Styling Art in your home
Written by Bec:
My approach to interior design and styling may differ a little from the norm in that I like to use art to initiate the direction a space will take. A little bit of reverse engineering, if you will. For me, the art choices of every person/family/company I encounter is the most insightful information and the easiest to garner. People who struggle to define their style or even choose a bathroom tap or cupboard profile will often have strong, instinctive feelings about art and be happy to share them.
"Art is the layer in a design that allows you to really tell your story. It is the element that adds individuality, personality and soul to any design, ensuring that no two spaces are ever the same."
With that being said, here are my three top tips for styling art in your home.
Tip 1: Start small
This one is for the first-time buyer. The simplest way to start collecting art is to start small. Finding something little that speaks to you is both a style and budget-friendly way to begin what is bound to be a lifelong addiction. Little pieces can be placed anywhere, be it on their own on a shelf (very renter-friendly) or as a part of a larger gallery wall. They are also easy to move around as the mood and/or décor changes. This also allows you to purchase a range of forms, styles and mediums, which will help you define your style.
Grammar Art Show contains a myriad of works making it the perfect spot for both first time buyers and experienced hands to find something they love.
Tip 2: Let art be your guide
Once you have a purchase or two under your belt and are growing in confidence, it’s time to be a little more considered regarding both purchases and placement. In my design projects, I consider how the art will be viewed from all angles and what its key purpose will be.
For example, I will often add detailed work that needs to be viewed up close to hallways and foyers, places where I want to encourage a slow meander with contemplation. I use bright impactful pieces to draw the eye and person into a room and make a strong statement. I will place conversational pieces in areas where I want to create…well…conversation, like living and dining areas in homes or meeting and break out rooms in businesses.
Grammar Art Show will contain pieces in every shape and size to suit every style and budget. There is absolutely something for everyone and everywhere.
Tip 3: Companion hanging
Art does not need to stand alone. In fact, sometimes you can get the greatest impact in larger numbers. A big space to fill doesn’t necessarily mean trying to find a single piece to fill a large wall. Rather, finding two or three (or even more) pieces that work together and complement each other can be a much more effective solution. Companion hanging can also bring out the best in the complementary pieces, or change how a piece works in a room.
At Grammar Art Show potential companions are often hung near to each other, taking some of the guess work out of the process.
Bonus: Bec’s Top 3 Picks
This is a little like choosing a favourite child, but if I had to pick just three I would choose the following...
The Impact Piece: Chris de Hoog - Diamonds in the Rough
$2,890.00 AUD | 73 x 123cm | Acrylic on canvas | Framed in oak.
I love so many things about this piece from Chris; the colours, the medium, the size. However, what I think makes this piece the most impactful is its unusual dimensions and orientation. I can see this work hanging perfectly in an entry foyer or at the end of a hallway.
The Connected Piece: Trudi Harley - Teapot, Doily and Bottle
$975.00 AUD | 27 X 32cm | Oil on Linen | Framed in Tasmanian Oak.
I chose this work from Trudi because I love each of the elements and have seen many of them at my parents and grandparents, thus creating a nostalgic connection with the work. Hanging the pieces from string (also a love of mine) gives this piece an edge of modernity and freshness. I would hang this piece anywhere, but possibly in a bedroom or office where it was seen mainly by me...which makes it even more special.
The Conversation Piece: Petra Pinn - Palm Room with Pooches
$1,380.00 AUD | 54 x 44cm | Oil on wood panel | Framed in bronze/black timber box frame
The Alliteration in the title alone is enough to make me swoon over this piece. There is just so much to look at in this painting and I feel that each viewing would reveal something new. Not to mention the endless conversations that would be had about the canine (and feline) occupants of the Palm Room.
"Art is the layer in a design that allows you to really tell your story. It is the element that adds individuality, personality and soul to any design, ensuring that no two spaces are ever the same."