It’s a pleasure to be a guest blogger today on Belle Maison. Thank you so much Julie for inviting me to share my love of design with your wonderful readers while you’re on maternity leave. Hi everyone, my name is Typhanie Peterson and you can usually find me over at
Shoebox Décor where I discuss small spaces, DIY, art, interior design and a number of other things.
Today I would like to talk about how to make inexpensive artwork look grand in your home. I know many people can’t afford to spend $10,000 on a piece of art by the next up and coming artist, so I like to take affordable pieces and make them look rich. I even like to dabble with art myself. Granted even though it has taken me several years to learn how to draw a stick figure I still treasure my love hate relationship with the arts. With that being said, I might not be the next Von Gogh but I do know a thing or two {maybe three} about having affordable artwork that works for your home.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when curating and installing artwork in your home. The pieces you pick don’t have to be expensive, just well thought out. To help us visualize using affordable pieces I’ve created some prints we can use to mentally replace the expensive ones we see in the images below. This will help show how the tips help no matter the price of the art. The three prints I have designed for the examples are free* for download and can be
found here. They are all 18inx24in and look fabulous inside the Ikea 20 ½ "x28 ¼ "
RIBBA frame. Hope you all enjoy them.
1. Color Me Happy I think one of the most important things to think about when choosing art is color. What colors are in the artwork? Is this going to work with my existing color scheme, or am I going to create a color scheme around the artwork? I love how Ana Cordeiro creates a vibrant chic space with artwork to match. The yellows and pinks found in the piece above the sofa can be seen all around the room. This cohesive scheme allows the eye to move freely around the room while still emphasizing the art. Because the colors work so well together this nice simple print has become a beautiful focal point in the room.
{image via
Ana Cordeiro}
2. What’s Your Position?
Now that you have your artwork that blends seamlessly with your color scheme, it’s time to think about where to put it. This is where scale and proportion starts to guide you. For instance, if your favorite piece is too small to anchor your focal wall why not create a collage. The image above shows great positioning of a treasured piece. I love how the designer creates a makeshift triangle for the eye by using the pink flowers to the left and the pink pillow to the right; this forces the eye upward to the crowning piece on the wall. I also love how it’s the only unframed piece in the collage to draw more attention to it. {image via
Caitlin Wilson}
{I do believe the piece in this room is handmade}
3. Frame It
Speaking of frames, having the right frame around your artwork might be the last piece to the puzzle. If the frame or matting doesn’t match the concept of your piece or space, then everything you’re trying to convey might come off wrong. For example the image above shows how the glossy white opulent frame works perfectly with the stoic aura of Lincoln and the modish entryway. A simple white RIBBA frame can work just the same but taking it up a notch with a heavy stately frame really anchors the room and makes the artwork pop. The artwork I’ve created of Lincoln isn’t as intricate as the one in the room but it would still look right at home in that space because of the rich frame. {image via
DC Design House}
There you have it. My three tips for making affordable artwork work in your home. Just remember, it’s not the price that matters but what you do with it that counts…Happy Decorating Everyone!
~Typhanie
*Free for personal use. Commercial use not allowed. ©Typhanie Peterson Design 2012
