Sunday, September 25, 2011

A quiet moment.....Decorating with Religious Artwork


Veranda, Touches of Europe, by Eleanor Cummings

When you think of room decor do you turn to God? To the legends of angels and all that it entails?

Veranda, Kay O'Toole

Have you noticed the number of homes where the focal point of a room is a religious piece of art? I personally find that these lovely old pieces have a calming effect while also being decorative. Incorporating spiritual objects bring a sense of warmth without having devout reasons.



 Most people like myself collect for aesthetic, not religious, reasons. Pieces should be looked upon as art having dimension and texture.

Veranda, Kay O'Toole

Veranda, Eleanor Cummings
  
One well-placed item can help tie the décor together making it flow.
I am in love with this Italian headboard!

Veranda, James Michael Howard, aka Mrs. Howard

In this living room it’s the artwork that brings in the color of a mostly neutral setting.

From the same room as above

Home of Pamela Pierce, Veranda

Country French Magazine, Alabama designer Mary Finch

Designer Donna Temple Brown's Home

Maisons Cote Magazine

via Cote de Texas


Kate Stassi Design

Designer Mary Finch

Religious art pieces outside can even bring a focal point to a garden patio.  


Even in my own home I use religious pieces to bring in warmth from the rich colors and depth. So how about you do you decorate with religious pieces?



32 comments:

A Perfect Gray said...

excellent post. love old objects of spiritual devotion. I have several; my favorites are Infants of Prague. I need to post them....I enjoyed this piece very much and will return, I'm sure. donna

Barbara@HausDesign said...

These are gorgeous examples. I don't have any in my home but at a market yesterday I was admiring some beautiful candle holders from a church in Austria - they were absolutely breathtaking...but at 800 euros I had to pass! Just found your blog via Enchanted Home and I love it...I'll be back. :)

Heather Robinson said...

There are some gorgeous images here Debra--and the house outside of Uzes from Cote Maisons is a favorite. As with that house, we do use religious objects, but they are from several religions which reflects our backgrounds. We have Buddhas in every room but also ecclestial candlesticks and incense burners.

Blue Muse said...

I adore religious artifacts. The more timeworn and faded, the better. They are historical and beautiful pieces of the past and some of the best art ever commissioned came from the churches. I would love to have a wall like your second photograph. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

xo isa

lvroftiques said...

Delicious post Debra! Each and every picture is lovely. Yes I'm constantly attracted to religious items in decor. It once dawned on me out of the blue that I seemed to have angels in most of my rooms... and when I actually went to count it was 27....It kind of shocked me! lol! Vanna

The enchanted home said...

What a beathtaking post!! Some of those images are just incredible. Though I would not necessarily go out of my way to seek out religious decor, if it happens to have some kind of symbol or is a painting of religious figure, I would use it in a heartbeat as long as it works in the room..no holds barred. I tend to favor the old, antique and sometimes more rustic pieces. Beautiful post!

LA CONTESSA said...

YES!I Love religious pieces!Own a few.Your photos are gorgeous.How do you bloggers do that?Are you scanning or pulling out of a hat the photos that is.........

Karena said...

Debra,

I love to see a wonderful religious painting or Santos as focal points in a rooms decor. The history speaks to me as well as the beauty of the piece.

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Atelier de Campagne said...

Really beautiful post! I too am a great fan of decorating with religious or devotional art. While on our buying trips in Europe, it is also something that we like to seek out and bring back to our clients. Santos, crowns, ex-votos, crosses, rosaries. Whether you are religious or not, add a certain element of mysticism to a home.

Thank you for sharing this.

Trinidad

LaPouyette said...

Just wonderful! Love every image!

Happy Sunday Dear Debra,
xxxkarin

P.S. Tried several times this morning to leave a comment, did not worked. Blogger!

Acanthus and Acorn said...

While I don't search for them I have somehow managed to aquire a few things. You are right, they do make the most calming backdrop, especially when seen in art.
Btw, Happy belated b-day!!!
xo,
~R

michele said...

i'm drawn to old religious things because of my faith and because of the idea that someone faithful made it and/or owned it. for me, they bless a house, and i can never have too many blessings around, ya know?

michele

cotedetexas said...

do you have peter vitale's book? it's great - you probably have it. if not you will love it!

beautiful post.

Greet Lefèvre said...

This is a very interesting post!!! With all beautiful examples of how wonderful religious objects can make our home beautiful decorated!!
xx
Greet

Taylor Greenwalt said...

What a beautiful post. I love how religious artifacts look, but I don't have any. I might have to start collecting.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Very beautiful post. The images are lovely. I am absolutely in love with that headboard! Ah, to dream.

Ispirato Design said...

I do! I have an entire wall in my bedroom filled with mother and child prints- many of them are religious. This is such a beautiful post- so many inspiring images. Thank you- I feel a sense of calm right now :)

Boho Farm and Home said...

I love religious art! I am always drawn to an old church pew, a stain glass window, sacred heart, an old cross. The patina and wear of these sacred objects adds so much warmth and character to your space. Great post Debra!
xo
Caroline

ursula said...

I love all of these photos. And you're so right--very calming.

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Very interesting post. I love these images and they actually go beyond decor for me. They can be very meaningful and profound. I see as art and at many times, a form to express your faith.

Well done and gorgeously selected!

I also want to thank you very much for your comment about my interview yesterday. It's really nice to meet you!!!

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Anonymous said...

Love that gorgeous mirror in the Mrs. Howard room. Stunning.
xo E + J

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

lovely post-was in Spain this summer and so many of the chic homes I visited were filled with religious artifacts--the Maison Cote mag is breathtaking! Have a lovely week, Barbara

Acquired Objects said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sami Pat said...

I do. I have a large 2' X 3' cross that hangs on Pontifical.s Porch. I have no idea of its origins but it had clearly been outdoors so that is where I keep it. I am moved to prayer when I sit under it. I found the room with several large pieces of art and what appeared to be a crown of thorns mounted among them intimidating.

Divine Theatre said...

I have a great affection for religious pieces. I use them throughout my home. When I was single it was a constant struggle between paying rent and buying religious artifacts!
My favorite piece, however, is a corpus that I found on Craigslist from a church in Wisconsin! Who knew?!
Beautiful post, as usual, my friend!

p.s. Duchess is in People Magazine! She's a rock star!

Kisses to Dylan and kitty...

designchic said...

Such absolutely beautiful rooms and gorgeous examples. The Kay O'Toole space is fabulous!!

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

So nice to read your comment! Just want drop by to thank you! :-)

Have a great day!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Maison de lin said...

Hello,

This is a wonderfull post. They are all so peacefull an sereen. Thanks to sharring this whit us.

Have a nice weekend
Jérôme

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

Debra,This is the most beautiful post ever. I'm drooling over every image. I love religious artifacts and they have special meaning to me as well. Now I've just got to scroll through these fabulous spaces again. Happy weekend. Mona

Decor de Provence said...

You have one amazing eye! These images are beautiful, each religious artifact adds the perfect amount of detail to each room. Thank you for always sending such sweet comments my way - coming from you it truly means a lot!

lol,
Desiree

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Debra- Beautiful posts. I love the different atmospheres in each image - all enhanced by the artwork.

Loretta

Monica said...

Lovely post! We have a lot of religous art and friends and family are always giving us more. It is nice to see it as decorative objects in other people's homes. It has a beauty all its own.

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