There’s a certain magic in the simplicity of childhood joys, much like the vibrant world of My Little Ponies, a nostalgic memory many of us cherish. As we grow, our homes become our canvas, evolving from these playful beginnings into spaces that reflect our adult tastes and aspirations. This journey of transformation is precisely what we’ve been embarking on in our own bedroom, specifically addressing a persistent challenge: the expanse of empty wall space flanking the sink nook.
Transforming Our Bedroom: The Quest for Perfect Wall Art
After what feels like an eternity – or, more accurately, several months – we are finally ready to breathe life into those blank canvases. The decision to fill this prominent area wasn’t taken lightly. This particular wall sits directly opposite our bed, making any artwork here a focal point we’d wake up to every single day. The pressure was on to choose something that resonated deeply, bringing both aesthetic pleasure and a sense of tranquility to our personal sanctuary.
Our initial foray into DIY art for this space included a fun, Pinterest-inspired painting. While the creative process was enjoyable, we ultimately decided that its vibrant aesthetic didn’t quite align with the serene atmosphere we envisioned for our bedroom. This realization underscored the importance of careful consideration and thoughtful selection when curating art for such an intimate space. The painting, though lovely, found a more suitable home elsewhere, leaving the bedroom walls once again awaiting their perfect match.
The Vision: Balancing Playful with Grown-Up Sophistication
John and I engaged in numerous discussions about the ideal art pieces. We aimed for artwork that was both captivating and serene, striking a delicate balance within our existing decor. Our bedroom chandelier, with its playful design, and our duvet, which boasts a bright and fun pattern, already inject a good dose of personality into the room. The art, therefore, needed to anchor the space, steering it towards a more “grown-up” and sophisticated ambiance rather than veering into “playroom-esque” or “dorm-ish” territory.
Our unanimous decision was to seek out bold, yet somewhat moody photographs. We envisioned beautiful imagery that wasn’t overly soft or saccharine. Instead, we craved pieces with a semi-contrasty, intriguing, and sophisticated feel. This specific aesthetic would serve as a counterbalance, adding depth and a touch of refined elegance to the room. With this clear vision in mind, we embarked on an online treasure hunt, eager to discover the perfect visual narratives to adorn our walls.
Why Horses? A Deep Dive into Our Artistic Inspiration
The winning subject that captured both our hearts? Horses, of course! Anyone familiar with my personal style knows about my profound affection for almost every type of animal. While my collection often leans towards charming white ceramic renditions, my admiration extends to their real-life counterparts as well. For a long time, I’d been captivated by the striking presence of giant horse art showcased in glossy interior design magazines, sparking a desire to incorporate similar pieces into our home.
This long-standing fascination received a significant boost during a recent “house crashing adventure,” where I encountered stunning large-scale horse art, unexpectedly, in a nursery. This particular sighting was the proverbial straw that solidified our decision, confirming that horse art was precisely what our bedroom needed. It wasn’t just about my existing love for animals; it was about the power and grace horses embody, their wild beauty offering a stark yet complementary contrast to the softer elements in our room. They symbolize freedom, strength, and a connection to nature, qualities we wished to subtly introduce into our private retreat.
Hunting for the Ideal Equestrian Masterpieces Online
With our subject chosen, my fingers quickly navigated through various online art print sources. Websites like Etsy, 20×200.com, Art.com, and Allposters.com became my digital galleries. The breadth of options was astounding, ranging from spirited racehorses and tranquil black beauties relaxing on a farm to dynamic wild ponies in motion and, most captivatingly, serene horseback riders on moody, beckoning beaches. Each click brought new inspiration, but two particular prints stood out.
I was most drawn to the latter two descriptions: the wild, gorgeous ponies in motion and the charming, serene horseback rider. These pieces, both by the incredibly talented Jan Lakey, perfectly embodied the blend of moodiness and elegance we sought. One depicted horses running and playing in a barren field, exuding raw energy and freedom (found here), while the other showcased a peaceful horseback ride in the tide, evoking a sense of calm and contemplation (found here). These selections felt right, but there was still the crucial step of ensuring John’s approval.
Navigating Artistic Preferences: A Partner’s Perspective
John, as always, has a distinct voice when it comes to art selection, especially for a space as personal as our bedroom. He strongly articulated that the chosen photographs should not be “too energetic” and, ideally, should be “a little calming and scenic.” After all, this is our sanctuary, a place of rest and rejuvenation. This preference led me to believe that the moody horse-on-the-beach shot would likely be a hit. However, I harbored a slight concern that the blurry, motion-filled horses might be perceived by him as too high-energy, potentially disrupting the restful atmosphere we desired.
This is where a tried-and-true trick came into play, a method John himself had once shared in an old post about convincing a partner on a decorating decision. The best way to “sell” him on my two favorite print picks, I reasoned, would be to visually integrate them into our room. A quick Photoshop mock-up would provide a clear and tangible idea of how the art would look, allowing me to assuage any worries that the chosen prints might feel chaotic or anything less than sophisticated, moody, yet simultaneously restful and serene.
The Photoshop Magic: Visualizing Our Dream Decor
The power of visualization in home decor cannot be overstated, especially when collaborating with a partner whose tastes might diverge slightly. My simple Photoshop mock-up became an invaluable tool, transforming abstract ideas into concrete visuals. It allowed us to move beyond mere descriptions and truly “see” the impact of the horse prints within our bedroom’s existing framework. This step is not just about convincing; it’s about clarity, ensuring both parties are on the same page regarding the final aesthetic.
