I’ve had other designers describe me as having an affinity for wall art. I’m not sure about that — to me, it’s simply a natural part of making a house a home (please pardon the use of an old adage). Bare walls just feel… unfinished, like a room that hasn’t quite exhaled yet. Art brings life, soul and a whisper of personality that can’t be achieved by furniture alone.
When I’m curating an art collection for a client — whether starting fresh or building on pieces they already have — I like to mix things up. A home full of photography can start to feel one-dimensional, just as too many canvases might feel heavy. So, blend it up. Pair a moody black-and-white photo with a bright, textural painting. Hang a ceramic wall piece near a print, or add a sculptural object to a shelf. Variety gives a collection rhythm — the same way layering textures in soft furnishings makes a room sing.
And don’t forget about connection. The best art collections, like the best rooms, talk to the rest of the home. If your tapware is black, a black frame on one or two pieces can quietly link those details together. If your interior palette includes sage or terracotta, repeat a touch of that hue in your artwork. These subtle threads help create cohesion — that elusive sense that everything just feels right.
Of course, the golden rule of art curation is deceptively simple: choose what you love. Find pieces that make you pause, smile, or think. Maybe it’s the colour, the brushstroke, or the story behind it — whatever it is, if it stirs something in you, it belongs.
Not sure where to start? Begin by collecting images of artworks and styles you’re drawn to. Pinterest, Instagram, local galleries, or weekend markets are all excellent starting points. You’ll soon notice patterns — perhaps you’re consistently attracted to abstracts, botanical prints, or coastal landscapes. That’s your visual style talking.
And if you’d like a hand pulling it all together, that’s my jam. I love helping clients curate collections that not only look beautiful but feel deeply personal — whether it’s one perfect piece or a gallery wall that tells your story.
