One Painting, Five Different Styles: How to make any art work in your space
Tulip Pattern 24x24
Do you ever think about the one that got away? Do you wonder what your life would be like if you had said yes? Did you say no because you thought your worlds might not mesh well together longterm?
No, I’m not talking about a man. I’m talking about art- you know the piece. The painting or drawing or sculpture you saw and instantly fell in love with. Maybe it was the subject or colors you connected with. Maybe it was the story behind the art. Maybe it was just the way it made you feel. For whatever the reason it was that head over heels, love at first sight kind of love. But you hesitated and didn’t buy it.
If this has happened to you, you are not alone. Clients and friends often tell me that they had fallen in love with some piece of art, but they didn’t commit because they were worried it wouldn't match the style or their home or other decor. Other times, by the time they had decided they could make it work or found a place where it “fit,” it was too late and someone else had already snatched up the artwork.
Today I’m here to tell you: Just Buy the Artwork and then figure out the rest. Why be so brazen in your decision making you ask? 2 reasons:
Good art that you love will make your space and bring you longterm enjoyment.
You can make practically any art, in almost any size, work in your space and i’m about to prove it to you!
This is the biggest question about art I get when people want to buy a painting from me: how can I be sure it will work in my home or office? With the right styling you can make it work! You don’t necessarily have to paint or buy new things to make it work either. To prove this point I’ve selected a painting from my Barn Quilt inspired series. This series pays homage to the uniquely American tradition of barn quilts, with their graphic geometric patterns and bold colors while studying the layering process I love about paint. While you might initially see this series as belonging in a farmhouse or modern home (which it totally could), I’m here to show you how to make it work with a variety of popular styles including Coastal, Transitional, Traditional, Bohemian, and Farmhouse! For these examples I have placed the painting, leaning style, on a console in our living room. Leaning allows for layering and makes a piece that you feel might be too small to hang on your selected wall work in the space. My living room walls are Sherwin Williams Silver Strand; proof that you don’t have to have white walls to style art.
Coastal Style:
I love a coastal house, even when you’re not on the coast! To make this painting work with coastal style I accented the turquoise color in the center to the painting with glass vases in the same shade (a popular beach hue). I added other natural materials like the sea grass baskets and an organic wood bowl that act as neutrals and let the painting be the star.
Transitional
Transitional is all about the mix. For this style I went a little whimsical adding traditional elements like the vintage bust and brass candlesticks, but I choose African glass beads and candles in the unexpected oranges of the painting.
Traditional
A blue and white color pallet is always classic and traditional. Using pairs and symmetry also makes anything feel more traditional, and in this case, highlights the symmetry within the painting. The woven lamp shade also plays on the geometric pattern of the painting.
Bohemian
Bohemian style is all about, natural materials, global inspiration, and a collected look. This painting has lots of layers and texture so I paired it with a textural woven pillow, a funky aloe plant with the same greens of the painting, and gold elements that compliment the glossy parts of the painting.
Farmhouse
Farmhouse style and Barn quilts go hand in hand! I paired the painting with a chunky knit throw and a great smelling candle for a cosy farmhouse vibe. Natural elements like the wooden tray, old books, and boxwood wreath are very “farmhouse,” while the vintage glass insulators pull out the central turquoise color.
As you can see, using a color or repeating a shape or pattern from the art somewhere else in the room is a great and easy way to make it more cohesive within your space! I hope this post helps you feel more confident that if you love a piece of art, you can make it work in your own home! This 24x24 “Tulip Pattern” painting from my Barn Quilt series is available! Along with the paintings I have pictured below from this same series. If you are interested in any of these paintings or you would like help from me in styling your own home, please message me or comment below!
Until next time, happy styling!
Mallory
Pinwheel in Blue 24x24
Tomato Star 20x20
Barn Quilt in Purple 20x20
Pink Pinwheel 12x12
Mini Pinwheel 6x6