As we continue to make our house a home, I think a lot about the house that I grew up in. My uncle is a fine art painter and luckily, we inherited a lot of his reject paintings, much to his chagrin. Even though they weren’t his proudest moments, they were meaningful to us and made our house feel beautiful. There’s something about a real painting with real brushstrokes done by a real human–it’s imbued with life. In preparation for the rest of our home renovations, I thought it would be fun to show how to design a room inspired by a painting in partnership with Singulart, an online art gallery for beautiful original art.
Where to find original art
For In With the Old, the Magnolia show we were on earlier this year, my parents graciously let me borrow a lot of these paintings so that there would be something on the walls. Now they are returned and the bare walls are really making it obvious the desire I have to collect meaningful, beautiful art. But, how do you do it? Where do you go? I was thrilled to find a new resource in Singulart. What I love about it is that you can create your own collections. I did a huge deep dive into the site, made a number of collections of my own to keep track of everything. It got me so excited to create some rooms inspired by the art.
Art has an undeniably profound impact on our emotions and perceptions, often leaving us inspired and captivated. The mesmerizing strokes of a fine art painting can evoke a myriad of feelings and spark creative ideas. Why not take this inspiration to the next level and infuse it into our living spaces in a meaningful way. I’m going to show you how to design a room inspired by a painting, creating a harmonious blend of art and interior design that reflects your unique style and personality.
Inclusive artists
Singulart has a huge range of styles and categories, from paintings to sculptures. I also love that they place a huge importance on inclusion with 49% of their artists and designers being women. In contrast, works created by women artists represent only 11% of museum collections in the United States. The art world has been predominantly male for centuries, and women are still severely underrepresented, so this is such a welcomed stance.
Ok! Let’s get going!
Bedroom inspired by a painting
Step 1: Choosing the Right Painting
The first step in designing a room inspired by fine art is to select the perfect painting that resonates with your taste and complements your living space. Whether it’s a renowned masterpiece or a local artist’s creation, the painting should have a theme, color palette, and style that aligns with your vision for the room.
Consider the ambiance you wish to create in the space. Is it a tranquil and serene atmosphere or a vibrant and energetic one? Choose a painting that reflects the mood you want to infuse into the room. Once you’ve found the ideal piece, let it be the guiding light for your design journey.
For example, I chose this lighthouse painting by Sergej Sologub from the Singulart collection. I’ve been to Miami a few times so the location is meaningful, the vibe is tranquil, and the colors are *chef’s kiss*.
Updated Miami Vice Bedroom look
Step 2: Unraveling the Color Palette
Colors are the soul of any fine art painting and play a pivotal role in defining the room’s ambiance. Extract the dominant colors from the chosen painting to create a cohesive color palette for your interior design. You can use various color tools available online to identify the exact shades in the artwork.
For a balanced and harmonious look, use the 60-30-10 rule: 60% of the room should feature the main color, 30% a secondary color, and 10% an accent color. The main color can serve as the backdrop of the room, while the secondary and accent colors can be incorporated through furniture, decorative accessories, and textiles.
For example, I adored the feel of Bright Pink Sky in the Jungle by Lisa Braun from the Singulart collection. I was immediately drawn to the pinks in contrast with the blue/green leaves of the jungle so I created the living room inspired by it.
Colorful Jungle
Step 3: Designing Furniture and Layout
Let the painting guide the furniture selection and room layout. The style and period of the artwork can inspire the choice of furniture design. For instance, a Renaissance-inspired painting may lead you to choose classic and elegant furniture, while a contemporary artwork may inspire sleek and modern pieces.
Additionally, consider the composition of the painting to determine the focal point of the room. Arrange furniture in a way that draws attention to the painting or other essential elements in the room, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing layout.
Step 4: Artistic Decorative Elements
Incorporate decorative elements inspired by the painting to add depth and character to the room. Look for home decor items like throw pillows, rugs, curtains, and artwork that feature colors and motifs similar to the chosen painting. You can even commission custom art pieces or DIY projects that pay homage to the artwork and enhance its impact on the room.
Step 5: Illuminating the Space
Lighting is an integral part of interior design, and when designing a room inspired by fine art, it becomes even more critical. Pay attention to both natural and artificial lighting to highlight the painting and other key features of the room effectively.
Installing adjustable spotlights or picture lights can help focus attention on the artwork, creating a museum-like ambiance. Soft, warm lighting can create a cozy atmosphere, while bright lights can add vibrancy and energy to the space.
Step 6: Striking a Balance
While it’s essential to let the painting take center stage, avoid overwhelming the room with too much art or thematic elements. The key is to strike a delicate balance between the art-inspired elements and functional aspects of the room.
If the painting is bold and vibrant, keep the rest of the room decor relatively simple to avoid visual clutter. On the other hand, if the artwork is subtle and muted, consider adding a pop of color or statement piece to create visual interest.
For example, I was drawn to the gorgeous hydrangeas in Les hortensias, Un été sec by James MacKeown from the Singulart Collection. I loved that the painting feels so peaceful with that gorgeous periwinkle color, but I also didn’t want it to feel like it would fade away in the background so I paired it with a slightly contrasting butter yellow sofa and some more pale blue options. It fits in nicely with the cottagecore trend, but really, it’s just so soothing to the soul.
Cottagecore
Designing a room inspired by a fine art painting is a fascinating journey that merges creativity, emotion, and style. By carefully selecting the right artwork, interpreting its colors and themes, and incorporating artistic elements into the room’s design, you can create a space that is both visually captivating and deeply personal. Let the strokes of the painting transform your living space into a work of art in itself, reflecting your appreciation for the beauty and power of artistic expression.
If you’re looking for more original art for your home, I’d recommend taking a look at Singulart. It’s not a marketplace, but a gallery, so it’s all vetted and beautifully curated.
This post is sponsored by Singulart. All opinions are my own.
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