We get that choosing art can seem like a daunting task. Where do you start? Which artists should you be looking at? How do you know if a piece is ‘good’ or not? We know how important art is in a home and how the right piece of art can completely transform a space and even make or break a scheme. But choosing art doesn’t have to be hard! Follow our simple guide and you’ll find the whole process a breeze…
What kind of art do you like?
Always start with your personal taste. If you’ve never really considered what you do and don’t like then make a start by gathering inspiration from galleries, social media and magazines. Even if you find that you like loads of different subject matters, media and styles, there’s usually something that stands out and will give you a good starting point.
Where will you hang your art?
It might be that you’ve just renovated a new home and are starting completely from scratch or you might have accumulated a lot of art from family and want to add some pieces of your own. Whatever the case may be it always pays to measure your available space before you start shopping. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding something you adore that you only realise doesn’t fit once you’ve got it home!
On colours and shapes
This bit really depends on how you’re buying. When we’re working on interiors projects we sometimes base entire room schemes on a single painting, print or photograph. Sometimes a whole room is brought together by a piece that anchors the scheme and couldn’t be swapped for anything else. On other occasions we mix together art that we source with existing pieces from a client’s collection so that the work becomes part of the fabric of the room. As you can probably guess, each of these instances calls for very different types of work.When it comes to your own space, be mindful of whether you’re buying work that needs to perform a specific function or not. This can have a big impact on how you shop and whether you can filter out certain types of work.
Established or new artists?
There’s no right or wrong here! If you have lots of work to buy then mixing artists is often a good way to go. This usually makes it easier to buy a greater number of works as un-discovered artists will command more accessible prices and can be mixed in with big ticket pieces. You might choose artists based on their geographic location, the media they use, their subject matter or the stories woven into their work.
Frames and framing
Depending on whether you’re looking at original paintings, prints or photographs, you may find that pieces are offered unframed. This can be a good thing if you have a very specific aesthetic or need to match in with existing frames. If you’re looking at a piece that is already framed but not in a style you like then don’t panic! Frames can always be changed and don’t have to cost a fortune. The trick is to do your research and find a local framer who can create exactly what you’re looking for. Some work on canvas looks very good without a frame, so this is also a great option. Whether framed or unframed, all of our art is ready to hang and will tie in with most interior styles.
To buy or not to buy?
Let’s imagine you’ve found a piece you love, you’ve read up on the artist and are fascinated by their process, the framing looks great and you can imagine the piece hanging on your wall but you’re not sure whether to take the final step and buy. It’s easy to fall into this pit of procrastination - particularly if the piece you’re looking at is a bit of an investment. We always remind our clients that a piece of art is a purchase for life and is something that could be handed down from generation to generation. And if it’s something that makes you smile every time you look at it then it’s got to be worth taking the plunge!-If you’ve found something you like in our art collection then don’t forget that we are very happy to make viewing appointments in our Norfolk showroom. This is a great way to get up close and personal with a piece before you buy. You might even bring along paint and fabric swatches so that you can guarantee a perfect fit!