Step five (cont.): Shopping for art

Step Five (cont.): Shopping for Art

There is so much joy to be found in choosing art for a room; I love to include a wide variety of styles and combine them in unexpected ways.

• Just because a piece of art isn't famous or recognisable doesn't mean that it's not wonderful and very much worth having on your walls. Buy things that you respond to and instantly fall in love with.
• Be prepared to move pieces around. You may buy an artwork with a specific room in mind, but when you come to place it in reality, you might find it looks better somewhere else in the house.
• Have fun hanging artwork in unusual places to create interest: low down on a wall, on the face of a bookcase, or high up above a doorway.
• If you're working for a client, keep them updated with what you are planning to purchase and the price you are planning to pay. They may be able to give you more wiggle room in the budget if they really love something, and they can also give feedback if they're not too keen on other items.
• Look out for old frames to hang your artwork in, or source pieces that are in their original frames – these always feel really special on a wall.

Further Reading

French Mats

Your Assignment

Research your local galleries and art auctioneers, as well as scouting out secondhand shops and antique stores to discover the best places near you to find great pieces of art.