- Words Jane Zatlyny Photography Lia Crowe

Whether it is your childB次元官网网址檚 first painting, an inherited watercolour, an old family photograph or a piece of functional potteryB次元官网网址攁rt brings incredible meaning to our personal lives. As the artist Pablo Picasso once put it, B次元官网网址淎rt washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.B次元官网网址�

In a sea of manufactured goods, art also humanizes our homes.

B次元官网网址淚 always like to look at it as the personalization of a space,B次元官网网址� says Hannah Katey Berger, principal interior designer and owner of Hannah Katey Interior Design in Kelowna. B次元官网网址淲hen you have a neutral space, art really adds that personality.B次元官网网址�

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, B次元官网网址淲ow, there is so much to look at in here!B次元官网网址� Today my condo walls are covered with colourful paintings, my own photographs, large pieces of pottery and art glass. ThereB次元官网网址檚 still a lot to take in, and it may not be to everyoneB次元官网网址檚 tasteB次元官网网址攂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. B次元官网网址淓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.B次元官网网址�

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 chooseB次元官网网址攁nd where you choose to display them.

B次元官网网址淎t museums, we often see people staring at a piece of art for a long period of time,B次元官网网址� says Lucila Diaz, founder and creative director of Harmony Sense Interiors in North Vancouver. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 because the art is making them feel something beyond the colours or the lines or the composition.B次元官网网址�

The same holds true when art is integrated into interior design, she stresses: B次元官网网址淚 know IB次元官网网址檝e done my job when people say,

B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 really know what it is, but it feels so peaceful and harmonious to be in this space.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Ultimately, art helps us create a beautiful sanctuary from the world, says Brooke. B次元官网网址淚f we have pieces in our spaces that we love, it can really bring us home to ourselves.B次元官网网址�

Building a collection

When choosing art for your home, the nearly infinite selection of styles, colours and sizes can often seem overwhelming.

B次元官网网址淢any of my clients say, B次元官网网址業 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know where to startB次元官网网址� when I ask them about art for their homes,B次元官网网址� says Brooke.

A simple rule to follow is to buy what you love, she adds: B次元官网网址淔ollow your gut, and you wonB次元官网网址檛 go wrong.B次元官网网址�

Ten tips to help you source art for your home:

Building an art collection takes time, so itB次元官网网址檚 wise to buy art piece by piece.

B次元官网网址淏e patient and have fun with it,B次元官网网址� says Hannah. B次元官网网址淓xplore different artists and different mediums. There is nothing wrong with liking or disliking certain styles. When itB次元官网网址檚 right for you, youB次元官网网址檙e going to appreciate it in your space.B次元官网网址�

Start by showcasing your childrenB次元官网网址檚 art, suggests Brooke. B次元官网网址淥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.B次元官网网址�

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 artistsB次元官网网址� galleries and studios, says Lucila. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great place to look for or even commission art.B次元官网网址�

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 artistsB次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址渕atchingB次元官网网址� a piece of art to a sofa or other piece of furniture; instead, choose a piece that speaks to you, says Hannah. B次元官网网址淎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.B次元官网网址�

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 isnB次元官网网址檛 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. B次元官网网址淎 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.B次元官网网址�

Make sure your artwork is properly secured to the wall. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want things to fall,B次元官网网址� says Lucila. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also important to protect your investment with UV protected glass, so it wonB次元官网网址檛 be damaged by sunlight.B次元官网网址� DonB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to layer art by putting a lamp in front of a painting, suggests Brooke. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want to obliterate the artwork, but layering is what makes a space interesting.B次元官网网址�

Use paintersB次元官网网址� 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. B次元官网网址淚f you have a piece of art you love, make it the centrepiece of your room.B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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