How to Choose the Right Art for a Gallery Wall
By Lindsey Mather. Photo courtesy of Kate Spade New York.
When happening upon someone's salon-style wall, it's difficult to ignore the impulse to stop and peer at each painting, photograph, or illustration more closely. Perhaps it's because a gallery seems like multiple windows into a homeowner's mind, the more revealing, the better. "Buy what you love and you can never go wrong!" says Kate Spade chief creative officer Deborah Lloyd, and that task just got easier. The fashion retailer just launched its first-ever wall decor collection with Wendover Art Group, featuring more than 70 works. There are witty text phrases, old-school theater posters, vibrant abstracts, and black-and-white drawings. The question is: How do you bring all these disparate designs together into one display? Read on for Lloyd's top tips.
Tell a story
"Wall decor reflects your personality, personal style, and interests," says Lloyd. "It conveys to others that certain ‘it’ factor that makes you and your life interesting, and, when curated into a salon wall, it should express that story. Figure out what you want to say and then go for it!" Each piece of artwork you choose should fit into your narrative. "I happen to love the mix of an illustration, a painting (oil or watercolor), and a handful of prints as they speak to our story: traditional-meets-modern, and always with a twist!"
Don't lean too much in any one direction
"It’s really all a balancing act between harmonizing warm and cool colors; visually heavy and light pieces; and graphic, painterly works, and photographic pieces to create a look that, as a whole, is easy on the eyes," she explains. "The charm of a salon wall is visual cohesion that’s still eclectic and energetic."
Make it as big or small as you wish
"More is more! But it’s important to remember that curating a salon wall is not about numbers, but rather displaying pieces that are personal and inspiring, and that tell your unique story. Whether that’s 5 or 13 pieces is up to you! I do, however, fancy an odd-number of pieces for the most visual intrigue."
Build out from a focal point
"To avoid the mix looking messy (and bitsy if you have more smaller rather than larger pieces), anchor the gallery with at least one commanding work," says Lloyd, "and then sprinkle the rest around, varying the sizes and orientation for a balanced composition."
Pepper in surprising additions
Gallery walls aren't just for traditional framed artwork. "Add unexpected detail by layering in everyday objects, such as a bright vintage book cover, and leave them unframed for an extra element of playfulness."
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This story originally appeared on Architectural Digest.
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