The Curated Home: A Guide to Collecting and Displaying Art

An interior can be perfectly designed—with beautiful furniture, luxurious materials, and a flawless layout—but without art, it lacks a soul. Art is the element that transforms a house into a home, infusing it with the personality, history, and passions of its inhabitants. It tells a story that is uniquely yours. Building an art collection can seem intimidating, but it should be a joyful and personal journey, not a scholarly exercise. The only rule is to buy what you love.

At Alvari & Pers, we believe that art is not mere decoration but an integral part of the interior architecture. We help our clients build collections and design their homes around these treasured pieces. Art curation is a key component of our full-service design offerings, ensuring that your most personal items are given the showcase they deserve.

Starting Your Collection: Trust Your Eye

The first step is to simply look. Visit galleries, museums, art fairs, and even student shows. Pay attention to what moves you. Is it a bold abstract painting, a serene landscape, a striking photograph, or a tactile sculpture? Don't worry about whether it "matches" your sofa. Great art doesn't need to match; it needs to resonate.

• Explore Different Mediums: Think beyond paintings on canvas. Sculpture adds a three-dimensional element, photography can be modern and graphic, and fiber art can introduce incredible texture.
• Start Small: You don't have to buy a massive centerpiece to begin. A collection of smaller works by emerging artists can be just as impactful and allows you to explore your taste without a huge financial commitment.
• Build a Narrative: Over time, you may find a theme emerging in your collection, whether it's a particular color palette, subject matter, or style. This narrative is what will make your collection uniquely personal.

The Art of the Hang: Displaying Your Collection

How you display your art is just as important as the art itself. Proper placement can make a piece sing, while poor placement can diminish its impact.

"The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what's in or what's out." - Albert Hadley

• Scale and Proportion: A common mistake is hanging art too high (the center of the piece should be at eye level, around 57-60 inches from the floor). The scale of the art should also relate to the wall and the furniture below it. A large, dramatic piece can be the perfect anchor above a sofa in a minimalist living room.
• The Gallery Wall: To create a gallery wall, lay out your pieces on the floor first to find a pleasing arrangement. Maintain consistent spacing between frames for a cohesive look. Mix different sizes and orientations, but unite them with a common element, like a color or frame style.
• Light It Right: Lighting is critical. Never place valuable art in direct sunlight. Use dedicated picture lights or adjustable spotlights to illuminate your pieces. A well-lit piece of art can have as much impact as a statement light fixture.

Integrating Art and Design

The most sophisticated interiors are those where art and design are in conversation with each other. A piece of art can be the jumping-off point for an entire room's design. The vibrant blue from a painting can be pulled out for accent pillows, or the entire room can be designed in a monochromatic palette to let a multi-colored piece take center stage. You can learn more about this in our guide to the psychology of color.

Think about unexpected places for art. A small, beautiful painting in a powder room, a sculpture on a kitchen counter, or a photograph at the end of a hallway can create delightful moments of surprise. We often design custom millwork with integrated niches specifically for displaying treasured sculptures or objects.

Your Home, Your Gallery

Your home is your private gallery, a space that should be filled with objects and images that bring you joy and tell your story. Collecting art is a lifelong journey of discovery. By trusting your instincts and displaying your collection with care, you can create a home that is not only beautiful but also a deeply personal and meaningful reflection of who you are.

If you would like guidance on starting or displaying your collection, contact Alvari & Pers. We would be delighted to help you curate the perfect pieces for your home.