Getting Accurate Contractor Bids

It is so common to find the perfect sofa or some other must have piece when designing a room. You decide that this is exactly what you need for your space and there is no other. Next, you plan the budget for the room and more often than not, the art work is forgotten. Sure, you could utilize that framed poster you have lying around. I know, it’s already paid for, it’s there, and it’s framed and ready to go. But, think about it. If you are going to invest your time and money into your newly designed space, do you really want to have one important detail look like an afterthought?

Think of artwork as something that will be a daily feast for your eyes and for your guests’ eyes.  How many times have you been touched by a piece of art? That feeling of being awestruck by a creation that really becomes meaningful to you. That is what I want you to look for when selecting a piece of artwork for your space. It should not just be something that works with the colors (though that certainly is a viable consideration), but something that touches you and brings a smile.

Before you jump out and buy a piece of art, consider where you are going to place it and from where it will be viewed. If this is going to be a part of your focal wall, consider the size. If you have a space that is 7 feet wide by 6 feet high, a dinky 4 inch by 6 inch art piece isn’t really going to do it. You want to cover about two-thirds of your available wall space (meaning, deduct any furniture placed in front of the wall, windows, etc. from that wall space). An easy solution to determining the size of artwork is to cut out some cardboard and play with different sizes on the wall.

When you find that piece that really makes your heart sing, you can then use it as the base to finding a color scheme for your room. While looking at the artwork, take notice of the proportions and use of colors. I generally suggest reversing the proportions in your space. If 80% of the piece is blue and 5% is gold. Use a gold undertone as your main color, and blue as small, decorative accents. When selecting complimentary pieces of art, you will want to maintain the proportions when possible.

Selecting artwork is a very personal decision and should be made by the decision makers in your home collectively. Find a piece of art that everyone loves and try to find something that is timeless. If you select something trendy, you may have to reselect another piece of artwork in a few years when it has become apparent that your trendy piece just isn’t cutting it anymore.

To learn about Rachel Waldron’s interior design services, contact her at 206.249.9860 or rachel@waldrondesigns.com