While the mock-up wasn’t a perfect representation of the final look, it provided an excellent approximation of how these large-scale prints would layer into the room. We both agreed that the space desperately needed a “slap of sophistication and contrast.” We weren’t looking for something soft and ethereal, like a pastel cloudy sky or a generic sandy beach scene. Instead, given our playful Ikea fixture and vibrant bedding, we deliberately sought something bold, contrasty, and undeniably chic – a word I knew John wouldn’t typically use, but whose essence he understood.
Furthermore, we envisioned art that would subtly incorporate gold undertones. This would thoughtfully relate to our existing curtains and the delicate gold leaf details in our bedding, creating a cohesive look without being overtly “matchy-matchy.” This subtle integration would prevent the art from feeling too deliberate, a common pitfall with oil paintings or abstracts that might feature the exact same color. Once I had everything mocked up, I was utterly convinced; the vision was perfect.
The Verdict: A Unified Vision for Our Bedroom
Naturally, the most anticipated moment was John’s reaction. Just as I suspected, he instantly gravitated towards the print on the right. Then came the pause, a brief moment of silence as his gaze shifted to the print on the left, which, I admit, sent a momentary shiver of doubt through me. But that apprehension quickly dissipated. A second later, he simply said, “I like them.” There was no mention of the moving horses being too “crazy” or energetic, no concerns about them disrupting the bedroom’s calm.
He articulated his appreciation for how the prints, though not a matched set, complemented each other beautifully, creating a harmonious pair. Just like that, he was entirely sold. Oh, the sweet relief and efficiency that Photoshop brings! What could easily have escalated into a five-day debate over artistic differences was swiftly resolved into a two-minute “I’m down” conversation. This technological marvel truly streamlines decision-making, transforming potential disagreements into seamless agreements.
Embracing Personal Style: Beyond Mass Appeal
It’s important to acknowledge that art selection is an inherently personal endeavor. Our chosen horse prints may not resonate with everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. For us, they are ideal, and we eagerly await their arrival. In this house, we’ve found immense joy in taking decorating risks, in embracing choices that might not possess mass appeal. The guiding principle is simple: if something speaks strongly to us, we commit to it.
There’s a liberating freedom in letting go of the expectation that your home must please every guest who walks through the door. This mindset empowers you to be more authentic to yourself and your unique tastes, allowing your living space to truly feel special and reflective of who you are. Moreover, it ensures that your rooms won’t fall into the trap of looking like everyone else’s, a distinct advantage in a world often dominated by fleeting trends and generic aesthetics.
Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Acquiring Large-Scale Art Without Breaking the Bank
Now, let’s talk about the cost, a critical factor for any home decorator. Large-scale prints, such as the impressive 40″ x 30″ pieces we ordered (totaling over three feet wide), can easily command prices upwards of $100+ each. However, with a bit of savvy shopping, we managed to secure these two stunning prints at a cool $49 apiece. The real magic happened when I stumbled upon a coupon code online. By simply searching for a discount, I found a code (“ZOLA,” which hopefully is still active!) that offered 22% off our entire order.
This coupon brought the total price for both prints down to just $77.98, a significant saving from the original $100. Shipping was also incredibly affordable at $5.98, bringing our grand total expenditure to a mere $83.96. This is an exceptional deal for over six feet of giant, high-quality photography. Printing our own photos at such a large scale with a local printer would likely have incurred a much higher cost, making this online find a true bargain.
The Ingenious Framing Solution: DIY Canvas Mounting
While the prints themselves were remarkably affordable, the challenge remained: how to frame such large pieces without incurring exorbitant costs? Giant frames, especially for 40″ x 30″ dimensions, can easily set you back another $200 or more per frame. Our ingenious solution involved mounting the prints on canvases, a plan we’d hatched long before acquiring the art itself.
Some time ago, with these specific bedroom wall areas in mind, I scored an incredible deal on 40″ x 30″ canvases during a super clearance sale at Michael’s. We had even taped off the wall beforehand to precisely determine the ideal size that “tickled our fancy,” ensuring the canvases would perfectly fit the space.
These canvases were an absolute steal, costing only $23 each after a 50% off discount, compounded by an additional 25% off. We even mentioned this fantastic deal in a previous post. In fact, it was such an advantageous purchase that after bringing these two home, I returned to Michael’s for a third canvas, which I later painted for our entryway, as detailed in this post.
Unveiling the Final Masterpiece: Awaiting Installation
Revisiting the two canvases designated for the bedroom, this clever strategy means that once the art is mounted, we will have spent approximately $64 for each giant piece of photographic bedroom art. This inclusive cost covers both the high-quality print and the substantial canvas. This is an astounding figure when you consider that many printed canvases of comparable size, sold by popular retailers like Ballard Designs or Pottery Barn, often fall within the $200-300+ range per piece. Our DIY approach has yielded significant savings without compromising on impact or style.
The next exciting step involves carefully spray mounting or securely gluing each print onto its respective 40″ x 30″ canvas. To achieve an even more dimensional and professional “printed canvas” look, I’m contemplating applying a layer of matte Mod Podge over the finished mounted prints. The exact method is still to be determined, but rest assured, I will share all the intricate details once the process unfolds. It promises to be an interesting project, and I’m hopeful for a flawless execution – after all, a $64 investment per piece is certainly worth getting right! More updates will follow once the prints arrive and are, hopefully, beautifully hung and admired in our newly sophisticated bedroom.