My niece Becky was thrilled with all of your feedback on the blog post of her sitting area – many thanks to everyone! Quite a few of you suggested a lacquered desk, so she has ordered the following from West Elm:
Becky will be pairing it with my Wishbone chair. Together they will look like this:
Above image via here
To recap, my niece, after saving for many years, recently purchased her first place – a condo with two bedrooms. (We are super proud of her!) The second bedroom is teeny tiny, so I suggested it be her home office with a sitting area. In furnishing this space, we went to HomeGoods (Becky’s favorite shop) and scored the following:
-Clubchair
-Pillow
-Silver leafed chest
-Geometric art print
Becky and I went back to HomeGoods on a mission to decorate the corner at the end of her entry hall – a rather narrow space with a window and, thank goodness, plenty of natural light. So glad she got a corner unit with lots of windows!
On the drive over to HG, Becky kept repeating “gallery wall, gallery wall.” When we arrived, I asked her to pick out some fun and inexpensive art – start with two pieces you love. She chose the Chanel and Home Sweet Home prints. Cute! Then she selected an Impressionistic painting, and I said “no, the grouping is looking too random….toss out the faux Monet piece.” Let’s keep the following in mind:
-Keep it fun and not pretend this is fine art.
-Keep it interesting by incorporating different shapes and sizes.
-Keep it cohesive with repetition in color, subject matter, etc.
After finishing our shopping, I was treated to sushi and then dragged back to the condo to start hanging the goods. Actually we had so much fun and, most importantly, we came in under budget (hence the sushi).And here’s the new gallery wall…..
Notice the repetition of the black accents. For variety, the sunburst mirror and birdcage were selected. The little chandelier print was a last minute find – our gallery wall needed that smaller piece. Before hanging anything, we mapped it out on the floor. We hung the middle section first, starting with the bottom piece and worked up. Next we hung the left grouping, again starting at the bottom. Then the same for the right side.Of course we also found the perfect chair, pillow, accent table and lamp.
FYI, we have not been compensated by HomeGoods – just sharing our happy finds and source.
Oh how fun to do this project together! Easier said than done, this wall is wonderful. My fave is the Chanel too
BEAUTIFUL FAM. can't believe you got that chest at Home Goods. Getting ready to help my daughter "on a budget."
I hope you'll share your daughter's project with us. She's a lucky gal to have you!!
PS. Great Parson's desk…have used it too.
Loi,
Great fun times with a large family. Your gallery wall is sweet fun, wonderful placement and love the chair and pillow. The color choices have impact but still are refined and youthful. Lucky Becky to have you as an Uncle. I enjoyed seeing your whimsical fun decorating style.
Xo,
Vera
Thank you, Vera! I'm helping Becky to blend color, which she loves, with a timeless foundation of neutrals.
Keeping it fun really was the key… loved it! Congrats to your nice who would take you to sushi and "drag" you back to hang pictures, a girl after my heart! What a nice uncle!! And a great memory.
Hello Loi, The white Parsons table was a good choice. My brother and I had one growing up, and it is still doing duty at my sister's place now. Your rules for selecting and arranging art are perfect to keep in mind. Your and your niece's grouping makes a great statement–slightly irregular, but keyed together in so many ways.
I love the photo of your large family–Happy Chinese/Vietnamese New Year to all of you!
–Jim
Thank you, Jim! Happy New Year in Taiwan – should be very festive there!
You are so lucky to have lots of nieces and nephews! But Becky is lucky to have you! I think it's a lovely wall befitting her age and she should have fun and enjoy her first home. I was going to do a gallery wall but feel like my room might be too busy so am just interchanging leaning against the wall for now bc can't commit. Happy year of the Goat Loi!
Very lovely Loi! This gallery wall is just right for the young girl, fun but still neutral, so chair, accent table and lamp stands out. Table will be great for her too! So nice to have such a big family, they are so cute!
Best regards,
Vesna
These are just 18 of my 24 nieces and nephews 🙂
Happy Chinese New Year to you Loi, and all your lovely nieces and nephews.
It is great that your niece has managed to buy herself a home, so many youngsters here are having increasing problems purchasing any property – the prices are far beyond their means.
With your help she has made herself a perfect abode in which to live – may she be really happy and enjoy her life there.
Thanks, Rosemary. Tom and I are very proud of Becky!!
LOVE the way it came out!! What a great gallery wall and love the desk. I love even more seeing your beautiful family…a lot of love in that picture you can tell:) And a very happy Chinese new year to you and yours!
Dear Loi, tell Ms.Becky she is so fortunate to have you as her marvelous personal interior designer – every piece you helped her pick is fabulous – and I love the gallery wall. The grey chair is perfect (I want it) and love that pillow on it. HG is a fun place to shop – does she like looking at/buying china there too? I always head for that dept. as they have the neatest items for table etc. Can't go wrong buying a property even if small – it's a starter home and the way to move up later. We'd love to come back to D.C. (lived there SO long ago) but don't think we can afford it now!!
