artsy forager

Category: Interiors

  • Insert [ the Artsy ]: Art For Every Pocketbook

    Insert [ the Artsy ]: Art For Every Pocketbook

    I am a firm believer in buying art at whatever level you can afford and I’m not talking about the framed art aisle at Target.  While there are certain levels of art collecting which some of us may never reach ( I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I’ll never own an original Georgia O’Keeffe, just keepin’ it real ), there is fabulous art available for every budget!  Just because your budget is limited, that’s no excuse for blank walls!  For this installment of [ Insert Art Here ], we’ll take a look at 3 art options for the same space– all fab, each fitting a particular budget level.  Here we go!

    Let’s begin with our blank( ish ) canvas–

    From www.nestdallasdesign.com, home of Bradley Agather, designed by Beth Dotolo, photo by Kevin Dotolo ( artwork removed, to see the original design, click on this photo )

    For the Beginning Collector:

    Artwork by Ann Tarantino via 20×200

    Prints are the easiest and most budget friendly way to begin an art collection and these days there is no shortage of sources for quality limited editions.  These Ann Tarantino prints ( Far and Wide [ left ] and Flying Colors [ right ] ) are archival pigment prints, $200 each ( not including framing ) and are available through 20×200.  Pretty sweet, right?

    For the Mid-Range Artsy:

    Artwork by Michelle Armas

    So you’re ready to put your money where your mouth is and begin a serious art collection?  Original work by emerging artists is a great place to start.  Atlanta artist Michelle Armas has become something of an art & design blog darling and with that comes a certain ( well deserved! ) notoriety which makes her work highly collectible.  Her abstract paintings are riotous and painterly, filled with joyous color.  The piece above, Eggplant is an acrylic work on canvas, 30×40 inches.  It is available through Gregg Irby Fine Art at $1000.  An awesome price for a piece of that size and quality!  Forego your daily $4 chai-mocha-frappawhatever from Starbucks and you will be able to purchase a piece like this, too.  It’s all about priorities, ya’ll. 🙂

    For the Serious Artophile:

    Artwork by Christina Foard

    Christina Foard is a painter’s painter.  She paints intuitively and revels in the materials, not afraid to get her hands dirty.  There is an emotionality to her work that, along with its glorious physical texture, provides a depth that you don’t always find in abstract compositions.  The piece above, Floating Invasion ( acrylic on canvas, 40×30 ) provides this space with a certain amount of gravitas, while still giving just the right amount of color and movement.  But Foard’s works are pieces you buy because you can’t stop thinking about them.. you have to have them.. If they happen to match your throw pillows, well, that’s just a bonus.  ( FYI– Floating Invasion is no longer available, but Foard pieces in a similar size are usually in the $3000 range )

    My final word.. as Dan Fear said “Buy art because you like it and because it moves you, and because it enhances your life.”  This has been a little exercise that I hope will inspire you to purchase a piece of art that you love this year.   Now that’s a new years’ resolution I can get behind!

  • Artsy Dwelling: Decking Halls and Such

    Artsy Dwelling: Decking Halls and Such

    I LOVE this time of year.  It’s a few weeks out of our lives that we take the time to beautify our surroundings, making sure everything sparkles with a holiday glow.  We all become artists, creating vignettes of tinsel and holly,  making our homes magical for our loved ones, our children, ourselves.  A wonderful trend that I’m seeing is holiday decorating that is inspired by what we love to surround ourselves with every day. ( Oh, there’s still room for those homemade childhood ornaments! )

    I thought it would be fun to pair some beautifully decorated Christmas trees with a work of art.  I’m no stranger to art-inspired tree decorating, take a look at these trees I decorated for the gallery where I was working a few years ago.  Just goes to show, any piece of art can inspire your holiday decor.  So let’s deck our Artsy halls!

    the art:

    Frozen Blueberries by Christina Baker, acrylic on canvas, 30×30

    the tree:

    via SimplifiedBee.blogspot.com via StylebyEmilyHenderson.com

    the art:

    Sentinel by Steven DaLuz, oil and mixed media on panel, 36×36

    the tree:

    via House and Home

    the art:

    Growth by Haley Farthing, pastel and ink on wood, 48×24

    the tree:

    via Pinterest via Purlbee.com

    Hope you’re inspired to think about your art collection when decorating for the holidays.  If it’s too late for this year, there’s always 2012.. it will be here before we know it!

    Featured image is via SimplifiedBee.  All art images are via the artists’ websites.

  • Artsy Dwelling: Walls O’ Art

    Artsy Dwelling: Walls O’ Art

    So you have amassed a little art collection for yourself, huh?  Well done, you!  But maybe you’re stuck on how to display your finds..  Creating “art walls” in your space will allow you to stylishly show off your favorites.

    via Pinterest via Raines Design via olofjakobina.blogspot.com

    One of my favorite things about art walls also known as hanging art “salon style” is how flexible the arrangement is.  It’s a gathering of artwork you love, so there are no set rules.  As in the graphic arrangement above, you can group artwork with like elements.  Above, the simple, black graphics are the unifying factor.

    Or, use frames in all the same color to unify your favorites.  All white or black frames ( or gold, silver, wood, whatever! ) will create an instantly well-designed, intentional feel to your collection.

    via From The Right Bank
    via Pinterest via herwhitesunrise.blogspot.com

    For a more traditional or sleek look, you can go stream-lined and symmetrical.  Hang works from the same series in a grid format for a clean, contemporary arrangement.

    via Timothy Whealon Interiors

    Or, just go loosey-goosey and have fun!  Start with the largest piece, either in actual size or visual weight and work out from there.  Lay your artwork on the floor and play with the configuration until it feels right.

    via Pinterest via blog.apieceapart.com

    Fill the wall as much..

    via Pinterest

    .. or as little as you like!

    via Pinterest via Blissfulblog.com via House Beautiful

    The actual hanging process may seem daunting, but this foolproof method will help you along.  If you need a little assistance coming up with a design, check out these templates for a some inspiration!

    Happy hanging!

    Featured image via The Glitter Guide.

  • Artsy Dwelling: Gather ‘Round the Table

    Artsy Dwelling: Gather ‘Round the Table

    There will be lots of gathering of friends and family around our dining tables this Thursday.  Grandma’s china comes out of storage, the crystal sparkles and the silver shines.  For some dining rooms, this is the most action they see all year!  We eat in the kitchen, over the sink or on the couch in front of the tv.  But this gathering place is not a room to neglect!  It’s a place, to quote Simon dePury, “Be bold, be amazing!” ( Are you watching Work of Art?! )

    The dining room, even if not a formal, separate space is the spot to make a big statement.  So in this edition of Artsy Dwelling, I’ve gathered up some images of inspiring spots, a feast for the eyes!

    Want to have fun dinner parties?  Make sure the art in the room reflects your cheeky style!

    Via Sketch42blog.com
    Via Apartment Therapy
    Via Belclairehouse.blogspot.com via Coastal Living

    Or maybe you want to throw ultra-cool and hiply intellectual soirees?  Add some graphic punch with your artwork.

    Via 2.bp.blogspot.com
    Via Apartment Therapy

    Or maybe you like to keep things fresh and elegant?  Let oversized artwork shine, so if guests need a break from conversation, give them oversized artwork to get lost in.

    Via Traditional Home
    Via Timothy Whelan

    Want to be really bold?  Paint the walls a deep, rich color and let simple, graphic artwork be the star of the show!

    Via Elements of Style blog via Elle Decor
    Via Rue Magazine
    Via Lonny Magazine blog

    Wouldn’t even a frozen pizza seem like a gourmet meal in an artsy environment?  Pass the parmesean!

  • Artsy Dwelling: Show-ing Off

    Artsy Dwelling: Show-ing Off

    As promised, here’s our 2nd Christina Baker feature of the day.  The fabulous Mrs. Baker has four (!) pieces of artwork featured in the Nashville Southern Living Showcase Home.  So I thought it would be fun to give you a peek at her work in this beautifully designed space.

