Choosing Art For Your Home
Choosing art for our walls can be an overwhelming task. We are bombarded with intimidating articles, TV shows and Instagram posts depicting perfect interiors.
I’m here to tell you to ignore them all! (mostly)
Having worked as an Interior Stylist myself, I can wholeheartedly say that the most
interesting, beautiful spaces are the result of NOT matching the art to the furnishings. Yes, I do admit that finding a small amount of the colour from say, a cushion, also in the art does ‘tie’ the interior together, but when choosing art for my own space I use a different method.
What is this method?
It’s very straightforward, HOW DOES THE ART MAKE YOU FEEL?
What emotions are stirred whilst viewing the piece? Rather than ‘Will this art match my cushions/sofa etc?’ Which are subject to change. If you move or renovate you will still love the art.
If you are a person that loves to be at home – a lot (holding my hand up) Then what surrounds you needs to resonate with your soul.
Some of the most inspirational interiors I’ve seen have been curated using art that contrasts with the space. Why not bring a vivid abstract into a natural style setting? Or on the flip side, a very traditional landscape into a modern interior?
Art is about feeling and emotion, something to have a conversation over or maybe to recall memories of times past that are connected to the painting.
Still concerned about your house not co – ordinating? My advice would be to use framing in similar colours or tones to the decor, a simple but effective display of completely different style paintings all in the same frame is an example.
Perhaps consider grouping pieces together that have a common thread. In the photo above the blue ceramic plate is reflected in the small blue frame, the orange runs through the oval frame, plate, the vinyl record and the faces lips.
In conclusion, just like choosing your art, much of this post is personal opinion. However, as a firm believer in using art as therapy, mindfulness and general happiness, I want to encourage you to trust your gut instinct when you clap eyes on that painting of a squirrel on a motorbike or whatever it may be.
You love it and you feel something, then it will work in your home.