Sunday, October 18, 2009

Day 1/33 : House Shots


If you read the post last Friday, you know that I am working on becoming one with my "new" camera and taking better pictures of our home. I figured what better way to catalog the experience than to post one picture a day, only of the inside of Casa de la Vanderdogan, so that you can all judge the success of the process. Let's say 33 days - that sounds like a fair number, right? I think I did a good job playing with new angles and with new accessories that you've probably never seen photographed on the blog before. I hope that you find them inspirational, but also beautiful.

(ABOVE:) The living room corner, with focus on the antique English pub sign we purchased 4-years ago in Ohio. It's oil paint on tin, framed in a rustic hardwood painted black. The crown finish on the top of the piece, and it's heavy iron hanging brackets suggest that this piece would have been hung outside of a pub in 19th century England - however, I'm more than happy with its current position.

The sofa, a large chesterfield type sofa, in a warm celedon piled deep with pillows in the same warm green, orange/coral, and kilim make a deliciously soft oasis for an afternoon respite.

The train cart was a free find in the backroom of a floral warehouse purchased by a friend of a friend. I got it about 2 years ago, well before they were carried by Restoration Hardware. When I spotted it from across the dark, dusty room, the wheels were pointing to the ceiling. We turned it over, and I was in love. With a little cleaning, it's become one of my favorite pieces in the house.

I decorate with a lot of books here at Casa de la Vanderdogan; books on interior design, entertaining, cooking, or just great novels. Stacked in groups I think they make the perfect lived in feel for a "barefoot" interior. Hope you enjoyed. Check back tomorrow for a kitchen shot!

32 comments:

  1. What a beautiful photo...and what warm, inviting and beautiful room! I'm looking forward to seeing more!

    Roeshel

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  2. honey - you are so ahead of me and my fancy camera and lenses. tonight i tried to take pictures of my daughter and more than half had to be deleted. i don't know what i am doing wrong. your pictures look gorgeous, in focus, clear and bright. looking great. and no offense to be taken at my absence, ok? I just barely have time to read my own email these days. awful. not enough hours in the day!!!!! but i do try to check in at least once or twice a week on all the blogs!!!!! love you!

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  3. I'm so impressed with your photo! Mine are awful & I'm in dire need of a new camera. I'll take a look at the Sony. Is it pretty easy to use??? ☺ Diane

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  4. Your photography has always been great, but since you got your new camera it is stunning -- not because of the camera itself, of course but the turned up interest. This is a great shot - your fabulous pub sign doesn't get nearly enough 'star' time! Great shot, beautiful room!
    xo Isa

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  5. Artie, this is fabulous! The composition is great! Worthy of publication. I'm looking forward to the rest of the 33 days!

    I'm truthfully inspired to do something like this.

    As you know, photography is my hobby and I just told J the other day, it's pretty good exercise too!:-) I am going to start calling it a physically healthy hobby! How does that sound? Do you think my physician will believe that taking pictures is exercise, when I have my appt. this week?:-)

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  6. Artie, I think your practice is paying off. Love how this photo is capturing the orchid, the glass orbs, AND the pub sign.
    :-) Sue

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  7. Your home is absolutely stunning and to die for! I have been going through some of your posts and drooling all over my laptop! I definitely and going to do that wreath. It looks like such a fun project.

    Thank you so much for visiting and turning me onto yet another beautiful blog.

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  8. Oh so beautiful. I love your home. Thanks for visiting and inviting me for a visit. I'll be back that's for sure.

    Gail

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  9. Thank you for the complments on my chalkboard and my blog! It's always so encouraging. I became a follower of your blog about a weeke ago. I love warm and eclectic style. You have a great eye for design and I look forward to seeing more.

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  10. WOW!

    Love the picture . . . . it is a worthy magazine shot!

    The colors, the angles, the lighting, the "things" -- but then you know I love your house!

    Can't wait to see the kitchen!

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  11. Beautiful photo! Looks like your camera's working well! What a warm, cozy room. Thanks for sharing it. Looking forward to more photos.
    PK @ ROOM REMIX

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  12. Niiiiice! I really love this idea...a through the lens Glimpse of Artie...for 33 days. I think everyone should do this. Taking a pic of a different angle or sight of the house is such a perfect way to "re-introduce"it.