    Commissioned work for master bedroom, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, acrylic on canvas, 48×48
    Master bedroom, Lazy Day, acrylic on canvas, 30×40
    Master Bedroom Inspiration Board, Southern Living Showcase Home
  • New Feature! Artsy Dwelling

    New Feature! Artsy Dwelling

    I am constantly inspired by how people live with art in their own homes.  I love the way folks are thinking outside the box in terms of the art they collect, where and how they display it.  I’m hoping these short little visual features, Artsy Dwelling, will help inspire you!

    We spend so much time in the kitchen these days– let’s face it, this room is the hub of any home.  It is where people inevitably gather during any party!  So why not display some of your favorite art in the spot where you spend so much time?  The only guideline?  Keep valuable original art away from cooking & prep areas to prevent damage.  Otherwise, feel free to think outside the icebox!

    How about you, Artsies?  Do you have art in your kitchen?  Or have images of how you live with art in your home that you’d like to share?  We would love to see!  Feel free to email digital images to artsyforager@att.net and we might just feature your home on the blog!

    Image sources can be found by clicking on the image.

  • Gallerist at Home: Heather Taylor

    From the New American Paintings blog, the fantastic home of LA gallery owner and blogger Heather Taylor. Simple, humble furnishings mixed with amazing artwork give her home personal, inviting style.

    via Gallerist at Home: Heather Taylor.

  • Art Inspired Design: Modern Reflections

    Art Inspired Design: Modern Reflections

    I love art.  I love design.  Why not put the two together on the blog?  There was a time in my life when I thought my career path lay ( Thank you, Suzanne Decuir for the grammatical help ) in Interior Design.  I took courses, devoured design and shelter magazines.   As often happens in life,  circumstances got in the way and the path detoured.  But that’s a story for another time.  Let’s focus on the fun stuff today!

    One of my absolute favorite things while designing ( OK, it was THE absolute favorite thing ), was creating moodboards.  To begin with an inspiration and build a room or facility around it was thrilling to my color, texture and pattern lovin’ soul.  And for me, it always began with the artwork.  While doing project management/art consulting, I worked with a lot of designers and many ( but by no means all! ) viewed the artwork for a design as an after-thought.  Like adding sprinkles to a cake.  Still a cake without the sprinkles, but oh, if we add them, won’t that be pretty!  But if we don’t have sprinkles, it’s OK.  It’s still a nice cake.  Instead, I think of the artwork as the frosting– not just smoothed across the top, but spread between the layers and all over.  It is what holds the cake together and gives it the extra texture and sweetness that keeps us going back for more.

    ( Wow, anyone else craving cake now? )

    So you’ve purchased this beautiful painting by Christina Foard.  You love it, it speaks to your heart and reflects your style and everything you love about life.  But maybe you live at the beach and are unsure how to design a room around it.  Aren’t all beach houses supposed to be full of palm trees & seashells?

    Seaside Reflections by Christina Foard, oil on canvas, 60×48

    This piece to speak more to the feeling of being on the beach just after a storm, while the skies are still a bit gray but the sun is beginning to peek through, warming up the sand to both the eye and the touch.  So let’s take our cue from that and begin with soft, grayish tones, layering on the warmth of the sun in our accent chair, rug and window coverings.  An important component in Christina’s work is texture, so we’ll make sure there are plenty of interesting surfaces to draw our eyes in, just as Christina’s painterly build up does in her work.

