One Way You Are Making Your Home Look Cheap- Selective Artwork Can Help

About 2 years ago I was sitting on the beach at 10 am. Don’t worry I will totally get to how we could be making our home look cheap, just stick with me. I was watching Ella in her swim lessons while keeping an eye on Lola as she played in the water and sand. Out of the corner of my eye walked up an older couple, probably in their late 70’s. I continued to watch them. The woman had a swim cap in her hand that she carefully put on while the man stood patiently by her side. I was so engrossed with what they were doing, wondering if they were going to go for swim in the ocean.

I smiled and thought, I want to be that couple when I grow up. Holding hands with my husband and going for a swim in the ocean at 10 am.

Then my 4 year old came into view…she had gotten a big bucket of water from the ocean and carried it to where I was sitting. Then she decided to dip her entire head in the bucket (clearly what I would do too). It was probably one of the best views that could be seen in one camera shot. To say I was giddy watching this all unfold might sound weird, but I was totally giddy. Lola- head in bucket. Sweet elderly couple- going for a swim in the ocean. Both finding happiness and joy in the simplest of ways. I snapped a pic. (obviously).

I loved the idea of turning this picture into a custom work of art.  I don’t have big portraits of our family in our house, mainly because I am not too keen on looking at myself and they seem to formal for my little house. I love more candid casual photo’s of my family.

I want you to picture your home. Imagine someone you don’t know walking into your home for the first time.

Would they be able to get to know you just be your home decor and artwork?

I love that our homes are a reflection of us and our loved ones. It is all about adding personal touches. One way to make your home more personal it to be more selective when purchasing art for your homes.  Ok, now I get to the big secret of how you could be making your home look cheap. I read an article titled-

“5 Things That Make Your Home Look Cheap.” One of the things they listed was, mass produced art. This is what they said-

“Few things can cheapen a space more quickly than mass production artwork. Flat, reproduction prints – especially from the more well-known artist like Picasso, Monet, Matisse, or Van Gogh – don’t add any hint of originality to a space but instead can make a room look boring and weary. Same with generic reproduction “art” that is sold in bundles or is stacked in bins in most home decorating stores. So avoid the hotel look and forgo any art sold in big box stores, and leave the Masters where they belong – in a museum. Instead, choose affordable yet original art for your home.”(source)

Now don’t get offended if you have this type of art, I totally have been there and have owned a piece of art from Home Goods. It is just about selecting artwork that tells a story. This is something to work towards, maybe a goal.

Here are some of my favorite places to find unique art-

#1- Local Artists- look on websites or local art markets or fairs

The first piece I owned of original art was actually a gift for my husband. I reached out to Mike Warren who is the husband to a good friend of mine  and asked him to turn this picture I had taken of Kevin and our two girls looking at the elephants at the zoo. It was and still is one of my favorite pieces. Ella had her hand on the back of her dad’s head #heartexplosion.

The next piece was a gift painted again by Mike Warren, it really made me cry. It was given to me at my going away party when I moved to CT. I had worked for a design firm for over 15 years in this charming building. I know I would not have framed a cheesy group picture or of me in front of the store. So I really treasure this painting, brings back fond memories.

Lastly is the #ohlola. I love this painting so hard, like I cried when I opened it. If you get the chance to have an original work of art that is that personal to you I say it is worth every penny. I had Mike Warren ship the finished painting directly to Framebridge. Framebridge will actually send you the packaging to have your art or print shipped directly to them! They made it so simple and saved me a lot of time and money having it shipped to me then me shipping to somewhere to be framed. I decided to have it framed with glass. I have another painting from another artist and I was dusting one day and the towel was slightly wet and I wiped off some of the paint! I felt sick about it for days. The glass will help preserve the painting, especially with all the shipping that had to take place.

I also love that you can upload your picture and try it out in different frames, so helpful. (Framebridge was so great to give me a 15% of code to share with my readers nestingwithgrace15).

Here is another source for original art Hamm Made Furniture. I love her florals, birds and landscape. She mixes colors so well. I go for art that just makes me happy and has colors that coordinate with my style- colors I know I am always drawn to.

#2- Limited Edition Art

I think you all know I LOVE Minted. They do a lot of duplicates but they also sell a lot of Limited Edition pieces, meaning they will only make a limited quantity of each piece of art. I picked out this picture of the Sandy Steps and the Life Guard Chair because they remind me of where we live now. I don’t think you need to go with a theme….rather select art that is unique to where you live or places you have lived is a great way to find art for your home.

#3 Etsy and Small Businesses

The two prints of original artwork above the girls beds were also found on Etsy. I picked those pieces because they reminded me of each of my girls and I loved the colors for summer. Finding prints of original artwork is a budget friendly option. (Find them HERE). This is another great way to use a framing company like Framebridge to elevate a simple print.

The watercolor map, the painting of the girl and the “I’ll love you forever” were all found on Etsy and each piece tells a story personal to our family.

You can see I move around our art all the time, I don’t use command strips as often as I should. The Angel art is another small business artist that I love. She does original artwork, but a lot of artists offer a reproduction as a great option and they are not mass produced. Find her art HERE.

#4- Make something yourself or commission a child-

If you commission a child to paint something, be prepared for it to quickly become your favorite piece of art you own.

#5- Second Hand Shops-

I picked up both of the small pieces of art above our nightstands at Good Will. Both of those pieces I have not changed since moving into our home 2 1/2 years ago! That says something. A tip when looking for art at second hand shops is to look for nice quality frames, they will make most pieces look way more expensive then the $5 you paid. (The momma holding the babe is another limited edition from Minted, HERE).

I will be breaking down the rest of the ideas behind…”5 Things That Make Your Home Look Cheap” in other blog posts so make sure to subscribe to my blog to not miss a chance to make your home look cheap:)!

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