- Words Jane Zatlyny Photography Lia Crowe
Whether it is your child91裸聊视频檚 first painting, an inherited watercolour, an old family photograph or a piece of functional pottery91裸聊视频攁rt brings incredible meaning to our personal lives. As the artist Pablo Picasso once put it, 91裸聊视频淎rt washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.91裸聊视频�
In a sea of manufactured goods, art also humanizes our homes.
91裸聊视频淚 always like to look at it as the personalization of a space,91裸聊视频� says Hannah Katey Berger, principal interior designer and owner of Hannah Katey Interior Design in Kelowna. 91裸聊视频淲hen you have a neutral space, art really adds that personality.91裸聊视频�
When I was a teenager, I papered my bedroom walls with pages torn from fashion magazines, my own drawings and posters of my teen idols. A great compliment from a visiting friend was always, 91裸聊视频淲ow, there is so much to look at in here!91裸聊视频� Today my condo walls are covered with colourful paintings, my own photographs, large pieces of pottery and art glass. There91裸聊视频檚 still a lot to take in, and it may not be to everyone91裸聊视频檚 taste91裸聊视频攂ut that is perfectly okay.
Art is powerful because it takes a room to the next level, explains Brooke Hatfield, interior designer and principal of Brooke Hatfield Design in Victoria. 91裸聊视频淓ven if two people have the exact same furniture in a room, you will get a completely different vibe and understand so much about Person A and Person B, just from their selection of art.91裸聊视频�
The art you choose to display in your home can also profoundly influence the way you feel. It can calm you or it can energize you, depending on the pieces you choose91裸聊视频攁nd where you choose to display them.
91裸聊视频淎t museums, we often see people staring at a piece of art for a long period of time,91裸聊视频� says Lucila Diaz, founder and creative director of Harmony Sense Interiors in North Vancouver. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 because the art is making them feel something beyond the colours or the lines or the composition.91裸聊视频�
The same holds true when art is integrated into interior design, she stresses: 91裸聊视频淚 know I91裸聊视频檝e done my job when people say,
91裸聊视频業 don91裸聊视频檛 really know what it is, but it feels so peaceful and harmonious to be in this space.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Ultimately, art helps us create a beautiful sanctuary from the world, says Brooke. 91裸聊视频淚f we have pieces in our spaces that we love, it can really bring us home to ourselves.91裸聊视频�
Building a collection
When choosing art for your home, the nearly infinite selection of styles, colours and sizes can often seem overwhelming.
91裸聊视频淢any of my clients say, 91裸聊视频業 wouldn91裸聊视频檛 know where to start91裸聊视频� when I ask them about art for their homes,91裸聊视频� says Brooke.
A simple rule to follow is to buy what you love, she adds: 91裸聊视频淔ollow your gut, and you won91裸聊视频檛 go wrong.91裸聊视频�
Ten tips to help you source art for your home:
Building an art collection takes time, so it91裸聊视频檚 wise to buy art piece by piece.
91裸聊视频淏e patient and have fun with it,91裸聊视频� says Hannah. 91裸聊视频淓xplore different artists and different mediums. There is nothing wrong with liking or disliking certain styles. When it91裸聊视频檚 right for you, you91裸聊视频檙e going to appreciate it in your space.91裸聊视频�
Start by showcasing your children91裸聊视频檚 art, suggests Brooke. 91裸聊视频淥ne of my own favourite pieces of art is a series of three cards my god-daughter created in preschool, which I matted and framed.91裸聊视频�
Visit museums and galleries to get a sense of what you like.
Studio tours and art walks are another great way to build a collection; you can also forge a meaningful connection with the artist and learn the story behind a particular work of art.
Parker Street Studios in Vancouver, a 52,000-square-foot warehouse, is home to more than 100 artists91裸聊视频� galleries and studios, says Lucila. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a great place to look for or even commission art.91裸聊视频�
Etsy, the global e-commerce website for makers, is another good place to source art, whether you purchase a digital download or an original piece. You can also explore Instagram for artists91裸聊视频� profiles and follow and purchase art through that platform, says Brooke.
Online auctions like MaxSold can also be a great way to browse and find art to suit pretty much all tastes and styles.
Try to avoid settling by 91裸聊视频渕atching91裸聊视频� a piece of art to a sofa or other piece of furniture; instead, choose a piece that speaks to you, says Hannah. 91裸聊视频淎rt can act as a major focal point, which should inspire the remaining space. You can add cohesive harmony to your interior by pulling colours from the artwork through accent pillows and accessories.91裸聊视频�
Many public art galleries offer art rental and sales. This is a great way to test drive a painting style or size in your home before buying.
Hanging, spacing and placing art
How we hang or display our art pieces can greatly affect their impact in our homes. The most common mistake, according to the interior designers I spoke with, is hanging a painting too high or too low. Here are some tips about hanging, spacing and placing art.
Take your cue from art galleries and museums and make sure that the middle of the art work is at your eye level.
Another rule of thumb is to hang paintings 60 inches from the floor to the centre of the art for a room with an eight-foot ceiling. Adjust for higher ceiling heights.
When hanging art over a sofa, mantle or dresser, make sure it relates to that piece and isn91裸聊视频檛 too high above it. Usually four to eight inches is ideal, says Brooke.
Be mindful about scale when hanging artwork, as pieces can sometimes be too large or small for a particular space, says Hannah. With too-small pieces, consider adding an extra-large matte when framing, or group items together.
Try to make sure that the distance between pieces in a gallery wall is consistent.
Think outside of two-dimensional artwork, says Brooke. 91裸聊视频淎 friend of mine collected those small blue and white houses that a Dutch airline gave away. Displayed together, they formed a powerful piece of art.91裸聊视频�
Make sure your artwork is properly secured to the wall. 91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 want things to fall,91裸聊视频� says Lucila. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 also important to protect your investment with UV protected glass, so it won91裸聊视频檛 be damaged by sunlight.91裸聊视频� Don91裸聊视频檛 be afraid to layer art by putting a lamp in front of a painting, suggests Brooke. 91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 want to obliterate the artwork, but layering is what makes a space interesting.91裸聊视频�
Use painters91裸聊视频� tape or trace your artwork onto newsprint to test out a gallery wall.
Consider the overall atmosphere you want to create when hanging art, says Lucila. 91裸聊视频淚f you have a piece of art you love, make it the centrepiece of your room.91裸聊视频�
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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