/ F&J Blog

/ minimalist decor

Tag: minimalist decor

Complete Guide to Line Art

Wow, reader you’re looking great! That new sweater really agrees with you. Oh, you want to know about line art? Well friend, look no further. Line art is exactly how it sounds, art based on line work rather than form. The most popular line art styles are comprised of one-line drawings, abstract lines, and inked drawings. Line art and drawings have been around for thousands of years, and it’s no wonder, ink and line art is simple and timeless.

Line art in a modern space

Having a clean modern space is the perfect vibe for line art. Now that minimalism is taking over, white, black and neutral spaces are on the rise. To keep your art in a minimal and clean style, I would recommend decorating with either a classic one-line drawing or using a modern line abstract. These simple pieces of artwork can really elevate your space.

Line art in a tradition space

If your space is a little more traditional, you can still make line drawings work. I would suggest moving away from the abstracts and stick to inked art. This can be anything from a pen and ink to a line art portrait. It will give your space some much needed class, but not look stark and foreign with the rest of your decor and furniture. For a less minimalistic look, you can also use line art with a neutral or coloured background.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, home decor, home office, interior design, line, line art, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art

Winter Blues

Well, it’s that time of year again, the days are short and the holiday season is over. Many people tend to feel a little down this time of year. Have you been keeping up with your New Years resolutions (come on Susan you’ve only been to the gym twice, you can’t quit now).
This is the perfect time of the year to spruce up your space. As many people are working from home right now, why not tackle your home office? It’s time to take control of that seasonal depression and start fresh.
This time of the year, I recommend a couple of different colours to brighten up your space. I recommend decorating with yellow, creams or your favourite colour. Why not give your space a touch of sunshine? I don’t know where you live reader, but here it’s been quite grey recently. Whether you want to go full bright tropical art, or simply a soft yellow, try to add some colour. After all the whites, greens and reds from the holiday decorations, it’s about time you chose something different.
Next, try to rearrange your space. I know this might sound really simple, but even small changes like shifting your lamp to the other side of the desk can really make an interior feel fresh. Take some time to make your work space a little more productive and new. Home offices don’t have to be boring, you can a little more playful with them. Now, stop reading this post and please clean up that pile of paper that’s been sitting on your desk for the past month.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, colour, home decor, home office, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art

Am I Bold Enough With My Art Choices?

Happy Tuesday dear reader, how has your week been (that bad huh?). This week’s topic is a little bit abstract. Making bold art choices can be hard for anyone (especially you Susan, you really need to stop buying more desaturated ocean paintings).
Art is one of those strange indefinable things that everyone can appreciate, but no one can agree what is considered “art”. I would argue that “Fountain” by Marcel Duchamp is just a urnal (if you blissfully never took art history, please save yourself from googling the Dada art movement). Now, there is a strong line between a ripping a urnal off the wall and a bold and fresh piece of artwork.
 Everyone’s home decor is different, so the art in your space is going to vary depending on your own taste. If you’re wondering if your art is dramatic enough, ask yourself several questions: first, are you buying an adventures piece of art just to say I have modern taste in artwork? Secondly do you want this piece of artwork to blend into the environment to be a statement piece? Finally, what type of art do you gravitate towards? Many people will make the mistake of investing in a daring print because they think their space is a little boring, but the bright red abstract isn’t even something they particularly like.
In general friend, I will recommend to you if you want your artwork to stand out, try to use a complimentary colour to your decor or a bright and saturated piece to really stand out. A bold piece of art can be something that is colourful, patterned, political or an eye-catching design. Being an adventurous art collector simply means that you own artwork at draws the eyes and stands out.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, colour, home decor, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art

Cabin Fever

Happy New Years dear reader! With 2020 coming to a close, and a new round of lockdowns starting, you may be finding yourself with a strong case of cabin fever. The only prescription (no it’s not more cowbell) is to get out of your house.
I would recommend visiting a cabin or cottage if you can. Getting away from the city life can be a breath of fresh air. Maybe while you’re at your cabin, take some time to re-decorate. Cabin decorations should be soothing as they’re in a vacation home. Whether you would prefer lots of wood and neutral colours or a more modern take on cottage life, decor can really change your mood. For me, re-decorating and changing my space can lift my mood wonders. Even small changes like moving furniture around can alter the feel and look of a space dramatically.
With a new year beginning, remember to take some time for yourself (your pile of paperwork can wait another day, its already been on your desk for a week anyways Susan). I hope your holidays were healthy and happy, and your 2021 is a little brighter.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, cozy, home decor, hygge, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, real wood, real wood art, real wood frame, scandinavian decor

Winter Whites

When you think of white, what is the first thing that comes into your head? Do you think it’s cold, stark or boring? More and more with the rise of minimalism and Scandinavian decor, white is making a come back in a big way.

Warm. Vs. Cool Whites

You may heard heard these terms before and thought they were kidding, but truly there are different types of white. Basically this means that you can either have a warm toned white that’s basically the world’s palest yellow or warm colour, or the palest blue that is basically white. When choosing artwork of furnishings for white rooms consider if you want to keep a cooler tone for a more modern design, or go warmer to a warm white. Art can really pop on a white wall, and it can make your space seem really cool and modern like an art gallery. Try to use artwork with black or bold colours to really stand out and bring some life into your space.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, home decor, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, scandinavian decor

Art in the Bedroom

If you’re anything like me, you have trouble finding that perfect piece to suit that one weird wall in your room. Fear not, we all have this same strange affliction, indecision. Maybe you’ve tried hanging several different pieces at this point, or it’s been a weird empty space for too long.
For bedrooms, I generally recommend hanging art over your bed, or on the wall across from your bed. I would use either a set of vertical artworks, or a large horizontal piece that fills up the space. Try to hang your pieces at least 15 cm over top of your furniture so that it doesn’t sit too low. In articles online, they recommend using calming abstracts or neutral photography for your bedroom, but I say if you’re going to be sitting on your bed a lot, choose whatever makes you happy. Feel free to use bolder or more modern pieces if they suit the space.

