Plans For The Last (Blank) Wall In The Studio
Every day, I sit at my desk in the studio and stare at this huge blank wall on the other side of the room…
I had to laugh at myself this morning, because I seem to keep conveniently forgetting that I still need to paint the ceiling and two walls. I look at these walls and ceiling every single day, and I’ve just gotten used to seeing them like this. It’s like a person developing clutter blindness in their own home because they’re so used to seeing the stacks and piles of clutter that they don’t notice them anymore.
Obviously, I still need to paint. But my mind always goes to decorating. And I’m constantly trying to determine how in the world I’m going to finish this very large, tall, empty wall. When they’re not in use, my two big work tables will sit against the wall, so however I decorate this wall can only be from table height and up.
There are three things that I really want to include on this wall, if I can find a way. First, I want a TV on the wall. That’s the reason there’s an outlet that’s so high on the wall. I put that there specifically for a TV.
Second, every since we got our landscape plan from the landscape designer, I’ve wanted to have it printed and framed. I don’t have anywhere else in the house to hang it, so this wall seems like the perfect place for it.
And third, I’ve also wanted to frame my Spoonflower color map and display it somewhere. Once again, this wall is really the only place for it.
So as I sit at my desk, staring at the wall, and trying to imagine a way to add those three things to the wall in a way that makes any sense at all, the only thing that comes to mind is doing something similar to what I did in the sitting room with the TV and shelves.
So as of this moment, my plan is to do something like this, with at least two really long shelves that can incorporate the TV, the landscape plan, and the color map, and then leave plenty of room for other artwork and colorful things.
That would allow me plenty of room to display any art projects I’ve just finished and want to display, and there’s room for the tables to tuck in right underneath the bottom shelf.
So far, that’s literally the only thing that has come to my mind for that wall. I don’t know if that’s because it really is a great idea for the wall, or if it’s because my mind is stuck in a rut and I can’t get myself to think beyond that idea. But I’m open to any suggestions! The tallest part of the wall is about 11.5 feet high. I certainly don’t think I have to fill every bit of space, but whatever goes on that wall needs to be pretty substantial and look proportionate to the area. I’m going to plan on the shelf idea unless someone has a brilliant, mind-blowing idea that I haven’t thought of yet. 😀
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I love that idea!
I like the idea of hanging those items on that wall but why are the shelves needed? Couldn’t you just mount the first 3 items in a good arrangement on the wall and then add new things in a free-form way rather than strictly in a line on the shelves. Your colorful cabinet and planned calendar wall are very structured, it might be nice to have a wall w less rigid lines.
Agreed! We have wall-mounted TVs and are happy with them—less dusting without shelves!
These are my thoughts exactly! I dislike the shelf idea quite a bit. And really dislike the color chart too high to be usable.
Would you not want the color map on the lower-down, more accessible shelf so you can still reference it when needed?
My one spitballing idea would be a big accent stripe down from the peak of the ceiling, as wide as it, on which the tv would be centered. Separate shelves on either side, and any shelf above the tv painted the same color as the stripe. Or one of those TV feature walls with shallow shelves that’s all boxed in, and the whole box is painted an accent color. Like this, but not white: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/399483429460933523/
Regardless, looking forward to seeing what you end up doing! Lots of space to work with there.
I like the concept but not the shelves. Besides the TV, everything else is something that can be framed and hung as artwork, If this was my studio, I would like to have a nice big decorative clock up there too. A simple turn of the head is easier that getting your phone out.
The shelves are a dust catcher. Much easier to run a Swiffer hand held duster across the tops of the frames/TV. Flat surfaces tend to collect clutter when you turn your back!
Oh, they have the Swiffers with extendable handles now for vertically challenged people!
Maybe a gallery wall with the TV, the landscape plan, and the color map? Maybe add two other pieces?
I was thinking you might want to include a couple of nicely covered bulletin/magnetic boards to use as idea boards, that you can glance at from your desk. (They could also be used for directions/ideas for current projects you’re working on at your tables…) Since this is such a big wall, these large-scale items might make a nice display, with the TV actually being in scale with the rest of the items.
Can’t wait to see what you decide. I know it will be lovely!