Sending New Year wishes to you and your fabulous family –
Hugs from freezing (actually way below freezing North Carolina!)
Mary
P.S. Did you ever get my e-mail of Jan. 20 about your wishbone chair Loi?
Oh, yes, Becky and I have been in the China department!! Right now, she doesn't have the budget but we still like to look around 🙂
The gallery wall is perfect! Your day with your niece sounds like so much fun! She is one lucky girl to have you!
Loi, Becky's condo desk area and entry are fabulous. What wonderful advice you gave her! (and us) ! I love all the pieces you helped her with and the way they look in the condo. How great to have an Uncle like you!!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family.
xo
Patty
SO SWEET !! Love this post !!! Happy New Year to you too Loi !!
Thank you, Betsy. Happy New Year 🙂
Hi, Loi,
Your niece has a very chic start, and I especially like the setting with the blue chair and geometric print — I like the silvery look. What a handsome family you have! And you are too youthful to have babysat these people!!
Happy New Year, Loi!
I just had a birthday, so thank you, friend!!!
Beautiful family picture. Love the gallery wall and all your HomeGoods purchases. Becky is so lucky to have you!!
Thanks, Doreen!! Happy New Year!
Hello Loi,
Happy New Year to you all!
You and Becky make a winning combination when it comes to decorating on a budget. Fresh, simple and stylish, your niece's first home will be somewhere of which both you and she can be proud. The 'Gallery Wall' is a delightful idea which you have helped Becky to realise with style. An eclectic mix but drawn together by unifying features, it looks elegant and fun!
Thanks, Jane and Lance. We had a lot of fun putting the gallery wall together. And tot too many nail holes in the wall 😉
Ooops, typo – s/b not too many nail holes!!
What a fun day, and a sweet memory! I wish I had a sweet uncle with your style…
Whimsical and still a bit elegant, clean and cozy. Just right for a young woman.
-Revi
Happy Chinese New Year!!!….love that wonderful photo of your nieces and nephews…great family!!…and I must say, you can totally create a "fun gallery" to also look exquisite!….The perfect blend of color, texture, fun and perfection!…and great choice on the desk!…Your niece is lucky to have such a talented uncle!!
love shopping at HG + blessed she is to have you as an Uncle + love the photo of your family + love the gallery too. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Loi what a great family!! Your niece is so lucky to have you and your advice! You just never know what you will find at Home Goods. Love her new desk paired with your chair!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
The Centre Cannot Hold
The gallery wall looks fantastic! I love that sunburst mirror. Very cool! Thanks for explaining how you hung up the artwork. That was very helpful. Your family looks amazing. Happy New Year Loi!!
Susan
That's one lucky niece!! The condo is precious!
Loi,
What a fresh feel the home is taking on. You and your niece have done such a great job. I love the gallery and chair/table/lamp accompanying the space. So fun to have your first home and an uncle with unparalleled style to help her decorate.
xo,
Karen
Smart idea taking Uncle Loi shopping…an auspicious start to the New Year. I love how the swirly shape in the chandelier print and the metal of the birdcage mimic the table base. Maybe the light bulb print will prove to be a symbol of a future filled with lots of bright ideas 🙂
Thanks for noticing, Donna! I told Becky we had to get that birdcage piece to tie to the accent table. See, Becky….Donna noticed 🙂
What a lovely family! I love gallery walls and these are so much fun!
Thank you for breaking it down — wonderful advice. Looks great! Mouse.
It looks beautiful! She is so lucky to have you!! Well done at coming in under budget- quite the feat!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
HELLO LOI! Oh, I saw your gorgeous post off my phone today but wanted to come off my home computer to properly comment.
The light you capture in your photos is so professional..SIGH! And your niece is sure lucky to have you help her! The choices you both have made are a perfect combination of your classic sensibilities and what seems like her whimsical play with colors and textures. I like what you said about not putting in any imitation impressionist art; if you have the REAL thing, then that's different, but any repros should be more on the modern side. You pull everything together so well!
I hope you and Tom are comfortable out there in DC – it is so FRIGID here, and most of the east! Keep warm my dear friend. Much love, Anita
Yes, beyond frigid in DC!! I'm not looking forward to our heating bill. Thanks for your kind words, Anita – means a lot coming from you the artist! Hope you are working on that book.
It looks wonderful, Loi and I know your niece is thrilled…how lucky she is to have you to help!! Love the mixture of the mirror and pictures hanging together…would have lost my mind trying to hang!! Love seeing your amazing family!!
Loi, gallery wall groupings are a fun way to make a statement, enjoy living with favorite pieces, and fill a blank space. The combination you two settled on is a winner. I like your list to keep in mind. Great advice! I'm going to pin this for future inspiration.
