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Kirsten McLean–An Art Give-Away!!

Feb 20, 2012

I wanted to highlight one of the remarkable artist that I represent at Segreto’s art gallery, Kirsten McLean!! Read at the end how to win an original!!  She is attorney, wife, mother of two, and artist.  Kirsten started painting “out of necessity” – she and her husband had moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, and like most newlyweds, were working with a small decorating budget. Originally she purchased paintings from consignment stores with the intention of just modifying them to her personal style; however, she kept finding herself unhappy with the the look and began creating her own pieces.  Thus her art career began!! Having a love of paint she has made and refinished many of the pieces in her own home! I just had to share!

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This room is beautiful with two of Kirsten’s pieces of art featured in the room!  Believe it or not these slip covers are custom-made from painter’s drop cloths instead of linen – not only do they look great, but they are very easy to clean.

 

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The entrance showcases another masterpiece!!  Working with oil and acrylic, she is able to achieve multiple layers in her work.

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Kirsten also made this table in the entrance.  After purchasing the reclaimed wood from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber (an on-line resource for custom-sized wood), she painted it white and used sandpaper to distress it. To prevent chipping, she sealed it with a varnish and then affixed it to the table base she found at a salvage yard. Purchased for $85, this wood piece is 2 inches thick with a 12 inch depth. Because it is reclaimed wood it already has character and could be left as is. Resale shops, garage sales and antique stores are also great places to find the bases. Just beautiful!!

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Kirsten defines her design style as “clean, simple lines, understated, and comfortable”. Because she hates clutter, she applies her mantra to every room in the house – “light, bright, and airy”. She believes in mixing old with new, having an organic element and a living plant in every room, and never falling into the “matchy-matchy” trap. Her favorite stores for design inspiration? Mecox and AREA.

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Her home is like walking into an art gallery with her art being the feature!!  Her family loves that there is always change and looks forward to her next piece. Kirsten has updated the look of this secretary by adding the architectural elements on top giving it height and has lined the glass with bamboo shades so she is able to use the piece for storage! Brilliant!!

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Her den is so serene! The natural lighting, living plants (a staple in every room!), and combination of soft green and blue tones create the feel of an outdoor room.  The depth of Kirsten’s artwork is achieved through several layers of paint and patience, but the end is result is definitely worth the wait!

One of her best finds in the house are these old “church” doors that she bought from AREA’s booth at The Urban Market. They had been salvaged from a church in Louisiana, and after purchasing them at an unbelievably low price, she claims them as one of her favorite decorating pieces.

 

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Her kitchen island was created from a portion of a table purchased at Wildflower Organics in Austin – one of her favorite places for design inspiration and we can definitely see why! Kirsten loves color and how it can totally transform a space – these green chair covers have such a nice pop against the neutral backdrop of her kitchen. The woven baskets function beautifully as both storage and a natural element. And of course, so home would be complete without pictures of the ones we love the most… her son, Quinn, and daughter, Spencer, are too cute!

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If only all of our laundry rooms were this chic! Kirsten created this lamp from her son’s old wire storage basket, pendant lighting from Home Depot, and an Edison bulb. She is currently working on 3 more small ones for her kitchen in high-gloss white… what a great excuse for me to come back and tour!

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Her dogs, Lucky (a 10-year-old black lab) and Blue (a 1-year-old yellow lab) wanted to get in on the photo shoot!!

 

Since her paintings serve as the pop of color in a space, Kirsten keeps all of her walls neutral so that she can switch art around as she feels like it.

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Another aspect of her design philosophy is having a blank wall in every room (notice on the far right!). Because cluttered spaces can exhaust a person, Kirsten tries to evoke a relaxing atmosphere by giving a wall for your eye to “breathe”.

 

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This painting in her bedroom and master bathroom create the interest in these spaces… fresh orchids really give that organic element in any space they are in!

 

Thank you Kirston for sharing your home and all your great ideas!! Your work and your home are marvoulous!! All these works of art are for sale as well as the pieces at MAI2 and Segreto Studios.  To view more of Kirsten’s work go to www.segretofinishes.com under the gallery tab. For more information call 713-461-5210.  Thanks to my wonderful design assistant Micah for helping me with this blog!!

