Home & Interior Art Curation

So where to start…

Perhaps you are starting from scratch with a new home or you have decided that your current pad requires a fresh approach with new additions. Overall think variation.... a mix of ceramics, textiles, photographic, paintings, prints and sculpture.

For-each piece ask yourself ‘Is this interesting?’. ‘ Is this timeless?’
First time buyers can hone their skills while confident aesthetes can refresh by perusing lush interior social media accounts as well as reviewing interior or architecture magazines. Any source where the relationship between considered choices in art, interior space and living are evident.

Develop an appreciation by establishing which artwork is appealing to your eye and which isn’t.
Why do you like or dislike the piece?
Is it the colour, applied technique, or era that the work evokes?

Explore more visual examples in my Pinterest board
‘Art in Homes’

Image John Robshaw’s New York City home.

Mix it up…

This interior installation offers a contemporary ‘antiquities’ theme. Earthen colours, ebony, terracotta, sandstone captured in a mixed collection of shapes and sizes.
Note the layering… a the stool in the foreground, the table presentation in the mid-ground and the painting as the backdrop.

Avoiding a completely symmetrical look,the abstract painting is flanked by an ebony, mid-century, free-standing sculpture to its right side. Now follow the curved height variations of all the tabled items and note how the taller ones are placed to the outer edges leaving a central space to view the painting.

As a point of highlight, the pale classical figurine on the table sits alongside earthenware pottery. Its alabaster tones are echoed by a stone obelisk. A stool which, in itself is detailed with unique characteristics, invites the onlooker to explore the scene.

This grouping will have taken several attempts to reach the finished version although as a homeowner I like to refresh the view periodically by resetting the group.

Image; Yves Gastou’s 9th arrondissement apartment.

Photo by Deidi von Schaewen.

Layers

Find an ‘interiors visual’ with artwork to covet.
Then take note of how it is framed and the scenario it has been placed in.
Dark walls, neutral frames, large deep mounts?
Neutral walls, no frames?

In this example, the photographic prints are framed in a classic format and displayed in layers resting against the wall. Note how the smallest image has been framed with a generous mount/mat affording it a larger physical presence than its original dimensions allow and a contemplative focus from its audience.

Image michaeldawkinshome.com

Complement and Contrast…

Soft pink accent cushions on the sofa, mirror the pink detail in this delightful hanging textile - the catalyst for the sitting room’s colour theme. The colours chosen either echo the textile’s sensibilities, check the deep skirting board and coving or softly contrast such as the wall colour.

Meanwhile, the burnt orange of the duo chairs is pivotal as they create a degree of contrasting drama to the pale walls, curtains and neutrality of the sofa. They also complement the brown and amber detailing of the rug, warmth of the flooring and the ceiling design.

Image marcante-testa.it

Indulge your imagination,

Visit an interiors exhibition. PAD Pavillion of Art and Design London / Paris showcases the very best of interior designers’ collections in room set ups.

Furniture, ceramics, lighting, wall hangings... study the interplay of colour themes, structures and textures. As an introduction view a short photo carousel of my visit to PAD 2019.

Remember, that the most convincing addition to making a room look more luxurious is art. Moreover, art will add cultural dialogue to your home and an imaginary that coerces your thoughts beyond the limitations of your walls.

image annemichaelartist.com

Size, ratio and allocated space.

Identify the spaces on your walls or in your room and measure up. To estimate painting sizes for a wall space it helps to work backwards... using decorator’s adhesive tape, lightly mark the corners of your proposed size. This will be the outer corner of the framed work.
Remember that the centre of the work should be at eye level or as close to it as possible. Now stand back and consider if the ratio of size to available space, works.
Adjust until you are happy with the result and save the measurements.
So now you will aim to do one of three things.
Use an image which you will frame up to fit this size.
Use a framed work which matches these final dimensions.
Purchase a painting on canvas which matches or is close to the final dimensions

Some apps will help with placing paintings, in situ, on walls. However, it’s probably better to experience the dimensions in real-time than virtually and then photograph to review later. Somehow looking at an item in a space, through the lens, highlights issues or confirms the potential, a process that artists use often to review their work.
Perhaps the space available is suited to a series of smaller related works themed by the fact that they are created by the same artist or by different artists with the same genre or subject matter, framed in a mix of styles.
Remember that not every available space requires an artwork...it is a good idea to punctuate the visual message.

image sadevalentina.com.br

Colour

Although colour does matter, try not to make the mistake of choosing a painting solely to match a room colour. The main artwork should inspire the room and will be with you for a lifetime while a room colour will change in a few years.
Paintings, prints or sculptures can add contrast to the decor while choosing specific colours from within an artwork can be echoed in accent throws and cushions, as mentioned earlier.

Image interior, drawn by anne michael featuring the painting ‘Flower Tender Voice’.
Inspired by a room designed by @Dumais.inc

Show Off

Variation is intriguing and shows off your curator talents.
Do you have a feature wall?
Would a group hanging of smaller works suit better than one large dominant piece?
Before allocating paintings to walls consider each work as if they are an actor in a drama.
Which artwork is the protagonist?
Which holds the supporting roles and which the smaller parts?

image Desenio.com

Finally

If you are feeling overwhelmed or have a clear idea of the look that you aspire to have but worry about expensive mistakes then reach to the experts.

A company like 55 Max based in London is an art consultancy that offers inspirational framing solutions from the small to the oversized, taking into account your destination wall and if required will complete the installation.

Source good framers in your area. When you spot a wonderfully framed work, ask after the framer’s details. Approach art galleries or artists and ask who they would recommend.

Otherwise, order online from a company such as Desenio.com (USA based) or eFrame (UK based) which both deliver world-wide and offer framing solutions and guidance on framing a collection.

image; issuu.com
feature ; At home with Lucy fenton
@fenton_au