Choosing & styling round artwork for your home
This week we invited Auckland stylist Kate Alexander of Places and Graces to share with you her immense knowledge, tips and tricks and things to remember when styling round artwork for your home.
This week we invited Auckland stylist Kate Alexander of Places and Graces to share with you her immense knowledge, tips and tricks and things to remember when styling round artwork for your home.
Three situations when a round artwork is the right choice for your home, and how to style it.
Here's a quick test for whether a round artwork is right for your home. Go outside and walk back into your house with your eyes closed, open them up, and count how many round shapes you see. Most likely not very many because our homes are constructed using straight lines - whether that be rectangle doorways or square furniture.
Straight lines are imperative for ensuring our homes stay standing. Yet, circles, as a symbol, represent balance and calm – something we're seeking more and more in our lives. The good news is that straight-lines and curved lines are best friends. So it doesn't have to be one or the other, they love hanging out together and often look better as a couple.
How do you know if your square wall needs a circular artwork? Keep reading, we'll tell you how. 😀
1. A round painting is a great choice when you have few other curves in your interior
Circular shapes are soft by nature and bring an element of gentleness, enabling even the most uptight room to breathe a sigh of relaxation. So, if your space is feeling a bit serious, cold and disconnected, it's time to add some round items to restore the balance. A fast and proven way is to hang a circular painting. Combine it with other circular items – a globe light-fitting, round rug, oval dining table or a round cushion, and you'll reap the benefits of this gentle, quiet shape.
2. A round painting is a great choice when you already have other curves in your interior
If the architecture of your home includes a prominent round feature like a curved arch in the hall or a curved fireplace surround, do a little dance - you're lucky. Not many houses are designed with obvious circular shapes. When they are, it's the ultimate opportunity to pump up the volume by placing 'like-with-like'. Choose a round, oval, or even a gathering of circular artworks to hang next to your existing circular feature. Adding a circular art friend to a permanent curved interior feature will double its impact and make it feel like it belongs.
3. A round painting is a great choice when you want to join spaces together
Studies have proven that our eyes (and brains) respond well to specific shapes. Circles are one, triangles are the other. Put these two shapes together in your room, and it will really start to hum. (Warning: you may find it so pleasing your favourite pass-time becomes arranging mini 'circle-triangle-vignettes'). Create an asymmetric triangle by hanging a circular artwork off to the edge of an item of furniture - this will do the job of connecting the furniture to the adjacent floor. Alternatively, create a symmetrical triangle by hanging a circular artwork centred above an object of furniture. This tactic is useful when you want the illusion of width or height. Utilising a circular artwork as the connector will softly lead your eye up, around and back down, its' continuous edge keeping the eye moving.
Small round Original Paintings by Lucy Davidson, 2019
And lastly, when styling with an artwork that is round in shape, remember:
And lastly, when styling with an artwork that is round in shape, remember:
- Surround your circular artwork with space to breathe, to further enhance its calming qualities.
- Use your round artwork to accentuate other curves in the place, or, add something else curved to help it feel at home.
- Anchor your round artwork to an object (ie furniture) or straight-line (ie doorway) so that together they create a triangular shape.
To view more art visit endemicworld.com >>
