CHERISH THAT
CHERISHED ITEM IN YOUR HOME
It is the new
year… a time of the year I dwell on more serious thoughts (perhaps it is no
more philosophical then NOT dwelling on all the food I have been stuffing in my
face). And I thought about the one design item I cherish in my home décor.
I am referring to
the item that if I moved… I would always take with me! And the item I would
find a place for in my new abode… no matter the size of the item or the size of
the space. My close friend refers to it as her “feel good piece.” This is
different then the “sentimental piece” you keep, even if it is less then
beautiful, because you cherish the person who gave it to you and it keeps that
person close even if they are gone.
My girlfriend made
the distinction. She has a ballerina lamp that her Mother, long deceased, hand
painted and added items to make it more personal. Although she admitted that it
was somewhat gaudy… she would take it with her and use it in her bedroom…
always! But I persevered! What about something you have, probably purchased,
that you cherish because of its design beauty and/or distinction? She bought a
rug from Home Goods some time ago that is loved for its style and especially
the vibrant colors. She will take and use that rug wherever she goes. (Since
her house is for sale that may be very soon). Her gorgeous home interiors are
built around these particular colors that she will carry through in her new home.
In my apartment I
have a painting that I cherish. It is about 5 feet tall and it has moved many,
many times. Its first home was a 5000 square foot turn-of-the century house in
the South… and has resided in several New York City apartments… the first was a
one bedroom. You get my point…I always
made it work!!! When I lived in the South my antique collector friend called
from New Orleans
Like… it was LOVE
at first sight!
I know nothing about the artist even with all the research on
the internet. The painting’s signature says DUNLAP and was applied to the canvas
with stick on letters that are peeling off. What does that say about the
artist… my imagination is racing. Did he want to keep the owner of the painting
constantly guessing? Was it a statement of the permanence of the art itself
versus the artist who painted it? Was it a message or an insight into the
painter’s psyche? The bottom of the painting is clearly a copy of Johannes Vermeer’s
famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” residing at the Mauritshuis in the Hague
The top portion
of the painting is a portrait of a man, eyes starring, much like the girl’s
gaze which is as intimate as it is intense, with nail heads on two sides and
the word FINIS screened in white paint on white paint… discreet but visible.
Is
it a self portrait of the painter? How did it end up in an antique cache? It is
exquisitely painted! Even the Vermeer portion is crackled to look worn and old.
Every time I look at it, hanging prominently in my living room (even if it
skews the symmetry of my couch and coffee table… not an easy thing for an
interior designer) I stop and think how lucky I am to own it. I wish I could
tell the painter how much I cherish it.
So stop and look at
your space and take note of that piece (or pieces) that makes your home, even
if you have the same sofa with the same fabric that hundreds of other people
own… uniquely yours. And CHERISH it.
By the way… if
anyone can shed any information on the artist… please contact me through our
Facebook page, Prince Segal Design, or email me at Chris@princesegaldesign.com.
I would really appreciate it!!!! Or if you would like to share one of your
cherished items with my followers… send a picture with any details and I will
post it.
Chris Nicole Prince
12/27/2011
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