apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love big art! I think that big pieces make a small apartment feel more spacious, and really hold your attention in a way that small ones can't.

Plus I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t understand scale, and try to get away with hanging one or two tiny 8x10 frames on a huge wall and call it good. Even a beautiful piece is ruined when it’s in an overwhelming context like that.

Large pieces are sort of like red lipstick and high heels on a woman – they say, “I have confidence, and you’re going to pay attention to me.”

I love big art. I have a 700 sf apartment, and managed to hang a 4 foot by 7 foot piece in the living area. It is by far my biggest purchase to date, and I love it. It is THE focal point of my living space.

kimmiller -- you're right about having to love a large piece -- but I think that's a plus. That way you don't end up settling for a space filler, and are motivated to really search for "the one" so to speak. :)

I actually don't think you need to love it. Don't get me wrong, finding "the one" after searching is satisfying and absolutely a huge plus. But I find a lot of large-scale art, especially if you're going to be creating it yourself, is more about setting a tone. If it's big enough and on the low-key side, it's almost like paint or wallpaper, particularly if you live in an apt where the landlord frowns upon accent walls.

I make my own art constantly and the results are never masterpieces, but usually they achieve the look (color/feel/unity) that I was going for.

(PS: AT, thanks for giving Arthur a cameo - I forgot how heated that post was! Love the passion here.)

I LOVE this rug. Does anyone have any idea where it's from?