Decorating with Abstract Artwork

Which of these is a painting of a train station?

The correct answer is that both are—at least, according to the artists.

Continuing our World Art Day 2018 celebration, let’s pull back the curtain on abstract art and how you can use it in your space. Whether you love it, dislike it, feel intimidated by it, or find it intriguing, abstract art provokes an emotional response.

World Art Day Theme: Abstract Art

According to Wassily Kandinsky, one of history’s first and most prominent abstract artists, abstract paintings are about using color to provoke an emotion. They have no physical subject; instead, form and hue are the focus. Instead of re-creating an object from the physical world, they bring the artist’s interior world outside.

The train station paintings illustrate Kandinsky’s point perfectly. The piece on the right, States of Mind II: the Farewells by Umberto Boccioni, is an abstract artwork painting designed to show what’s in the minds and hearts of people at a train station. Instead of showing people’s facial expressions to explain what they’re feeling, like the painting on the left does, Boccioni uses shape and color to show the feelings people experience in a train station.

For the departure of someone they don’t see often enough, sadness.

For the loss of someone who’s saying goodbye forever, grief.

For the beginning of a first journey to a new place, anticipation.

And for sending off a relative who has overstayed their welcome, relief!

Abstract painting can be gestural or figurative, geometric or fluid. What it is not is a rendition of something from the physical world. Monet’s impressionism, Dali’s surrealism, and Picasso’s cubism are predecessors of abstract, but they’re not part of the abstract movement.

Because they don’t have a clear subject, abstract paintings can be a little hard to label. They can be Jackson Pollack’s spattered action paintings or Mark Rothko’s color-field paintings. But good news: The same qualities that make abstract artwork hard to talk about also it make perfect for decorating.

Secrets from the Pros

When you purchase furniture, we recommend making a long-term investment in something that will last, with timeless fabrics and finishes that can translate in any décor. Then, you can use artwork to change the vibe of a room whenever you feel like it—no redecorating needed.

Here are some more of our favorite tips:

• You might think abstract artwork in a traditional space would add unwanted energy or even chaos. We find that it actually relaxes the feel of the room by providing a colorful focal point. In a more monochromatic palette, it gives your eye somewhere to rest, so don’t be afraid to use it.
• Don’t worry about making your artwork match your furniture. Your art choices should speak to We recommend choosing artwork that highlights the undertones in your room’s palette, but always let your heart guide you.
• Instead of going with one large abstract art piece as a focal point, you can also create striking gallery walls by mixing and matching abstracts. Here are two examples that we love:

For the Transitional Space

For transitional spaces, we recommend abstracts with a tonal palette. Paintings like these are comfortable in any design, and they tend to be soothing and restful to the eye.

Here are three of our favorites:

For the Modern Space

In modern spaces, we love bold, contemporary abstracts. These beauties don’t shy away from color; they’re large in scale and big on drama. Here are some examples:

For the Traditional Space

Think abstract can’t be traditional? Think again! See how we’ve showcased abstracts in these three traditional and updated classic spaces:

Learn More

• Have you ever wondered where Ethan Allen finds the paintings we keep in our collection? Get the secrets from our first World Art Day 2018
• You can also find out about the hands-on process of framing and presenting artwork. Go behind the scenes at our wall décor workshop in Passaic, New Jersey.
• To get a notification whenever we publish a new post, subscribe to The Art of Making Home.

Happy World Art Day!

Take a (blue) note and discover ways to get a cool, coastal look—no matter where you live. Ethan Allen designer Tia Ortiz shares her secret: a beachy blue palette.

It’s a palette that gives a room movement—and repose. It’s inspired by surf, sand, and glistening blue-green fragments of sea glass that wash up to shore. We call it beachy blue.  It’s a favorite of EA designer Tia Ortiz, of our Rockville, Maryland, Design Center. “I work with a lot of clients who lean toward modern, livable spaces,” she says. “So I recommend enduring styles and a sophisticated mix of patterns. And if they like cool, versatile colors, I almost always turn to a palette of sea and sky.”

People gravitate toward beachy blue because it’s both serene and uplifting. It’s the mainstay of coastal décor, of course, along with warm white—and the go-to palette for anyone who’s ever dreamed of living at the shore. It’s very approachable, ideal for a casual presentation. “It’s a cool color combination I absolutely love,” says Tia.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Beachy blue offers an ocean of decorating possibilities; it can swell (when used as a painted background) or be still (when used sparingly).  We adore priming a canvas with it. No matter the furniture style, it creates a calming mood.

Our evocative Glacier prints stand out against a wall that leans toward green-blue.

This transitional space owes its casual good looks to a cool aqua and soft white palette.

White pieces pop against subtle blues, proving negative space can have a positive impact.

FABRIC SOFTENER

Go coastal with blue hues in a sophisticated mix of patterns—whatever makes you feel most at home, advises Tia. Beachy blues can tone down bold patterns and accentuate subtle ones. They’re the common thread that makes so many fabric collections click.

An antique white finish on a Giselle chair is the perfect foil for a watercolor-inspired floral.

Beachy blues rise to the occasion when playing with lively, large-scale patterns.

Graphic, small-scale patterns create a singular sensation—especially when you use pieces in pairs.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

You don’t need a serious commitment to live with beachy blue. A pop here and there is all it takes to pull together a casual space with ease. When used sparingly, it serves to complement, not consume, a space.

A hand-loomed rug in rich, tonal turquoise goes over to the dark side, in a good way.

Here, there, and wherever you like, beachy blue accents make a splash.

One of the things we like best about a beachy blue palette is how ambience altering it can be—even when it’s barely there. Start with a whitewashed Quincy bed to set a romantic mood, and complete the serene scene with a hand-loomed wool rug, a bedding ensemble that stars the lovely Foulard Block Print Quilt in sea glass, and artwork that evokes a sense of the French countryside.

Like this summery palette as much as we do? Explore our inspiration rooms for even more fresh ideas at ethanallen.com. To see more beautiful rooms in every palette under the sun, subscribe to The Art of Making Home.