5 Quick Tips to Improve Your Art Buying Experience

Whether you’re an experienced art connoisseur or purchasing art for the very first time, there’s always something to be learned about the art buying process. Unlike other purchases you’ll make throughout your lifetime—cars, homes, appliances, etc.—art’s sole purpose is to be seen and loved. Because its value is derived almost exclusively from its aesthetic appearance and sentimental importance, art must be approached with a different type of pragmatism than your other everyday purchases. The good news is, you only need one qualifier in order to purchase art: you have to want to! Check out these quick tips for improving your art buying experience.

Make it Merry

Buy art that brings you joy. Whether from the color, style, texture, subject, or the memory that surrounds its purchase, art should make you happy. It may sound simple, but it holds true. Art should bring contentment to your life and to your home.  

Plan Ahead

When beginning a design project, include art in the plan and budget. Art shouldn’t be an afterthought! If you start with art, you’ll provide a catalyst for color and style and truly make your space special.

Finish with a Frame

Don’t forget the frame! Beautiful framing is the jewelry on a piece of art. Well-designed custom framing makes your art complete. Want to keep it simple? The addition of a float frame to a canvas is the perfect touch for a clean and sophisticated look. Always ask for conservation materials to ensure your art is protected to stand the test of time. Your locally-owned frame shop is a great resource.

Enjoy the Moment

Get out an enjoy the experience of buying art! Visit local galleries in your neighborhood and make a point to visit galleries during your travels. Think of art as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings.  Write a note on the back with the date so that that the memory surrounding its purchase will live on for years to come.

Act Fast!

If you see a piece you love, buy it! It may not be there when you go back. In a world full of mass-produced home décor and big box stores, it is your local gallery that provides the unique experience of buying something truly one of a kind for the home.

For the best selection of fine art and custom framing in the Kansas City area, check out Prairiebrooke Gallery in Downtown Overland Park. Whether you’re looking for that special piece for your home or trying to up your office’s interior design game, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call or schedule an appointment to get started!

Framing Trends for 2019

Art just isn’t complete without framing. Much like a statement piece of jewelry, framing is the finishing touch on your masterpiece. It elevates the look of your art and protects it for years to come. As a new year filled with design shifts approaches, it’s the perfect time to update or add framing to your collection. Check out the following framing trends for 2019, then stop by Prairiebrooke and update your pieces with gorgeous new framing.

Float Frames

Float frames will continue to stake their claim in the industry throughout 2019. Designed to sit just outside of a piece, float frames’ modern lines and wide array of finishes make them an excellent fit for nearly any piece of art. The “floating” illusion creates a clean plane on which your art can shine.

Linen Liners

If you’re looking to add a little body to your favorite piece, a linen liner could be the perfect solution. Visually, a linen liner helps to create space between your piece and its frame. The texture of a linen liner adds dimension to your art and versatility to your collection. Linen liners are sure to be a framing staple in 2019.

Multi Frames

You’ve heard of stacking rings or necklaces; it’s time to meet the stacked frame. Multi-layered frames add visual (and literal) depth to the piece’s overall design. Each frame brings a new color, texture, or finish to the mix. The result is a multi-faceted stage on which your art can shine.

Metallic Finishes

Metallic finishes aren’t just for fixtures and hardware; they’re a gorgeous design decision for frames as well. Metallic finishes are essential in almost every room concept; in 2019 it’s no different! Frames are an excellent way to introduce metallic finishes into a room because the visual plane isn’t overwhelming. It’s a fun touch, but not a distraction from the art or room itself.

High Contrast

Why blend in when you can stand out? Frames that are in high contrast with their art or surrounding walls are sure to be on trend for 2019. The juxtaposition between contrasting finishes, colors, and textures is a great way to add visual interest to your room and bring attention to your art. Not sure how to pick a frame to contrast—not clash? Work with our design consultants to create a framing combo that’s bold and elegant.

For art and framing that’s always on trend, work with the team at Prairiebrooke. As a comprehensive art resource, we’re eager to help you design a piece that complements your individual space, style, and personality. For art and framing in Kansas City, choose Prairiebrooke!

Spring Ahead...With Your Interior Design

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes a whole spread of design opportunities. So tuck away the dark throw pillows and dust off your favorite vase; your home doesn’t have to get stuck in seasons past. Incorporate these design elements into your space to “spring ahead” with your interior design.

Flowers

Nothing says spring quite like a hand-cut bouquet of flowers. New blooms remind us that even the darkest winters are followed by renewed life. Not only do flowers offer a beautiful landing spot for our eyes, they also share their fragrant aroma with all passers-by. You don’t have to completely redo your space in order to showcase these natural jewels. Subtle floral patterns can be included in throw pillows, art, and accent fabrics. Use varying types of flowers to complement the existing style of your room. Alexa Collins from Decorated Life suggests something elegant like peonies for formal living rooms and playful varieties like daffodils or sunflowers for kitchens. Head to your local market for fresh flowers you can change every week!

Fruit

Springtime yields loads of new produce, you may as well put it on display! Choose citrus fruits with hearty peels to ensure that your décor doesn’t spoil the room–literally. Lemons, limes, and oranges can be displayed in centerpieces, containers, and wreaths throughout your home. Simple vessels made of clear glass or natural wood give the fruit a modest background on which to shine. Bright still-life paintings can be swapped in for some of your heavier pieces to give your room a renewed feeling. Looking for more fruit inspired décor ideas? Check out Home Edit’s article “How To Decorate Your Home With Fruits And Vegetables.”

Fresh

Whether it’s switching your duvet or rotating your art or lightening-up on your window hangings, the theme for spring is fresh. Get creative while doing your spring cleaning and switch the furniture around in your home. Nightstands can make simple end tables in your family room and bookshelves can be used as unique storage in your bathroom. Declutter your counters and sort through your attic or crawl space to see what hidden gems you may find. Styles are constantly cycling, so don’t be surprised if you find a piece you can use in a new way!

Looking for art that welcomes spring into your home? Come to Prairiebrooke. For more than twenty years, Prairiebrooke Arts has been the art resource for Kansas City. Contact us today for your complimentary in-home consultation!