COTE DE TEXAS

Dear Miss Cote de Texas

"A Girl Writing," Henriette Browne (1829-1901)

Kristi writes in with today’s question:

Hello Joni-
I am definitely stuck on a design dilemma....I normally can be pretty creative with a space...but this one has me stuck.   We recently moved to a new house.   All the trim in the home is white, wood floors everywhere, and so many windows all along the back side of the house! The design problem: the house is 15 years ago and there are little nooks - I have 2 of these spaces currently, one in the entry and one half way up the stairs. The other "nook" type place is in the master above the fireplace. It is actually a hole in the wall made for a TV....now we know what types of TV's were around 15 years ago... and they were the fat large big tubes. So I have this hole between the bathroom and master bedroom...and I just can't figure out for the life of me what to do with it. It's not an option yet to fill the space in.
I feel like these nook areas should stand out with some amazing pieces or something very creative. And maybe I just don't have anything that would work....maybe you can direct me on this?? As well as the hole in the master??
The nook on the staircase has overhead lighting in it...and currently I have a floral arrangement ...that quite truthfully the only reason that it is there is because I didn't have anywhere else for it nor did I know what to put in this nook. My style is French ...whether it's shabby/country or whatever I just love the look of French and Belgium Swedish style.
I have attached pictures of the areas I am talking about....and I am so hoping that you can assist me in coming up with something creative or finding some affordable "somethings" to put in the spaces!    I hope all is well and can't wait to hear what you think!

Dear Kristi,
Art nooks, or niches, really are a problem for a lot of people, or so it seems judging by the amount of chatter about them on the internet. It seems that all the new houses have one or two of these niches going up the stairs and some even have niches high above in rooms with two story ceilings. I have to be honest, I am not a huge fan of art niches, probably because everyone just sticks an arrangement of fake flowers there, or they put some contemporary art glass in the nook – both things that are just not on my list of favorites things!!
The reason why I decided to try to address your problem on the blog is that I think there are a lot of people out there who are living with niches and aren’t quite sure what to do with them. So, I am hoping that others may find some help too!
Researching your issue on the internet, there just aren’t many ideas I can show you with a picture. The web site Houzz has over 13,000 pictures of the ugliest solutions to this problem that you can find! Seriously, check out that link if you don’t believe me!   So, without the help of any visual pictures, I tried to think, what would I put in a niche if I lived with one? And here are a few ideas that I came up with.
To start, let’s look at your art niches:

First, you have this tiny niche in your entry hall.   I love the casual way you decorated this area with a bench and trendy pillows, along with vintage suitcases.

And then, you have this larger niche that is lighted – in the staircase wall.

It’s actually quite high up there – or so it seems!

Finally, you have this niche, or really a former TV spot, that is open over the fireplace in your bedroom, to….

the other side of the wall, which is your bathroom.

So, lets tackle the issue of Art Niches

Did you know that niches were first added to Victorian house’s staircase walls to allow coffins to be carried from the upstairs to the downstairs? Neither did I, but apparently this is a story that is widely believed!

The history behind niches known as “coffin corners” is that people usually died upstairs in their beds and then had to be brought back downstairs in a coffin. Niches were built into walls of Victorian houses’ staircases so that the pallbearers could insert one corner of the coffin into the niche and make the turn at the landing. Because of this, niches for years were called “coffin corners.”   It isn’t known if this is just a myth or if the story is based in fact.

The truth is probably more like this – niches have been around for ages. Mostly they were used to exhibit art work or statues, such as these niches that were placed above the doors in a large Irish entrance hall.

And another niche, placed at eye level. These niches were beautifully constructed with carvings and graceful, curved walls.   Niches like these show little resemblances to those found in houses built today.

For instance, there is no architectural reasoning for these niches – they are just three arched holes placed high above the wall. There is no carved wood, no curved wall – just an indention in the drywall. And whatever happened to art work being placed at eye level where you could see it?

And again, typical niches found in newer homes today have no architectural basis. These aren’t even lined up with the fireplace and its fake twin to the right (what IS that, by the way?)   Painted black, the holes are focal points in the room, for all the wrong reasons.

