artwork Archives - Emily A. Clark

New Art + Vintage Frames

Jul92019

This post is sponsored by Walmart.

If your decor is starting to feel a little stale, new art is one of the easiest ways to freshen up a vignette (or an entire wall). Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive or even a huge effort to find, thanks to the huge Art.com collection that you can now shop online at Walmart. You can find almost any style and size you’re looking for, framed/unframed/canvas, you name it. I recently updated this little space in our dining room/office with a vintage inspired blue heron print and a vintage frame I already had.

If you come across a good custom, vintage frame when you’re thrifting, it never hurts to ignore the art and tuck it away. This was custom with a good mat that had faded over time. I disassembled it and sponge painted the existing mat to give it a whole new look. I ordered the 16×20 print for just $9–a pretty and super affordable update.

With so many Art.com options, the hardest part can be narrowing down your favorites. (Seriously, they have everything from a portrait of George Washington to a chinoiserie panel.) I’ve pulled a few other pieces that caught my eye. Quick tip: you can save anything you like as you shop by clicking the “Add to List” button found just above the product highlights on each listing page.

My Pieced Together Frames + Mats

Jun202019

Just like there are good dupes for high-end cosmetics and designer clothing, there are also a few good ones to know when it comes to decorating your home. Custom framing is pricey and if you like to change things up as much as I do, it’s pretty much out of the question. I pieced together these frames and mats years ago for our last house and still get asked about them every time I post a picture. I’ve recycled them several times!

They’re actually plastic all-purpose frames I picked up at a craft store. They’re usually sold in multiples–because they’re so cheap! Mine are 16×20 and are almost identical to these. I just gave them a couple of light coats of a metallic gold spray paint. Once they’re hung, it’s almost impossible to tell that they’re plastic and not metal.

The key to making them look custom is the matting. I like to use an online shop like this one on Etsy that offers lots of sizes with almost any opening size in tons of colors.Mine are 16×20 mats with 5×7 openings. (You can get a 5-pack for $35.) I’ve changed the art up in my frames from room to room and they make anything look better–even my own little abstract paintings.

3 Easy Mantel Decorating Ideas Using Art

Aug72018

I haven’t changed up our mantel in a while and am getting the itch to do a little rearranging. Right now, it’s simple and straightforward, with a pair of ginger jars flanking the DIY art I made. Here’s the way it looks currently, along with two more mantel decorating ideas I like.

See the before/after pics and how I painted the brick white here.

If you struggle with accessorizing, this look is the easiest to accomplish. I’m obviously a fan of blue and white jars (with some beads and a green leaf thrown in), but a pair of topiaries or ceramic birds or vases can work, too. The focus here is more on the art.

photo source: Park and Oak

I’m a fan of the collected look, but the trick is to make it look as effortless as possible. Mix things up by using different frames (hang one, lean some, mix in a canvas, etc.) and keep accessories minimal. I like how they’ve used a couple of substantial pieces on the ends and nothing else. Another tip: If you’re worried about a collection looking too busy, keep the art neutral.

photo source: Emily Henderson

A gallery above the mantel is a great solution if you have higher ceilings and don’t want to invest in one huge piece of art. Etsy is a good source for affordable sets (many that you can even print and frame yourself). To balance out the clean lines of a grid, I’d keep the accessories minimal and asymmetrical using one larger piece on the end.