I was thinking a idea center also.
Gallery wall instead of shelves?
You could mount fabric on a frame to create large format artwork if needed, too.
I love the idea of the landscape plan on that wall as it has so many colors that go with your mural, the color swatches, and the sooo flower color chart. I wonder if it could be enlarged and put on the wall. In my mind’s eye it would be along the dimensions of the door going into the breakfast room and mounted on the left of the tv to balance the wall. Just a thought. It is a beautiful plan with movement and color.
A gallery wall, with before and after pictures of the work you’ve done on your house, with more shelves. Plus you have made some beautiful artwork in the past that you could also display.
Ok! So, no more cabinets needed? Nice idea! I think you should mount the TV to the wall and it should be centered with the peak of the wall ( I like Lyra’s stripe idea) no less than 65” TV (75” might even be better). I would rescale the landscape drawing or the Spoonflower color map (or both) to match in size and hang them low enough to see them. On either side or together . Whatever you decide to do, it will look amazing!!!
If you were a quilter I would say you need to include a design wall, but I do like the idea of an idea board. As many have said the shelves should be omitted.
As a quilter I thought the same thing!
As someone who uses one of those color maps for work all the time you are not going to want it up high or under glass. Maybe stretch it like a canvas over a wood frame. I would maybe not use the frame and you a more abstract hanging pattern. I would also add in more pieces of different scale. those 3 things seem to be the same size roughly.
Treat it as a gallery wall and incorporate a few framed cork boards that you can quickly tack things on. You won’t want to have to frame everything to put it on a shelf and cork boards (covered in fabric, of course) will let you use the space as it is intended, as a workroom. Lastly. hang the color swatches lower (perhaps beside the TV) so that you can access them easily.
So a thing you may want is something the functions as a chair rail but for the tables. Mostly to just repair wood over drywall in time. I don’t think there’d be wild activities but it’s easier to protect. I’m curious if a picture rail up high vs ledge would be easier. You got so many larger things and below could be a ledge for flex placement. These are not super solid ideas and I’m not sure if you’d like the end look, but just sharing alternates. After a certain height less gets up there, especially if you run an air filter.
Are you sure that you want the color map framed? It feels like it would be less useful if it were behind glass. Think of your recent post where you were folding the fabric to compare various tones against the green wall…..
I also wonder about large scale decorative pinboards over there, as a place to plan projects, post inspiration, etc. in addition to the TV and the landscape plan.
The shelves really look out of place. What it’s missing is some high square windows….I know$$$$. Then put the TV and art below that. It is a studio. Needs lots of light.
Those windows would be looking into the breakfast room!
I find it interesting that so many are opposed to shelves. Not all art works are designed to be framed or hung and you do so many different art forms, it seems shelves to put them on would be an automatic, practical choice, in addition to the hanging space. Also, I’ve noticed that you like to change things out from time to time, either because you have something new, or just for a change. I would be very surprised if what you design is permanently rigid. Sure, shelves have to be dusted occasionally, but since they would mostly be above eye level that shouldn’t be a huge burden. I’m sure also, that you will try different arrangements as you gather and work through your ideas so that you end up with the symmetry and balance that you need. And you will still have your color chart online or perhaps a smaller version easily accessible when needed. I like the overall idea and I’m sure you will come up with something that really speaks to you and makes you happy in your own personal space. Go for it!
Some ideas for the three together 1. Make a custom frame for the color map that would allow it to cover the tv, making it look like a “frame” tv, lightweight so you could pop it up there when you wanted, and also light enough to take it to the work table and use it (if you envision it ever coming in handy for a reference material or other utilitarian purpose). 2. flank the tv with the two—mat & frame both with relative symmetry in mind (for example, use a big mat for the landscape design so it’s as wide as the color map)
I would use the space to put a giant whiteboard so that I can keep a running to-do list, 3 and 6 month goals, and maybe pin calendars/ images with magnets.
I like the idea of the tv mounted on the wall- don’t forget a sound bar. I’d also frame the landscape plan. I think the Spoonflower canvas should be kept as a canvas to manipulate and fold to compare colors on whatever you’re working on. I would do a large glass magnetic board on the left side (near your cabinets), run it vertically and at least 24″ wide that you can use magnets on to hold sketches or designs and you can also write on with markers.
