Art! It’s every kindergartners favorite subject! And still one of mine. And I find the art people choose to feature in their homes absolutely fascinating.

Whether you’re fridge is covered with finger paintings or you display original fine works under gallery lighting, what you hang in your home really says something about who you are.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to study under some fabulous art teachers and learn from the experts traveling through the most famous museums in Europe. I’ve bought art and created it. I’ve gone through a total trippy van Gogh loving phase, then a 180 to the simple and soothing Frank Weston Benson, and currently an obsession with bold typography.

With so much out there, how do you choose what’s right for you and your home? Here’s a couple tips from this art-loving-lady straight to you.

1. Don’t buy or hang anything that you aren’t absolutely in love with. Everyone may love an impressionist painting over their mantle, but maybe you’re a Dogs Playing Poker kind of house.

2. Think outside of the frame! Hang an antique washboard in your laundry room, or some funky antlers in a man cave, or heck- even frames themselves can be art!

3. Let’s get together yeah yeah yeah. Groupings can become their own piece of art. I have triptychs of all the places I’ve lived. Hung side by side by side, it tells a beautiful story of where I’ve gone to get where we are now. (<– nod to blog title!)

Or how about a gallery wall? Black and white photography in stark frames creates a bold look.

Or a haphazard arrangement in the same tone ads visual interest.

4. Yeah, you can frame that! We were thrilled to find old newspapers in our walls during our renovation. As an homage to our home, we’ve framed them and now they’ll live on the walls rather than in them. Why not frame a ticket stub from a favorite concert? Or all your fab shopping bags in your boudoir?

5. Showcase your own art. Whether it’s a quilt or an oil painting or macaroni art- show it off! Now I’m not one to fill up my fridge- but you know once we have kids, I’m going to encourage my Picassos. Hang clipboards or a funky clothesline to make rotation of today’s masterpiece a breeze. And quick clutter tip for all those “but I can’t throw this away” kids projects- take a photo of it or scan it. A memory stick or CD per year is a lot easier to store than boxes of popsicle stick trees and dioramas.

6. And finally, nothing is permanent. Selecting and displaying art is an art in itself! Have fun with it. What goes up can come down with a little spackle and paint!

Share This:

• Share

Google+

Julie Swanson

Like this:

Like Loading...