How To Incorporate Art In To Your Home

Art Untamed founder Hettie Reatchlous is determined to make buying, collecting and commissioning art something that anyone can enjoy. Her experience speaks for itself – an MA in History of Art from The University Of Edinburgh followed by seven years working with widely acclaimed art-dealer, Michael Goedhuis.

Gallerist Hettie Reatchlous, founder of Art Untamed, says: 

Do I need a big budget to start an art collection?

No, definitely not. You can start by buying prints or even limited edition prints which can start from £50. Vintage oil paintings can also be very affordable.

Do I need a lot of wall space? 

No - you don't even need any wall space as you could have artworks on shelves, mantelpieces, on a desk or even hung on bookshelves. 

Do I need to know a lot about art and artists?

Definitely not. It's always fun finding artwork you like and then consequently learning more about the artist and their technique and the reason behind the painting. 

Should you choose art according to what room it’ll hang in?

Obviously you don't want the artwork to clash with the surrounding wallpapers or colour scheme but I wouldn't buy art to simply 'match' with the interiors. I would take this into consideration when you find something you love but don't buy an artwork because it has the same green as the chairs... buy what you love and then find a space for it.

Does artwork need to be big to make an impact?

No! Small pieces can also make a big impact. I have a very small painting which definitely packs a punch - it's a still life with meticulous detail and some very bright oranges and reds which catch everyone's eye when they walk into the room.

Can you mix and watch style when creating a gallery wall?

I love mixing and matching old and new pieces. On a gallery wall, mixing high and low end pieces makes things feel very quirky and personal. For example, framing a child’s artwork or even a napkin with nostalgic meaning can be a lovely way to personalise a gallery wall. I also love mixing ceramic plates with artwork.

How do you get the framing right?

Always invest in professional framers if you can. Good framing can elevate even a hand drawn sketch to a thing of beauty. Cheap frames and really spoil the look of even an expensive piece. A simple oak frame from a proper framer is my go the less ornate style also reduces their charges. I also love to box frame 3D pieces to make the frame part of the art. Tray frames can also add a different dimension to a canvas and really elevate it. Ask your framer for advice.

Also don't forget to visit our Framing Guide and our Frames Collection.

Does there need to be a thread to hold it all together?

Yes, sometimes using the same simple frame style holds an eclectic mix of art together, but sometimes it can be as simple as having a similar colour palette in the artwork which can hang the pieces together.