How to elevate INTERIORS WITH ART

Art has the remarkable power to transform any room, adding sophistication, emotion, and personality to interiors. Choosing and displaying artwork is an art in itself, one that combines personal taste with a refined understanding of space and aesthetics. I believe that thoughtfully selected and beautifully displayed art will elevate your home, creating a rich and meaningful environment.  

When I meet a new client and visit their home to take the design brief I always pay attention to their walls to see existing artworks and how their style, colours, period would be incorporated. Or if we start a property totally from scratch I ask about taste and interest in art. Often we have visited art fairs together to select works to either start a scheme or fit into a scheme. 

1. Where to find it 

I think the art world can be a bit scary  if you are not used to it, but it needn’t be.  If you are not sure where to start then I have some tips for you. 

• In Hampstead we are spoilt to have the AFFORDABLE ART FAIR on our door step setting up shop in the Heath from 7-11 May. Look around your home and if you have bare walls  or your rooms lack colour, character, vibrancy or fail to inspire , delight and comfort you, make it a priority to add artworks and make time to head over to the Heath. But this is by no means your only opportunity, the BATTERSEA FAIR will be showing works in October 

• In the meantime you can find fairs of photography and the Royal Academy summer Exhibition in June . London has plenty of galleries that invite you to explore; also I would note the galleries which exhibit at their fairs and then continue to follow their website or social media to find out about new stock coming.  

• Personally I like to bid at auctions and I also visit vintage and antiques shops as I mix contemporary with traditional pieces. I recommend visiting the Decorative Fair which is showing in Battersea from 6-11 May.

• Then there are plenty of options for prints and decorative works from fairs, galleries and online art dealers. One of my regular sources is the Trowbridge Gallery offering a vast curated collection of both original and reproductions. 

• Then there are the very personal works – I have often used this form of decorating in my own homes:  I have framed mementos of my family such as the poster which my then boyfriend gave me ahead of the trip we took to New York for our engagement , snapshots of the children on holidays, pictures of animals on our many African safaris, drawings, oils and watercolours made during school clubs, vintage silk scarves. Let your imagination run free and become the artist and create something very deeply personal. Recently I advised a friend to make a collage of her late husband’s luxury ties.  

• Then you can work with artists and commission something to your taste, ideas, space or imagination. Below you can see some examples of works I commissioned with very particular client briefs. The receiving, unveiling and installation of such personalised works is a beautiful memory. 

2. Choosing Art That Resonates 

Selecting art is a highly personal process, yet there are ways to ensure your choices complement your interiors while reflecting your individual style. Consider how the pieces you select will harmonise with your home’s overall aesthetic. 

• Define Your Style and Purpose: If you are dealing with a blank room and unsure what would work here, ask yourself what emotions or atmosphere your space should convey. If you love bold colours and energetic patterns, contemporary abstract pieces might speak to you. For a calming, sophisticated look, you may prefer landscapes or soft-toned portraits. 

• Select a Colour Palette: While art doesn’t need to match your decor, choosing pieces that share complementary colours or tones will create cohesion. Think of art as a bridge that unites elements of the room, whether by picking up on a specific shade or introducing a pop of contrasting colour. 

• The Mixed style: I would go as far as saying there is no wrong choice of artwork, but it is a skill to use your chosen pieces to elevate the work and the space. Even if your collection is ‘a total jumble’ this is probably the result of a  wonderful , eclectic , personal journey where you collected your pieces and with the right wall colour, furniture, lighting , framing and if you plan in advance your hanging schema , this can be an amazing environment. 

• Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Investing in a few high-quality, meaningful pieces rather than filling your space with many smaller items creates a sense of luxury and elegance. Timeless artworks that resonate with you will bring lasting value to your home. 

3. Consider Scale and Proportion 

Artwork should feel at home within the space, which means choosing the right size and proportion for each space. Scale is crucial to consider, you want to avoid that the piece overwhelms or gets lost on a wall or within a room. But pieces can be hung off center or unusually high or low depending on your intended journey or way of experiencing the work – or there may be other more practical factors that affect how or where you hang or display a work of art. 

• Large Pieces for Major Impact: A single, large-scale piece can act as a focal point in a room, instantly drawing attention and adding a sense of drama. Placing a substantial artwork over a sofa, fireplace, or bed can create an impressive centrepiece. 

• Curated Gallery Walls for Versatility: If you have a collection of smaller pieces, arranging them into a gallery wall offers a sophisticated way to display them without cluttering the space. Mix different sizes, frames, and textures to achieve a layered, gallery-inspired look. Hallways, staircases, and expansive walls are ideal for gallery displays. 

