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Artwork in my opinion is one of the most personal items you can purchase for your home. Artwork is not just framed images but by definition, illustrative or decorative items. Art can be three dimensional, metal wall sculptures, wall hangings, tapestries, rows of plates, fabric panels, or wall galleries of many different types and kinds of items, just to name a few.
In the model we had approximately 25 pieces of artwork which included framed images ranging in size from 8 x 10 to 30 x 40, mirrors, shadow boxes and shelves. Artwork can range in price from $10.00 to thousands. This is where you need to decide if you are wanting strictly decorative items or investments. As we are looking at designing on a budget, I will only address artwork as a decorative item. So what can you expect to pay for a framed piece of art? If we consider using posters as our images, for pre-framed and matted pieces you can purchase them from $19.99 to $250.00, for custom framing you will range from $85.00 to $350.00+ in price. All of our art was pre-framed and matted in the model.
Some artwork ideas, tips and tricks:
- Over the years I have found that people do one of three things with art; they put nothing on the walls, place very small pieces on large walls or completely fill every single space with something. 1st, your walls should be consider part of the rooms overall decor, so budget in art. 2nd, it is better to wait for the right size piece than to place a too small piece on a large wall. 3rd, white space is ok, your eyes need someplace to rest in order to appreciate the art you have.
- If your wall area is less than 30" it does not need a piece of art.
- Remember to consider all of the items that are in your visual path when you are considering art for a wall. Stand back and look at the area, do you see any lamps, trees, windows, furniture pieces. They all are part of the overall decorating scheme.
- Shelves are a great items to add to a wall gallery to visually expand the space. They add both to your horizontal and vertical space.
- Shelves allow you to change the look of your wall gallery. Just change out the items you have placed on the shelf. This could be a great seasonal area.
- Mail order catalogs, craft stores and home centers are great places to purchase inexpensive shelves.
- Mirrors are consider artwork but watch what they reflect. Along with light you want to make sure they are also reflecting an attractive image in the mirror. Unless you are desperate for the light reflection, you do not want to see the reflection of a bathroom, busy work area such as the kitchen or an unattractive or messy area.
- Shadow boxes are a great conversation piece in any room. This piece will cost a little bit more because you will have it custom framed, but you are showcasing a part of yourself and you're worth it. In the model we did a shadow box in the Boy's hockey room and we placed in it a jersey, medal, stick, puck and pictures.
- To give more weight to a piece, drape a flower or ivy garland around the top and down the sides of a piece.
- To get ideas for wall galleries, look through mail order catalogs and start a file folder.
Besides artwork you can also treat your walls with wallpaper, borders, murals, and decorative paint treatments. In our model we had a border in the kitchen and girl's room with murals in the girl's and boy's rooms. Wallpaper is a great way to add color and theme to a room, but not always affordable. For example, an average guest bathroom will need 3 spools of border or 12 single rolls of wallpaper. At an average of $25.00 per spool or roll and $18.00 for installation, you are looking at $129.00 for a border or $516.00 for wallpaper. So what can you do at home? Here are some ideas;
- Stencil unexpected accents around mirrors, framed art, windows, doorways, arches and even switch plates. With the many layered stencils out on the market, you no longer have to worry about adding the highlighting or accents.
- Paint your walls. The color can help visually fill the wall so you will not have the need to fill it with art. Paint is the most versatile and inexpensive wall covering.
- Special paint techniques are a wonderful way to dress up your walls. There are many tapes you can buy or classes you can attend in order to do it yourself. Along with the many talented artists in the Las Vegas area if you do not have the time or talent.
- Once you have your walls painted, sprinkle stencil motifs or stamps over the walls to create a wallpaper effect.
- If you do not have the confidence to free-hand a mural, use an overhead projector and project the image on the wall and then draw over it. Or have the image enlarged at a copy store, tape it up on the wall, place carbon paper between the paper and the wall and trace over the image.
- Wall Borders are a great addition to any room, especially the kitchen, baths and kids rooms. They can be hung in a variety of ways and at different heights, just don't cut the room in half. For border ideas, check out the pictures in the wallpaper books as you are going through them.
As seen from our model, you do not have to spend a fortune to decorate your walls with art. But also remember to take the same amount of time and care when selecting your art as you have done with your furniture, windows and bedding. Art can make a room and it is a personal reflect of you. So take the time and wait for a piece that is the right size, style and you love, because once you fill the wall, experience has proven that you will not take it down. It is something that you are going to look at everyday, so enjoy.
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