One of the major “tricks” in designing a room is to take an object the homeowner likes, and use that object as a focal point and a starting point for color, form and texture.
Color
Use only the colors on the globe in the room (I assume lots of blue, with some greens and browns and other earth tones?). Anything not in that color scheme should probably go away from that room.
Form
Then take the form - again, I assume the globe is round (duh) so try to incorporate circular and round objects (mirrors, coffee table, foot stools, etc.). Carry that on to rounded corners on sofa and chair arms.
Texture
Assuming this is a smooth globe - does it have any leather or chrome or steel on or near the base? If so, use that as the starting point for trim and texture throughout the room. Leather armchair and/or sofa, chrome or steel legs on the coffee table and side tables, etc.
Lighting
Make sure the object (in your case, the globe) is lit well, but not overpowering. Then use accent lights to pick up on the rest of the highlights of the room.
You don’t have to have every object be a nautical, geographical theme (and be careful not to overdo it) but keep with the overall colors, form and textures when picking things to put in that room.
I think when it is complete, the room will take on a personality of its own and will be a focal point of the entire house.
In addition to D-mark: what stops you, Ring, from actually asking an interior decorator? You could ask one if it would be worth their while to stop by your house for an hour or so, somewhere in the next few weeks, when they have an hour to spare. If their hourly rate is 100 dollar, it will cost you 100 dollars for the certainty that the globe looks it best. Ask him/her about the spot, the lighting, the background colors on the wall.
I did the same when I hired someon to advise me for two hours on the colors of the rooms in my house. Saved me a lot of uncertainty and painting over walls.
I doubt that it is more likely a piece of art than a globe.
He had his company buy it for him. He didn’t scour the antique globe and map market for it, and purchase it through a Sotheby’s auction.
I’m guessing it’s more likely from a company that has a nice glossy catalog and sells $250 alcohol flasks with leather sides. The globe is probably is earth-toned, and a has a rich-wood stand, and might be some sort of old-style.
I’m sure it’s not a piece of shit, but just because it’s a thousand bucks doesn’t make it art.
I could be wrong, though. But given that he just gave us the price of it, and not the maker, or vintage of the globe, that’s my guess.
Whether it’s gauche or not, or looks out of place. . .can’t say. It seems more apt for a library or a study. It probably wouldn’t fit into a place with original modern art hanging on the walls, or next to a big HDTV.
Knowing more about the situation makes me even more firmly convinced that the globe belongs in your family room. Not only will it look good, it will be a nice litmus test. If you overhear any of your neighbors sneering at it, you’ll know that those people are assholes not worth your hospitality.
So Ring, with this as a kitchen table (husband just finished sealing it - he’s been doing the painting for the last few nights while we watch TV) and this on my ceiling in my living room (yes it’s a horse and a paddock and a big ass compass - I don’t quite get it either but he said horses always sleep facing north so um, well I frankly don’t know what that has to do with why he felt compelled to do this either), I probably wouldn’t fit in in your community, I’m guessing…
Yes, my husband DOES have a lot of time on his hands. Why do you ask?
This is kind of an interesting (and long) story. (At least I think it is)
I was a Product Line Manager for the now defunct Westinghouse Electric Corp. and since the product line was extremely profitable the group vice president used it along with others in his justification to build a new plant/division. (He wanted out of all his unionized facilities.)
When the facility was approved my boss wanted me to transfer with the PL, but I absolutely refused to make a lateral move from a big city to a fairly small one. (And now the fickle finger of luck in corporate success makes its wonderful appearance.)
Because they didn’t have any other obvious candidate for the general manager’s position, and because they were afraid the group’s most profitable product line might get screwed up during this highly political move, they, unbelievably, wound up offering the job to moi!?!?
I was basically still a young kid and under almost any other scenario I wouldn’t even have been considered for this type of position for at least another 8 to 10 years. Needless to say I accepted. (But I was also, to some degree, scared shitless.)
