Decorating a Hamptons Home with Stunning Original Art
Hamptons style homes exude a relaxing, coastal elegance. They capitalise on light and surround their people with rich blues, pastels, whites, and natural tones. So, what should go on the walls?
The calm, comfort of a Hamptons-style home is complemented well by art that comes from an artist’s hand, and can be disrupted by posters or photographic art.
The visual presence of brushstroke, and authentic human creativity in a large piece that hangs over the fireplace or in some other part of a living area gives a sense of uplift and visual pleasure to the people who live there. In fact, living with an original artwork, is like being engaged in conversation with an old, old friend. Every year you see something new.
About Decorating with original art in a Hamptons home
An original artwork represents quality in any beautifully decorated home. You’ve spent the money on the solid door, the soft-close drawers and solid furnishings, so an original artwork both matches the commitment to quality and elevates the experience for everyone who lives there. What you’re looking for is that sense of “made by hand” – the very presence of painterly brush marks, artistic pain runs and creative rendering of an image that is not perfectly realistic, but rather interpreted, shows authenticity and imagination.
Most people will approach an artwork with at least some trepidation around the choice – what’s good? In truth, the only answer to this question is that good art is art that you like, that you want to live with, that you are happy having a thoughtful, relaxed conversation with for many years to come. Some home makers are very bold and confident in their art choices, others, need to dwell with ideas and images until they keep coming back to something. Feeling out your own preferences is as easy as looking at other homes around you, and recognising what delights your own eye.
You see interesting things in original artwork in Hamptons-style homes. We have compiled a list of examples for you here. https://artofaprilwhite.artspan.com/statement?editmode=Y&ModPagespeed=off&s=fb87d4d2d3fb67826354c2f283bffddf
About Commissioning an Original Artwork for Your Hamptons-style Home
Many artworks for Hamptons homes are commissioned and made for the purpose. This process not only gives you an artwork that is the perfect size for your space, but gives you, and family members an opportunity to participate in the creation of something that you will share space with for many years to come. Commissioning an original piece of art is also a bit of fun.
“I just like to have an informal chat with each new home maker and get a sense of the space, and their own heritage,” says artist April White. “I will get photos of the house, or visit it and take my own if I can be in town. The photos help me pick colours that will harmonise with the room.”
“Then we talk about the imagery itself – if I understand the family heritage or what they live with in the environment around them this is a good start. Australians are very fond of local birds, and coastal colours, but like botanicals that reflect a more English country garden. Canadians like their own foliage and art of place. My American customers are very eclectic, often seeking large botanical or floral pieces for living spaces, and smaller pieces that reference the main piece for hallways and stairwells.” Said Ms White. “This idea of a little art tour that starts with a hallway piece, leads to a larger living area, and then appears again in the corridor on the way to the kitchen can be a delightful and fun way to bring energy in to the home. Your main piece might be all about the hydrangeas, but the smaller pieces will hone in on a beetle who could be from the same scene.”
Once both parties are at a point of understanding the size of the artwork and what the imagery will be a commission is made and deposit taken. Subject to artist availability, a typical commission might take 4-8 weeks, and during the process a rough composition is sketched out and sent back as a check step before completion.
Buying Art for a Hamptons Home
Unsurprisingly artwork is often purchased at the end of a renovation or build, and before the big welcome party. But even after a home has been created, people come back for new ideas to energise the space via artwork. “I have customers who will commission a piece of a significant occasion – a 50th, an anniversary, or even a number of years lived in the house,” said Artist April White.
About April White – The Hamptons Artist
April White is a Canadian-born, travelling artist who locates in both London Ontario and Sydney Australia at different times of year (Summer in each). She does commissions for quality homes, and has a unique sensibility for the Hamptonsstyle, which has been popular in North America and Australia for many years. Commissions range in price from $2-$10,000 per piece depending on size and requirements. Home visits, coordination with Interior Design professionals, and consultancy services are also available.