Pick your artwork before you buy that sofa....

Sofa- red, yellow, tan, black or white? Leather, corduroy, linen, wool.... Sofas come in so many choices in colors and fabrics.

As I am creating an art piece for our living room, which is composed of three separate canvases, I am surrounded by all our belongings.  Some of which are still in boxes in the house and in the garage. This home has recently been combined- all of my stuff and my husband's for the first time. We have many duplicates of several items. So as we pick through what items will remain to reflect a new combined style for us. Each piece brings elements of our own personality and combining them in the interior design is establishing a uniquely different look for us and honestly still a little ecletic. But I have the ability to create artwork that can combine the elements in the room together- it is like a super power in some way. Saving our room from disorder. Ok, I am just getting silly now. As I began this process, I began thinking about non-artists and how if you pick the art piece last it could be daunting to find the art piece to match your current selection of decor. So I began to think, why not pick the art piece first for a room? 

I am not saying it is impossible by any means, just requires a little more legwork when you are trying to buy an art piece. Sofas are abundant; they are everywhere. You watch tv there is an advertisement for sofas stores. They are in magazines and online. Now good artwork and good artists that fit your budget, and style needs are lot more difficult to find. Once you do find some artists really examine their work. How does it make you feel? Do you just love it? What does the piece say to you? Do you want to continue to look at or do you need to look away? Where is your eye drawn to in the piece?

Also keep in mind, you can request for an artist to create something custom for your home. But make sure you find similar looking styles and colors with in their body of work that has already been created. Don't expect the artist to create drastic changes from their existing body of work. They might try something drastic and they you might not love it either. 

Here is Phase 1 of this piece. I haven't created a series pieces or anything this large before. I have always seriously worked small. Even as a child in school, I would write in this teeny tiny print. So I am amazed that this is not intimidating but really fun. 

I am working with a light shade of lavender on the walls of this room. For color- think light gray and light purple blended together. I had actually started painting this in the art studio and was pleasantly surprised to see the colors matched the room. Once I am done I will share the finished piece with you. 

Feel free to share your sofa shopping stories, or combining household tips.