I hesitate to add shelves right inside a doorway and they always have to be dusted- yuck. If you want room for small items you could always add smaller floating shelves higher up.
Me personally, two long shelves full of random items isn’t something I could look at everyday. Too cluttered. I love a huge round clock on a wall like that, TV underneath it, framed wall hangings on either side. That’s not exciting but looks clean and streamlined which is what my eyes could be calm with on the daily. lol But whatever you choose will turn out perfect for your room!
Wall mount the TV on a swivel mount – that way, the exact location matters less because you can swivel the screen to watch from anywhere in the studio. Print the landscape plan much bigger than in your mock-up — as you start planting it, you’ll want to be able to easily see details and individual plants. The Spoonflower color key just needs to be accessible — even on the inside of cabinet doors would work. Or…that could be artwork for back entry or bathroom.
Instead of a usual Television Black Hole, perhaps consider a Samsung Frame TV.
https://www.samsung.com/us/tvs/the-frame/design-and-accessories/. You can use the frames they have or buy more custom ones online, or, knowing you, make one that is exactly right. The TV has different backgrounds for when it is turned off, so that it doesn’t look like what it is (a big black TV on the wall).
To my eye, the shelves take away from the look and don’t add to it.
Instead, perhaps frame the two other pieces in the same manner as the Frame TV, and put them on either side on the wall. I think it will look more harmonious.
Put your Spoonflower poster down by the TV so someone can actually see it or beside where your worktables end when pushed against the wall. No shelves, just hang the TV on the wall along with your landscape plan. As art projects come along, just hang them on the wall. No shelves to dust. Less control of the art on that wall. Look in magazines where there are pictures of various sizes and various materials eventually covering the whole wall.
First, get the wall and ceiling painted!!
I always love using moulding as a way to add something visually to a blank wall but doesn’t take over or draw to much attention to itself. Maybe some geometric pattern of some kind painted the same color as the wall would be a good backdrop for the TV and artwork without being too busy visually?
*too
Oooh I really like this idea!! Subtle; but would reduce the “plainness and vastness” look of the wall.
MY dream for my craft room is a GIANT cork board… I don’t know if it would work for this situation but I think I would frame an 8’x8′ area with the cork board running behind the TV. Then you could pin up landscape plan and the the Spoonflower color map and also be able to take it down to use it if need be. They sell cork board on 4’x8′ rolls on Amazon. I just like the idea of it for ongoing projects, inspiration, decor… all wrapped in one. I also like that you can paint the cork board itself. Like I said, that’s MY dream, I know whatever you decide will be great!
I like the idea of a gallery wall with your own artwork and one of the pieces could be a TV BUT not just any TV – a Samsung frame TV!!
On this TV you can download your own artwork or your favorite artwork by others that can either be rotated at will or constantly change. Have a look into it. I wouldn’t mount this TV centered on the gallery wall but try to make it part of the entire gallery of art and less conspicuous as a TV.
https://www.samsung.com/us/tvs/the-frame/highlights/
Cork board/magnetic Living Inspiration Wall. Interiors, exterior, blog, etc. Printed pics have more impact to me than a digital picture/pinterest. You can also hang fabric samples, paint swatches, fabric trims, etc.
I’m not a fan of the shelving idea, it’s too common. Perhaps some interesting wide millwork. I have even seen it used very attractively to divide walls horizontally at the height of the adjoining walls.
I realize you have it ready for electrical in the center, but what about the tv to the side and the color board central and very large?
I think that the two shelves are a great idea. I’ve always loved studios that have color charts, partly finished work, maps, and artist ephemera tacked to walls. One of the things that made a big difference to me in a bedroom that I turned into a studio was a rail that went all the way around the room, painted the color of the wall. A friend thought of it and did the installation. At first, I was at a loss for much of the rail. Then, as I amassed art, I realized how great it was. No nail holes. No sticky tape. No bulletin boards. Just blank real estate for anything and everything that I wanted to have up and in eyesight, either temporarily or permanently, something that could be changed in an instant. Occasionally, we used my room for a temporary guest room, with blow-up bed. I even changed what was on the rail a bit for a certain guest or two!
