We sat down with Morgan Shrader - artist, interior designer, and owner of Morgan Shrader Art & Interiors - to talk about the power of art to transform a space. Not only was she absolutely lovely, but we came away with a treasure trove of tips and tricks on how the pros select and display art art in a space for maximum impact. Keep reading to learn how to choose the perfect piece for your home.
As an interior designer, tell us how you choose the right piece of art for a space.
Choose something that matches your personality and interests! If you are a beach lover but don’t want a literal beach landscape, look for an abstract that resembles the ocean. I typically start off by designing a space around fabric, wallcovering and furniture. Secondary elements like fabric, rugs and fine art are then chosen. If a client previously purchased a large piece of art and would like to include in the room, I will work with it and choose design elements to coordinate. In the home office shown below, the client had previously purchased the sailboat painting. We worked with it by selecting the rug, pillows, vintage telescope and accessories to coordinate with it.
How can art bring together the elements in a room?
I love using art to bring a room together! It can create a focal point and harmonize a space. As an artist and interior designer, I like to incorporate my own pieces in every project which allows for customization. For instance, there might be a room that has a window wall with beautiful drapery with an adjacent blank wall. I will work with the client to create a piece to coordinate with the drapery bringing color to the blank wall. This will create stimulation, keeping your eye moving throughout the room and establish a cohesive design.
Tell us about the different roles art can play in a space
Art can wear many hats; it can be the star of the show or have a supporting actor role. It can create balance, set the mood, create a focal point and anchor the space as well as tie a space together. Art can define a purpose or reflect on different personalities, interests, emotions and style … and if it’s done right, you can have all of the above in one room. Take a look at the dining room below. The homeowner was looking for a simple yet sophisticated look for this small space. She loves to garden and collects blue and white china. Elements like the large landscape painting and three commissioned navy botanicals were selected based on personality and enjoyment. The landscape created a focal point and while the botanicals helped balance the room. By choosing pieces based on your personality and interests, it’s (almost) guaranteed you will enjoy them for many years to come!
What advice do you have for homeowners shopping for art for their homes?
I would advise homeowners to shop for original art at artist markets and local or online galleries (I happen to know a great one called The Studio Collective). Gallery owners and artists can also help you find your personal style and learn what subjects and mediums you to gravitate towards. You also need to determine the appropriate size and budget before you begin your search so you are not distracted. Art can be an investment- only buy pieces that really speak to you and love!
Are there any interior design rules for selecting art for your room?
Art does not have to be “matchy, matchy” but it does need to coordinate with other elements in the room. I tend to look for pieces that have similar color tones of the drapery fabric or pillows used to help tie a space together. Don’t be afraid to mix modern with traditional. My abstract botanical series are a great example of that! They look great in a modern or traditional home.
Pro tips on hanging art?
When it comes to installing art, it is very important to find the right height and spacing. If a piece is installed too high or too low it will look out of place. I typically install a large piece where the center of it is at eye level. If hanging a large piece above a console table or sofa, the bottom of the frame should be between 6” – 10” above it. Gallery walls with a variety of sizes can be a little tricky. I like to cut templates out of paper then tape them to the wall to find the perfect grouping. Generally, you want to have a 3”-5” space in between each piece and start with your largest piece(s) then create a grouping around it. A grid gallery wall like in the photo shown below can be less difficult to install as the frames are identical.
