Selecting and Hanging artwork

In todays post I wanted to look at the different and beautiful ways that designers display art in the homes they decorate.  Not only what they put up, but also how.  There are not any hard fast rules today about how to hang or display art.  It seems that every discussion I have had with anyone regarding hanging or displaying art in  home, always starts with "well it depends".  On many things.  For one, how amazing is the art?  I love this dining by Carolyne Roehm, in her country home in Connecticut.  The large dog painting, and 18th century portrait of "Billy, Holt Castle's Faithful Watch",  should be the center of attention.  The style matches, and compliments the interiors.

Color is another important factor.  Depending on how important or prominent the work is, the interiors should match the art.  Here, in another gorgeous Carolyn Roehm house, (from her book "A Passion for Blue and White) the interior color and texture choices were made to compliment the Jean-Baptiste Pillement painting, which was the inspiration for the entire room.

One of my favorite designers, Charlotte Moss, often hangs "collections" of art, in this case illustrations of homes, with the same color frame.  I love the fact that the pillow pick up the colors from the pictures.


                                                 


But there can be a certain amount of seemingly "randomness" to displaying a collection, but I still think there needs to be some common elements, to make it work well.  In choosing the art, obviously it must be something loved, because we will typically look at it for a while.  Style of the home is not super important, if you love the art.

In fact I love the intentional juxtaposition of art work, that is very different than the style of the house, or the other art work.  Sometimes the reason it works is because it is so different.  In the case below, while the art home is very traditional, the art is very contemporary, yet the colors work together.  Beautifully.  (Photo from the the book "Decorating Master Class, the Cullman & Kravis way").

This room is largely oriental in design, yet the contemporary large ocean picture works so well.  The tan and blues in the room really set off the intense blues and greys of the painting.


                                          


                                                       

Love the two different styles of art, they work with the color and texture of the sofa and pillows.  One of my favorites.


                                                       



Another great antonym-type room with art, and I really like how this painting completely fills the space between the columns.


                                                      



                                                           

Of course, Chinoiserie needs no defining or justifying, it's just usually perfect.  The colors all work so beautifully, the soft blues greens and tans.

Next post I will explore the inexpensive ways to hang dramatic and fun artwork from unusual sources!