Saturday, January 15, 2011

"My" Top Ten Design Elements # 8

# 8 in my series of "Top Ten Design Elements" is the " Art" in the space. I just told a client this morning that , " Art is personal, and if she likes it and the scale is right, it works!" She sent me a photo of a picture she saw that she thought might work in the room we are currently working on. However, the scale was not right . . . Take a look at this photo. The scale of the painting is a bit small for the sofa, but the molding of the stairs makes this tricky. The solution was to pick art with strong, bold colors ! The colors in this piece adds to it's scale. That's why it works.


The art in this photos follows along with the feel of the space. Notice that the chair is also a "piece of art". The two work together beautifully.


Art can be fun and create the " Something to talk about", for the room. Children's drawing are great for this, plus it adds such a sense of pride for the child to see his or her drawing framed and on the wall.


Remember that anything can be used as art . We too often limit ourselves to mirrors and pictures . . . think outside the box from time to time.




Watercolors are light and work best with something light beneath them. This is a perfect combo. So take a look at the art around your castle. Do you see room for improvement ? Starting a art collection is a fun thing for couples to do together. Art never goes out of style ! More than anything else it tells others what you are interested in. Art speaks loudly with out any words !



19 comments:

  1. Hi,

    Some excellent tips here, scale and balance is so important in decorating and never more than in the way that 'art' is displayed. Thanks.(-:

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  2. Love the chair and bench, Vicky. They have a tribal look to them which I like....Christine

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  3. beautiful post. I so agree. art makes the room...

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  4. Vicky this is a very informative post with great points to go on for placing art. Love when you do post like this one. Have a wonderful weekend, Kathysue

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  5. This is such a helpful post - I agree with what everyone else has said!

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  6. Great post Vicky! I totally agree. Scale and balance, along with hanging things at the proper height are big when pulling together artwork.

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  7. Art is hard. If the art is at all odd it usually turns me off. I'm a total traditionalist when it comes to art.

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  8. Vicky I an so thrilled that you posted on art. It is such an integral part of interior design, and most clients do not budget enough for it upfront!

    You examples are superb. I am getting ready to paint some wooden panels!

    Come and join my Gorgeous Giveaway from Blydesign!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  9. I love art - I think original, personal art really makes a space unique. I am not good with scale, but now I will look for that when appreciating a beautifully placed piece of art in a home!

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  10. I know this post is about art but I just had to say that sofa in the first pic is just stunning! Can't say it looks terribly comfortable but it's sure pretty to look AT! LOL!

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  11. Art can make a room ! This is so true. Love this post. Kathy

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  12. You always give me something to think about. Thanks. I really enjoyed your post today.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  13. Vicky--This is a very good series. Scale...so hard to judge, so important to get right!

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  14. I absolutely love art! I have it everywhere in my new apartment with my fiance. Great tips!!

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  15. Love this post. Art is so personal but to truly shine in a home it need to be placed in the right spot! Great post!

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  16. The antique carved wood piece above the wood settee is fabulous!

    Kathi

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  17. I really enjoyed this post, and I love the way you explained the use of the art over the settee in the first image -- they are both beautiful. Great post

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  18. Vicky,

    Your tip on using art is something not shared in decorating books. I found this very helpful.

    Thanks,
    Dee

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