The readers spoke and I listened. The art in the dining and living room got the old switch-a-roo.

The mantel vignette in the living room is one of those things that will probably change shortly. It all depends on when I find awesome things, that perfect piece of art or sculpture can be elusive when your thrifty.

While my vintage art collection can be a bit disconcerting to some folks (or squares as I’d like to call them) the right piece of art gives a room a hella lot of charm and loads of quirk. An art collection can speak volumes about its owner and is one of those things that can be sourced and purchased over time and at any budget. Plus art makes a bland space EXPLODE with style.

You really don’t need a ton of cash to start collecting. I’ve never paid over $40 for a piece of art. Most of my collection was picked up at thrift stores (mainly), flea markets, garage sales and occasionally ebay. I also trade art with friends or sometimes make my own – even if it is a knock-off.

When in doubt buy original paintings, not giclee prints (or the bane of my existence) those crappy ink jet prints on canvas. Silkscreens, lithographs (well any printmaking for that matter) and drawings are all fabulous and have a great texture and that rich handmade quality.

Full disclosure; my background, ie. education, employment, ect. is in visual art. That’s probably why I dig modernism and wanna collect, collect, collect – especially when it comes to paintings, furniture, ceramics, blah blah blah. I like art. I like design. I like pretty pretty things. I am an aesthetic junkie and total art whore.

Art really seals the deal when it comes to taking your decor to that next elusive level. Real art (be it vintage, on etsy, or from a real life fancy gallery – hooray galleries!) is pretty easy to find and buy. So NO ONE has an excuse to buy that goddamn Audrey Hepburn fake painting at Ikea.