Art in Interiors
Spring plays host to some of the most exciting art fairs, making this time of year a better time than any to give the artwork in your home a little TLC or supplement it with a few new purchases. The London Art Fair, the Affordable Art Fair, the London Original Print Fair, StART Art Fair, Masterpiece London and Photo London all take place between April and June, showcasing a vast variety of works in paint, sculpture, photography and mixed media at a wide range of price points.
We believe that art is an indispensable part of a decorating scheme. It adds character, it interacts with colour and furniture, and contributes a sense of tactility, from the nooks and crannies of a gilt frame rich with shadows to the high gloss of a varnished oil painting. Most importantly, though, art in the home is an expression of the owner, or tenant’s, personality. What you hang on your walls and how you hang it says something about you; your collection is a mosaic of your aesthetic tastes, your sense of humour and what you love most in life. Collecting, hanging and enjoying your artwork, from prints to originals, should be one of the greatest pleasures when it comes to decorating the home.
Straight to source
Think of sourcing art like a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time to purchase works that really speak to you over your lifetime instead of bulk buying generic works that don’t genuinely appeal to you. Blank walls can feel like itches that need scratching, but if you bide your time in your search for the perfect piece, the gratification will be so much sweeter.
There are no hard and fast rules for sourcing art. Finding auctions and galleries that sell the kind of work you like is a surefire way to stumble upon pieces in styles you know you’ll like, while shopping at antique shops or vintage fairs will yield a slightly more eclectic collection. At the entry level, the only thing you need to bear in mind at the while scouting out your latest piece is that as long as you love it, it doesn’t matter whether it’s an original, what its provenance looks like, or whether your friends will like it (unless you live with them, of course).
Moving into the upper echelons of art collecting, working with your interior designer and their art consultancy contacts is the best way to go for reassurance, authenticity and quality. They may also suggest investment options. At this level, there is also the option to commission bespoke pieces to achieve the collection of your dreams.
Artistic licence
Even once your artworks have been arranged and hung in a way that complements your space and puts a smile on your face, the process of establishing and enjoying your collection is far from over. Channelling your inner gallerist to reframe, rehang and relocate your artwork around the home will bring you a lifetime of joy. It’s mesmerising to watch the way a piece of art changes with a new frame or even a contrasting, coloured mount, or the way a room is transformed when you introduce a piece from another part of the house. It’s important to remember that, like the colour of your walls or the covers on your cushions, almost everything can always be swapped out and rethought at anytime.
Kelling Designs can also advise on art sourcing and framing, and our excellent team are on hand to help you hang your latest purchases, too. If you ever find yourself in need of advice, please do give us a call.
