Art is an Art itself

A few days ago I did a post on how decorating with mirrors makes heads turn and creates special effects. Art in my opinion has the same effect. Today I thought I´d write down some ideas on different art styles.

First, a quick background on my own little “art collection”. I have always appreciated art and loved adding art to my walls. Never been a fancy art collector, or maybe I should say that the art I really love is just always above my budget. Instead I have had fun buying more affordable art and like many others I have followed whats “in-style”. However, over the years my taste has changed so now I am sort of going through what I have.

I own a mix of sketches, quotes, black & white prints, trendy maps, museum posters, inherited art, fun photographs and a few one of a kind oil paintings. In other words, “all over the place” when it comes to art. I have always enjoyed mixing art and styles but I feel more and more the desire to rinse and clean up my walls a bit, ad more quality than quantity or perhaps its just a matter of adding quality in my case. Maybe start to invest in the “large art pieces”, the more mature, “sophisticated” and less on the playful/trendy art. Does that make any sense?

This is one of those “big pieces” found here that I find interesting and resembles nothing I have at home. Fits in her home perfectly. Not so sure it will necessarily go with my interior, but I still like it. By Willem Andersson.

After some time I try to move the art around in our house, place it in different rooms, all to create a change and something new. For example, as our girls have gotten older and left the “pink years” I have created fun art wall collections in their rooms with the black&white art/prints that has been hanging too long in other rooms. Some art that I see as trendy and seasonable I have moved from main rooms to hallways. In my opinion a good way to still keep the art alive. Other art I plan on bringing over to our summer house in Sweden.  Obviously, today’s post doesn´t focus on art for our summer place, I just have art in general on my mind. Its one of those days.

Who doesn´t love big oil paintings? The beauty when choosing real oil paintings is that they only exist in one edition. There is just that ONE! Its not like prints, that get reprinted X times. Oil paintings make it very personal. Just make sure it gets its space to shine!

Creating art collections on walls or on shelves is a smart way to gather left overs or place your favorite mix of art, books, objects and photos in one spot. You don’t need a big wall and its perfect for hallways or office. Painting the shelves in the same color as the wall is the way to go!

I certainly enjoy all old Therese Sennerholts prints I have, especially since not many people have them here in Seattle. They always get attention so they are extra fun to place in hallways and guest bathrooms.

These black and white prints and maps have been super popular in Scandinavia for years and I still like a few of them. My “Fruits de Mer” & maps are however sent off to coming summer home. Kept my NY edition here in Seattle though.

As you all know cool photographs have been in style for some time now and I have so much respect for good photography. Love it. My favorite in da house right now is my classic “Shaken not stirred” with Mr Bond himself! Goes perfect over the bar area. You can find this & more here.

Another site to look for fun photographs like the ones I have, is here

I would love to get my hands on this “one big art piece” and hang on our wall. Made by Emma Bernhard, @Nordenhake Gallery. Below the art work in a home (via esny)

I realize graffiti is something completely different and not for everyone, but I was introduced to this artist by my dear friend V, who lives in Amsterdam. She has impeccable taste and when you see how she added similar pieces by him in her townhouse and cool kitchen – you´ll understand! I don’t love all of his work but its picking that one or two unique pieces and placing it somewhere in the house which creates that cool unique  contrast. I will try to get her to guest blog and perhaps she can show you herself how it looks in her kitchen. To cool!

Love this mix of modern Eero Saarinen table & chairs with the big old framed painting. It requires high ceiling, great stucco – its own wall and the white to go with that…oh mama!

Another way of creating fun art is by framing for example your favorite scarf, a piece of fabric or it could just be some cool magazine covers you have laying around. We don´t all have a drawer full of Hermes scarves (like this image fr twwp). Art doesn’t have to be expensive. I have even framed and mixed my kids school art work into our walls & voilá  – it looks like a Picasso!

Love how they hung this fashionable photo and how it accents the red in the room!

Before I go, I need to show you this oldie but still fabolouse room and fantastic art.  Love all 3 but especially the one to the right! It took me a second to figure out that the middle painting was in the next room. Clever! Does anyone know where to get the one to the right, please do tell!

I could really go on & on about different art styles and artist I love but It would take for ever. As you can tell, I am all over the place when it comes to art and in some ways – I suppose it´s normal, or?  However, I feel its time to go through the pieces we have in our home (just as I do with my closet every now & then) to decide what to keep, sell and perhaps make a wish list -followed by a savings plan…

I promise to take pictures here once I am done doing with my rinsing an re-org of it all!

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs P