• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • DINING-6-AFTER-0P9A4023Before & After: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Clermont QLD)
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-26 at 6.58.44 pmAmazing $2k balcony transformation using Kmart stone tiles
    • AFTERLush, resort-style backyard reno provides holiday at home
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • MargueriteNew Sage x Clare range + creative director’s top picks!
    • Screen Shot 2023-03-08 at 9.49.47 amKmart partners with Wiradjuri artist Judith Young on home range
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Project-Harcourt-030Interior designer’s farmhouse inspired by the coast of Portugal
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Sashi X Cobram Shoot – 15th November_GRIFFIN SIMM_Finals 36Foodie Friday: Sashi Cheliah’s chickpea curry in a hurry
    • 211025_Rosedale_12Stylist Steve Cordony’s stunning Rosedale Farm is on Airbnb!
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

The beginner’s guide to finding, choosing & displaying art

By Guest Poster •

FacebookPinEmailTweet

By Amy Timbrell

Artwork is by far one of the easiest and most affordable ways to inject new life into your home and add final touches to your living space.

stamp-rug-in-house_1 (1)

However, whilst most people would love to create an at-home gallery, sadly it is often difficult to find unique and beautiful, quality pieces with the right price tag and people can feel genuinely overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. Cue bright white, blank and boring walls.

It is a question I am often asked by my customers, so here are some of my top tips for choosing, buying and displaying art in your home.

  1. Don’t worry too much about creating your own personal mini-gallery at home. It really is something you should have fun with, afterall it is one of the easiest ways to express yourself and your tastes and style at home, not to mention one of the best ways to inject colour, intrigue and interest into your space. Try to think of purchasing art as a 3-step process: choosing, finding and displaying. When it comes to art there is no right or wrong. You should just go with your gut and to put it simply, just buy what you like and what makes you feel good.

pinkgin

  1. Before you set off on your journey, have a think about your home (or office for that matter). Take a walk through your property and take note of where your eyes fall when you enter the home, walk along the hallway, up the stairs or into a room. These are the key areas where you should be displaying and featuring art.

  2. Once you have decided where you would like to feature art, next up is the fun part: hunting it down. If you haven’t looked at much art before and don’t necessarily have a strong feel for what you like, then the best piece of advice I can give is simple. Start by looking at and taking in as much art as you possibly can. The internet is a great place to seek out art from around the world. Look for signed and numbered limited edition graphic prints and illustrations as well as sculpture and plate art and originals from emerging artists. Seek inspiration from local galleries. They will give you a great feel not only for different styles of art, but also how art can work together, how it can be framed and also how different styles of professional hanging can really fit and complement your space. You could also take a look at art books and how people have chosen and displayed various types of art in the homes featured in interior magazines and blogs.

flamingo_01 (1)

  1. Choose pieces that are right for the space. Think about colour, scale and subject. Are you trying to create a certain mood? If so, the subject can help emphasise your decorating ideas. A nook can be great for smaller intimate pieces whereas a prominent space can be used to fully extol your unique style and personality.

  2. When it comes to size and scale, don’t be afraid to group things together. Of course large pieces look great in large spaces – afterall, they need plenty of room surrounding them so you can really view them in their entirety – however if you find small pieces of art that you love, don’t fear them. Smaller pieces of work look absolutely fantastic grouped together and hung in a salon style.

  3. Consider commissioning an original. If you find an artist whose style you absolutely love, but you would just like something slightly different, then approach the artist, or the gallery/online gallery and ask the question — would the artist be open to a commission? Many are and you may be surprised with just how accessible the price can be. This way you can get the exact piece you want and it will also last you a lifetime.

plates-home copy

  1. When choosing art, get creative and think outside the box. Artwork doesn’t have to have been created as art to be displayed as art and evoke those same feel good emotions. Pull together what you like and think of innovative ways and places to display it – quirky, eclectic displays of antique, vintage and modern plate art, fabric sculptures placed into bell domes, fantastically designed cards popped into frames, framed album covers, vintage signage, photography and wallpaper displays that pick up on print trends and colour. Just don’t be afraid to mix it up, the more eclectic the better. It will spark intrigue and it is intrigue that makes a room sing.

