I think, more than any other item in a home, you can tell the most about a person by the art they hang on their walls. No other home item tells more of a story, which is both cool and a little bit stressful. What to buy? How can I find something that reflects me and my story? How can I be original?
Have I ever told you that I usually don’t buy art for clients? It’s like buying lingerie for a friend or something – it’s just too personal. Or at least I think it should be.
In the past, when I’m shopping for my home, I sort of let art come to me. I buy pieces that really resonate with me when I come across them at flea markets, auctions, and online. I think that is a good method, but sometimes you just need a certain color or subject matter for a room, and I think there’s been a real hole in the art market there. Especially for people on a budget.
Art.com approached me and a few other design bloggers about coming to San Francisco to preview their new site redesign and total rebranding. I saw a sneak peek of the site before agreeing to come, and it really looks great. But more importantly, it really works great. So I decided to do a little experiment.
I quickly flew through some of the loose image files on my desktop that haven’t been archived yet, and I pulled aside the first 10 images that featured exciting art. Then I gave myself 10 minutes for each image to find a print or original work on art.com with a similar vibe. I thought I’d be able to find something at least close for about half of images.
I couldn’t believe that in less than half an hour total, I found something close to or exactly the same as the inspiration art for every single image! And, truthfully, I would be ecstatic to hang any of these prints in my home.
Want to see what I found?
1) I really love this bedroom and I think the ethereal art is just perfect for the spot. I thought it might be tricky to find something similar – wrong!! There are so many great, dreamy black and white botanical photographs on the site, but the photograph below stood out to me the most. It reminds me of one of Michael’s and my favorite films Ugetsu. Wouldn’t this be great in our black bedroom?
Wild Flowers Growing on the Banks of a Pond // Elle Decor bedroom
Search terms I used: Photography, Black and White, Botanical
Find similar here (I really love this one!)
2) Finding the right color or texture in a piece of art is especially important when putting together a gallery-style art wall. A little bit of red is just what this wall needed.
The Red Flowers (Marc Chagall) // Green Office (House and Home)
Search terms I used: Red, Botanical, Floral, Fine Art
Find similar here
3) Isn’t this a fantastic bedroom? I love this space. And the art is amazing, of course. I thought for sure I couldn’t find anything similar to the modern, edgy, oversized floral photographs. I think the French artist I found (he actually silk screens on the photographs!), is a great style match.
Vegetaux 11, 2008 (Nicolas Le Bauan Benic) // Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle Mag
Search terms I used: Botanical, Fine Art, Photography
Find similar here
Untitled, 1969 (Mark Rothko) // Miles Redd
Search terms I used: Rothko, Abstract, Fine Art
Find similar here
Jackie, c. 1964 (Solitary) (Andy Warhol) // Design unknown
Search terms I used: Jackie, Warhol
Find similar here
Abstract #8 (Diana Ong) // Christine D’Ornano in Elle Decor
Search terms I used: Figurative, Abstract, Yellow, Fine Art
Find similar here
Sally Fairchild, C. 1890 (John Singer Sargent) // Elle Decor Christine D’Ornano home
Search terms I used: Fine Art, Figurative, Women
Find similar here
Study for Homage to the Square, c. 1954 (Josef Albers) // Elle Decor
Search terms I used: Albers, abstract squares and rectangles
Find similar here
Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere // Thomas O’Brien design
Search terms I used: Constellations
Find similar here (maps!!)
11) I was so excited to learn that Art.com owns many original works and edition collections. I’m absolutely aching, dying for this vintage Chagall print. Gah!
La Bible – Lang (Marc Chagall) // Kristin Buckingham for Elle Decor
Search terms I used: Abstract, Figurative, 20th Century
Find similar here
I had so much fun with that little game. You guys should totally try it. It’s a simple way to find art that speaks to you, that you can actually hope to afford!
Any prints/pieces you’ve been eyeing? Do you have an inspiration piece of art you’d like me to find a match for? I’m up for the challenge! Bring it.
And of course, a HUGE thank you to art.com for partnering with me on this post series. I can’t wait to share more (stay tuned for a really cute project I’m working on now!)
PS This tv spot gave me goosebumps when it was unveiled at the conference…
I usually let art come to me as well, but you are right that sometimes a certain piece is needed for a room. I will definitely check out Art.com the next time I am looking for something specific.
Hooray! You're back! I missed you so much the past couple of days! I need my Jenny fix! :)
This was a really awesome post. I loved the little game you played, matching the insipration photo with the art! I have to admit, I've only been to art.com a few times in the past, and I was let down every time. So glad to hear they've updated! Heading over now!
I'm totally going to beat you to that Chagall! WOW! That yellow!
These are the types of sponsored posts I love to see. Relevant. Personalized.
Thank you!
You have a great eye Jenny. It's too bad you refuse to buy art for your clients. They are missing out! Not everyone is as confident as you are with your choices. You should be willing to share your talents. Though I guess that's what you're doing here. ha!
