But is it art? Don’t spoil a great room with dubious paintings and prints
By: William MacDonald - October 19th, 2006
I was recently channel surfing when I came across a very popular design show. I stopped for a moment, as the segment was about how a well-known designer had redecorated her home. She had done a lovely job. The colours were fresh and soothing, and the fabric was relaxed, yet sophisticated. I thought, “That looks great!” But as the camera panned about the room I noticed that all was not well. In fact, the more I saw the more ill I began to feel.
Sophisticated abode or Tennessee train station?
What was the nexus of my nausea, you ask? It was the view before me—the most hideous, inappropriate, appalling, matchy-matchy collection of “art” I have ever seen, outside of a small Tennessee train station. Yes, it was that bad!
An otherwise well thought-out room was cheapened by the use of third-rate reproductions; tacky thrift store finds and cut-up calendars. It would have been all right if they were presented with irony. But like so much lately, it wasn’t.
If a designer is doing this, we have a problem. Now I know what you’re thinking, that art is a very “personal thing”. Or that I shouldn’t judge.
Well, I do know a thing or two about art and design and how the two can successfully work together. And I know the difference between art and design. Art is how you look at the world. Design is how you live in the world. Bringing these two concepts together can make for great interior design.
Tips to help
Here are some suggestions that I hope will allow you to fill your place with art that not only adds sophistication and depth to your décor, but also brings you personal pleasure.
- Art should not “match” the room, ever! Don’t bring art to furniture stores and don’t bring swatches to galleries.
- Budget for art. Most people never give art a thought when designing their space. It really completes the look.
- Hang what you love but make sure it’s appropriate to the space. If that Herb Ritts nude looks perfect in the guest room, fine. Just remember that your mom may pop by for surprise sleepover.
- Wedding pictures are not art. Same for pics of the kids. Frame them in silver or black and place them on a table. Better yet, put them in an album.
- Pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be art. Pictures of you holding up the leaning Tower of Pisa cannot be art.
- Don’t just buy something to fill the space. If that empty wall in the dining room over the sideboard is really bugging you, get a big bouquet of flowers, topiaries or lamps.
- Avoid art sales that occur in warehouses in strip malls in the suburbs.
- Be sure to check out local art colleges and fairs. Support young artists!
- Don’t be afraid of art. If you are, educate yourself. Take a class, read art publications. On your vacation, skip the mall and go to a gallery.
- If you don’t love it, don’t hang it. Just because granny left it to you doesn’t mean you have to put it up.
- Mirrors are a great alternative. Hang a collection around the house until you get the art you want.
- Size matters. Most people hang art that is too small for the space. Bigger is usually better. Group smaller pieces.
- Don’t hang one big horizontal piece over your sofa. Break it up with vertical pieces or a great round piece.
- Go to the copy store. If you can’t afford the real thing, find an image you like and have just a section of it copied onto great quality stock. It will look like a cool abstract. Mat and frame it well.
- Auctions are great places to learn about and buy art. Go often! And subscribe to auction house web sites. It’s free!
- People still are hanging their art too high. Here is my foolproof method. Measure 55”-60” from the centre of the work to the floor. That is the perfect height for your work of art.
There you have it. If you choose to follow the above suggestions, I guarantee that no one will mistake your place for a train station. You will have created a complete and sophisticated refuge where you can sit back and enjoy the view.
HAHA!! this is hilarious, and SO true. Great article William.
I grew up in a home with loved or sentimental items all over the walls. I can’t think of a single ‘master’s print’ (thank goodness!) but lots of original art from the local high school, wooden cookie molds, Catholic statuary, stained glass, spoon collections, lithographs from Dutch relatives and as my parent’s income increased numbered prints from folks like Norval Morriseau and many others.
I learned from them that if you love it - for whatever reason - it will always fit in. Nevertheless I found as the article says, present it well, move it around or save it for later (for example the spoon collection has come down off the wall and is now in a silver urn being used on a daily basis).
Thanks for reaffirming my instincts. Acquaintances have visited my home and been surprised by my choices, “But the colours don’t match your furniture!” and I’ve always felt like they just don’t get it but never knew how to explain or justify it.