – there was a huge landslide, just down the road from us blocking the Freeway- because of all the rain!

  • Windlost says:

    Love the chair – gorgeous and fresh. Always good to have a GREAT framer at hand. I took a framing class last year but rely on a wonderful master framer for all my masterpieces. 🙂

    xo Terri

  • Karena says:

    Maria, I adore!! The art ( and custom framing) is gorgeous, the chair and ottoman in that Kelly green…it all is fabulous together!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Come and join my fashionable Giveaway from The Shabby Apple!

  • jenniferleighdesign says:

    LOVE the new green chair and your hostas. Have fun in Vegas!

  • Kellie Collis says:

    These are lovely! The living room looks fabulous! Enjoy the beautiful day, Kellie xx

  • NewLightRedesign says:

    Beautiful Maria! Isn't it amazing how a frame can transform artwork. Also, I love not only the green chair but what a great pillow. Have a wonderful time in Vegas.

  • Lauren says:

    Love the chair and the hostas!! Everything is looking beautiful!!
    Xoxo,
    Lauren

  • Luciane at HomeBunch.com says:

    Well done, Maria!

    I love your posts…. there's always something really interesting here!

    Have a wonderful day!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

  • Lazy Gardens says:

    What do you do when your home is "wall poor"? I've run out of wall room for rugs, pictures and tapestries.

  • Jinnia says:

    Maria, the green chair & ottoman look fantastic in your living room! I love your fireplace. Green is usually not my color but here it's making me re-think things. Thanks for sharing!

  • Brillante Interiors says:

    I do remember that painting in your previous house, now it has a more complete look. Looking forward to read about the B&W versus green. Enjoy the sun!

  • Christina Rodriguez | Diva by Design says:

    If you can't get to Kent, spray paint works too! 🙂

  • Gild and Grace says:

    Just wanted to say hi! Just discovered your great, informative blog:) Abbey x

  • Sherri Cassara says:

    You framed her well – she looks great! So does the room 😉

  • "Blossom" says:

    Please send me your on line price list. thank you.
    How was Vegas?

  • LOLA says:

    Love the painting of the lady in pink. Placement in the room is just right. The green is a fresh visual too. Love it.

  • A-L says:

    I don’t know if you read new comments on old posts, but I’d love a post talking about how to choose frame colors (like coordination with the picture, the room it’s in, how much contrast should be created, how large the framing should be, etc.).

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