What someone wants to hang in their home is quite personal. And I think says a lot about the people who live there. David’s least favorite genre is “whimsical animal art” (an example here). My least favorite kind is (prepare for an unpopular opinion) word art or signage. Think kitchen sign that says “EAT.” I know, I’m sorry. Present day pretty much everyone has some of this in their house and to that I say more power to you, but this is me. Words in art is just a more modern decor concept and I generally like traditional.
My plan for the arrangement of art in our living room will be a single row of medium sized paintings – mostly realism, perhaps a few abstract. It will feel a little museum-y which I like for the library vibes and because it is my favorite way to elevate a room’s maturity level while keeping it child friendly.
By that I mean, put the fancy looking stuff high up (sophisticated art and splurging on the light fixture). A room is not more kid welcoming because there is a family photograph in a frame instead of an eighteenth century oil painting. (But like I said, you might just prefer a picture of your family!!)
Buying anything (when you are like me) requires a lot of research and consideration. (Because I am opinionated.) Art is like this, maybe even more so than typical fabric and color type choices. One question I have found that helps when choosing pieces for your home is (although NOT the only question to ask when considering if art is beautiful), do I like the emotion this piece evokes? Every piece of art makes you feel a certain way, just like smells or songs can take you to a very specific place or mood. This piece makes me feel small, safe, calm. This one makes me feel somber, but in a way I like. This makes me feel youthful and happy, so it is going in my daughter’s room.
And then for married folks, I think it is fun viewing and discussing art together. David is a big art lover which is nice for this. He says if he had majored in something just for the joy of it in college it would have been art history. If your husband has no preference, well, that is awesome for shopping too! BUT, I think if you study him you can find things that would still please him and make him feel comfortable in his home as a place of rest. It might take creativity and astuteness. (Many husbands I think would be up for giving a simple pass, fail rating to art choices you show him.)
The portrait above is Charles Spurgeon. The composition is bossy and I like his nickname, “The Prince of Preachers,” so now he lives in our living room.
I cannot wait to finish our gallery in here! I just got this painting for my birthday!