 

Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, home decor, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, scandinavian decor

The Art of Being Cozy

Well friend, it’s beginning to be that time of year again. It’s time to bust out the warm socks and scarves, light a candle and snuggle up with a good book. As the year winds to a close and the days get shorter, take some time for yourself.

Eating and drinking

I am a strong proponent for seasonal eating and drinking. In the colder months, I tend to lean towards hotter foods and drinks. Some of my favourites include: tea, hot cocoa and soups. It’s the perfect time of year to dig out that slow cooker from the back of your cupboard and make a slow cooker stew.

Dressing for the weather

This may seem obvious, but I don’t just mean wearing oversized sweaters. I find with the colder months, my wardrobe tends to shift to more muted and darker colours, I favour plaid and heavier fabrics. I can also highly recommend wearing fleece lined tights (just a warm hug on your legs). If you’re looking for that extra bit of warmth, you can layers socks over top of your fleece lined tights for maximum level coziness.
Lastly reader, I am telling you to take some time for yourself. After the elections and the craziness of this year, please be gentle with yourself. Take a day to just do nothing, stretch out on your bed and binge some tv or read a book, enjoy the colder weather and get cozy.
Tags: art, art design idea, art print, blog, cozy, home decor, hygge, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, november, scandinavian decor

Art in the Kitchen

If you’re looking to refresh your kitchen, how about adding some artwork on the wall? Like so many others that have started projects during quarantine, maybe you’re finally tackling that kitchen re-do you’ve been putting off for years (come on Susan, it’s been six years).

One Big Piece

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect piece for that one weird wall in your kitchen, how about adding a neutral botanical? I find people like to keep the artwork in their kitchens a little less showy to put more of an emphasis on the food and appliances.

Gallery Walls in the Kitchen/Dining room

Many people now have a dining area branching off of their kitchens. These wall tend to be neglected and boring. How about adding a bold gallery wall to get dinner conversations flowing? You can keep the imagery simple and neutral (think nature or shapes) if you want to keep your dining are a little more understated.
Tags: art, art print, blog, home decor, interior design, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, real wood frame

What Does Your Wall Colour Mean?

It’s been proven that certain wall colours in your space can change your mood. Yes….this does sound like something someone would say to you while clutching crystals and telling you about their latest tarot card reading., but colours do genuinely have an effect on our mood. We tend to associate certain colours with feelings, like yellow with the sun.

Blue

Take blue for instance, what is the first thing you think of when someone says blue? Probably the ocean or sky. Blue is a great easy colour to work with since most people find blue calming. It’s also reasonably easy to decorate, add a white couch and some simple furnishings and your blue room is set to keep you calm and cool the whole year round.

“A certain blue enters your soul” -Henri Matisse

Brown

Brown wall colours have come very much back into vogue. Browns tend to be associated with the earth and nature. Brown is a colour that is neutral and simple to furnish. Keeping your rooms in a neutral colour palette keeps your space simple and warm.

White

White walls tend to be a bit polarizing. Some people find the light paint stark and harsh while many others say that it is sophisticated and bright. This can also be dependant on the kind of white paint you choose, whether you go for a cooler or warmer white. If you’re interested in a more modern and posh white, go cooler. A warmer white like eggshell tends to fall more into the classical styles such as shabby chic.
With modern pigments, the possibilities are endless, feel free to go for a bright cheery yellow, or maybe a dramatic pop of black. All I ask is that you stay far away from the colour you get when you mix yellow and black. Seriously the worst options out there.

 

Tags: art design idea, art print, blog, home decor, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, real wood frame, scandinavian decor

What is Your Style?

Boho

Are you inexplicably drawn to rattan? Are earth tones slowly taking over your space? You’re space is probably in the bohemian style. Fear not, boho does not have to look like aunt Susan’s hippie apartment in the 70s. With earth tones very much in vogue, there are plenty of decor options for you. I would recommend keeping the artwork for the space minimal and in the same colour family. Add accents of campus grass or hanging textiles to finish off any wall.

Minimalist

If you prefer less fuss and like to keep things more sleek and modern, you’re probably drawn to minimalism. It’s fine if you threw out grandma’s souvenirs from her trip to New York, because honestly, you like your desk clean. Minimalism is synonymous with clean lines, bold accented colours and monochromatic decor. For decor, use modern furnishing and keep the artwork bold to bring an otherwise simple space to life.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” —Leonardo da Vinci

Traditionalist

Did you think the first two options sounded a little pretentious? Does your house look more like a family home and less like a magazine? Are there dishes in your sink from two days ago (this is me telling you to please wash them)? You lean more to the traditionalist aesthetic. Keeping your furniture classic so it won’t go out of style anytime soon is a great choice. Use neutral colours that don’t offend the eyes and imagery that is easy to understand. I recommend the artwork for the space to be photography or botanicals that you won’t get tired of the longer you stare at it. I would also recommend using colours that are soothing and universally enjoyed such as blues, greys, browns and whites.

 

 

Tags: art design idea, art print, blog, home decor, minimalist artwork, minimalist decor, modern art, real wood frame, scandinavian decor