One thing that inspires every interior I design is art, especially modern art. I am known for curating collections for my clients, helping them find the perfect piece for each room. And I love it when my clients already have an incredible collection to work with. Here are 4 ways to curate - and be inspired by - art in your home.

1. Pop of Color

In a mostly-neutral room, the right art can provide a bit of color to liven things up. In the family room I designed above, I used this painting to bring in some soft color. It works so well on the sand-colored brick, and it complements the soft grays and taupes in the room.

2. Palette Inspiration

For truly fabulous pieces, I love to use them to inspire the palette of the entire room. Actually, a special painting can be the spark for a color story through the entire home. If you love a piece of art, the colors are usually a part of the reason that you’re drawn to it, so it makes sense to base a room’s palette off of that. In the dining room above (and at the top of the blog), this soft green had me searching out the perfect fabric for the chairs. The colors in the rug and in the back of a china cabinet are also directly tied to this art. And here’s a secret: It’s actually a framed piece of wallpaper that my client fell in love with! Art is special if it speaks to you - it doesn’t matter how you find it.

3. Focal Point

Every successful room design needs a focal point - a place that will draw your eye as you enter the space. Because art is usually hung near eye level, it creates a great focal point. It’s the jumping off place for the room, and in one quick view your guests will understand the color story, your personality, the room’s design, and what you love.

4. An Art Gallery

There’s an obvious reason for how a gallery wall got its name. Showcasing several pieces of art in an eye-catching way is a great way to fill a wall, and to hang several smaller things together. In the boy’s room I designed above, I used the same color of frame to tie together a print and photograph. And notice how I also included a more sculptural piece along with a mirror - as long as there is a color or theme that complements each other, you can mix things up. In the gallery wall below, the series of 4 looks great hung more tightly together than the items above. It almost creates the look of one large print.

I could actually talk about art all day! In fact, my studio also has an art gallery sharing the space with my team. If you need help curating your art collection and tying it into your home’s decor, give me a call.

All the best,

Kara