This owner wrote into an internet web site asking for ideas of what to do with these art niches and columns found in her new house. Besides all the arches, columns, and niche above the TV, there is another niche on the far left. Most commenters advised her to try and just remove all the columns and arches and niches and start over. Good advice, I’d say.

In contemporary houses, typically a collection of modern glass will be displayed in art niches – such as this. At least these niches are pretty and do seem to be thought out by a designer, rather than just be a cutout in the drywall.

Most niches found are simpler versions like this, arched holes in the wall decorated with flowers and art work.

Some are lighted for dramatic effect.

And some have painted backs for even more dramatic effect. The look is often supposed to resemble Tuscany. This house has arched niches, arched doorways, columns, and another arched niche at the end of the hallway.

The quest for answers of how to decorate an art niche is found all over the internet. There are videos on You Tube with solutions. I’ll spare you those. And there is even a Facebook group for “how to decorate your art niche” – seriously this might be the biggest problem Americans are facing today!!

OK, quit laughing! Faux Iron Solutions, not even real iron (not sure what faux iron is exactly?) says their solution for these three gorgeous niches is faux iron! My solution – dry wall those niches up and move on to other problems, like those light fixtures.

A reader of The Lettered Cottage asked Layla for help with her large niche. She has a casually decorated house and her niche has stumped her. She stuck this Venus in there, but it doesn’t go with her décor at all. Here’s what Layla suggested she do about her niche problem:

Layla advised her to add shelves, turning the niche into a useful area, filling it with baskets and books. I think Layla came up with a great idea, functional and casual – read the story HERE.

The owners of this niche had a similar idea – adding shelves AND shutters and making it useful instead of just decorative.

These shelves allow the niches to display a large collection of blue and white porcelain. The shallow niches show off oriental calligraphy.

Some people commission a mural to be painted in their niche.

This niche is architecturally designed, and it shows. The paneling continues into the niche, making it seamless. The arch of the niche is repeated in the window and the niche is visually balanced by the niche on the ground floor.   I also like what they used for display – a tall piece of sculpture, rather than a fake flower display.

This niche is also very pleasing. It serves as a focal point along the way up the stairs. And again, a simple statue in black – which matches the railings – is pleasing and attractive.

I also like this display of artifacts in a niche.   All three pieces are different, yet seem related somehow – perhaps they are all Southwestern in origin. Very pretty.

So, let’s go back to Kristi’s entry hall with its art niche. She likes casual design, warm and cozy and trendy – judging by her pillows and vintage suitcases.   The niche is rather shallow and tall. I looked at Wisteria and Aidan Gray for some inspiration and came up with this:

Wisteria makes these great urns. They are rather tall, so Kristi would have to check the measurements, but I love something like this for her niche.

Or, go with a tall candlestick by Aidan Gray. They have a large assortment to chose from – maybe she could even put two in there, one short, one taller. Add a cream colored fat and short beeswax candle on top.

I love this zinc piece from Aidan Gray. Tall and thin, it could be the perfect fit and it’s got that trendy look – and the zinc is warm and casual.

A Santos – old or new – could be a good look too. Check out the Santos on CdT sponsor: Eleanor Brown Boutique HERE.

Or pair a tall and short cross top bottle from CdT sponsor Greyfreth HERE or…

Pair a short bottle and a tall one from Greyfreth’s sea inspired creations. Great look!

For those who have a more common art niche – wider and taller than Kristi’s - here are a few more ideas:

Angel wings are popular today – and they would be perfect in a typical sized art niche. Available at both Eleanor Brown AND Greyfreth, above.

Wisteria’s new sunburst display, which I love.

Instead of a painting, hang a sconce, lighted or just add candles. This one is from Wisteria – love!

Another nice sculptural sconce is this one from Aidan Gray.

Also new from Wisteria – I would use two of these, one large, one small in an art niche.

Or hang plates instead of a painting. Neutral ironstone would be a subtle choice.

Or hang a collection of black and white French transferware from Ebay. Then layer the display by putting two plates on stands in front of the hanging ones.

Use two garden urns in front of a display of plates, or alone.

