Becoming Home: Oversize Art
We often think big is for big and small is for small. But that's not always so. There's a certain energy that happens in a space when these two seemingly opposing ideas of scale are deliberately mixed, especially when it comes to art.
Current clients of mine and I recently commissioned a very large painting to nearly fill one wall in their family room. The house is a beautiful, original rendition of mid century modern architecture with walls of glass, walls of natural wood, and walls of stone throughout. A large painting was key in the design plan to bring presence equal to that of its surroundings. Large home, large statement.
But then, on the other hand, I've got a print coming for the great room here in the little house that's nearly as big. Little house, big art. It's going to blow the whole idea of like size with like size right out of the water. I love it when that happens.
I've collected some images to show you the power of oversize art in spaces that might have been considered too small. Pushing the boundaries of convention helps break away notions that can restrict the design and keep it from reaching its full potential. Have a look:
Besides the obvious point of size, there are a few key take aways here:
+ Just because a painting is large, doesn't mean it should be hung high. Keep them low so they can invite you in. And go ahead and layer them behind the furniture that sits in front. It tends to connect and ground them, and makes you feel settled, too.
+ Minimalist frames with no matting keeps the focus on the art.
+ Artwork doesn't always mean a commissioned painting (or the dollar sign that goes with it). Take a photograph, a picture from an old book, or one of your kid's drawings and have it enlarged. A canvas can be hung as-is. A print could simply be covered with plexi. And never forget fabric as an option.