Festival of the Smalls Archives

Decorating a Nursery with Groupings of Original Art

I must apologize for not posting this last week as I’d promised. Real life got all kinds of “real” and…well…you know what they say about best laid plans. But it’s Monday morning, the sun is shining, and there is a fresh and happy week ahead of us! What better way to start that week than with some inspiration on how to use original art in your nursery design?

The lovely Patricia from Art Interiors sent me some wonderful inspiration images showcasing pieces from their gallery installed in children’s rooms, and let’s just say I’m in l-o-v-e. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but I really do believe in carving out room in your decorating budget for original art whenever and wherever you can. Original art has the ability to transform a space from pedestrian and boring to personal and dynamic in a way that little else can. Just feast your eyes on these inspiring spaces and you’ll see what I mean!

This first nursery {above} feels quiet, sophisticated and perhaps a little bit quirky; whereas this second children’s room {below} feels bold and fun and unexpected.

This little girl’s room {below} is all kinds of charming, and the solo piece that greets you as you enter suggests she will grow up into a very interesting and sophisticated lady.

I’m totally crazy for the grouping in this sweet baby girl’s nursery {above}. The diversity and juxtaposition of the pieces creates such an interesting sense of story, and the pieces they have collected can easily be built upon and rearranged over time.

Is it just me, or does the art totally make these spaces come alive?

Not only did Patricia send over some inspiration of art groupings that have already been installed in children’s rooms, but she also kindly pulled together three fresh groupings for us – all created with a baby boy’s nursery in mind – to get the creative juices flowing using pieces that are currently available at The Festival of The Smalls.

Grouping Number One {above} is a delightful mix of hip and fresh with a healthy dose of vintage throw-back for good measure. I particularly love the hockey player by Patrick Lajoie {left} and the hipster playing with the viewfinder by Kelly Grace {top right}.

Grouping Number Two is given a more modern edge with the photograph by Emilie Rondeau {left}. My favourite piece in this grouping is the cyclist by Sara Caracristi {bottom left}, but I love the play of colour and texture that keeps the eye moving and engaged amongst all the pieces in this dynamic grouping.

Grouping Number Three {above} is really a marriage of the first two. Anybody remember Marigold? Oh my goodness that takes me back! And the vintage Fisher Price record player {top right by Kelly Grace} was seriously one of my all-time favourite toys when I was a kid! The abstract colour-blocked piece by Richard Herman is fresh and lends a modern edge to the nostalgic vibe of some of the other pieces.

Today’s visual design lesson really builds upon last week’s 3 Tips For Buying Original Art: buy what you love; start small and build over time; and be open to diversity! As you can see from the groupings above, an interesting mix will add energy and intrigue to a space in refreshingly unexpected ways. And remember what we learned from the gents at Madcap Cottage? Gallery groupings are totally where it’s at.

Can’t wait to get working on my groupings for Project Debonaire Young Sir and Project Nursery. Goodness, I have so much to do! But believe you me, the art groupings are already floating around in my head like happy little dreams. Just have to get the spaces ready so I have fresh walls on which to hang the art!

Wishing you a happy Monday, brimming with inspiration and fresh perspective.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 18th, 2013|0 Comments

The Festival of The Smalls at Art Interiors | How to Start Collecting Original Art For Your Home

{“The Battery” by Charlene Serdan}

It should come as no surprise at this point that art is often my starting point for design projects, whether for clients or for my own home. As I’ve said many times, I believe art gives soul to a space and allows you to personalize your home in a very unique and meaningful way. Whether you start with art or finish with it, I believe original work should always be a part of a well designed interior.

{“Arc En Ciel #3″ by Chrstine Breakell-Lee}

I also believe that original art should be accessible to everyone. For many, it is intimidating at first and I get that. Price tags seem high and many galleries seem to look down their noses at you if you don’t understand the “gestalt” of the artists they happen to represent. So…where do you start?

STEP 1 – LOOK FOR ART THAT CONNECTS WITH YOU

Art should speak to you first and foremost, and that’s always the place to start. It might be something clear – a piece that reminds you of a a place you’ve been or something you’ve experienced – or perhaps it will be something more abstract, eliciting an emotion or a mood. Whatever it is, you are the beholder, so your reaction is all that matters.

{“City Nights 2” by Eleanor Doran}

STEP 2 – START SMALL AND COLLECT OVER TIME

Once you’ve made the connection and have found an artist, a style, a medium or a subject matter that moves you, start small and work your way into a collection over time. There really is no better way to do that than by collecting smalls, and my favourite Toronto gallery Art Interiors has made an art form out of this approach.

