You should put something really great here

Oh, how I smiled wryly to myself when I came across this photo last week:

{via Murray Mitchell}

You see, this is exactly what I think every time I walk into my living room. I present to you, Decorating Dilemma #1…

{Decorator’s Notebook}

Don’t get me wrong, I like this room a lot but I do spend an unnatural amount of time staring at that blank wall above the sofa debating what I can put there that’s going to look really great. At the moment I have this picture up as a stop gap, but I think it actually makes things worse.

{Decorator’s Notebook}

Again, I like the British Isles print well enough, although I liked it a whole lot more when I first bought it, before the world and his wife had one. It doesn’t evoke the loathing of the ubiquitous Keep Calm and Carry On print just yet, but I fear it may not be long before I have to relegate this to the back of a cupboard until such a time as I own a house with a downstairs loo. Basically, it’s too small, it’s in the wrong place and it just looks rubbish on that wall.

So, I need your help. At the moment, the options I’m mulling over are as follows, but I’m not convinced any of them are quite right.

{via Sanctuary}

OPTION 1: vintage mirror wall

It’s become one of those styling clichés but I do still like this idea. And what’s more, I already have eight perfectly nice frameless mirrors sitting in the understairs cupboard waiting for me to make up my mind and do something with them. But do we think this has been done to death? Will I make holes all over my lovely smooth plaster only go off the idea the very next week?

{Sue Knight}

OPTION 2: invest in an artwork

In an ideal world, this would be my top choice. I once styled a house with several works by Twickenham based painter Sue Knight and loved her light, airy landscapes mixing collage and oils. The problem is of course, the price tag. If I wait until I can afford something of the style and scale I really love, that wall’s going to be blank forever. Which brings us neatly on to…

{Oh Happy Day}

OPTION 3: paint it myself

I found this great tutorial on painting your own abstract canvases but I can’t help thinking it’s not going to be that easy. Knowing me, I’d get it looking passable but wouldn’t be able to stop tinkering and end up spoiling it all at the last minute. And of course, there’s the whole time factor to think about.

Never. Going. To. Happen.

{Lotta Agaton}

OPTION 4: create a display shelf

There’s something quite appealing about this – possibly the fact that I wouldn’t have to commit to any particular arrangement and could tinker to my heart’s content. Also, the way my building was carved up when it was converted means my flat doesn’t have a fireplace or alcoves so I don’t have those natural display areas you’d usually have in a Victorian home and could do with somewhere to put out my bits and pieces.

HELP!!!

{Decorator’s Notebook}