photo by Marcus Peel
Set the mood
The fabulous photograph of the founder of this London shoe manufacturer draws passers-by in to the boutique. It speaks a thousand words about the brand Joseph Cheaney & Sons, starting with heritage, pedigree, style, quality, longevity and reliability. Thomas Heatherwick made this stunning interior all about these things. Making you feel like this about the brand makes you want to own the shoes. It all started with the art, an original family photo. What do you want your environment to reflect?
Invest
If you invest in artwork which speaks to you, you won’t care if the artist’s work increases in $ value. If your views change, or if showing the work no longer portrays the image you want the world to see, you can either keep it as a reminder of who you were or sell it and buy something which suits who you are or are becoming. The pieces I have found for clients have all increased in monetary value; some have sold, but most are still treasured by their original owners. Check out Art + Obect's upcoming auction in April 2019.
Climbing Man (x 2) by Nelson artist Bruce Derrett
You are Unique
Cookie cutter and ‘on trend’ décor items are pure fashion. They simply reflect the mood of the month and are usually driven by marketing teams. By thoughtfully choosing an art piece as a starting point for designing, you are distilling a little of your energy, which of course is unique. And now you are beginning to tell your story, making your space rich with meaning. These guys live in my office. Interpret at will!
Colour cues
All the serious artists I know would be offended if asked to paint a picture to match a sofa, or any piece of furniture or fabric for that matter, but it’s a great idea to take colour inspiration from a painting you love. Basic colour theory tells us that the certain schemes will work eg Monochrome which is different shades and tints of the same hue. A Tertiary scheme such as purple, orange and green looks good too, but requires a more sophisticated handling. This painting with primarily pale mauves and lilacs looks amazing with colours in a tertiary scheme – purple, orange (the wood) and green. Check out 'Wingate home' on my website to see how this worked in to the whole interior.
Art is Good for your Soul
It could be anything; a beautiful teacup, a huge bright painting, a photograph, curtains in an exquisite fabric… Whatever it is, make a conscious choice to display something which resonates with you on a personal level. By deliberately elevating these items, we are validating this aspect of our lives and nurturing our souls.
