Parrot Prints and Hobby Lobby

I love birds (and have two parrots) so I was excited when I saw these two 16" X 20" parrot prints at Allposters.com.

Golden Parrot II (Pat Woodsworth)

Golden Parrot I (Pat Woodsworth)

I went to a local place for framing, however for what I wanted, even with a coupon, the cost was going tobe $275 per print, which I did not consider a reasonable option considering the prints were just  $19.99 a piece.  So I went to Hobby Lobby to look at their framing options.

Although the collection of frames and matting were not as extensive as the other place, I found a few that I liked...

I ended up choosing the second frame sample and a  4" mottled brown matting, for a final framed size of 28" X 32." Here is how they turned out (double click to enlarge)...

A close up of the frames and matting....

I also decided to do a thin architectural moulding ("fillet") between the print and mat board. Hard to capture, but I think the fillet can be kind of seen in these pics....

I decided to hang the framed prints in the kitchen and hearth area....

Here is the first print, Golden Parrot I.  This  photo, like many of the others in this post, is not very good because the natural light in the area resulted in a lot of glare and I couldn't figure out if it was better to use flash or not.

I placed this one in the kitchen area near the island....

A far view...

And closer ups....

Here is the other print, Golden Parrot II ....

I placed this picture in the hearth area of the kitchen (bad glare)....

Other views (with flash)....

Here are some pics without the flash (I think the photos with flash are truer to life)... 

When I picked up the framed prints, Hobby Lobby was having a 50% off sale on wall clocks, so I bought a round one, which is 32" in diameter ....

and this 32" X 32" square clock.

I haven't figured out where I'm going to place the square clock, but here is where I hung the round  one. 

I like the parrot pictures, but especially like the fact that the cost of getting both of them framed at Hobby Lobby cost less than getting just one print framed at the other place.

Linking to:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Great Room Cocktail Table

This is the cocktail table I purchased for the Great Room.  I decided to go with a formal table versus some of the more rustic tables I had been looking at....

It has an inset glass top that has been painted on the back side ("eglomise"). I like the design and the fact that the surface reflects light.

The table has a black rubbed back finish with gold accenting. (Double left click for a closer view).

Here are some close-ups of the finish.  I like the curves and details of the base.

Here is the top... difficult to photograph because it 's 5 feet long.

Amy from Maison Decor recommended choosing a table with legs versus a table with a solid base because of the solidness of skirting on the sofas... good advice, thanks, Amy. The table does have legs and at 2 feet in height, was the tallest cocktail table I had seen... which is good visually because of the sofa skirting.  Hard to show, but I think the height of the table can be seen in these pics....

 

From a different angle.... 

With both sofas....

I plan on doing ceiling to floor window treatments and although I like the area rug, I want to find a larger rectangular rug that can run under each couch (with the long sides running parallel to the fireplace). I'm going to go with the same general colors and tones but maybe a lighter background where the table is positioned so that it stands out more.

Linking to:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Saavy Southern Style

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch

Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chic

Whassup Wednesday at Elements Interiors

Transformation Thursday a Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Yourself Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show and Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Favorite Things Friday at A Few of My Favorite Things

Fabulous Finds Friday at Frou Frou Decor

Good Life Wednesdays at Beach Cottage

Flaunt It Friday at Chic On a Shoestring Decorating

Looking for a Cocktail Table

I have been looking for a cocktail table for my great room. Here is the area....

I initially was set on a square table, but started thinking that a rectangular shape might be better given the space and size of area rug. I have looked at wood, mirrored and glass tables. Here are a few of the coffee tables I have seen (all scale-appropriate)....

I love the spider-looking legs and the stained embossed top. Although I like this table, I think I need something different, maybe more formal.

This is more formal...this table has a black, rubbed back finish and an inlaid glass eglomise top.

Here is a 54' square table that has burl and nail head trim. 

Same table...

This is a rectangular table that is chunky, but could work...

I love mirrored furniture... here is an antiqued mirror top table.

This is an antiqued mirrored table I found on the internet from John-Richards. I'm not sure I like the metal dangly things and I'd have to special order it without actually seeing it.

This is the table my friend liked, which is the only reason I am posting the image.  Too much going on for me and I don't think a good fit for my great room in general. 

This is a nice wood table and I like the legs and the base.

This is a 54" square table. Pretty, but not sure...

This table has a stained, distressed planked top and mirrored sides with a lattice design. It's prettier in real life.

Here is another plank look table with an interesting shape. This is a bad angle.

Other views...

Off the subject, when I was shopping for cocktail tables, I saw a couple of copper top dining tables (both 60" round) that I thought were nice. I love the hammered look (double left click for close up of the finish) and the use of a curved upholstered bench as seating. (The bench seating is hard to see.  It's on the left side of the image). 

Another copper table...

The top is amazing. 

I am just not sure which way to go in regard to a cocktail table for the great room. I have to check myself so that I don't make a desperation buy (empty space in a conspicuous area).