{“Alone Together” by Elizabeth Lennie}

Every year, Art Interiors puts on The Festival of The Smalls where original works of art ranging in price from $55 – $250 are available from a vast array of incredible artists. Owners Lisa and Shira and their amazing team are phenomenal at making art accessible. Rather than feeling judged for what you like or don’t like, they will empower you to find art that connects with you, and they are brilliant at pulling together bespoke and customized groupings. Gallery groupings are one of my favourite ways to create interest and an engaging focal point in a space. In its 20th year, The Festival of The Smalls really is the go-to place to get started!

STEP 3 – BE OPEN TO DIVERSITY

Once you’ve found an artist or a style that speaks to you, it can be tempting to just keep collecting the same thing so that it all “works together.” Here’s the thing: juxtaposition is one of the energizing gifts that original art can bring to a space, so the only rule to follow is to go with what moves you. Be open to new artists, mediums, subject matter and a variety of scale. As you collect over time there will no doubt be a thread that connects your collection, but it will also tell a story of a home that is curated through the lens of life experience. A space that is curated over time is always a more interesting and unique reflection of its inhabitants.

{“City Girl Ski Lesson” by Sarah Martin}

{“Lemons” by Greg Nordoff}

The Festival of The Smalls is on until December 24th, and in my opinion it is the PERFECT place to do your Christmas shopping. If you’re afraid of purchasing something that doesn’t suit that special someone on your list, why not purchase a gift certificate and make it an experience? Give them an Art Interiors certificate along with an “Art Adventure IOU” to take your loved one with you to visit the delightful team at Art Interiors. The shared experience of finding that special piece together will only enhance the enjoyment of it for years to come.

Later this week I’ll share some charming concepts from the team at Art Interiors on creating customized groupings for an inspired nursery. In the meantime, be sure to check out The Festival of The Smalls online and even better, visit the gallery in person for an abundance of inspiration! My guess is you’ll find yourself struggling to choose between the myriad of pieces that will have you falling in love and feeling alive.

Happy Monday!
xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 11th, 2013|0 Comments

Art Interiors | Festival of the Smalls

Each year, my favourite Toronto art gallery hosts a delightful event intended to make original art truly accessible. Art Interiors‘ trailblazing event – The Festival of the Smalls – has been making original art affordable to all of us for 19 years now. The owners of the Forest Hill Village gallery – Lisa Diamond Katz and Shira Wood – carefully curate a delightfully eclectic mix of small canvases each year. Ranging from $55 to $250, the diverse works on offer are perfectly priced for your Christmas shopping list!

Paintings by Erin Vincent and Elizabeth Lennie

As you may remember from previous posts like this one, I am a big fan of curating interesting groupings of smalls. While large canvases can be a powerful way to bring soul to your space, groupings of smalls offer a dynamic and inspired approach to creating interest and anchoring a wall. Done well, a grouping of smalls can even script something of a story in the way each of the pieces speak to one another.

Today for Make Something Monday, I thought I would share some of the Art Interiors artists I love and offer you a peak at their contributions to this year’s Festival of the Smalls. Up first, Elizabeth Lennie, an inspired Canadian artist who captures the visceral and emotional connection with two favourite Canadian past times – swimming and hockey.

Up next is Elzbieta Krawecka, whose large landscape paintings are spectacular and can truly anchor a space. {Take a look back here at my use of one of Elzbieta’s large canveses in a client’s beautiful traditional master ensuite.} Elzbieta’s masterful painting is both classic and refined, well worthy of being collected and engaged with daily. Her smalls are the perfect way to add her spectacular work to your collection! Here are a few of my favourites this year. If someone could just buy me the first one for Christmas {please + thanks} I’d be ever so delighted!

Emily Bickell has become well known for her remarkably realistic water surface studies. Often just close-up studies of the play of light and movement on the water, they communicate a serenity and quietude that can only come from spending time on the blue, surrounded by nature. I am particularly fond of the last two as they transport me to the lakes of Northern Ontario, a place of great serenity, relaxation and beauty for me.

If I had to sum up Kelly Grace’s work in one word, for me it would be nostalgia. As a child, I spent countless hours with our family’s Viewmaster, clicking through slides of beautiful scenes. I can still hear the hard plastic “click” the lever would make as I scrolled through the images. Kelly Grace’s series of paintings {see two below} instantly transport me back to my living room’s hardwood floor where I would lay on my belly or my back, totally enrapt by the images hidden inside this deceptively simple gadget.

The pieces I’ve shared today are just a small sampling of the small works available during Art Interiors‘ Festival of The Smalls, on until December 24th. If you are in search of something inspired, personal and entirely unique for a loved one on your list, you simply must pay a visit to the lovely ladies at the gallery for help with finding that perfect piece of original art. It’s the kind of gift that is guaranteed to surprise + delight.

Happy {Make Something} Monday!

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 12th, 2012|0 Comments