The most interesting homes are those that are a unique collection of things that are loved, curated by the owner. Perhaps it’s with the help of a decorator, but ultimately it’s the homeowner who chooses. 

Some people are put off by the term “art collection” as if the term implies some level of expertise the art world. Sure, a select few have the means to go for the big names in art. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an emotional connection to something created by hand.  Curating a collection can be done on a budget. A successful outcome --- and one that tells your particular story --- depends upon choosing things that you love.

Flip through the pages of any high-end interior design magazine and you’ll more often than not find photos of rooms that sing with an exuberant melody of eclecticism ---a  naturalistic live-edge wood console table sporting an antique lamp or mantel clock, backed by an enormous unframed abstract painting in bold hues. Hand-painted silk pillows on a shocking pink sofa. A whimsical glass sculpture on a classic pedestal. The possibilities are endless, whatever your particular taste or style.

Choose art that speaks to you. A piece of art can serve as a reminder of principles and ideals you cherish, or spark remembrances of people and places you hold dear. We often do this with family photos, chosen for the memories they evoke. They are judiciously set in places of prominence --- a wall of photo frames flanking the stairs, a tabletop collection of small momentos, a large print from your wedding day framed in gold.

Buying or commissioning original art is one way to insure that your home décor is uniquely yours and not a cookie-cutter version of the latest model home. A work of art chosen for how it makes you feel, and placed thoughtfully, always sparks a conversation. It affords an opportunity to share the story of who created it and why you chose it. I recently completed a commissioned oil portrait for someone who wanted to have a daily reminder of her husband’s loving presence after he is gone. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve others through my art in this way.