Art Hunt

photographs BY Brie Williams


1. Buy What You Love. If you’ve been searching high and low for that perfect piece, lighten up! Forget about finding something that “goes” with your décor and just buy what speaks to you. It’s hard to go wrong with work you fall for on the spot. Tip: Before making any major art purchase, do it with a trained eye. Know what you gravitate toward long-term.

2. Keep an Open Mind: Shop with your whole house in mind, not just traditional display rooms like the living room, foyer, and hallways. Adding kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms—even game rooms and kids’ rooms—to your mental shopping list will draw you to fun or off-beat pieces you might’ve otherwise overlooked.

3. Have Fun with Color: Looking to enliven your rooms but tend to shy away from bright hues? Do it with art! Look for pieces that pop; keep an eye out for coastal pastels or go hot with splashes of fiery oranges or vibrant turquoise.

4. Frame It Right: Experts insist that a good piece of art can be ruined by a bad frame. The same is true when a frame doesn’t quite suit your décor. Just because a piece is grand in scale doesn’t mean a chunky, ornate gilt frame is the way to go, particularly if your furnishings are Scandinavian simple. Instead, opt for a thinner gilt or wood frame that puts the attention back on the art itself.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Blend: Some of the best art collections aren’t homogenous. Hang etchings alongside oils, watercolors with black and white photography.

6. Balance Your Favorites: Does your collection favor a particular artist? Unless your display is in the form of a series, resist the urge to group it exclusively in a single room or pair of rooms. Instead, find prominent wall space throughout the house; this way, your art will greet you during everyday comings and goings, rather than create a museum effect.

7. Make Room: Like any other element (the sofa or piano, for example), good artwork needs a little elbow room. Don’t crowd an oversized, statement piece with a half dozen smaller works. Instead, find airy wall spaces for favorite pieces and light them properly.

8. Let It Shine: When hanging art, consider the overall “order” of a room. If it’s cramped with clutter and odds and ends, that prized painting or photo series is likely to get lost. Edit furnishings until you find a configuration that allows the art to shine through.


Marion Square, May 28-June 12, 10am-5pm, piccolospoleto.com