Ask an Interior Designer: How Should I Choose Art?

At MJN & Associates Interiors, we offer a full range of interior design services to our clients in the Tidewater Virginia and metro Atlanta areas, including art selection. A well-chosen piece of art can transform an interior and infuse the space with personality. So, how does principal interior designer Michelle Nettles choose art for clients? Read on to learn our secret to collecting art that will add beauty and character to your home.

Painting by Man Wai Wu

Our art selection philosophy

Our approach to art collecting is actually to provide guidance, allowing the client to choose the art that he or she finds most inspiring. After getting to know your preferences and interests, we can recommend artists, commission custom pieces, or make suggestions for scale and color palette, but ultimately you should be the one to choose the individual pieces of art for your home.

Wall sculpture by Kurt Ruby

Interior designer tips for collecting art

Virginia Beach interior design- fiber art

Fiber art by Alice Pickett Lewis of Textures Gallery

Embrace what you love, not what you think you should love. Whether you love folk art, antique landscape paintings, or avant-garde photography, the art you choose should speak to you on a personal level. If you’re willing to hang it in your home, it should be something you’ll be happy to see every day.

Honor the feel of the room, but don’t let it smother your design choices. Sometimes an unexpected piece of art can be an incredible addition to a space. As long as there is some element that ties the art and decor together, they don’t have to be stylistically similar. A colorful abstract painting can hang in a traditional dining room or a quirky piece of outsider art can liven up a mid-century modern space.

Art doesn’t need to match the sofa. Choosing a piece of art that includes a dominant color from the room can be an effective design strategy, but don’t get caught up in trying to match a piece of art to your interior design.We would love to help you cultivate an art collection that brings a unique and personal elegance to your home. With an extensive network of artists and fine craftspeople, we can source pieces in a wide variety of styles and media, from paintings to furniture.