Barbara English is a residential interior designer with 22 years experience in working with clients in Atlanta, Georgia as well as vacation homes at various beach locations, ski and mountain resorts. Her resume includes professional atheletes, well-known entrepreneurs and entertainers.
Artwork is such a personal choice, especially when you are choosing pieces for your home.
As an interior designer for 22 years, I always start with a client who doesn't know what they want by having them select artwork first. So many people do not know what their style is and artwork is like a reflection of the inner personality.
With the internet there are so many ways to pull up images before you buy. Artwork pricing ranges from inexpensive prints to "investment" art. You may find that you develop a passion for a particular artist or theme or that you really like a variety of styles. There is no right or wrong way to pick art, with the exception of a few rules to keep in mind.
Always select art from the vantage point of where it is likely to be viewed most often. For example, a simple image(one large flower by Georgia O'Keefe)would be most advantageously viewed from a distance such as in the center of a large living room, as opposed to a narrow hallway where the impact of the image is lost. The same is true in reverse for detailed images such as landscapes. This type of artwork demands close perspective to enjoy the detail of the scene. Hanging something detailed which is most often viewed from some distance completely difuses the impact of the art.
Many people think of original artwork or signed artwork as an investment. If you are considering investing large sums in this type of art, be sure you like it and that is really why you are making the purchase. It is incredibly difficult to resale artwork at a profit. Galleries and dealers take a large percentage of the sale and unless you can afford the Mona Lisa, most artwork is an investment in your spirit...not your bank account. Buy what you love.
Artwork is a great roadmap for selecting wall colors by pulling together interesting color combinations represented in the piece. Artwork projects a feeling which can be expanded by adding compatable materials and furnishings. Most importantly, the artwork you select tells people who you are and great design is about surrounding yourself with the things that you love and speaking the truth about who you are.
At Barbara English Designs we work with clients in selecting artwork and furnishings to reflect personal style. Visit www.barbaraenglishdesigns.com for more information or assistance in selecting artwork for your home. Artwork is about you, your tastes and choosing to live in a surrounding that speaks to your soul.
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