Art 139 Ideabooks

Art engages us, stirs our soul and creates debate, but it is often the final piece in a room. Although art is usually saved for last, the right piece of art can tie all the other elements in a space together. When used in a surprising place, art can be... more »

Art can pull a room together, although the right ways to display it can seem elusive. We hope the art we display does not feel like an accessory to the furniture. We want it to reflect a sense of our tastes and deeper selves. And so searching for the... more »

When it came time to design her 240-square-foot roof deck overlooking Vancouver's skyline, garden designer Glenna Partridge decided to go bold. "I could have... more »

Starting a collection of art that speaks to you is a worthy goal, but it may seem out of reach ... and more than a little confusing. Where do you begin? What is the difference between an original work, a limited-edition print and a poster? Where do you... more »

Modern residential architecture is often described as museum-like. Minimalist white walls and spaces make them like galleries waiting for artwork to adorn their walls. But what about the exteriors of modern houses? How does art relate to the outside?... more »

The Parrish Art Museum has moved into a new building in Water Mill, New York, roughly triple the space of its previous home nearby. The new building, which opened in November 2012 and was designed by Swiss architects... more »

Before starting construction of their house, this husband-and-wife artist team decided they wanted a studio first. Mark and Kelli McDowell both needed space to work — he, on... more »

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say, "Abstract art wouldn't look good in my house." I'd have a lot of dollars. It's a common misconception that abstract art works only with a modern aesthetic. Although it does look great in modern... more »

Brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, 40 and 35, were given a midcareer exhibition in France at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, from October 2011 to July 2012. After the show's run in their home country,... more »

Like most traditionalists, I gravitate toward symmetry. For a long time, my living room sideboard had a single framed black and white photo hanging over it, dead center. The scale of the photo was too small for its location, and every time I walked past... more »

Mosaic artist Constance Chantilis stumbled upon her one-of-a-kind house as the for-sale sign was being placed in the front yard. She was instantly enchanted by the property. "I loved that I could access the... more »

We love a beautiful kitchen that meets our needs in the prepping, cooking, baking and storage department. But sometimes, a kitchen goes above and beyond the functional and enters the realm of the creative, showing that inventiveness doesn't expire as... more »

While building materials often provide plenty of character through their inherent properties — the warmth and texture of wood, the veining of marble, the color of tile — they can also become a canvas for artistic expression. In particular,... more »

Buying art or posters, or printing out pictures, is the easy part. We've all been faced with the hard part that comes next: choosing frames and mats at the art store or standing in front of a clean wall with a hammer and nail in hand. What color frames... more »