AMP UP YOUR ART!

When I embarked on designing my home, I knew that the biggest finishing touches would be art. Why? Because besides being a beautiful, unique touch, art makes a space feel truly complete. It can elevate, it can evoke, it can tell a story, and it definitely says something about its inhabitants. So – I beg of you – before you just wander into a generic store and slap something up on the wall simply to ‘finish’ the space… take some time to really browse collections of art (like those on art.com) and pull out the piece that truly speak to you!

To prove my point, I’ve taken a few of my favorite rooms and thoughfully chosen some new art for each one…

I discovered this hallway the other day and instantly fell for the charming mix of florals and stripes (always a favorite!) but instead of art, it had a big black deco mirror above the chairs. It was very Hollywood Regency (and perfectly fine) but I love the way adding a piece of classic art changes the feel, and makes it a bit more interesting by adding something more antique to a very vintage inspired vignette. The reason I think it works is because the subject matter (very girly) still reflects the feminine whimsy in the fabric on the chairs, and the colors don’t compete.

In this living room, the artwork was dark – which didn’t bother me – but I love the color so much in this space, I wanted to see some more of it up on the wall! And, because the decor in this room is daring, I felt like the art should be just as risque. An abstract nude does just that! I also like how how the brown hues in the painting keep it from feeling to femme. A simple black frame and matte that matches the throw pillows helps bring it into the room as well (did I mention that the matting and framing options at art.com are fantastic?).

I’m absolutely obsessed with this Warhol print, and the perfect place to put it is the dining room! I love how much energy it brings to this space – the brick wall formerly being devoid of any art – and I think it’s appropriate that the decor is very mid-century modern inspired. While it’s fun to play with mixing eras, when the shoe fits, don’t fight it.

And finally – the bedroom. I always opt for art that’s a little softer in these spaces, and (quite honestly) have a tendancy to get a little more matchy in the bedroom too. I like things to feel calm and cohesive! Above this beauty of a bed was a fun white African juju hat – perfectly light and subtle. But, I do love how, with this artwork, we can pull in just a bit of that coral trim on the bed into the walls. Plus… renderings of the Golden Gate? Gotta love that.

It just goes to show, that it’s possible to love your space even more when you take the time to add artwork that completes the space! This weekend I’m going to give my own bedroom a little refresh with my art.com piece… stay tuned for photos of that!

* this post sponsored by art.com, all opinions are my own. all images have been edited to contain these pieces: the cafe by tsuguharu foujita // seated nude by jim jonson // after the party by andy warhol // golden gate bridge by craig holmes

* rooms via: hall by barrie benson via creators // living room unknown // dining room via living etc // bedroom via lonny mag