THE CASE FOR CHOOSING ARTFIRST
How do you start designing a room or refreshing a space with a new look? There are many décor items that can serve as a springboard to design. While art is typically an afterthought, many experts believe it should serve as the biggest inspiration for a room.
With this in mind, I decided to write a series on all things art. Why? Because I truly believe that you must consider ARTFIRST, when designing a space. In this overview, I review some benefits of using ARTFIRST and some key considerations to get you started.
USE ART TO DETERMINE COLOR PALETTE
Choosing a color palette for a room can be a daunting task. Have you ever visited a paint or home improvement store to select color and just felt overwhelmed? The options seem endless. Instead of randomly choosing paint chips and then adding art after-the-fact, flip it and let the colors from your art guide the design process. When you find a piece that you love, choose a dominant color, as well as one or two secondary colors to incorporate into your design. You can then use these colors when making other décor purchases.
KEY QUESTIONS WHEN BUYING ART
When choosing art, you have some basic questions to answer relative to what suits your needs:
- Are you contemporary, modern, traditional or transitional?
- What size is appropriate for your space?
- Do you want color or muted tones?
- Do you prefer a frame or no frame?
- Do you want a smooth canvas or a lot of texture?
- Do you prefer original art or a reproduction?
When you answer these questions, you can then look for the type of art that aligns with your style and taste.
COMMON TYPES OF ART IN RETAIL
Canvas – A reproduced look from an original acrylic or oil painting that is then stretched, or gallery-wrapped onto a canvas. It can then be left unframed or framed.
Giclée – A high-quality print that uses fade-resistant, archival inks and substrates. This printing is used to remake original artwork into photographs, computer-generated or two-dimensional art so that the original piece maintains its’ superior quality.
Original – A one-of-a-kind or limited edition, hand-made piece of art. It can be made from oils, acrylic, watercolors, etching or drawings.
Resin – An original that is painted, poured with resin and manipulated to create the finished look. The resin then hardens to a clear glossy finish or glazed to give a stone, bronze or marble finish.
Hand-Painted/Embellishment – A mass-produced piece with hand applications on the surface, which add to the look and feel of the art.
Plexi – A high-resolution imagery rendered onto plexi-glass.
BUY ART THAT YOU LOVE
One of the biggest tips I can offer is to buy art that you love. This actually holds true for all home décor. If you love it, you will cherish it for years to come. While living in Chicago, in the early 2000s, I saw a unique piece of art in the real estate section of the newspaper. I was so intrigued by the art that I tore it out of the paper and I carried it around with me. A few months later, I saw the art in a home décor store. To this day, 20 years later, this art is still one of my favorite pieces and commands center-stage in my family room. It will always be a part of my collection.
In summary, displaying art is a great way to add style and spruce up your walls. Art adds personality, character and creates warmth in a space. Given its’ size and presence, it can make a BIG statement and first impression. Additionally, art can also be a conversation piece from a memorable time in your life.
So if you’re looking for amazing art, but you don’t know where to start, come see us at Oasis Accents. We are your home décor destination for gorgeous art, from canvas to original (from local artists), small to large sizes and low-to-high pricing. We will also continue to carry our unique accessories and small furnishings.
Happy Designing!
Karen
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