The Wow Factor

Did you ever walk into someone’s home and look around and suddenly become embarrassed by your own homes décor? It just seems that some people are artistically gifted while the rest of us suffer from some form of artistic dysfunction. It can be irritating to have to try so hard just to hang some pictures. But once you get the knack of things, it is really not so hard and your home’s interior can remind you of those homes with that special Wow factor.

Artwork, by its very nature, is a personal expression and every individual will receive it on a personal level. Some paintings just call to you and you simply have to have it while others just do not make sense. This is true for everyone, and not just the artistically challenged.

Start Small and Simple

If you are ready to tackle some new and improved decorating ideas, and ready to start with the artwork that hangs on your walls, then pick a room and jump right in. It is usually best to start with your favorite room in the house simply because this room is probably a place that you already have a vision, even if it is very small. Most people have white walls, but if you have a bit more splash to your room, that will work just fine as well. Start small and just pick a color scheme. Just like that. Something that will compliment what is already painted or wallpapered to the room, but one color that really works for you. It is okay to be daring and go with reds, greens, blues, or even yellows and oranges. Often, once we have latched onto a basic color scheme, us artistically challenged can work through our dysfunction and move forward. However, part of our dysfunction is the tendency to over use our color. Start small, but stay simple.

Let us say we were having a bold day and we picked orange for our color scheme. We do not need paintings and artwork that are completely orange. Maybe just one nice piece that is mostly orange, but the rest should just have a little of that color reflected in the work.

Themes, Clashes, and Other Artwork Disasters

Rule number one in overcoming artistic dysfunction is never mix styles and themes in the same room. Some people can get away with that and it looks fabulous. But we are not so fortunate and we must keep it very simple. If your orange room has one lovely impressionist piece in it, then stay with various forms of impressionist artwork throughout the room. Some experts say that you should maintain the same style throughout the entire home. Others say to vary but only room by room. I am in favor of room by room because I do not like boredom, and too much repetition is boredom.

Some colors work well with others and other colors are an atrocious disaster when blended or even in the same state as another color. I have yet to see a well blended sample of orange and pink, although I am sure some highly creative type compiled them beautifully.

If you are not sure, ask. Asking questions and gathering ideas from other people is the best way to learn. If you are looking for specific answers then you have to ask specific questions. Bring a photo and explain that you are looking for something that will compliment painting well, not match it. Part of learning the fine art of decorating with artwork is learning to compliment pieces rather than match them. You do not have to be pushed in purchasing something you do not like, but the experience of watching someone find you a painting that compliments the one you started with can be very beneficial. In fact, after a few tries, you may even begin looking yourself, with confidence. By enhancing your decorating talents step by little tiny baby step, you will be able to put together impressive themes and décor without wasting money on pieces that do not work.