Tips on Selecting Artwork for Your Home
Date
Recently, we’ve received several inquiries about selecting artwork for bare walls. With so many pieces to choose from that come in a wide range of prices, sizes and styles, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Buying art for bare walls is a skill that, for many, does not come naturally but before you worry about size and price, it’s best to think about what you’re trying to achieve aesthetically. If you can figure out the style and type of art you’re looking for, you can start to narrow things down a bit. From there, you can find a collection of pieces to choose from, which will feel authentic and work well with the overall vibe of your home. Here’s what we suggest…
#1 Go With Your Gut & Whatever Speaks to You
If you’ve been reading along, you’ll know that for certain things we like to follow some loose guidelines or formulas. When it comes to the aesthetic aspect of selecting pieces of art however, we take a more liberal approach. Art doesn’t have to have rhyme or a reason but rather it’s an opportunity to express oneself without words but through colour, texture and content. So when you start to browse, don’t overthink things! We encourage clients to go with their gut and whatever speaks to them. In our client’s living room above, she opted for a cheerful piece depicting a flock of flamingos in the water. Colour-wise, the piece happens to work well with the scheme of the room but also, to put it simply, she just liked it! It really can be as simple as that. If flamingos (or any other creatures for that matter) make you happy, go for it! The best art taps into our emotions and makes us feel connected with it somehow. If it happens to have similar colours as your furniture, that’s great… but it’s not a necessity.
#2 Support Local Artists
We know that some of you will read this heading and think, “well that’s not in the budget” but we’re here to tell you that’s simply not true. Sure, original artwork can be extremely costly but if you find artists in their early days, you might just make the best investment of your life! If original artwork is your preference, start putting local art fairs in your calendar and stroll around. Alternatively, we’ve come across several talented artists just by going down the Instagram-search rabbit hole! Or, take a look on Etsy and you will find countless artists you’ve never heard of but are extremely talented. In fact, if you find someone with a style that speaks to you but can’t find the specific size you need, many of them will create custom pieces. That said, if you’re looking to make an investment and budget isn’t a concern, we simply adore the curation at Bau-Xi Gallery. In our clients’ dining room above, we hung their piece by Kathryn MacNaughton who, among many other talented local artists, can be found at Bau-Xi!
#3 The Classics Never Fail
If original artwork just isn’t your thing or you simply can’t be bothered with the hunt, a high-quality print of a photograph taken by a famous photographer is a great alternative. Richard Avedon, Annie Leibotvitz and Ellen Von Unwerth, just to name a mere few, are some of our absolute favourite photographers whose work can be found in the form of prints in countless galleries, furniture shops and online boutiques. In our clients living room above, we went with a classic print of a photograph taken by Slim Aarons who was known for capturing the glamorous lives of socialites, celebrities and the jet-set.
Still puzzled? It’s ok! We’re here to help. With our newly-added Art Consultation package, you can work with one of our designers who will help guide you through the process of selecting the right pieces for your home.
