How to transform your home with art

Imaginatively selected and displayed art can revive fond memories and induce feelings of well-being – and can change the entire ambiance of a space. Abstract art, for example, evokes moods in a non-literal and suggestive way – a large painting or print dominated by loose, expressive marks can give a home a lively, romantic feel, while a more strict, graphic style gives the space a modern, urban feel.

Acquiring and displaying art isn’t limited to homeowners either; In fact, it’s a great way to make a rental home more personal, without having to redesign it — and your photos can transform when you do. It’s this flexibility that makes art such a useful element in home decor – works of art can be arranged, then reconfigured to change the feel of a room. “A piece of art doesn’t have to stay in one place forever,” says Catherine Kitto, founder. Contemporary Quitoan online and physical art gallery and art consultancy promoting emerging and established artists. “Re-hanging artworks every few years – similar to re-hanging in large public exhibitions, although on a more modest scale – can be hugely rewarding and refreshing.”

However, this raises the practical but important question of how to repair dented walls due to holes left after hanging. “Small nails are your best friend—they’re easy to patch up with putty when it’s time to go out,” says Cathy Glazer, founder of Nails. Cunning wallsa curated website for art buyers in the UK and US. “Lightweight pieces can be hung with thin nails and hooks from our basic picture hanging kit. Most standard picture hangers hold up to 30 lbs. It’s still easier to place artwork on ledges, on stacks of books, a fireplace mantel, or consoles for a statement look. Very casual look.”

Of course, when art is added to a home, it must coexist with the furniture and household items accumulated over time. However, they don’t need to compete for attention with existing items or get visually lost among them – they can be artistically displayed next to homewares of similar qualities, for example repeating the bold, colorful pattern in a rug or the sensual curves of ceramic. They can be displayed with ephemera – from postcards to family snapshots – to create aesthetically pleasing juxtapositions.

Wall-mounted art can balance out the bulky, imposing look of furniture that always takes up space, like sofas, according to Sophie Goldhill, co-founder of Liddicoat & Goldhill and its interior design arm. Hector interior“A striking graphic can act as a visual focal point paired with sofas and tables, and can offset the weight of larger pieces that can dominate the space,” she told the BBC.

Goldhill adds that introducing new artwork into a room can make the space feel more cohesive. “Art provides an opportunity to connect different design elements, such as contrasting materials or colours, in a space, ensuring it does not feel disconnected. A carefully chosen piece of art can reflect or complement tones of fabrics or wood, tying the design of a room together.”

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Choosing usable art can make purchasing and displaying art fun and accessible. A collection of mugs and placemats – created using photographs taken by a British photographer Martin Barr It is sold by Solid technical platform – A good example. The food-themed creations feature kitsch images and close-ups of cocktails filled with maraschino cherries, ice cream or tea in traditional cups and saucers.

The art of living

Food is also a major theme in the British artist’s work Selena Snowwhose cheerful pieces depict delicacies from around the world – from colorful sushi to the humble full English breakfast. Snow has built an eclectic collection of artwork and personal memorabilia that includes paintings and prints of her late father, Peter Snowa theatrical artist and designer, and the countless posters, textiles, objects and artefacts she acquired during her travels. They are displayed in her home in New Forest, Hampshire, alongside her own artwork, against a mainly neutral backdrop of gray and white walls.

The buttercup yellow fireplace in Snow’s living room informed the selection of objects displayed on the fireplace mantel and the art on the wall above it. A Pallini stage mask representing a devil’s head and a bust by artist Corinne Johnson reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich, both of similar height, stand at either end of the mantelpiece. Above it hangs an abstract painting featuring a pattern of yellow spots that echo the color of the fireplace. “I like the way the bust and mask balance each other out and form the painting,” Snow told the BBC.

But Snow doesn’t see her collections of objects as just color harmony. “I don’t want the pieces to blend together so that they lose their individual character, but enhance each other. I like to connect the colors but not so obviously. I’ve got a sculpture of a violinist standing at a sulfur-yellow table picking out the details of a black pattern in a painting above it.”

They also combine very different pieces that nevertheless share the same motifs. In Snow’s bedroom is a wooden headboard carved with floral patterns by her late husband, sculptor Richard Austin. Above it is a painting of flowers.

Snow places postcard-sized copies of the paintings in inexpensive frames to elevate them and make them stand out. But for original works of art, she recommends investing in a professional framing service in order to preserve them well.

Roberto Ekholma London-based artist, curator and art consultant who has held art exhibitions in his home, raises a similar point: “Be careful how you care for the medium. Do not let direct sunlight fall on framed paintings. They may be Glass in the brightest places.”

Ekholm also points out that although many may associate sculpture with artifacts in galleries, it has a place in the home as well. “You may be limited to using only tables, plinths or floor space to display sculptures,” he says. “At home, I like to arrange my shelves on affordable floating shelves at different heights and sizes, creating an interesting home display.”

While Snow and Ekholm have art collections that have grown organically, supported by long-standing relationships with the art world, many people are building their collections from scratch. So what criteria should you apply when getting your first original artwork? “Visit art galleries and auctions to explore the type of art that suits you,” Kitto advises. She cites the London Art Fair (later this month), Accessible Art Fair and the British Art Gallery as good places in the UK to source art, as well as art trails and open studio events.

Kittoe also suggests taking advantage of a “try before you buy” service: “Many art galleries allow you to see works in your own space before committing to a purchase. This can be useful because homes are very different from a brightly lit gallery, and this arrangement allows you to see the works at different times.” Different from the day and try them in different parts of the house When hanging several pictures together, play with possible compositions by placing them on the floor before mounting them in fixed places on the wall.

In the end, go with what feels right for you. As Cathy Glazer says: “Whether it’s travel posters, stickers or flea market collectibles, your collection should reflect what resonates with you. But if you’re not sure where to start, it can help to stick to a theme, for example a collection of plants or pictures Personal or black and white photography Choosing art can be scary, but it’s not about right or wrong, it’s about what speaks to you.”

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