A Happy Marriage: Art And Interiors

How to incorporate art into your home.

By Meredith Ellis

How to incorporate art into your home.

Art and interiors are extremely personal. They reflect our taste, the way we live and the way we see the world. Whatever period of art and style of interiors you gravitate toward, the goal is for one to complement the other. When installing a job, the one question I always get is, “Where should I hang this?” as a rule, with large pieces or very personal, important pieces, I like to design the entire room around the art. But if you are simply looking to finish a room or include a personal collection, it can often get a bit puzzling. Here are some tips for how to effectively and creatively incorporate art into a room to compose a cohesive space.

Points to Consider When Displaying Art

Scale. Sometimes, playing with scale can draw attention to the art. A large piece in a small room can make a big statement. Just as powerful, however, can be a small piece on its own in a large room. To make this work, you need to include the proper interiors.

For example, hanging something in an empty hallway or over a simple bench in a small room draws attention to the art. A small piece needs help from the interiors to keep it from floating in “Neverland.” Centering it over a long sofa or hanging it above a bed grounds it with the furniture, as seen in the photo on the bottom right.

Arrangement. Art doesn’t just have to be hung. It can be grouped, stacked or leaned just about anywhere: in hallways, bathrooms, on bookshelves, in front of fireplaces or over sinks. Think outside the box. Adding other pieces around the art can also make it more impressive. I like to use plates, European mounts, coral, brackets with vases. The ideas are limitless. This really ties the art and the room together.

Group like-minded pieces together for more impact.

Groups of pictures, whether in a collage or spread throughout a room, can be interesting and effective. Assemble pieces with a similar subject matter or complementary frames.

Style/Aesthetic. Sometimes a piece of art can be so powerful, you might want to place it in a monochromatic setting to make it the sole focus. But if you don’t want that single focal point and desire the room to flow, you can use color, texture or a variety of materials to complement its beauty and accentuate the elements you love. Art should enhance the surroundings as much as the surroundings should respect the art. There is no right or wrong when it comes to the type of art you prefer or how you choose to display it. It really is subjective. If you love it, go with it; it’s perfect for you. There is always a place for something special. Whatever you do, just do it with confidence.

Rooms don’t always have to be just white to make a painting stand out. In this client’s dining room, the painting was actually found after the room was finished. It helps to enhance the bold colors, and really makes it feel finished.

Art City Austin selected some of the best artists from throughout the country and the world to exhibit and sell their work during this weekend. Some of the ones I will be checking out include:

Katie Musolff. Musolff is a full-time painter living on the banks of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin. Her watercolor paintings capture her adventures along the river. She says painting only from life allows her to honestly record her findings.

Lisa Kattenbraker. Her works have a narrative slant and many consider them wall-hanging stories. They are batiks on cotton fabric and are framed under UV- protected glass.

Jay Long. He creates beautiful work in oil paintings and mixed media. When not working in the garden with his wife, Nicole, searching through junk stores, speculating on quantum mechanics, trying to play guitar like a gypsy or voicing the political opinions of a disillusioned malcontent, Long can be found diligently working at his home studio in Austin.

Dolan Geiman. Geiman is a mixed- media artist specializing in the reuse of found materials. His artwork is known as contemporary art with a southern accent. I’m particularly fond of his faux taxidermy and acrylics.

Looking to Supplement Your Art Collection or Start One?

Check out the 65th annual Art City Austin event.

April 25, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., April 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Downtown Austin, Cesar Chavez street between Guadalupe street and Lamar Boulevard

Tickets: $10 each day.Children 12 and younger and Art Alliance members receive free admission.

For more information and advance ticket sales, visit artallianceaustin.org.

Meredith Ellis is an Austin-based interior designer who prides herself on creating beautiful, classic yet incredibly liveable interiors that reflect clients’ personality and spirit.

Photos by Meredith Ellis.