Positively Chic: 09/22/14

Art as an Accessory
Accessories make an outfit. Accessories make a house a home. They add style and personality. They tell a story…your story.

Source: Paula Chamblin Interiors

Art is a fabulous accessory. Art doesn't have to be expensive to be "good." Some of my favorite pieces have been picked up at flea markets and antique stores. The artist may not have works in the Louvre, but they have spoken to me in some magical language. Maybe it was the color, the scene, or the feeling the piece evoked.

Art can be singularly displayed or artfully displayed en masse for impact.

Most of the time, the single placement of a piece of art is not a challenge. A question I receive frequently from clients is…

What is the best way to

display

several works of art

together?

How to Build the Perfect Gallery Wall

When putting several works of art together to create a "gallery wall" in your home, follow these simple guidelines:

1. Create unity with a color scheme. This doesn't mean that all of the pieces should have all of the same colors. Pick one to three colors and have them threaded in the majority of the pieces.

In the photo to the left (source: Houzz), you'll see subtle shades of blue in a majority (doesn't have to be EVERY piece) of the works of art.

2. Mix art styles and mediums. Combine various styles (abstract, traditional, etc.) and mediums (oils, watercolors, photographs, sculptures, etc.).

Sculture adds dimension and interest to this hall gallery wall. Also note how the colors of the simple gallery style frame picks up the colors from the bolder art piece on the bottom right. Source: Houzz

3. Or don't mix art styles and mediums. Maybe you collect a certain type of art or a particular subject matter. For example, I collect portraits. Family portraits, you ask? Yes, just not my family. Grouping all the different portraits together in a hallway or small space (as I did in the powder room of my last house) creates an interesting display.

4. Vary sizes. Create interest not only with the color or subject of a piece, but also with the size.

5. Or don't vary sizes.

5. Frames matter. A great frame should complement a piece, not take over and be the focal point. When you are displaying art en masse, the frames should be simple. The type of frame depends on the style of the art and the mood you are trying to create.

For example, if you want to create a more modern feel, simple gallery style black (or complementary color) wood frames could work. If you want a more traditional feel, use a variety of simple frames in similar color tones. They don't have to match, but they should coordinate.

Still need more guidance…

Here is a helpful tutorial from The Glitter Guide: