My Favourite Art Pieces
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”
Over the years, I have curated pieces of art for my home. I don’t have any $$$ coveted collectors’ items. However; I have found flea market and thrifted finds, treasured my kids’ crafty creations, and a restoration piece hand printed by my mom. If anything, I hope my little collection shows that art can be approachable on a budget and how these little framed gems can add soul to any room.
GALLERY WALL
My home is semi-closed concept and while we have toyed with the idea of opening it up in future renovations, I actually enjoy the practical privacy it creates when cooking especially in a busy household of three school-age children and a puppy. To add interest to these walls, I opted for a gallery wall. I have a few tips when creating a gallery wall.
For the better part of a year, I stacked art in my bedroom as I slowly discovered pieces over time. After I had tapped out local efforts, I searched online for targeted finds.
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Select Artwork Over Time The best gallery walls are curated. Before any nail was hammered, I had spent almost a year collecting items. The floral crewel was a Facebook Marketplace find. The hammered copper miniature art piece was hunted for on Etsy. The nature prints and frames filled with our family portrait illustrations were from a local thrift store. The wooden mirror was sourced online from an antique dealer in Greece. The colours are soft and work with my analogous colour palette of rust, terracottas, yellow, greens and green-blues.
Layout & Proportions Practically speaking, keeping the horizontal gaps similar to each other in width and vertical gaps similar to each other in size allows the eye to flow from one piece to the next without it looking like a cacophony of clutter. Within groupings, I tend to form the centre first and work my way outwards. Wrapping galleries around walls is an effective way to add oomph. Of course, playing with arrangements on the floor before hanging them vertical helps, however; I have never been too precious about this. If I need to tweak and repair the odd nail hole, that’s ok. NOTE: The single biggest mistake I notice with gallery walls is adding too many miniature sized art frames. While smaller pictures are less expensive and easier to come by, It’s better to error on the size of too big versus too small. This art installation has one small 3'“x5” piece: the hammered copper work. Notice how I have anchored it by hanging it above a slightly larger frame. This pairing helps avoid it looking dinky or a filler. Now it seems intentional and proportionate simply by its position.
Variety & Harmony Art prints and embroidery; hammered copper and a mirror. Metallic frames and wood frames. Finding commonality (in my case colour) but mixing mediums and textures helps create something truly interesting and one-of-a-kind. Alternatively, a photography wall of black and white images in matching frames can also create a striking effect, the latter being easier to implement and are incredible in transitional spaces such as hallways and stairwells.
KIDS’ ARTWORK, DECALS & MISCELLANIOUS
I’ve remarked that my favourite artists happen to be the ones I gave birth too. I’ve been reading Suleika Jaouad’s “The Book of Alchemy” where she talks specifically on creative alchemy and how as children we are naturally creative before life squeezes it out of us. Hanging, pinning and framing my kids’ masterpieces is artwork I’m guaranteed to never tire of and it always makes me smile. The imperfections are what make it perfect and it boosts my kids’ confidence too. Their bedrooms contain their creations as a reflection of them, however; there are other spots in the house where their artwork is showcased from the refridgerator (even designers have to honour self-magnatized additions) to properly framed-art. In kids’ rooms, I like to blend their artwork with some professional prints to create a polished look. Albeit, my middle child who loves dinosaurs, works like an archeologist and is s true maximalist is pushing the limits on what I deem aesthetically pleasing, yet alas his many art projects make him happy so I can’t dim his imagination! Other ways to “jazz” up kids spaces through art is by artistic lighting, wall-sculptures, decals…etc.
Instead of fighting our classic 1970’s basement family room, I decided to lean into it with this modern interpretation of a retro floral design. It anchors the console table and informs the colour palette without being too corny or on the nose. Gone are the days. of the “seashell beach bathroom” themed out spaces, but a subtle node can invoke the same sentiment in a classy and tasteful way.
SPREAD JOY
Lastly,, one thing I truly enjoy is hanging art throughout the house. Above the toilet, backsplash, even a light switch, little pockets of joy can be hung throughout the house. I’m still on the hunt for the perfect copper pans to hang and backsplash frame because I recognize that one of the easiest and most impactful ways to make a house a home is through art.
I found this frame with the ugliest print inside. What sold me was the felted chocolate-brown matting
Since this is in my entrance, I decided to add this adorable quirky guest cheque print. Many designers crap on anything typography, but I love this! Your home is for you. If something sparks joy, hold onto that!