Art can speak to your heart and tell your family’s story! Find some of my favorite art sources in today’s post.
I have collected meaningful artwork for our home for many years. I pay close attention to how my surroundings make me feel, so I usually choose pieces that inspire or comfort us. More than simply filling a wall, art can tell your story and create an emotional connection.
When we were newlyweds, money was tight, but we loved hunting for secondhand finds that resonated with us. Slowly we filled our bare walls with pieces that mattered. On trips—even small ones to a nearby beach for an anniversary—we often brought home a small original work as a memento.
Sometimes art appears when you least expect it, so keep your eyes and heart open for happy discoveries. When you find a piece you love at the right price, don’t walk away. I’ve found beautiful artwork at local secondhand shops. Once, during a home inspection of a 1930s English Tudor, we discovered and bought a large impressionist-era oil seascape tucked away in a closet. You never know when art will find you.
When we redesigned our small kitchen, we reserved a special spot on the wall just for art. I watched for the right piece for years and recently found a lovely painting of a ship that felt perfect. The scene, the details and the colors instantly connected with me. Seeing it brings daily joy and reminds me of carefree summers spent around sailboats and the Puget Sound, which is visible from our kitchen window.
Recently I discovered original watercolor paintings from a new Etsy artist and was delighted to be her very first customer, acquiring two pieces—a lighthouse and a pair of seagulls—that now live in our home. Supporting emerging artists and collecting small originals has been such a rewarding part of decorating.
When we moved into this house nearly five years ago, we weren’t certain where everything should go, so some art waited patiently to be hung. The quieter months of quarantine encouraged me to find the right place for each piece and to expand my collection online when something truly spoke to me.
Gradually our home has come to reflect more of who we are. Through the intentional act of selecting pieces that matter, we’ve created a space where we feel calmer and more at peace than ever before.
If you’d like practical guidance on arranging art, look for posts with helpful tips on decorating walls and gallery arrangements.
Another fun idea for wall art is using decorative plates. I created a plate wall and rounded up some favorite pieces that add color and personality to a room.
Looking for coastal, sailboat, or seascape artwork? Check out a curated list of favorite sources for that style.
Here are some recent favorites I’ve found online:
Shop my house and recent decor finds through the shop page.
Discover where to find coastal, sailboat and seascape artwork in a dedicated post on favorite sources.