Or mix and match blue and white porcelains from Wisteria.

Kristi’s second niche is more of a problem in that it is so high up. You don’t’ want it to be too much of a focal point – so I would try to keep it simple.

Wisteria’s new marble urn would be pretty there, with a white ironstone platter hanging behind it.

I like this fragment from Aidan Gray for the niche.

From Aidan Gray, this piece is simple and sculptural.

And again from Aidan Gray, this is really pretty for that space.

Just promise me Kristi that you won’t do something like this!!!!

And finally, for your pass through hole, former TV space in your bedroom and bathroom, you should really just sheetrock over this. If not, then the only thing you could possible do is find a painting or a mirror and place it on the mantel to cover the hole. Before you place the object though, I would find a piece of cardboard, cut it out to fit right over the hole and paint it the same color as the wall. Velcro it to cover the hole – so that if the mirror or painting is leaning a bit on the mantel, light won’t escape from the hole and it won’t be as noticeable.

The bathroom side.

Wisteria has this pretty trumeau that could go on the bathroom side.

Or try this mirror in either room from Aidan Gray.

Consider a photograph with a slightly feminine bent, from CdT sponsor My Art Habit HERE.

Allposters.com have great reproduced antique maps, like this one of France.

At CdT sponsor Greige, they have these framed antique French wedding documents that are interesting. HERE.

Kristi, I hope I have given you enough ideas that seem more “today” than just fake flowers.   I tried to keep all the choices very price friendly, as you asked.

But, as usual, I am wondering if any of the readers have a better idea of what Kristi could do with her niches – ????   Let me know in the comment section if you do!

If you have a Dear Miss Cote de Texas question, please submit it. If you already have and I haven’t answered it yet, I will try to eventually get to them all. If you already asked a question and need an answer asap, just let me know and I’ll try to email it to you faster!

Thanks!

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

cotedetexas 35 comments

Remember this beautiful townhouse that I showed you a few months ago? Decorated by Ginger Barber and located in Houston, the house was designed in neutral shades of soft colors that defy labels.

The house was truly gorgeous and I was just a bit tongue tied as I toured it. Overwhelmed, might be a better word. I was soaking up every detail – and there were so many details to soak up, I could barely get a word out.   I was intrigued by how Ginger had used closely matched colors to create interest, and then used the different weights of the fabrics to create texture.   The effect was so subtle - it reminded me of brush strokes on a fine oil painting. Each stroke of different colors blends together with the thickness of the paint to create a finished canvas – and this is exactly how Ginger used the layers of hues and fibers to create these interiors.

I used the time spent with Ginger to listen and learn and when I left, I felt like I had taken a master class. To her, it was nothing, just another job very well done. To me, I was the eager student, lapping up every word she uttered.

Photograph of horses, by Skeeter Hagler

And while all I wanted to talk about was interior design, Ginger, I soon found out, had different interests – mainly horses, and mainly abused horses – starved almost to death, mistreated, and abandoned. Her involvement with these forgotten animals started a few years ago when she came upon one such starving and abused horse, locked up in a stable near Galveston. After calling the police, she was directed to the rescue organization Habitat for Horses, who gladly took in the horse and nursed him back to health. Instead of forgetting about her unfortunate escapade, she developed a near obsession with the organization and began volunteering for them – mucking out stalls, gathering hay, and also, raising funds.

Throughout the day we spent together, Ginger kept talking about Habitat for Horses and proudly showed off a photograph of horses in a field taken by the Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Skeeter Hagler.   Hagler had generously agreed to donate photographs for a future fundraiser that Ginger was planning.    She asked if I would like to talk about the cause on the blog – and of course I gladly agreed to.

I don’t know about you, but a starving horse, or dog, or cat affects me to the core.   Imagine being chained up and unable to go find water or food – the very basic necessities of life. It’s too horrible to even think about, yet it happens to these forgotten horses more often than one knows.

Habitat for Horses was started in 1997 with just one horse, a horse that was being starved to death down the street from the good Samaritans who wanted to save him.   Back in those days, law enforcement didn’t take action against owners of these large animals – they were placated when often told, “he’s old, that’s why he’s so skinny,” or “we were just going to get him feed.” Once Habitat for Horses alerted the necessary agencies that they were now offering these abused animals sanctuary, things began to quickly change and they were routinely called by officials to come take a look at yet another starving horse. After they obtain the necessary court orders, the horses are brought back to health and then hopefully adopted out. If they are unable to be adopted, they live out their lives on the property that Habitat for Horses is located on.

With the huge success of this organization – there have been growing pains. The original leased land is no longer large enough to sustain the operation and a hunt was begun to find a larger and permanent tract of land for Habitat for Horses. To this end, Ginger Barber and Jill Brown, owner of BROWN, along with Skeeter Hagler and Kathy Oliver, another noted photographer, are hosting “Greener Pastures – A Land Fund for Habitat for Horses.” The evening event will take place at Brown on November 8th, 2012 at 6:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by Texas musicians Shake Russell and Michael Herne.

Space is limited, so if you would like to attend this event, please go to www.habitatforhorses.org/shake.html or by email at tickets@habitatforhorses.org.

If you are not from Houston, or are unable to attend, please, please consider making a donation to the cause.   Any amount you would be willing to donate would be very much appreciated. To donate, simply go HERE.

With donations from people like you, Habitat for Horses has been able, since 1998, to save 5,178 horses from starvation and neglect.   They have adopted out 4,660 of these rehabilitated horses. For more detailed information of what they have accomplished – please see their web site at www.habitatforhorses.org

And since this is a design blog, I wanted to share with you the darling Press Kit announcing the event that was delivered to my house!   It always amazes me how creative some people are:

The Press Kit came in a plain cardboard box, wrapped with twine and a horseshoe. Ginger wrote a personal note to me, hoping to make the next blog story – a personal note is always such a nice touch.

Inside, lying on a bed of florist moss was this large burlap bag.

And inside was the Press Release, along with a CD donated by Shake Russell, the much beloved Texas musician.   What a cute invitation- you’re not likely to forget an event when you get something like this!   And that’s the point. I popped the CD into my laptop to listen to while I wrote this, getting into the mood.

To listen – double click on the arrow:

Aw, Shake Russell! Nothing makes me think of days in Austin at college more than listening to this song “You’ve Got a Lover.” How many times did we see him and Dana Cooper at the Armadillo, back in the early 70s? The words to this beautiful song are really so bittersweet, you wonder whatever happened to the girl he wrote this song this about?

So, whoever designed the Press Kit really did a great job, making me all nostalgic for Texas music and Texas Lone Star, and Austin, and the Lake, and horses.

Sweet Captain, my daughter’s horse that lives in Chappell Hill at my brother in law’s ranch. He has the easy life - he’s happy, he’s fed, he’s loved and is rarely even saddled up anymore - which makes it so hard to understand how someone could abuse such a gentle, kind animal.

Look at this cutie!   Not all horses at Habitat for Horses are adopted out. Some remain at the ranch forever – these are their sanctuary horses. This horse, Pete, was their first rescued horse - it took one entire year for him to heal up from his injuries, and another to become acclimated to other horses. Now, they say he is a very spoiled, much loved horse.

Here is a group of other sanctuary horses. Notice the eyes on the horse at the far right – so beautiful!

Other horses, like Wolke, are available for adoption. On the web site, there are pictures and extensive histories of all the horses ready right now for adoption. If you can’t adopt a horse, you can always sponsor a sanctuary horse!

There’s a special place in heaven for people who donate their time and labor to helping the less fortunate. Habitat for Horses is run by such people, like Ginger and others, who volunteer their time, helping out at the ranch and trying to find others who want to help too.

If you can, please think about attending the Greener Pastures event. Or, if you are able, please consider donating to Habitat for Horses. Every little bit helps.

To purchase tickets to the Greener Pastures event, go to: www.habitatforhorses.org/shake.html or by email at tickets@habitatforhorses.org.

To donate to Habitat for Horses, simply go HERE.

To visit the Habitat for Horses web site go HERE.

Thank you so much for allowing me to talk about this with you.