It's Week #3 of LaTeaDah's Gracious Hospital-i-Tea Blog-a-Thon. The theme this week is called Decor-a-Tea and we are invited to "share ideas and pictures that incorporate tea and/or tea themes into home decor." This topic is especially fun because I love interior decorating!
March 30 - April 5
Decor-a-Tea
During my second year in college, I considered Art History as a major. I loved studying the works of the great masters, and especially enjoyed following the evolution of painting. I decided then that Impressionism is my favorite genre and that Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) is my favorite painter.
I own two framed Monet prints; one is in my home and one is in my office. Both are the Japanese foot-bridge at Giverny (1899), complete with weeping willows and signature water lilies. It wasn't until after I chose Monet as my favorite that I learned he and I share the same birthday, November 14th. The image to the left is "The Tea Set" painted by Monet in 1872.
Often times it is a piece of art that is the focal point for interior decorating for it can inspire and direct the colors, textures, and accessories that are subsequently chosen to include in the room. In considering a tea theme in home decorating, I have found several paintings which I will share throughout the week. Consider how each might set the mood in a room in your home.
We'll begin with two selections that might be considered for a child's room. The similarity between the two paintings is that the figures in each scene are sharing tea. In addition, they are equal in charm and whimsy. However, the difference in how each piece would dictate design choices in the room, i.e., colors, textures, accessories, and even era, are significant. Which one would you choose?!
Credits: "Teddy Bear Tea Party" by Stewart Sherwood. "Fairy Tea Party" by Linda Wingerter. Images are from art.com.
I would choose the Monet! I love it --- but, to be a good student and answer your question properly, I think I would choose the first whimsical print, "The Teddy Bear Tea Party" because it is warm, cozy, and inviting. It creates, for me, the essence of what I want my home to be like. But. . ."The Fairy Tea Party" is adorable and is probably the more in tune with the decorating style of today. It's open, airy, and I could see a little girls room done beautifully with this print as the central theme.
Nice post --- thanks so much. I look forward to your future posts as well.
LaTeaDah
Posted by: LaTeaDah | March 30, 2008 at 03:38 PM
What an informative post! I love the variety of art styles represented ~ they would each have a different place where they would fit in best. The theme is wonderful ~ Tea. It doesn't matter when, where or how, it's always charming.
Thank you for sharing and enjoy a lovely week!
Posted by: Denise | March 30, 2008 at 04:12 PM
What an informative post! I love the variety of art styles represented ~ they would each have a different place where they would fit in best. The theme is wonderful ~ Tea. It doesn't matter when, where or how, it's always charming.
Thank you for sharing and enjoy a lovely week!
Posted by: Denise | March 30, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I really appreciate the impressionist's, too. I would choose the Fairy Tea Party! I've really enjoyed this post...
Posted by: ellen b | March 31, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Beautiful art collection, I look forward to seeing more!
I love any pictures that are tea related!
Katherine
Posted by: Katherine | March 31, 2008 at 11:50 AM
All lovely! I love Claude Monet as well. Also, I love the teddy bears. I used that print for the cover of my granddaughters third birthday party invitation - a tea party, what else?!
Posted by: Kat | March 31, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I love Monet, and that painting looks so lovely. Your artwork is so beautiful and I think I would choose the fairy tea party. Karen
Posted by: karen | March 31, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The Monet is priceless and the prints are so pretty! What a wonderful collection you have, thank you for sharing.
Kathi :)
Posted by: Lavender, Lace and Thyme | April 01, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Wow, I just scrolled through and read all your tea posts for this week, awesome! I think in this post I like the fairy tea print most! How fun would it be to sit upon a flower and have tea? Thank you for sharing all this wonderful tea art.
Posted by: Miss Sandy | April 03, 2008 at 08:49 AM
The teddy bear party is so sweet.
Posted by: Rosanne | April 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM