The art that you choose for your home will be one of the major focal points in your d茅cor.
However, the range in styles, media and colours is endless and can make the task of selecting the right piece or pieces very challenging.
There are guidelines that will help you to narrow down the search.
My first rule is: love what you buy. Price is not necessarily a factor 鈥� a painting from a new artist can make as big an impression as the well-loved masters.
Art is highly personal 鈥� go with what speaks to you and it will light up your home.
Take colours into consideration as they set the mood for a room. Generally, you will want calm, restful shades for the bedroom, a scene that de-stresses you and prepares you for sleep.
The living room is the place to hang artwork that complements your personal life interests.
More vibrant hues and quirky subjects that fire up your imagination welcome guests into your world.
Think about dramatic pieces for the dining room that tell a story, images that beg to be discussed, as they will draw out convivial conversation with family and guests.
Before you buy, take the time to scout out art galleries and sales, other people鈥檚 homes, magazine layouts and the Internet. This will help to educate you about what鈥檚 available, and also you will discover what excites you.
Then take the dimensions of the wall or space where you intend to hang the art.
Follow the shape of that space with your art to achieve balance. Fill a long hall wall with either a wide, narrow painting or line up a series of smaller pictures.
Don鈥檛 be afraid to fill a wall with a large painting. And keep the balance with art hung over a fireplace mantel.
To learn more about what鈥檚 on trend in the art world today, I spoke with Amitai Sasson, VP of marketing and development for overstockart.com, a busy and informative online site that sells reproductions of the most popular masters, including Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Klimt and Degas.
Their goal is to make copies of the most famous and sought after works of art that look and feel as the artist intended.
The replicas are each handpainted in oils so that the smell, texture and shine is reminiscent of the originals.
Sasson believes that fine art is not just for the rich. Prices are around $250 plus framing, higher for custom pieces.
Frames link the art to the wall, and best complement the room鈥檚 style.
The site has frames and a tool whereby you can pick a room and see how your painting choice will look hanging on the wall.
Shown here, a traditional, neutral living room is brought to life with French Impressionist Claude Monet鈥檚 Garden Path at Giverny.
The famous setting is bursting with colour and rendered in a size that fills the space majestically.
Looking at a completely different style, the colours and form of symbolist painter Gustav Klimt鈥檚 brilliant painting Malcesine on Lake Garda are echoed in the shapely orange chairs and floral display beneath the art.
鈥淥ur living spaces change over time,鈥� says Sasson, 鈥渁nd so can our art. Be daring with your art. Move it around, make a big statement.鈥�
And one final point: Be sure to light your artwork so that it is seen to advantage. This can be achieved with spots or ambient light. Enjoy the process. It is exciting!
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Debbie Travis鈥檚 House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email your questions to house2home@ debbietravis.com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_ travis, and visit Debbie鈥檚 website, debbietravis.com.