    And the coffee table. Oh. My . Word. I sooo covet it. Yep. I do.

    Looking forward to more Artie Glimpses through the lens

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  13. Hi Artie, it's been "quite" awhile since I've stopped by. Life in general has gotten in the way of fun things like "blogging" lol. Looks like you're becoming fast friends with your camera. Your shots are clear. Your subject matter is wonderful. I love the metal edge shot.. Hope all is well with you. Stop by to say hello when you can find the time..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  14. GORGEOUS!! Wow!! Your room is beautiful, and the angle of your shot is just fantastic. The orchid looks huge!!

    I love how you display your accessories and books :-)

    Kelly @ DesignTies

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  15. I think this will be fun. I'm thinking of updating my camera, and maybe I'll learn along with you. I love the angle of this shot and the inviting feel of your room.

    Sue

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  16. Hi Artie!
    33 is now a magic number! With my last house guest departing yesterday I can pay attention to my favorite bloggers!!!!

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  17. ok, you have peaked my intest in the "coffe table"---you said it was a train cart. ........So I am wondering how this was used? Did a person pull it or was it attached to some little track and pulled by WHAT??

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  18. Oh boy, I'm so excited to see your shots each day! What a gorgeous room you've shared. I love the table too...a lot of character! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Afternoon, Dear Artieness! Oh, I love this picture and I think you've done an outstanding job with your new camera! I love your pub painting and the light you have above it makes it look as if the hot sun is bearing down! I love that. I do believe I could camp out there on your sofa for a bit!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  20. I think I'm in love with Casa de la Vanderdogan! :) So warm, can't wait to see more!

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  21. Artie~

    I am so happy you came by and told me you would be featuring your home as you worked on your photography. If this picture is the first...oh my!! Way to go!!

    The English Pub Sign is awesome. If I saw it outside a building I'd be inside in a flash ordering fish & chips!! I truly covet your piece!

    The sofa style & colors are beautiful. I love the cool citrus colors with the formality of the rug. And the train cart table, well I have never heard of one, but I do like it. And I share your sense of 'being home' with books everywhere. Now I have a new way of describing my style~barefoot interiors!!! And I think I am ready for an 'afternoon respite'!!!! See, you write wonderfully and I have a deep appreciation for that! BTW, I just upgraded to a Canon PowerShot A590. What do you think?? I'm not an avid photographer...I just want to take nice pictures for my blog~

    Enjoy your Sunday and I will be back for number 32, my friend!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  22. I don't know if I can stand to just see ONE picture:):) YOu take wonderful shots, Artie! I wish so much I could do as well! I think I need a new camera!!!! Xo, Pinky

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  23. I like the shot. Very cozy looking room. LOVE the cart, what a great find!

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  24. Oh yeah, you're definitely connecting with your camera now! This shot is just beautiful!!!

    Justine :o )

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  25. First visit to your blog .. I really enjoyed looking around. Your have such a lovely home.

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  26. Your home is beautiful! Can't wait to see what you post the next 32 days :) Thanks for visiting our blog, stop by again sometime.
    Teri @ acraftyclan.blogspot.com

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  27. thanks so much for you comments on my blog. wild things...not a kid movie. i loved, loved, loved, it. very sendak-y dark. vaguely follows the book. max is an interesting character!

    i'm intrigued by your photography...new to your blog so i'm interested to know what kind of pieces you are using to decorate with. i am totally shopping all the vintage stuff left in my new/ old house over the last 60+ years. looking forward to the rest of the tour.

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  28. Great photo - nice angle. I see you made this one much larger. You must have changed the size in the html, something I recently learned to do. Love the green and oranges together.

    Thanks for visiting Porch Days.

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  29. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that painting. Like the color combos as well. Like the way the orange looks combined w/ the other colors.

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  30. Your pictures have always been great, but it is fun to try and keep improving them, they are wonderful, love the room as well, I am spending more time on your blog then my own lol...come for a visit.I would really like your imput...

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