The office was bustling, and then Sherry breezed in with a mischievous grin, making a quick detour to the printer before disappearing into the kitchen. My curiosity was piqued, and a few minutes later, I followed her to find a surprising scene: two magnificent succulent photographs now adorning our kitchen wall, with Sherry beaming beside them, her eyelashes batting playfully. This was the abbreviated version of how our kitchen gained two stunning new focal points, but the full story involves a significant home improvement project, a dash of intrepid DIY, and the removal of some truly ancient, non-functional fixtures.
I quickly learned the exciting news: these specific large succulent photographs from West Elm, which Sherry had admired for quite some time, had finally gone on sale. While it seems they’ve since returned to their original price, the timing was perfect for us. We typically don’t splurge much on art, but these pieces were substantial, each measuring nearly 30 inches wide and tall, and the price included their impressive glass frames. Sherry, ever the savvy shopper and a true succulent enthusiast, saw the 20% markdown as a clear sign from the “succulent photography gods” that two of these beauties were destined to become part of our home. I must admit, I was easily persuaded; their vibrant colors and striking compositions immediately captivated me. We’ve been actively looking to slowly build a collection of more large-scale art over time. Apart from a canvas Sherry painted from a yard sale find and some framed bike prints I put together, our walls have been relatively bare. These professional, custom-framed prints offered a wonderful balance to our more budget-friendly, homemade decor, elevating the overall aesthetic of our space.
Fast forward just a week or so, and the once-empty wall in our kitchen has been utterly transformed. What was once a blank canvas, punctuated by outdated fixtures, now boasts a captivating display of nature-inspired art. This dramatic before-and-after journey is what truly made this project so satisfying, turning a mundane wall into a vibrant focal point that instantly uplifts the room’s atmosphere.
For a clearer perspective, here’s a much less glare-y view, showcasing our two stunning new additions from another angle. The natural light truly brings out the intricate details and rich colors of the succulent photography, making them a captivating feature in our kitchen space and proving to be an excellent choice for our ongoing home decor enhancements.
While the photos above highlight the beautiful ‘after,’ the complete narrative of this transformation truly begins with a reminder of the ‘before.’ The wall we envisioned for our new art was, to put it mildly, less than ideal. Its most prominent feature, and frankly, its biggest drawback, was a bulky, non-working intercom unit. This relic of a bygone era was not only aesthetically displeasing but also completely dysfunctional, serving no purpose other than occupying valuable wall space and detracting from any decorative efforts.
Despite its undeniable ugliness and complete lack of functionality – a hefty chunk of faux wood grain, dials, and buttons – I had, in a strange way, grown accustomed to its presence. However, with new art on the horizon, it was unequivocally time to bid farewell to this anachronistic fixture. Fortunately, its removal proved to be far less daunting than anticipated, requiring only a few loosened screws to detach it from the wall. This simple step was the critical first move in clearing the way for our exciting kitchen wall transformation, paving the path for modern aesthetics and functionality.
Our initial hope was to find a discreet, easily patchable hole with just a couple of wires. What we actually uncovered, however, was a far more elaborate setup. For a few heart-stopping seconds, my imagination ran wild, and I was pretty certain I had stumbled upon something akin to a movie-style bomb, ready to detonate if I dared to “let this bus slow down.” Thankfully, it was not, in fact, explosive, and I am certainly no Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock. This meant the process of “defusing” – or rather, detaching – the wiring was considerably less dramatic than my initial fears suggested. After carefully shutting off the power at the breaker, I was able to safely unhook the two primary power cords, identified by their blue and white insulation, along with a confounding tangle of other connectors. These appeared to be part of an intricate network that weaves through our house, presumably linking to other non-functional intercom units in various rooms. Addressing this wiring was a crucial step in preparing the wall for its future role as a showcase for beautiful art, demonstrating that even unexpected electrical challenges can be managed with careful, temporary solutions.
Given that this particular wall is slated for demolition down the line – a key part of our eventual plan to open up the kitchen to the living room – we opted for a practical, temporary solution for the exposed wiring. This decision meant we didn’t feel the need to call in a professional electrician just yet for a permanent fix. The intercom system conveniently shared a breaker solely with the light in our wet bar, a fixture we rarely, if ever, use. This made our temporary approach quite straightforward: we carefully capped and taped off the intercom’s power wires, then simply flipped off that dedicated breaker, effectively deactivating the circuit and ensuring safety. The next time I visit the hardware store, I plan to pick up a large, flat metal plate that can be screwed into the wall, neatly covering the entire opening. While this is clearly not a permanent repair, it serves its purpose perfectly for now, providing a safe and tidy interim solution until the major kitchen overhaul commences. This pragmatic approach allowed us to move forward with our immediate decorating plans without incurring unnecessary expenses for a wall that will eventually be removed entirely, balancing present needs with future ambitions.
The outdated intercom wasn’t the only eyesore marring our kitchen wall; we also had an unused phone jack nearby. Before tackling its removal, I conducted extensive online research, finding a wide array of theories and instructions on how to safely disconnect such a fixture. The general consensus, based on my findings, pointed to two key pieces of information: first, there’s typically no risk of electric shock from a phone wire unless the phone is actively ringing or in use, and second, it’s usually acceptable to simply cut the wires and push them back into the wall cavity. While I approached both assertions with a degree of caution, I proceeded to disconnect the four pairs of wires from the jack, thankfully without incident or any shock whatsoever. To ensure a thorough and safe job, rather than leaving the wires loose and exposed within the wall, I opted to cap them individually with wire nuts. I made sure to cap the matching colored wires together, following the precedent set by a previously capped phone jack I observed in our living room, where a former occupant had clearly taken the same diligent approach. This careful method ensured both safety and peace of mind as we continued our efforts to modernize the wall.
With those wires meticulously capped and safely tucked back into the wall box, I performed a quick test to ensure the phone system in the house was still operational (it was!). Then, I stepped back to survey the results: two rather gaping holes in the wall. “Gorgeous, no?” I thought to myself with a touch of irony. These voids were a stark reminder of the work still to be done, yet they also symbolized the progress we had made in removing the outdated fixtures that once dominated the space. This stage of the project, while not yet aesthetically pleasing, was crucial for preparing the wall for its ultimate transformation and the display of our new succulent art. It underscored the often less glamorous, but equally important, foundational work involved in a home renovation project.
And now, these holes look significantly better, though you might notice a distinct lack of photos showcasing any drywall patching. That’s because we haven’t actually done any. Again, considering this wall’s days are definitively numbered in our long-term renovation plans – it’s part of the future kitchen expansion – we made the strategic decision not to bother with extensive drywall repair for either opening. This pragmatic choice also has the added benefit of keeping my temporary wiring fixes easily accessible for a professional electrician in the future, should we decide to have them permanently addressed by a pro before the full demolition. For the time being, we simply installed a blank cover plate over the phone jack, which we then painted to seamlessly blend with the wall color. As for the larger intercom hole, well, that’s cleverly concealed behind the vibrant green succulent print, much like one might hide an old medicine cabinet hole behind a newly hung mirror. I’m hopeful that the large metal plate cover I mentioned earlier, which I plan to grab on our next trip to Home Depot, will make this temporary solution feel a little more… temporarily legitimate and polished. While a tiny bit of DIYer shame might linger for not following through completely with a perfect patch, I found it hard to justify the expense of an electrician or the time-consuming process of careful drywall repair, only to tear it all out later. So, instead, I’m simply enjoying the fresh, uncluttered view and the beauty of our new artwork.
From this vantage point, you can also observe our deliberate choice for the art’s placement. We decided to center the two succulent prints on the dining table and the overhead chandelier, rather than simply centering them on the wall itself. We actually tried both configurations, and when the art didn’t align visually with the table or the light fixture, it created a somewhat “wonky” and unbalanced appearance. By aligning them with these key elements, the entire arrangement feels cohesive and intentional, creating a harmonious focal point within the kitchen. This attention to detail in art placement is crucial for achieving a polished and aesthetically pleasing interior design, making the new succulent art truly shine as a central decorative element.
Can you guess which one of the beautiful succulent prints quickly became Clara’s absolute favorite? Her discerning eye often gravitates towards the most vibrant and unique pieces, and this instance was no exception, highlighting the captivating appeal of the collection to all members of our family.
Yup, it’s that striking purple one on the left! It’s clear to see why it captured her attention. We truly appreciate how both prints introduce a refreshing splash of color into the kitchen, yet their elegant design prevents them from feeling overly crazy or busy. This understated vibrancy is particularly important as we anticipate adding some new window treatments in the future, which might incorporate more bold colors and patterns. Another significant advantage of these beautiful art pieces is their versatility. Since this particular wall won’t be a permanent fixture in our home due to upcoming renovations, we’re confident that these prints will seamlessly integrate into a multitude of other rooms down the line. Imagine them gracing the dining room wall above a buffet, bringing a touch of nature to the office over a desk, or enlivening any number of other spaces. Their timeless appeal and adaptable style ensure they’ll remain cherished elements of our home decor for years to come, regardless of future layout changes.
I must admit, I might need to send Sherry to a “Succulents Anonymous” meeting relatively soon! Her passion for these fascinating plants seems to be growing exponentially, and her collection is constantly expanding. The photo below, captivating as it is, doesn’t even begin to encompass her latest creation – a beautiful terrarium that she recently crafted, further cementing her status as a true succulent aficionado. Her enthusiasm is infectious, transforming our home into a vibrant, green oasis, one succulent at a time, showcasing how even small additions can significantly enhance home decor.
That last picture, in particular, really ignites a strong desire within me to tackle those kitchen counters right this very second, not to mention that old trash compactor. However, our current priority is to make a bit more significant progress in the nursery before we dive into the exciting challenge of giving those Ardex concrete tutorials a serious shot for the countertops. And then, there are those floors. Yes, floors, we’re coming for you! Be afraid, be very afraid, because a major transformation is on the horizon. It’s a testament to the ongoing journey of home renovation; one project often highlights another area needing attention, creating a continuous loop of inspiration and to-do lists. While we can’t hide these bigger projects behind a new frame, the joy of completing this wall transformation fuels our motivation for the next big challenge.
