We’re renovating the cottage next door. As soon as the artwork went up, it felt like a home.
Settling into our cottage has been a long and languid journey. It started with the Great Purge, when Dan and I let go of many of the furnishings that filled our larger home in Atchison. Because our cottage is so small, we could only keep the things we loved most. For Dan, it was all those books. For me, it was artwork (and dishes, but that’s a story for another day).
Our stairwell has become a gallery showcasing some of my favorite pieces of artwork.
Even though I had miles less wall space in the cottage, I was determined to squeeze in every piece of art I held dear. To Dan’s astonishment, I did it. In my mind, there was never any doubt. Because I know that art is what makes a house feel like a home, gives it its voice.
I really love to mix together dissimilar pieces of artwork, making a unified collection out of pieces that each lend their unique voice.
I’ve had fun working with Dillon, the gifted artwork display designer at Nell Hill’s, to see my old favorites in brand new ways. Where could I hang my huge canvasses, the ones that had filled my two-story entry and lofty rooms, so they didn’t overwhelm the cottage’s snug spaces? How could I mix up my groupings, putting pieces together with new partners, instead of just replicating the montages I loved in my old house? How could I squeeze in all these piece without making the spaces visually chaotic? Dillon was a master at taking my vision and making it a reality.
When I decorate a room, I may scrimp on furnishings or accents, but never on artwork.
We just finished decorating our den downstairs, our little Hobbit hole where Dan and I cocoon in the winter months, watching way too much Netflix or getting lost in a great read. Until recently, this room doubled as Dan’s home office, a hidey-hole where Dan, Lyric (our golden retriever) and the cat reigned. While my husband has many amazing talents, keeping a space tidy is not one of them. Clutter, pet hair, ugh. So, I evicted him from the room and reclaimed the space.
There are no rules you have to follow when selecting art for your home, except this one: Only display artwork you love.
We moved some of the older furniture over to Mom’s cottage next door, brought in a few new pieces, and covered the walls with art. I am no longer embarrassed to bring friends down into this private space, and if he’s honest, Dan enjoys spending time there all the more now that the space is beautiful, and clean.
I want my mom’s cottage next door to feel like it’s been in our family for generations. Artwork is helping me achieve my vision.
We had just moved my mom into the cottage next door before she died. I’m sad that we didn’t have the home finished before she passed so that she could enjoy it to its fullest. But now I’m making it a warm and welcoming retreat, in her honor. As we decorate, room by room, it’s the artwork that has made all the difference. Once the walls were covered in art, it became a home.
Artwork is perhaps the most important design element in a room. It makes the space uniquely yours.
My affair with artwork began when I was just beginning my career. When I had a little money saved up, I bought art. Through the years, I upgraded my pieces and added to my collection. It’s made all the difference in my homes. And, that’s one of the biggest pieces of decorating advice I give when people ask me to help style their homes: Don’t scrimp on the artwork. You may have the most beautiful furnishings in the world, but your home isn’t finished – doesn’t have its soul – until the walls are filled with artwork that brings you joy.
Next Week … We will visit a friend’s house for ideas on how to bring your personality to life in your home.
Dorm Décor: Make a Small Space Special
The Art of the #Shelfie
Meet the Artist: Jill Opelka
Finishing Touches for a Finished Home
Micki Lempp says
January 8, 2018 at 9:43 amI absolutely love ❤️ your art displays. They are so unique and interesting. This gives me some great ideas on how I can rearranged some of my pieces. Thanks so much for your inspiration.
Barbara says
January 8, 2018 at 11:11 amI totally agree, Mary Carol!!! I absolutely love the artwork I’ve collected over the years and would be lost without it. A few years ago I also downsized and I’m happy to say all of my favorites are still with me. They are like a good friend and bring me joy in remembering “why” I fell in love with them!! 🙂
sandy mccune says
January 8, 2018 at 2:22 pmI love this column. I have just been going through some of my paintings that are in boxes. I would like to put some up but I love the ones that have been there on my walls almost 40 years. I am an artist and when I love something I put it up and never move it. I hope we get to see your home and cottage someday. I love the portraits but don’t recognize the artist. Saw your ad on TV yesterday. Very nice.
polly smith says
January 8, 2018 at 2:30 pmI love this article. It has inspired me to redo my art work. We repainted and I have not put all the artwork up again. Thanks so much for the ideas you showed.
Teddee Grace says
January 8, 2018 at 2:43 pmI really enjoyed this particular post since I live in a one-bedroom apartment and have my walls filled with artwork that makes my heart sing and makes this small space a home. I so agree with your philosophy. Please accept my condolences about your mother. If you had mentioned that before I missed it. My own mother, a lifetime resident of northwest Missouri except for a brief time in the late 30s and early 40s, died about this time of year in 2016. She was 100.
Marilyn L Yooung says
January 8, 2018 at 3:49 pmI adore the way you talked about your artwork! I have felt this way for years. I love every print or canvas I have ever acquired. My taste vary widely but each and every one has a story as to what was happening at the time I bought it. I remember the day in Half Moon Bay, CA, at a Festival, seeing this gorgeous print of flowers. I bought it and asked if the artist was around so I could have her sign the print. As I was waiting, I saw a thin middle- aged woman and had a thought run thru my head that she really was quite homely and needed a makeover! Would you believe that lady came over, introduced herself, and said she would be happy to sign my print! After visiting with this artist for a half hour, she somehow became so beautiful and delightful. How amazing that day became and I think of our conversation every time I look at her print! I love my black art from Cambria, CA, my canvas of angels from Peru, every single art piece on my walls.
Lisa says
January 8, 2018 at 4:06 pmI do so hope you’re compiling information for your next book on downsizing. Your transformation is truly inspirational and as one who has gone through the ‘getting rid of stuff’, I’m not so sure that I’ve put the remaining pieces together in a cohesive manner. Please advise, and quickly. Thank you.
franki says
January 8, 2018 at 4:57 pmI need a Dillon! Same “boat” downsize from a large Tudor to a log cabin. I just looked at our guest bedroom, etc. and thought…the walls are covered with art…and I can’t give a single piece away. *sigh* franki
Beulah says
January 8, 2018 at 5:55 pmI agree with you on Dillon, he came to St. Joseph and redid my stairwell and other places in my home. He made my art displays so much better. So happy with his talent and work.
I Enjoyed seeing your art, I always get inspirations from you.
Lisa says
February 7, 2018 at 6:16 pmHow much did I love this tour. Oh Mary Carol it looks so peaceful and one can tell it was designed with great love. Would you do a post of all the rooms soon? Or maybe a little video tour. So lovely. I already saw a few things I wish to try out in my home. I too love art so much.
Love you MCG.
God bless,
Lisa Mercado-Fernandez