Seems like, for the last several weeks, I’ve been inundated with “rooms.” First I wrote my blog on my favorite room, then I watched “Room” before the Oscars. Last week I happened to re-watch “Room with a View.” Then, yesterday, I went to Van Gogh’s rooms at the Art Institute. And ironically there’s a copy of Virginia Wolff’s “A Room of One’s Own” on my bedside table.
How interesting that this concept of “room” takes on a whole new meaning when it becomes metaphor, in each instance, for imagination, confinement, free-thinking, comfort and liberation.
As I wandered through the Van Gogh exhibit, I learned many things about the artist that finally led to the creation of his famous room and its three different paintings.
Originally, Van Gogh painted in very dark, muddy tones. Then he moved to Paris. And we all know what that city’s influence has had on the world of art. He discovered COLOR. Saturated color-and opposites on the color wheel. He even kept a small Japanese lacquer box full of yarns that gave him spirals of colors that complement and enhance each other.
His first painting of fresh fruits on the table shows his true exuberance with this new love of color.
Eventually Van Gogh moved to Arles to get a sunnier, more colorful lease on life. He even bought his little yellow house and got busy creating his famous bedroom, where the curator tells us, he finds peace, tranquility and a security he never knew until then.
I look at his room. It’s spare – almost as spare as a Japanese interior, with an economy of comforts. The chairs are straight- backed, with lumpy rush seats. He actually painted portraits to hang on the wall over his bed – I guess to make him feel that his friends were near. There’s no rug on the floor, and no window treatments.
While I wandered through the exhibit, I fantasized that Van Gogh called me to redo his room. I know this is crazy, but it’s a satisfying little mind exercise that I often do when presented with a new room – “how would I change this??” Apparently several local merchants have contemplated the same thing in their window displays. Everyone seems to be struck by this room and the colors that it introduces.
Returning to my office, I happened to receive on that very day the Sourcebook for 2016 from Design Within Reach. What a perfect concept for Vincent’s new furnishings (we’re on a first name basis now that he’s a client). The first step is choosing a new paint color for the walls and trim. This artist has lived too long with lavender and marine blue. And there’s that dark green on the window.
I’m going for Benjamin Moore #2028-40 Pear Green with #2159-40 Amber Waves as the accent on the doors and trim.
The DWR Danskina Multitone Rug (6×9) would certainly warm up that cold tile floor and give Vincent the color punch that he craves.
I know he’ll love the Nelson Thin Bed – I’ll even let him keep his red coverlet. Without the footboard, this bed will make his bedroom seem much more roomy and open.
Just imagine this little grouping in the corner under the window. He can actually enjoy his café there, and still have enough room for his grooming needs.
I would also encourage Vincent to hang a few of his beloved Japanese prints over his bed. They add the lovely influence of Nature and complement the other beautiful colors we’ve put in the room.
And finally, we would need to order black-out solar shades to attach to those windows. The morning sun probably pours in there.
I have the entire room pictured. Our update is perfect.
But alas, Vincent has checked himself into the asylum, and won’t have the chance to enjoy -or paint – his new room!
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