Priceless Art

After seeing this post- Carol left this message:

Here's my question: how much is too much to spend on artwork? I see this piece for the wall costs more than the sofa. I guess I'm surprised by this, but maybe that's why my house never looks professionally done. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to things on my walls. Is there any rule of thumb?

- Carol

I would never put a rule of thumb on the price. There are rules on the size and scale. I once heard of accessorizing being 1/3 the job cost. I think it is great when you are starting a job from scratch, and have finite amount of funds to reserve an appropriate amount to decorate the walls and accessorize. Most of us decorate as we go along. I can tell you that I personally saved for a year for a hand painted screen in my family room. It did cost about the same as my leather sofa. Sometimes, however, you can find the coolest items at a low cost- like a plate collage. These plates I found on Etsy- a set of three for $16. You could search out some cool plates- raid your grandmother's house- go to flee markets- TJ Max- and make a fantastic collage on your wall without ever having to write out a large check. Oftentimes people purchase items that are too small- probably to save money. The cool mixed media art at the top of the post- also from Etsy is only 6" x 12"- Most walls would need a set of about 16 of these :) Sometimes- to make your art affordable- you could start with , say 4 pictures- (on a smaller wall) and slowly get more as time goes on- until you have the amount you need to fill the wall you are working on.

In this post - the wall art is the glue. All of the other items are natural- or black. The art is what pulls it all together. It is also the element in the room that will make it not just functional- but "cool" and pleasant. This piece is what gives the room "atmosphere." The wall art is also the "focal point" of the room. It is a pivotal vital piece. Spending some money here will prove to make all the difference in the room.

Your attitude is not uncommon. I run into it a lot- and people diminish their beautiful homes by purchasing their wall art at @X&^%$ and *X%&^%&^ . (I mentioned actual places- but thought I would offend a bunch of people... :) Those places are great! For when you are in college- or just starting out.- But when you are a grown up- it's time to get some grown up wall art. ;)