5 Things to Consider When Selecting Artwork for Your Home, Part 2
In my previous blog post on "5 Things to consider When Selecting Artwork for Your Home, Part 1", we looked at how to choose based on your personal tastes, and also based on the overall environment in which your chosen works will be displayed. In this segment, let's take a look at some further things to take into consideration when buying and/or collecting art prints:
Choose to suit the room
This sort of ties in to the previous point. Once you've considered the overall theme, or how your chosen piece fits the flow of your room, don't forget to consider size. That ginormous Jackson Pollock-style work you absolutely adore? Umm....Think real hard about this before you buy, Not that oversized abstracts or other types of works are a bad thing, not at all. What if you live in a studio apartment? It could be doable, Just consider, again, your overall decor, furniture, windows and entries, and the like. I don't know your home layout or decor, but think it over from all angles before you buy, no matter how much you love it! Large works need room to breathe, to shine and be the stars they are.
Smaller works can stand well on their own in a cozy, cottage style home, or even in nicely arranged groupings of images. Groupings of a small prints of a similar theme can be a fun, affordable way to collect art, as well! Again, keep in mind the same things about the chosen display area as with large prints.
Color coordination is another thing to consider. Black and white works, properly matted and/or framed, can stand well in most decor, but sometimes, a minimalist environment provides a great showcase for pieces you really love and wish to bring attention to. When hanging works in color, you may want to hang pieces that tie in to the room's color scheme by a dominant color in the piece itself, much the same way a rug or throw pillows may be accent pieces. It's that easy.
Framing and hanging
As I mentioned previously, I was picture framer in a "previous life", prior to the birth of our first child. At that time in my life, I was into watercolors and pen & ink illustration. I learned framing , mounting and matting, along with a variety of other framing skills, at a mom-and-pop frame and art supply store with a long history in Bakersfield, California. The staff there were aces, and being an artist myself, I took to framing like a duck to a pond. I learned so much in the time I worked there. I framed a ton of my own work, too, and had a great time doing it. It was fun helping others choose matting and framing for their treasured pieces, and educating them along the way. But enough about me! Let's talk about your print and its own situation.
When considering how to frame your artwork, you'll want to take into consideration the style or subject of the piece, as well as the room in which it will be displayed. Some works will display well on their own, such as a canvas mounted artwork. All you'll need for that is proper mounting hardware on the backside.
If the image is rustic or rural, choose a wood frame that enhances that theme. Antique or classical pieces are often at home in a frame reflecting the time period of the print. If your art is a modern or abstract image, a metal frame or minimalist type moulding (wood or synthetic frame materials from which your frame is made) works well. Additional matting can be added to accent a color in the piece, or in the room.
Black & white photos, or even color, often do well in a simple white or black mat and simple thin frame, or even a "frameless" mounting . This allows the artwork to shine on its own merit. Take a look at a local art gallery, or a coffee house, and see examples of framing styles. Even in a home decor store, or online, you can get some great ideas about picture framing, and what works. Just remember: the goal is to give the piece a platform to shine from. Don't let the display method steal the show. And don't be afraid to visit a professional picture framing studio. Framers are some of the nicest, most helpful folks you'll ever meet. They're always happy to help you make the most of your treasured images!
Typical custom framing shop, with various moulding and matting samples
Remember also, when framing an original or signed/numbered type print, protecting it from the elements as well as preservation is also an important point. When framing originals or limited edition pieces, be sure to use archival papers, materials, and framing methods as necessary. A properly done archival frame job is well worth the money spent, if you want to enjoy your artwork for a long time to come.
Creating a personal art gallery in your home
So now you have a good idea of what you enjoy collecting or looking at. You know what sort of art or imagery gives you that warm feeling or mood or ambience you're looking for. As we discussed in the section on framing your art, consider the environments art galleries create for exhibitions. Lots of neutral space, light colored walls, room for the work to display without being overrun by distractions. If your aim is to have a personal art gallery, keep the room decor simple and quietly complimentary to your collection. Think "art gallery". It doesn't have to be boring or austere, just subtle enough for your collection to be the main attraction.
Also, if you like large works, keep in mind window/door locations, wall space/layout, etc. Keep in mind furniture placement in relation to wall space, doors, and the artwork. Think about how you might hang groupings in the room. Lots to consider! But definitely doable. If a home art collection/personal gallery is your goal, it could be a fun and satisfying project, and a great addition to your home.
Summary
So there you have it, some points to consider when selecting artwork to enjoy in your home or workspace. For more thoughts on this subject (and I credit some of this article to this link!), you can visit Prime Location.com , a great website for interior decorating ideas and home selling and buying, as well, go to www.primelocation.com Thanks for visiting again, hope you enjoyed this article! Have any other considerations to add to what we've explored here? Share your comments below, I'd love to hear your ideas!