You have a beautiful family, and those nieces and nephews are lucky to have you in their lives. Hope it warms up soon for you. It's even been cold here again in TX. Expecting another wave this weekend. Happy Chinese New Year to you! ~ Sarah
Hi Loi. That is a gorgeous and huge family–holidays must be so much fun. Love Becky's new space. I think I might have to make a trip to Home Goods. Great Finds. xoxo Mary
Hi Loi, you are such a kind, generous, talented and fun uncle! Becky is so lucky. Shopping and decorating together must be so fun! Her place looks so chic now with you helping her to decorate it. Well done Uncle Loi. You have a wonderful family.
Wow Loi, Becky is so lucky to have you for an uncle! And what an amazing big family. I am an only child and have no kids. Will you adopt me? Haha. Love all the finds – so beautifully styled. Your taste and style are impeccable.
Love seeing you on Instagram. I need to catch up a bit. A lot. Haha.
Xo Terri
You have to love Chinese food in order for us to adopt you 🙂 Welcome to Instagram, Terri. It's addictive, right?
Happy Chinese New Year, Loi! What a gorgeous family! Your niece is a lucky lady – her apartment is coming together beautifully. Wish I had an uncle like you when I was moving into my first place. The gallery wall is chic, playful and fun. I just love it! Well done! XO
Olá,
Feliz ano Chinês, que esse ano seja de grandes realizações e felicidades. Linda e alegre sua família. Sua sobrinha tem um tesouro. Um tio assim torna a família mais unida e feliz.
Bjos tenha um ótimo fim de semana.
Happy Chinese New Year, Loi!
And, what a way to ring in the new year, with this beautifully arranged gallery wall! Such a fresh and pretty mosaic, with textures, shapes, and colours that complement one another perfectly, while providing an interesting background to the beautiful sitting area.
Your nieces and nephews look like a very cheery bunch! Such sweet smiles!:))
xx
Poppy
You are one great uncle! An uncle that did a great job helping his niece decorate! Boy did she get a deal!
Everything looks amazing, Loi. I know that she is excited.
Teresa
xoxo
Hi Loi, I started to leave a comment last night but was logged into Google as Rick (I have been doing some work for him) so I deleted and am starting again as myself and I love this idea! I am going to help Serena do something similar in her room in our new place (!!!) when we move this spring. I am letting her decorate it herself and it is going to be modern Scandi. xoxox
Loi, happy Chinese New Year to you! First, I love the family photo! Congratulations to Becky on her first place! I love the gallery wall, so cute and will look fabulous with the new desk.
Thanks for sharing your home goods finds!
Designer/babysitter 🙂
What a wonderfully big family here and I bet they are so very proud of you. Your nieces office space is really pulling together and with so much personality. The white laqure desk has added a bright clean look. Love the casual modern charm and the wall art is enchanting.
Xx
Dore
Loi only you could find such sofisticated treasures at hone goods and display them with Panache…what a lucky girl!!
Congratulations to Becky on the purchase of her first very own condo and to you as well for having such a talented niece. We are sure with uncle's help this condo will look great.
Beautiful and looks like a million bucks, uncle loi. Love the choice made for the desk! Peace and happy new year.
Dear Loi,
Happy New Year to you and your family! Together you have created a very stylish apartment. I particularly like that blue armchair.
Bye for now,
Kirk
Happy Chinese New Year to you too Loi! I think you've done such a fabulous job on a small budget. It oozes style, and I'm sure Becky is thrilled with her new home. Love that little gilt side table too, and the Parsons desk is perfect.
Beautiful. Happy Chinese New Year to you and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂
Hi Loi. Thanks for showing more of what can be done on a strict budget and not look it. The art wall is inventive and fun. Love it! Art walls are not easy to do but you make it look easy. Hope you're getting through the winter alright. xo, Laurel
Be it elegant and classy or contemporary chic, you nail it so right Loi! Love the gallery wall you both came up with! And it's nice to see your big, happy family! Your lucky to have them around, I miss all our family back home. 🙂
Loi,
What a fantastic post and gallery wall "how – to". I must admit, it is a design element that I adore but am SO scared to actually try on my walls. I don't have a single gallery wall. This makes me want to create one. There's a HG just down the road and I'm always finding fun things there.
Becky's new apartment looks wonderful and I'm sure the memory of spending the afternoon with you, creating such a special place, will linger for years to come.
xoxo Elizabeth
I love a good gallery wall and this is so much fun – love the shine art! Happy Chinese New Year – I'm the year of the rooster (hope that says good things about me)!
Kelly
How we would have loved to have a talented uncle like you help us with our first apartment – you make HomeGoods things look like a million bucks! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
"HomeGoods" for sainthood!!!! franki p.s. You need to frame that family photo!!
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