• Consider Room or wall Dimensions: Taller rooms can handle vertical pieces that draw the eye upwards, accentuating the height of the space, while wider rooms often benefit from horizontal or panoramic artworks that balance the proportions of the room. Measure out your spaces that you want to fill when you go art shopping. And if you already have a collection at home consider working with a professional experienced art hanger (and an interior designer) to determine the best placements, it can really make a big difference. 

4. Placement: Setting the Stage for Art 

Thoughtful placement brings out the best in your artwork, and knowing where to position each piece is key to creating a balanced, harmonious space. 

• Eye-Level Placement as a Guide: As a general rule, place artwork so the centre of the piece is at eye level (typically around 145 cm from the floor). This creates a natural and comfortable viewing experience. When hanging above furniture, leave around 15 to 20 cm of space between the artwork and the top of the furniture for visual balance. 

• Layering and Leaning for a Casual Touch: For a relaxed, modern look, consider leaning artwork against the wall or layering it with other pieces on shelves. This works well with smaller pieces and gives flexibility for rearrangement, which keeps the display fresh and dynamic. 

• Grouping by Theme or Tone: Group artworks by theme, style, or colour for a cohesive look. For example, you might arrange a series of abstract pieces in a modern living room or display vintage botanical prints in a serene, traditional bedroom. 

5. Frame Choices further improve your display 

Frames should enhance the artwork without overshadowing it – unless you want to make the frame a feature. Or you make a choice not to frame an oil painting to display the texture of the canvas. Typically the right frame adds polish and sophistication, blending the art seamlessly with the rest of your decor. It really helps to get professional advice from a good framer and you can do a lot of research just by looking at how works are framed that you like. It can sound like a cliché when I say ‘’ I take inspiration from everywhere in the world around me’’ but I do! I regularly visit museums, art fair, and the large auction houses and I take countless pictures on my phone of not just the works but the method and look of frames and installations!  

• Materials and Finishes: Choose frames to work with each object. And there are usually many good options but a few wrong choices to be avoided. Sleek metallic frames add modernity, wooden frames introduce warmth and natural texture, while classic black or white frames suit almost any space. Test out the piece in a good framing shop against thin, thick, bevelled or shaped samples. I think of it a little bit like accessorizing with a Hermes scarf or a Chanel bag – even an inexpensive picture will look amazing if framed well but if done poorly it won’t have much impact.  If you’re creating a gallery wall, consider mixing frame styles for an eclectic, collected feel. A blend of vintage and modern frames, or matte and glossy finishes, adds visual interest while maintaining unity. You can pick up frames for bargains on vintage fairs , keep them and then use them later when have works to frame, I have a whole array collection of frames waiting to be used.

• Mounts add Elegance: Mounts can be paper or textiles and they really elevate the artwork. They can give it breathing space, making the work bigger, creating a polished and refined look. This is especially effective for smaller artworks, giving them more presence.  

• Creative forms of display: I love the more unusual displays , such as acrylic boxes, floating works. Displays inside coffee tables, fitted into joinery or walls. Or three dimensional works which are displayed without any frame like a hanging sculpture. 

6. Lighting to Bring Art to Life

Lighting is the last but crucial factor I want to encourage you to consider. This will bring out the details and colours in your displays. Well-lit pieces create a sense of luxury and draw focus to the art, enhancing its impact. 

• Spotlights for Focal Pieces: Use adjustable spotlights or track lighting to illuminate individual pieces or sections of a gallery wall. If you have a large wall which you could use like a gallery with changing artworks or you might add to the space with further pieces then invest into a gallery style track and you can add more spots as the collection grows or pieces are moved. Angling light directly onto the artwork accentuates textures and colours, giving the piece a gallery-like presence. 

• Soft, Ambient Lighting: If direct lighting isn’t possible, consider soft ambient lighting that highlights the room and creates a warm glow around the art. Floor lamps, table lamps, or wall sconces can all enhance the atmosphere and allow the art to shine.  

• Consider Natural Light: Natural light can bring warmth and vibrancy to artwork, though be cautious about prolonged exposure, as some pieces may fade over time. For pieces near windows, UV-protective glass can shield art from light damage. 

Choosing and displaying art should be as enjoyable as living with it – a reflection of your unique style, reminding you of the journey taken to find each piece. I look forward to seeing you turn those walls into your very own gallery. See you at the next art fair! 

Stay inspired, stay sophisticated.