How to: ART

While helping a friend in Oakland decorate her apartment, we came upon a problem of finding artwork that both fit into her home and her style. Finding art can be a daunting task no matter how much money or knowledge you have on it.

The day before I left we were given the advice to buy and download PDF’s of images from artists on Etsy and print them ourselves. GENIUS! I’ve always used Kodak Moments or CVS to print photos and have ordered prints from artists on Etsy but this, BLEW, MY, MIND.

After scouring through many artists and genres, she settled on these images above to fit perfectly into the color scheme and mood of her living room. Ordering online from FedEx took a bit of managing but she was, however, able to stop into a local printer to grab the smaller prints. We grabbed the frames from IKEA and used an empty floor to plan out the arrangement - SEE BELOW.

Thanks to Command Picture hanging strips we got ‘em up and she was able to complete it all on her own. The beauty of it all, if she ever changes her mind or finds something she’s in love with, she can just print and switch them out.

BUILDING A COLLECTION

Friends are always asking me where to go shopping for art, collectibles and decor for styling their spaces. Although I have a favorites list of spots to shop and artists to contact, filling your home with beautiful pieces is a personal journey that allows you to give a peek to visitors of where’ve you been and what you care about.

My advice, take your time and and fill your home with personal items that you truly love.

• Every time you take a trip somewhere, don’t forget to check out some local shops or that gift shop on your way out; you’d be surprised what you can grab.

• Whenever you make it to see your folks, ask to go through some photos or those boxes in the attic to see if you can find some heirlooms that fit into your home.

• And my personal favorite: visiting your local thrift shop. It’s sustainable and I’m always surprised by what I find whether it be fine Italian glassware, trendy vases or unique art pieces.

After 3 continents, 10 years of collecting, tons of hand-me-downs and A LOT of flea markets later, I am still surprised how many different ways I can style my space and fill it with beautiful pieces that are unique to me.