    Modern Reflections, a beachside home for a contemporary art lover

    Have you ever designed a room around a piece of artwork?  Or bought a piece of artwork not knowing where exactly to hang it in your home but you couldn’t live without it?  Have a beloved piece of art sitting in a closet somewhere because you don’t think it “goes” or can’t figure out how to incorporate it with your current furnishings?  Um, yeah, me too. 🙂

    Sources:  Painting:  Seaside Reflections by Christina Foard; Paint color ( board background color ): Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball; Sofa: Charlotte Collection by Mitchell Gold Bob Williams; Chair & Ottoman:  Rhys Chair & Ottoman by Anthropologie; Rug:  Festival by Anthropologie; Coffee table:  Monarch Coffee Table by Anthropologie; Lamp:  Malaya Large Coral & Zinc Lamp by Arteriors Home; Round side table: Riveria Side Table by Ralph Lauren Home; Mirror:  Venus Mirror by Anthropologie; Square side table: Duotone Side Door Table by The Painted Cow Furniture Co. on Etsy; Window covering:  Coqo Floral Curtain by Anthropologie;  Bowls:  Tatara Zukuri Bowls by Ashes & Milk      

  • Hang ‘Em High..Not TOO High

    Hang ‘Em High..Not TOO High

    CONFESSION TIME:  One of my biggest pet peeves is artwork hung incorrectly.  And by this I mean too high, too low, staggered when there is no reason for staggering ( i.e., up a staircase wall ), etc.   While there are no set rules when it comes to hanging artwork, there are guidelines.  Knowledge is power, ya’ll, and you’ll thank me for it when my eyes aren’t twitching uncontrollably when I come over and see how your artwork is hung.  I’m too polite to say anything, though.. I am a Southern girl, after all.

    Guideline #1:  Normal height for  hanging artwork is to center it at eye level. 

    But whose eye level?  You may be 4’11” but your husband is 6’4″– how do you decide?  Law of averages, my friends.   I’m 5’5″ ( ok, 5’4 1/2″ ), so my eye level is actually spot on.  The safest height at which to hang artwork is 60″ from the center of the artwork to the floor.

    I couldn’t resist adding in this image from Traditional Home ( via House of Turquoise ).  Recognize the work of our very own Pick of the Crop artist, Christina Baker?!  Girl’s got skilz.

    Guideline #2:  Use picture hooks and D-rings for hanging whenever possible

    picture-hooks-ready-for-d-ring-hangers

    Plain ol’ nails might be super cheap, but picture hooks are the best way to go to get your artwork to hang levelly and securely.  The weight of a piece of artwork will drag down a nail, but the picture hooks are designed to set the nail at an angle so that the laws of physics hold the picture up, instead of putting all the weight on the nail.  There are different size hooks available according to the weight of what you’re hanging, so if you’re in doubt about the weight, go with the heaviest weight hook so you’ll be sure your artwork won’t fall on someone’s head.. or toes.

    D-ring hanger

    D-rings are God-sends for hanging artwork and should be used instead of wire, if possible.   Simply install two d-rings at the same horizontal level on the back of the picture frame.  It’s true, you’ll need to put two holes in the wall instead of one, but your artwork will be more secure and won’t have that annoying habit of going crooked anytime it get’s bumped a little or someone closes a door a bit too hard.

    Guideline #3:  When hanging multiple pieces together, be aware of the space between them and how they relate to each other

    If you’re hanging a pair or series of artwork above a piece of furniture, measure and treat the pieces as if you were hanging one solid piece– taking into account a bit of space between them and center the overall size horizontally above the furniture and center each piece vertically at 60″.

    Guideline #4:  Some rules were made to be broken

    Not Guideline #2, the picture hook thing is always important, not just for aesthetics, but for safety.  The other two, however, might be flexible depending on the situation.

    • Broken rule #1– It is OK to hang artwork lower ( or higher, I guess, though this is less common ) than eye level if it helps the work relate to its surroundings

    • Broken rule #2– Sometimes extending a grouping of work outside of the borders of a piece of furniture or other furnishing helps the artwork to make more sense within the room, as in the case of the room below.  In this instance, more is more, yes?

    • Broken rule #3– The rules are, there are no rules.. Sometimes the positioning of artwork doesn’t really need to relate to the surroundings at all.. randomness & asymmetry can be beautiful!  If done well, of course.

    If you ever find yourself unsure of how to hang your latest acquisition, I hope these guidelines are helpful.  If you’re really stuck, drop me a line– I’m happy to help!  Happy hanging!