My guide to choosing art for your home
ART, A LOVE STORY
Antique oil paintings, intricate tapestries, bold contemporary pieces – the art we choose to hang on our walls says something about who we are, what we like, and what we value. For me, it's the finishing touch that brings a room together – like dressing a salad or adding jewelry to an outfit. A home doesn’t feel complete until you have art on the walls.
How we curate art in our homes is deeply personal. It doesn’t have to be a big showy display; it can be tongue in cheek, linked to a particular memory, or a private anecdote. Take my own home, for example. It’s filled with artworks that I’ve gathered over the years (many of which come with me when I move - you'll spot lots of them here). I've commissioned directly from artists, scavenged at flea markets, and trawled online. I love to create ‘collections’, which are usually sparked from inside jokes with my partner or friends. That’s when I like art the most – when it becomes personal.
When life gives you lemons
The collection of lemon paintings in my kitchen is a great example of this. I have several pieces (almost a dozen now!) in varying sizes, grouped on the walls and propped up in my glass cabinets. The collection began with an original painting by Julian Merrow-Smith (part of his Postcards from Provence series), expanding to include antique and vintage pieces sourced via Etsy and eBay, alongside paintings commissioned from artists I love. To keep cohesivity, most feature darker backgrounds and are framed in antique gilt wood.
Why lemons, you may ask. My obsession with drinking Diet Coke with a slice of lemon is well-known among my family and friends; it’s kind of like an appendage at this point (I have a secret bottle of the stuff on me at all times). At first, it was a joke, whereas now lemons have become a sort of talisman. If you wander around our home, you’ll notice them most prominently in the kitchen, but there are subtle nods elsewhere too - like in the mosaic floor of the powder loo, and the lemon-shaped soap in the guest bathroom.
Another collection in our home is the budding cluster of grumpy old men paintings in our master suite. Dedicated to my own ‘grumpy old man’ (my partner, Matt), I’ve started buying these for him as gifts every once in a while. No doubt this collection will grow in size, like the lemons. I actually just found him another one in France so it's even grown since this photo was taken!
SHOP OUR LATEST COLLECTION!
If you feel inspired to source your own art, you'll want to check out our latest collection. A mixture of antique seascapes and portraits, along with a series of contemporary still-life paintings in vintage frames. The culinary still-life subjects (oysters, eggs, cherries, and, of course, lemons) are ideal for displaying in a kitchen or dining room.
FINDING THE ONE(S)
Your choice of art can completely transform your home, but there’s more to the selection process than the aesthetic qualities alone. When you stumble across an artwork you truly love, it makes you feel something; there’s a deeper connection that triggers emotions.
Art is completely subjective – what you love, your friends might hate. Take this Egon Schiele print and the carved Franciscan monk's head, complete with two large cracks. These might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they're two of my personal favorites and that's all that really matters. The question is, how do you know when it's The One?
Consider where it will be placed
My first tip would be to consider what you're looking for and where it will go in your home. Are you looking for something to hang above your bed or on the fireplace in a "finished" room? Or do you want to use art as a starting place? Do you want a statement piece or something more subtle? Are there any other works of art already in the room, and do you want this new piece to complement or contrast them? Do you have an existing collection that you would like to add to? What size is the space you want it to fill?
If I’m purchasing a piece for a focal wall (such as above the bed or mantel), I tend to go for something really special, as art placed in a prominent position has a greater impact on the overall room. Hallways and staircases, which are high-traffic zones of your home but not somewhere you spend a significant amount of time, are ideal for curating gallery walls with a mix of vintage finds, more affordable pieces, or even framed mementos such as menus from special occasions. My collections (the lemons and the grumpy old men) are currently in my kitchen and master suite, but they could work anywhere, such as an alcove in a reception room or adorning the walls of a powder room.
Remember to consider the architectural details of your home. Are you looking to buy a piece that fits in an awkward place, such as a narrow alcove? Wherever it's going, measure the space before you begin your search, and be extra mindful if it’s for a tricky area.
Think about how much negative space you ideally want around the art, and don't be scared to play with scale. One large piece can pack a real punch, while going for a single smaller piece (like the landscape above our guest bed) can be really impactful too. I also love a gallery wall, but I find them to be less about the individual pieces and more about the overall vibe you're trying to create.
Think about the overall feel of the room
Be mindful of color - if you're setting a tone for a new space, consider pulling from the palette of a piece you love. Conversely, if you're adding artwork to a finished space, try finding something with similar or complementary hues. Having said that, don't be afraid to mix things up; if a room feels a bit too perfect or pretty, adding a bold or contrasting piece might be just what it needs.
Art is a great way to set the mood and tone of a room. Dark, moody pieces are perfect for spaces where you want to feel cozy, while lighter pieces work well for fresh, bright rooms. Your choice of antique (over a hundred years old), vintage, or contemporary can also make a big difference to the overall ambiance.
Ultimately, it’s all about personal taste. What I love might be completely wrong for your own home (not everyone is obsessed with Diet Coke with a slice of lemon)! My biggest tip for choosing art is to go with your gut reaction; if you fall in love with a painting at first sight, that’s a good sign it’s the right choice.
The practicalities of buying art
Your art collection can become heirloom pieces, passed down through generations. I generally don't spend a lot of money on art; I mostly source vintage and antique, so the memories and sentimental value outweigh the artist and provenance.
However, if you are investing in a piece of artwork, consider how much direct sunlight that area is exposed to. If you’re buying for a wall that's drenched in direct light, consider purchasing a cheaper piece as it could be damaged over time.
Remember, art isn’t exclusively paintings that hang on walls. You can add interesting focal points by placing statues and sculptures on plinths, shelves, sideboards, and books. My home is filled with weird, quirky pieces that have caught my eye and continue to tickle me whenever I walk past them.
In short, if you love a piece of art and know you’ll enjoy looking at it every single day, you can’t really go wrong. And there’s nothing worse than the regret of leaving a piece behind!