  2. Don’t feel that you need to go out and cover every wall and space at once. Seek out one or two pieces of affordable art that you absolutely love and be prepared to invest just that little bit more. Add to your collection as you go, the feelings these perfect pieces evoke will make the extra dollars worth it in the end.

    ursula-hitz-city-type-maps-london-type-map-new-york-type-map

  3. Art should be accessible to all. Many people worry about what to buy to the point of inertia. Rather than speculating on buying art and what may be a good long term investment, sometimes it is good to not get too caught up in the detail and simply buy what speaks to you; what strikes a chord and invokes an emotion. Fill your home with what makes you feel good.

    pineapple-giclee-art-print-by-morgan-connoley

  4. An eclectic mix of art can be combined to great effect and should be encouraged, afterall it is a reflection of you, your personality and your home. Don’t get hung up on interior design and whether the piece will match with your existing decor — your linen, rug or feature chair. If you truly love a piece, you will find a place for it. Likewise, don’t feel that you need to stick to one style or form, pull together the pieces you like whether that is contemporary art, typographic prints, paintings, photography or sculpture.

    alice-in-wonderland-plates-by-eleanor-stuart_1

  5. Finally, if you’ve got a piece home only to find it doesn’t look quite right in the space you had planned for it, don’t panic! It’s okay to move pieces around and can actually be quite refreshing. Try hanging or displaying the art in another space or another room, lighting tends to vary from room to room, especially in Australia, and you will find this will make each piece look different.

Amy Timbrell is the founder and director of the global design collective and online boutique, Everything Begins, bringing together one of the most exciting collections of work from some of the world’s most interesting and exciting talent. Everything pictured here is available from the online store.

Jen is currently on honeymoon in Tokyo, Venice and the UK, and has opened up the blog to a series of fabulous guest posters to share their interiors-related expertise in her absence. She hopes you’ll enjoy them and look out for the odd honeymoon post from overseas! The new Mrs Francis (who will still be known as Bishop for work purposes) will be back at her desk on 11 November.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

October 15, 2013

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Before & After: This week’s Selling Houses recap (Clermont QLD)
  • Breathtaking new Hamptons style home in Melbourne’s south east
  • Before & after: Classic, contemporary Adelaide bathroom reno
  • A sofa shelf is just one of the accessories within the range Sofa startup’s modulars win design award and rave reviews

Follow us on Instagram

Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed 🥰
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before 😂

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: It’s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!”

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaide’s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the home’s original, period features. 

Designed by the home’s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

#londonapartment #bloomsbury
#bloomsburylondon #luxuryapartment #westendlondon #lilackitchen #colourfulkitchen #londonhome #londonhomes #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #kitchenshelf #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelfie #openshelves #openshelvingkitchen
I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea from @iltutto the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Guest Poster

If you have high quality, original, relevant content to share, we might be interested in publishing your guest post on Interiors Addict. Please email [email protected] with your submissions.

More from Art

A hotel suite named after you? Neale Whitaker can now claim this!

New homewares brand Gigi&Tom like jewellery for the home + win!

Elle Pervez

Australian desert inspires new contemporary landscape artist

Stunning quilt covers from artist Grotti Lotti and Linen House

Joan Blond

New Aussie original art collection inspired by our endless summer

Artist profile: Sara Adams makes the world a better place

Bohemian spirit infused in art-filled St Kilda apartment reno

Perth artist’s stunning work held in collections across the world

Mrs Tablescape’s new art-inspired store is bringing joy to Sydney

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarAmy Timbrell - Everything Begins says

    October 16, 2013 at 7:13 am

    Thanks for having me Jen! Hope you are enjoying your honeymoon :0). The wedding looked gorgeous from the photos as did you! Huge congratulations again! x

  2. AvatarJoanne Ludlow says

    October 16, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Wow! This article takes me back to London a couple of years ago when I first went to one of the Open Days at Cockpit Arts. I love Abigail Brown’s flamingos. I hope one day to buy one! Thanks Everything Begins for reminding me of all the great designers out there.

  3. AvatarAmy Timbrell says

    October 18, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Cockpit Arts is amazing isn’t it Joanne! We are such massive fans of Abigail’s work, it is so beautiful. We will shortly be introducing some amazing new paper mache sculptures from Abbie in-store also. As equally amazing! Glad you liked the post! If you are interested we did a beautiful email feature on Abigail’s work just yesterday. If you sign up to our email newsletter I can send it on to you! You can sign up here > http://www.everythingbegins.com/newsletter-signup/ Amy x

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!