Smart Art (2/2)
Paintings, prints, photographs, and sculpture can transform a room. Designer Ernest de la Torre offers expert guidance.
- Sculpture is a great addition to any room. It adds height and a touch of the unexpected. Don’t be afraid to juxtapose two artworks from different periods, provided they have a common element. A 1st century Roman bust will look great with an Isamu Noguchi piece if they are both in white marble.
- Try using gallery-hanging rods. They allow you to rotate your collection effortlessly without ruining the walls.
- Choose frames carefully. The wrong one can overwhelm a piece of art or fail to set it off. Mix frames that differ both stylistically and in color; this gives your collection a sense of having been assembled over time. But stick to one frame style for a single series of works by one artist.
- Create a collage by grouping many small artworks together, linking them through visual forms, theme, or color. The pieces will play off one another to create a single graphic effect.
- Keep track of the artists you are interested in, and learn about their work. Look for works by emerging artists, and mix them in with better-established ones. A great collection evolves as you do.
Source:
(House Beautiful Magazine, June 2005 Issue)