Page 145 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2020

STYLE
It might be obvious that most of us are drawn
to artwork that re ect the things, places, and people we enjoy in our lives. We are beach
bums and my family has embraced the Coast in decorating our home. Two of my favorite pieces are vintage Blessing of the Fleet posters from my husband’s childhood in Biloxi.
Embrace your theme but be careful to mix in theme-adjacent pieces so as not to create the feel of a tourist destination or museum. I’m a big fan of mixing styles! I love pairing a contemporary abstract painting with a vintage gilded frame, like the one pictured by local artist Crystal Aguirre. Conversely, something old preserved in modern acrylic; a friend and fellow designer in Fort
Worth has an heirloom quilt displayed in a large modern acrylic frame. It is stunning because of the scale and the unexpected pairing of vintage and modern textures.
SENTIMENTALITY Of course, family photos, past and current, take center stage in most of
our homes, but we can get creative with unexpected treasures too. Let’s not
forget that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and almost anything you
love can be raised to an artistic status in your home or business. Sculpture, pottery, and textiles can all be beautiful artistic touches
when displayed thoughtfully. A current client, for whom I have designed a sleek monochromatic home, owns a very colorful self- portrait of Brett Michaels, lead singer of Poison. While it’s outside
the general style of his space, it had to be displayed both because of its sentimental value to him and because it’s a great conversation starter. I am currently working on the design of a new upscale bar in Bay St. Louis, Hinge at the Pearl Hotel, which will pay homage to the family’s roots in the oyster business through custom photography of the industry.
SCALE This is really a place to break the rules in my opinion. We all know
the rule of thumb about hanging pictures at eye level (which means
my 6’4” husband and I never agree on where to hang our treasured family photos), but unexpected
scale of pieces can really make them stand out. Hanging a large canvas in a small space can add
great drama and a collection of small prints can act as a one larger piece. If you have a single small piece, consider framing it much
larger and using a matte to ll the edge space. This a great way to save money by buying smaller prints of
original artwork. SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
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My best advice is to gather the things that speak to you and your family and get creative with how and where to display them. Our southern culture has taught us the importance of hospitality, the art of storytelling, and the comfort of time-hon- ored traditions. No matter what special pieces you choose to dis- play in your home, remember to welcome in family and friends, let your artwork inspire storytelling, and watch your house be- come a true southern home.
“Ga er e
ings at speak to you.”