I can only imagine how difficult it is to buy art. I'm about two years away from settling somewhere for a long time and it will be my first place as an adult. Sure I had 'art' in college, you know that silly drawing you did in class or something your friends did after a few cocktails. I'm so excited to start exploring what kind of art I like!
Jenny, YOU ROCK MY WORLD. All of these picks are inspired. Thanks so much for putting this together, what a lovely post! Pinning it ALL.
lovely approach to art. sometimes it can be soooo intimidating.
i've always loved art.com
Wonderful post! I love how you picked out inspiration pieces then found affordable but very comparable options. I will definitely be going to art.com now.
-Kristen
I typically like to have art come to me as well :) though I find the concept interesting…
Thanks for sharing :)
Liz
That was a pretty good selection you made!
This is an awesome post!! What a great resource- thank you!!
ps- I'm also so glad to hear you don't like choosing art for clients. I think it's so odd when I'm asked to for someone.
Jenny you put together an incredible post! wanna buy everything you featured! thanks :)
I agree with everything you said – art is very personal – BUT we have a giant blank wall and I haven't found anything. I've purchased art (mainly prints) as I've found and loved them – and they've all found homes in our home, but we don't have anything to work in our family/TV room (attached to the kitchen) above our longgggg sofa. I had planned to hang 4 Ribba square frames (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00161856/#/50134634) that could house 4 12×12 pieces of art… (yes, I started with frames – but we don't have a framing budget and four squares would look nice in the room…) but I've been struggling with what to put IN the frames. And when I do find 1 thing that I like – I can't find 3 other complements. Any help would be great!
So awesome! Thank you for sharing! I am a designer as well and finding art can be difficult when on a budget. I've been reading your blog daily for months. I love your style! Thanks again.
I love that you included your search terms! Very helpful.
Art is hard to pick and can be expensive! This post if really useful. Thank you!
this post could not have come at a better time! thank you! i will definitely be checking out art.com. we just moved to az and i'm SICK of everything i had on my walls. excellent post, as always.
I'm so glad Art.com is redesigning! I could never find exactly what I wanted there, and it seemed too daunting to look thru thousands of pic's to try and find it
Hi jenny…As an Artist…my ears perk up whenever I hear a conversation regarding Art. I don't think it is an accident that more and more, ART conversations are happening…because I personally think people have shied away from art simply because they feel like they don't know what they are doing. AND that art is just for people with money. As the social media de-mystefies it, exposes people to more and more of the wide range of ART and styles, and prices…people begin to see that there is something for everyone. I have designers coming to me now more than ever, as a part of the design process, per request of their clients, and I think it is the way of the future.
I love Art.com and use them regularly. I also save lots of items on their site to compare and walk around my house with my laptop to see where I can put certain prints that I fall in love with!
Love how you challenged yourself to find the same style art as featured in rooms you like. I have to try that!
First that floral wallpaper in girly modern is amazing!
My husband customized a piece of vintage art, and we finally hung a gallery wall. I felt the need to share the story behind every piece because that's what art (and the things in your home) is all about!
http://www.willscasa.com/2012/07/summer-pinterest-challenge-2/
Love the "soft and loud color" print- gorgie colors! Your blown up b&w print was what origionally brought me to your site and I still love it!
-Katie
Athomewhenimwithyou.blogspot.com
I'm loving this post! I am desperate for something to hang over our bed (it's a HUGE barren space), and I've unsuccessfully been waiting for something special to catch my eye for the last 5 years. I love that these prints are affordable, and along with your "how to hang large art" tutorial, I now have a solution that won't prohibit me from splurging if I do come across the perfect piece. Thanks so much for the great ideas.
(And I totally agree about the fresh new website, before I felt like it was just a huge waste of time).
Great post! I am currently looking for big, abstract art on a budget and this is wonderful!
KUDOS to you, Jenny! what a thoughtful, creative and insightful post. Thank you for sharing this resource and congratulations on a smart sponsorship/partnership with art.com. it's the best one I've seen anywhere yet — very informative and not solicitous.
I'm off to do some research for some living room art to hang over the couch!!!
I love them all so much, in my age all of this suits me.
Awesome job Jenny. I am going to art.com right away.
Amazing post, Jenny. I'm saving this one.
great post and great examples! yummy x
great post and great examples! yummy x
On my way to art.com right now…these are such fabulous examples!
what a great post! I love how you you went about finding something similar….so interesting….and I'm glad art.com is upgrading…I'm sure all the great competition and buzz around 20×2000 was not helping them.
WOW!Really awesome places!What a great post!Love the details!
Jenny, I've loved reading all the art.com posts – but I think yours was my favorite! What a great "game" – and it definitely illustrates how easy it is to search for just the right piece on the new website.
In the past I've bought art just because I like it – with out much thought for how it works in the room. This post really helped me think about it in a different way!
.thanks for sharing
Great matchups. I hadn't really thought of using art.com before–thanks for changing my mind!