*My painting imagined in an interior by Artscapes*

Art in the home can have such an impact not only in how rooms look but more importantly how our homes feel. Art elevates a space from dull to interesting and instantly creates a connection to the space as the home owner. It can bring personality and character, transforming your home into a vibrant, inspiring space.

As an artist I not only make art but I also collect art. I always choose art that I love and feel an immediate connection to. I like paintings and also have a passion for ceramics and textiles. They often match my decor but first and foremost are chosen from a love of the piece.

My mantra is “if you love it you will always find a place to put it”

Curate thoughtfully

*Collection of objects and one of my paintings - the colours and patterns creating cohesion*

If you have a selection of paintings, ceramics or textiles you can enhance their impact by creating some cohesion and harmony between them. Think of each piece as being part of the visual landscape of the room and to create cohesion between it all consider similar framing, similar subject matter or a cohesive colour palette.

In my own home I have a mixture of treasured paintings from known artists and also inexpensive finds from fairs and antique shops mixed in with art that my daughter has created. It all comes together to tell the story of our family home.

*A collection of favourite ceramics by different artists*

Placement

*This painting by David Bromley adds to the character of this plant filled corner*

Intentional placing of pictures can make such a difference. It’s worth taking a moment to think about the impact a painting will have depending where it’s hung on the wall. One picture in the middle of a wall can look isolated whereas if it’s placed to the side above a sideboard it then becomes part of a group of objects that will create its own story

Also, try your art in different rooms to see how it feels - if the rooms are different wall colours that will certainly have an impact on the painting.

Scale

Considering the size of a painting is important and often we need to go bigger than we think. If you have a home with high ceilings and lots of space for example small painting may look lost. In the room above for example anything smaller wouldn’t have the same impact above the sofa.

Equally a large painting can also work in a small space creating a bigger impact.

Art as inspiration for room decor

Using colours from a piece of art that you love is a great start to creating a room that you love. Looking at the colours in the art can be the beginning of a colour scheme - you may decide you want your walls to blend with the painting or you may decide a contrast works better for you. The moodboards below show how the paint colours, wallpaper, rug and lighting have all been influenced by the painting itself. Imagine how that room would look with the wallpaper behind the sofa and the art above.

Finally ……buying Art

I would always say to rely on your instincts when choosing art. If you are buying online ask the artist to send you video of the work so you can get a real sense of the materiality and colour and give you more confidence in your choice.

Often we have a tendency to overthink and consult others for their opinion but buying art is personal so your choice won’t appeal to everyone. What’s more important is that you love what you’ve bought. Your choice is a reflection of your own personality and aesthetic and will bring you many years of joy.

view art

Moodboard 1

wallpaper, rug, lamp https://birdiefortescue.co.uk

paint swatches https://www.edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk

sofa https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/?ar=an-us,an-uk

Moodboard 2

wallpaper https://birdiefortescue.co.uk

cushion https://www.neptune.com

sofa https://www.arloandjacob.com

Art in the Home

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