Luckily, one of the older and much more experienced managers that reported to me took me under his wing, and one of the things he did was pick out the furniture and art work for my office. Fortunately for me he happened to have good taste, and that’s how I first came into possession of the globe.
When I left some years later I asked for some paintings, my office chair and the globe as my going away present. The new manager wanted to pick out his own stuff and was more than happy to give it to me.
And that’s how I converted corporate property to personal property. And that’s why I now ask if I can tastefully place it in my family room. And I lived happily ever after.
While I personally wouldn’t be comfortable living in Ring’s neighborhood, I think he’s absolutely right to concern himself with whether the home will acquire a ‘bad’ reputation. It behooves him to protect his property investment. When time comes for the home to be sold (whether Ring lives there to a ripe old age or not) the home’s reputation in the neighborhood will matter. People gossip about the homes on the market - and it’s the curse of death to have folks whispering “it’s so outdated” or “what a tacky paint scheme”. Those mutterings can keep a home from selling for months. And that ain’t cool when you’ve got six figures tied up in it.
Ring, my houses aren’t decorated in any of the four styles usually seen in Spanish decorating magazines. Namely, those styles are “provenzal/andalusian,” “Agatha Ruiz de la Prada,” “white on white” and “Itravelalot” (tonsachrome having been replaced by “white on white” for men’s places). Well, those are my names for them, the mags will never call them that.
When she first visited an apartment of mine, my SiL, who buys those mags like they’re good for eating, was aghast. Then she realized that the way I decorate makes almost any room look bigger and that it’s very good for being able to redecorate cheaply (my furniture is usually light wood, which would be provenzal/andalusian; the objects used for decoration have strong colors and often an “ethnic” origin, since I travel a lot - move a few things around, change the throw on the sofa, and you’ve changed the whole room for less than $10). Her friends, who also read decoration magazines, came, saw… quite a few of them including SiL are now copying what they saw in my house, some have even called me for advice. I’m an engineer, not an interior decorator, but apparently there’s a 5th style being born back home - “Nava”.
I think the globe would be lovely in your living room but may I make a suggestion? I would lose/move the couches to another room and go with a solid color. Even a place like rooms to go have solid couches, and you could pick a blue that would complement the globe and go with the “water” vibe you have going on.
You do have an impressive home.
I think the globe is cool and would indeed make a good starting point for a somewhat nautical-themed room (as DMark points out – don’t overdo it!). However. . . I’m not so sure the spot you’ve picked for it is really the best spot. It may be a matter of perspective from the photos, but it seems to me you’ve chosen somewhat of a passthrough area, where people moving between rooms, behind that sofa, would kindof have to walk around it. If it were my room, I might put it where you have the plant stand in this picture.
Additionally, I don’t think I’d pair it with that particular picture of a ship. The colors are all wrong, so it clashes more than blends. If you’re really set on using that particular piece of art, I’d consider having it re-matted and re-framed, pulling out some of the brown tones from the both the ship and the globe in order to minimize the differences in the blues between the two objects.
You do have the perfect room to create this look (as seen in Coastal Living Magazine – You might want to subscribe to that magazine, as they showcase lots of lake homes and you could get some great decorating ideas). More examples here and here (though this is a bit more casual). I’d definitely go for it!
I agree with Shayna that the mat of the ship painting is too dark to go with the globe. However, the colors of the flower ones lying on the couch appear to blend well. Since the room is so light and airy, you’ll probably want to go with the lighter colors in the globe.
Coming in to second (or third I see, on preview) that the sailing picture does not go with the globe. Although it is a nice globe and also may well be a nice picture, the colors are wrong. I was visualizing a more typical nautical scene in natural color (i.e., blue sky–or gray sky if a storm was raging).
I have no opinion on the couches but I don’t like all the white paint.* White paint is for rental houses and what you paint right before you put the house on the market. (Unless you really like white.)
But I have no problem with the globe. I think it’s a nice looking accent piece.
*Keep in mind what I said in my previous post, that I am far from a decorator. I am, however, kind of a snob.