Frame individual large prints of every completed room you have finished and arrange them on shelves along with other items like the breakfast room wall.
Could you possibly use the space to display past design boards? Keep the shelves where it’s easier to trade out different boards or artwork.
Hi Kristi, have you thought about framing the landscape plan and the color chart and placing one on each side of the shelves. Framed color chart, then the shelves and TV followed by the Landscape plan. This would allow you to see and study either of them, make the wall symmetrical, and break it into three areas. Maybe just hang the TV in the center and put shelves around it. Also thought of putting something at the peek of the wall such as one of your art pieces.
Turn the landscape design sideways so that it is in the same orientation to the way your house and land sit (sidewalk on the bottom left corner) and then make it much, much bigger. Even bigger than the TV mockup. Put it on the top and the spoonflower print lower so that it can be used.
Mirrors. Big ones as well as smaller.
Oh Kristi I love this idea. Except I would want the Spoonflower color map to be down to where it could be seen better. I love that color map and I think it is so ‘You’, because of your love of color and the way you use colors. Way up high it would just look like a out of bounds poster. Down below it will be like a statement of your love of color.
Also putting shelves on the wall might make the wall too cluttery looking. I’m thinking of long shelves that always look like they need something else on them to fill them up…..and, all of the dust they would be collecting too. If you could somehow mount the TV, Spoonflower color map, and your landscape plan on the wall without a shelf I think that wall would could be like a statement wall. A Kristi statement.
I’m not the expert, so however you choose to do the wall will be beautiful.
Yes, I like the shelves. It’s perfect for a studio where what you might want to display will likely change frequently. It also gives you drying space if there are paintings or projects which need to sit for a minute without taking up horizontal work space. I would add a third short shelf in the middle to the left of the TV to provide space for smaller scale items too. But I’m not sure if your symmetry loving self could tolerate that!
My impression of this wall proposal is that things are out of scale. In the first place, it seems to me this decision is premature. Why is there a hurry to decide about these choices? If you are patient, once the wall painting is done and the chair, desk, and work tables are completed, you would be able to look up and easily decide. Most all of the room colors will be in place. I think then you will know exactly what you want. I sound like a broken record but seeing the whole is better than focusing on one wall. Perhaps stand in the doorway and take it all in.
The color reference tool is great. Wouldn’t you like that lower down? In the hallway? The landscape picture could be put up in east-west, rather than north-south. Would you use a large white board? I think bulletin boards get messy looking.
The studio room contains multitudes of rectangular shapes. Every cabinet door reinforces that, twice in fact. Each door plus the gold that adds further influence. The door panel, the individual color on the each of the drawers on the tall cabinet, the window, the tables and more. Even the long shelves suggest another rectangle. If you use shelves in any configuration, I hope you will add some curved and round shapes. And soften the storage look with a dominant plant (real or a great fake) and a good-size round clock. No sense covering the TV; I’m sure you will enjoy clicking it on at will.
Still lots to do in the coming days.
You will need a ladder to reach the top shelf for projects. A library ladder would be convenient, but how often would you use it?
You might consider hanging the Spoonflower Color Map as a tapestry. It would be more convenient than a hard frame, to use for color matching. You could have the landscape plan printed sideways rather than up and down, on fabric, and hang it as a tapestry also. Hang the tapestries on each side of your TV, that would help add symmetry that we know you love.
I love your work!
Susie
I love your
would you have a good quality poster made of the Spoonflower color chart since you still refer to it on occasion? it seems a little high to be able to see properly. I love framed architectural drawings framed and think your landscape design would be amazing and add more color.
Yes, I Definitely think you should have a giant-sized gallery wall- shelves or no shelves- either way I’m here for it. Also, I kinda think it would be amazing to see the landscape plans painted on the wall… but just in a whisper of color… with the actual framed and hung on top with the TV and color guide.
Maybe it’s just the current wall color that makes me hallucinate a map-like situation ( I LOVE maps) cuz it’s the color of the oceans?