BUT WAIT-A WONDERFUL ART GIVE-AWAY!!! Want to own an original piece of Kirsten’s? Here’s how:

1. Go here to “like” Segreto on Facebook.

2. Look here at Kirsten’s paintings on Segreto Gallery website and pick your favorite one.

3. Come back to the blog and post a comment of your chosen one to be used for inspiration if you are the winner.

4. The winner will become the new owner of an original 18″ x 18″ Kirsten McLean – painting and shipping compliments of Segreto Finishes (must be within the US for free shipping). Good luck!! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!! Til next Monday- xo Leslie



24 Comments
  • Stacy@RedDoorHome
    Posted at 01:58h, 20 February Reply

    Thank you for a wonderful giveaway! Kirsten's work is stunning. Her house is beautiful and filled with creativity! My favorite colors include blue, white and off white. I just liked you on F B.

  • Ginger Deignan
    Posted at 16:13h, 20 February Reply

    I love Kristen's "Grounded" painting…but am just as drawn to the "Rustic." Thanks for sharing all the beautiful art at Segreto Gallery!!

  • Christi Bennett
    Posted at 03:18h, 21 February Reply

    What a wonderful giveaway! Kristen's artwork is beautiful and it's hard to choose! Right now, I would choose "Silver Pond". The colors are beautiful!

  • Leslie Carrigan
    Posted at 03:52h, 21 February Reply

    I love the one called "Serenity" because it really does have a calming effect to it and I would love to come home to that after a long day! All of them are fabulous!

  • Catherine Carrigan
    Posted at 03:57h, 21 February Reply

    They are all beautiful. I want all of them– but my favorite is Grounded!

  • Kellie Collis
    Posted at 11:03h, 21 February Reply

    Gorgeous spaces! Have a beautiful day, Kellie xx

  • Kellie Collis
    Posted at 11:06h, 21 February Reply

    That last bedroom is just stunning! Enjoy the fabulous day, Kellie xx

  • Catherine
    Posted at 14:40h, 21 February Reply

    They are all beautiful! I love "Prosperity" – pretty soft colors.

  • Jodi
    Posted at 14:41h, 21 February Reply

    Deep Blue Sea is my favorite. It is so soothing to look at. I love the long line of the painting because it gives the effect of looking out the window at the beach.

  • Lisa Heston
    Posted at 15:57h, 21 February Reply

    I love Reflections.

  • gail kent
    Posted at 16:19h, 21 February Reply

    great art and decor-the Lily is my pick but they all are great-thank you -hope all have a great day

  • Colleen Price
    Posted at 19:22h, 21 February Reply

    I love, love, love Kristens work, and her home is easy on the eyes as well. I really like Prosperity and also Serenity. If I win, maybe I can gain some of either.
    Thanks for a great give away!

  • Emily S
    Posted at 16:28h, 22 February Reply

    Fountain I and II are my faves. Beautiful pieces!

  • Denise
    Posted at 00:12h, 23 February Reply

    I think Mohave is beautiful! I hope I am not entering twice, I left a comment earlier today and it doesn't show up any more. Thanks!!

  • Mellissa
    Posted at 04:50h, 23 February Reply

    Such beautiful work… I like Silver Pond 2, simply elegant.

  • Toni Moore
    Posted at 23:46h, 23 February Reply

    Hi! Thank you so much for the chance! I find Kirsten's Artwork extremely soothing! As a fellow Artist, I would love to have one of her pieces in my home!! 🙂

    I like Segreto on Facebook, Toni M.

  • Toni Moore
    Posted at 23:47h, 23 February Reply

    I'm in LOVE with Kirten's Deep Blue Sea, so soothing! 🙂

  • Toni Moore
    Posted at 23:50h, 23 February Reply

    I would use Deep Blue Sea as inspiration to get myself into an Artistic frame of mind in order to create my Illustrations! 🙂

  • Elena V
    Posted at 10:44h, 25 February Reply

    I really like Lily. It makes me think of the ocean.

  • Donna Ward
    Posted at 19:42h, 27 February Reply

    I love the style and color of the painting in her laundry room….. blues and whites…
    Love her work. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.

  • Lauren
    Posted at 21:18h, 23 April Reply

    I love how large scale each peice is. The beautiful saturated colors of "reflections" is my favorite!

  • smart night light
    Posted at 10:15h, 13 May Reply

    The center candle holder was a broken piece of concrete she found while taking a walk in the neighborhood.

  • Lori kressevich
    Posted at 23:11h, 17 February Reply

    I loveeeee Azure and Deep Blue Sea…they both spoke to me. They are absolutely breathtaking..as are all of the paintings…If I were to win..I could not pick…I would hope someone would make the decision for me!!!!! Thank You, Lori

    • Leslie
      Posted at 13:38h, 20 February Reply

      Thank you, Lori, we love them too!!

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