Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
I couldn't find the right piece of art for this living room, so I decided to make it myself.
After finishing the fireplace, I knew I wanted something oversized above the mantle that felt like it actually belonged in this room. I had saved so much inspiration, but instead of trying to find the perfect piece to buy, I used those references as a jumping off point and started painting.
I pulled inspiration from simple compositions, earthy muted colors, lots of negative space, and the textured, tonal quality I love in old plaster and lime washed walls. I layered creams, taupes, browns and muddy neutrals using a cross-hatching technique until the background had this soft, imperfect texture, and then added the terracotta circle that ultimately became my favorite part.
Funny enough, after hanging the finished painting, I realized the circle almost looks like a rising sun, and it hangs on the same side of the house where the actual sun comes up every morning. Completely unintentional, but somehow it makes the piece feel even more at home here.
This project became about more than filling an empty wall. It made me think about how often we look outside ourselves for permission when we're creating our homes. What's trending? What would a designer choose? Is this good enough?
At some point, the question became much simpler:
Do I like it here?
And I do.
That's really what this next chapter of renovating this house is about for me: creating spaces that feel personal, trusting my own instincts, and designing for a feeling instead of trying to get everything "right."
If you're new here, welcome. I'm renovating and designing historic homes, learning DIY as I go, gardening, creating, and figuring out what it means to build a life that actually feels like home
Click Here To SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/c/WhitneyBaldwin
LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE if you love all things creative!
Shop my Amazon Store for a curated collection of my current favorite things!!! amazon.com/shop/whitneybaldwin
❣ Whitney
Shop My Collection
whitneybaldwin.com
· P L A Y L I S T S · (I think you might like)
+ Home Renovations & DIYS youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4ZOEKLSmZsEKoFuSSUb9NBPUZVfrKMk
+ Home Product Reviews youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4ZOEKLSmZve1Hk1O_qM53dWLDkmt47W
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+ Website: whitneybaldwin.com
+ Pinterest: pinterest.com/whitneybaldwinhome
+ Ask questions, Business Inquiries or Collabs: whitney@whitneybaldwin.com
This channel is dedicated to helping you DIY a cozy space to call home. I share home renovation tips, interior design ideas, DIY home decor projects, thrift flip transformations, room makeovers and home product reviews. Remember design is a process and you can do anything!
This video is not sponsored. I make a small commission from the links above that help support my channel.
#whitneybaldwin ##DIYArt #LivingRoomMakeover #HistoricHome
I couldn't find the right piece of art for this living room, so I decided to make it myself.
After finishing the fireplace, I knew I wanted something oversized above the mantle that felt like it actually belonged in this room. I had saved so much inspiration, but instead of trying to find the perfect piece to buy, I used those references as a jumping off point and started painting.
I pulled inspiration from simple compositions, earthy muted colors, lots of negative space, and the textured, tonal quality I love in old plaster and lime washed walls. I layered creams, taupes, browns and muddy neutrals using a cross-hatching technique until the background had this soft, imperfect texture, and then added the terracotta circle that ultimately became my favorite part.
Funny enough, after hanging the finished painting, I realized the circle almost looks like a rising sun, and it hangs on the same side of the house where the actual sun comes up every morning. Completely unintentional, but somehow it makes the piece feel even more at home here.
This project became about more than filling an empty wall. It made me think about how often we look outside ourselves for permission when we're creating our homes. What's trending? What would a designer choose? Is this good enough?
At some point, the question became much simpler:
Do I like it here?
And I do.
That's really what this next chapter of renovating this house is about for me: creating spaces that feel personal, trusting my own instincts, and designing for a feeling instead of trying to get everything "right."
If you're new here, welcome. I'm renovating and designing historic homes, learning DIY as I go, gardening, creating, and figuring out what it means to build a life that actually feels like home
Click Here To SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/c/WhitneyBaldwin
LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE if you love all things creative!
Shop my Amazon Store for a curated collection of my current favorite things!!! amazon.com/shop/whitneybaldwin
❣ Whitney
Shop My Collection
whitneybaldwin.com
· P L A Y L I S T S · (I think you might like)
+ Home Renovations & DIYS youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4ZOEKLSmZsEKoFuSSUb9NBPUZVfrKMk
+ Home Product Reviews youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4ZOEKLSmZve1Hk1O_qM53dWLDkmt47W
❤ JOIN THE WHITNEY FAMILY ❤
+ Instagram Personal: @whitneybaldwinhome
+ Website: whitneybaldwin.com
+ Pinterest: pinterest.com/whitneybaldwinhome
+ Ask questions, Business Inquiries or Collabs: whitney@whitneybaldwin.com
This channel is dedicated to helping you DIY a cozy space to call home. I share home renovation tips, interior design ideas, DIY home decor projects, thrift flip transformations, room makeovers and home product reviews. Remember design is a process and you can do anything!
This video is not sponsored. I make a small commission from the links above that help support my channel.
#whitneybaldwin ##DIYArt #LivingRoomMakeover #HistoricHome
