What’s up my hella balanced, centered AF Capricorn cuties?! Did you know that interior design generally recognizes 7 elements including: space, line, form, light, color, texture and pattern? Among other principles, I’d argue that keeping balance front and center when sorting through these 7 design elements inside your own environment, is at the heart of capturing the warmth of a thoughtful and considered interior environment. Channeling that quintessential pragmatic Capricorn honesty, I’m challenging you to obsess (in a healthy way) over the different traits and characteristics of each design element, recognizing what each brings to the table inside of the grand scheme, and presenting them in a way that brings out the beauty in their counterparts and in you! Keeping the above in mind, in today’s post I’d like to shine a light specifically on finding balance within the ways we choose to purchase artwork and wall décor, as well as arrange it within our spaces. I promise, it’s fun :)))))))))
Capricorn Personality: “By far, pragmatism is one of your best qualities. You’re able to remove your emotions from the equation and look at “just the facts,” which isn’t easy for most of us to do. People appreciate your objective and nonjudgmental outlook, which is why it seems like everyone wants to ask you for the advice! Having serious Saturn as your ruling planet makes you a natural authority figure, and people inherently feel comfortable looking to you as a guide. It’s not always the easiest role to play, but we’re glad someone’s willing to do it and do it well.” -My Domaine
Although many of us would like to be 100% original artwork owners (and that’s rad if you’ve found a way to make that happen), I’d like to walk through the pragmatic approach to honing your perfect artwork and wall décor collecting process. I remember the first original art piece that ever adorned my post-college apartment walls. The colors, subject matter, and medium felt so naturally inspiring to me in every way imaginable – it was the perfect introduction piece into building my own collection of artworks. It’s also proven, with every move and layout/décor switcheroo I’ve thrown at it, to be a non-stop focal point and description of how I’d like the rest of my space to feel. It’s also inspired my design business’s brand aesthetic and brick & mortar. In so many unforeseen ways, this piece has sparked an evolution of myself that I didn’t know was possible but has become VERY possible. If you’re in the least bit curious about starting your own collection of original artwork pieces, my advice would be to go on & get after it!
Keeping this energy and momentum in mind, know and trust the support you’ve shown those artists to help guide mindful decisions for the pieces that surround and complement your original investments. An easy place to start is color. Pull the colors out of the focal artwork that speak to you most, while still keeping the surrounding overall room finishes in check. Pair it with a few matted framed prints or a quirky vintage piece that dials into your desired color scheme, without competing too heavily. For an even more dramatic effect, consider painting the wall your focal piece hangs on in a complementary hue specific to the artwork.
Balancing the scale of objects & furniture surrounding your artwork, as well as the scale of how the artwork groupings relate to themselves as a collective idea makes a huge impact on design. In general, a balanced artwork display above an anchor piece of furniture uses roughly 2/3 of the wall space above the piece. So a standard 7’L sofa would be proportionally balanced with roughly 4.5’ of linear wall space of artwork or décor covered above it.
Where you choose to hang artwork also speaks tremendously to the nature of how you view the piece. Front and center over that formal fireplace or decadent dining table, WABAM! – you know right where your eyes are supposed to go. I tend to prefer a more abstract or unexpected placement within an environment. This helps to move the eye around the space and be more inclusive of all of the elements within the room. Forget hierarchy, think balance.
And please remember, I use the word artwork in a very loose fashion. Invest in the artists and pieces that matter to you. Those that help to articulate a thought you never quite knew how to verbalize or say on your own. Lift them up, learn from their bravery!
Alrighty! Well, I hope these thoughts have sparked a few ideas about starting or building upon your own collection. In my experience, these pieces will grow and evolve with you over time, evoke self-expression, and help to support the livelihood of the artist voices that are so necessary for the longevity of our communities. Stay weird, my peeps !!
xo, Jordo