nothing in my home was ever purchased to match anything.

If you like it, it must compliment something in your home, or you are just buying things to fill the space, and aren't drawn to anything.

How wonderful that you found a painting that really speaks to you. Hang it where you'll get to see it all the time. Over time, when you add items to your space, choose them in a color from the art work--a planter, a bowl, a new chair. That way you extend the painting into the room.

Three pieces of art: sofa pillows echo the turquoise art work. The orange chair cushion echoes one of the other art works. The eye connects patterns in a way that doesn't have to be heavy handed. What you want is harmony with the main pieces you love, not matchy matchy

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Here's an art work that doesn't echo any of the room elements except the floor, but that's enough to make the room feel put together.

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Here the coffee table choice connects with the painting pallette and the strong angle

of the graphics in the art work. The wood base of the candle holders closest to the painting connect to it.

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A beloved art work is a great starting point for choosing other items you love for a room. Take a photo with your phone and when you need some small thing for your space, choose from the palette of the painting.

I don't understand the question. The idea a person buys 'art' for their walls to compliment the colors there is just bizarre!! One should only ever buy/hang art/decor in their home they love for the piece alone. Who do you invite in your home that would notice or scrutinize to see it all 'matchy matches'????

Well, the painting does have some brown in it, which does go with all the wood in here -- it's just that prominent expanse of blue sky that goes with.....nothing, and when you look at the painting the blue really sticks out. That's the problem.

Show us some pictures--the painting and the rest fo the room.

Ok, I'll be brave and post a photo, even though you all will probably think this painting is silly.

Lighting isn't great this time of day, so pardon that -- the walls are a lovely soft white, and loveseat isn't in yet. Out of frame is my large wood desk.

On the top is a watercolor I bought recently that I absolutely adore, and it perfectly reflects the colors/vibe of my home.

On the bottom is the new painting of my barnyard friends, not yet framed. I would hang it on a perpendicular wall over a wood side table I have, near the window.

Regardless, these really don't go together...but dang it's a cute painting and it really does make me happy to look at it.

porkchop - I’ve read many posts here requesting help choosing art for a specific spot. The most common response I’ve read - and that I agree with - is that because art is so personal, a group of strangers cannot choose art for a space in the poster’s home. Unless of course the poster is looking for decorator perfect art as in for a hotel lobby. So, the fact that you saw your new piece, fell immediately in love with it & bought it is exactly the right thing! And, since you also likely chose most of the other items in your home, I’ve no doubt this new art will fit in someplace with great success. Quit thinking about the blue sky color - it’s a color in nature as is the green /brown/cream/white theme in your home. First thing to do is find a wall that this art will fit well on. That is, enough space around & the right lighting & that offers several vantage points for viewing it. You might have to remove something already hanging. Once you pick the spot - maybe it’s your office or maybe it’s another spot you discover while considering all options - then you might want to move other decor pieces around if you find them distracting. All the blue sky might be the attention getter in the art & maybe all your other art is too muted?

ETA - your question - “Do you ever buy artwork that goes with nothing in your house?”

My reply - All the time! I buy art I love!

Sticking out is not a problem unless it bothers you, but you mentioned it made you smile. Art is so personal and mostly chosen because it resonates. Enjoy it!

We’ve inherited traditional oils and watercolors, bought traditional Quebec snow scenes, modern art, charcoal drawings from Asia, colorful Indigenous art, antique Buddhist prayer page, etc. I grew up with a huge oil painting and my son asked for it when my mom passed away. It didn’t suit their home but had it reframed and they love it. There are no rules and hope you continue to buy what you love as it‘s more than just decor.

The idea that art has to match and/or “go with” a space is basically an erroneous thought. Art ”can” match a space color-wise and or theme-wise, etc. - but it does not have to (unless it‘s a hotel room... and even then, depends on which hotel).

You are very fortunate to have found art that you love.

Buy artwork that you love. Art is not decor. It is art.

Art can certainly be used in conjunction with design. But art, in my mind, comes first and foremost. Plus, yours looks great.

My friends who are serious painters cringe at the thought of purchasing art to coordinate with a sofa or other decor. One did a big installation piece on the subject back in the 90s - something to the effect of does this sofa go with my art?

"All the blue sky might be the attention getter in the art & maybe all your other art is too muted?"

Maybe. I saw a piece that was utterly striking while I was at the gallery the other day, but I did not buy it even though it was the right (large) size for a wall I'm trying to fill. The problem is it I thought might be too much of a punch of color, so I told them I'd think about it, I can always take a trip back out there. I described the place I would put it to the guy there, in so many words he said that spot sounds perfect, a punch of that color would be a good thing it that location.

I keep thinking about that painting and am very tempted to go back and get it....

I don't think I have ever bought a piece of art to "go" with anything in my home. I buy what I like and over the years my collecting has become more refined and clearly reflects my taste. I am drawn to landscapes in particular but I have some really wonderful contemporary pieces in my very traditional and somewhat formal home. You really have to educate yourself and this can take time. I also never shop for art. My best pieces were unplanned purchases.

I decorate around the Art that I love. Mostly my father's paintings. You add a few accents to tie to the painting or just enjoying it standing out. I don't think the blue sky is as overpowering as you think.

I don't decorate with blue, but plenty of my art has some blue sky in it. If a piece of art speaks to me, then it is a perfect piece to go in the house.

It sounds like you need more art and some courage to display it all!

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Good advice so far. I also like the piece in question…however…where you place it in conjunction to the items around /how you light it,etc is what will make it ‘sing’/feel right. Keep it low so it reads as part of a composition with the furniture or other items around it.

@porkchop_mxk3 z5b_MI - I just now saw your post with the art in question. Love it! It makes me smile too. See the arrangement below - it’s in my laundry room. These are prints. A few years ago on a road trip I saw the black framed fox. I had to have it. I cruised around the store & found the other 3 prints by the same artist. I liked them too but I loved the fox. I framed the other 3 to make this arrangement. It’s the first thing I see when I come into my home via garage / laundry room. Makes me smile. Goes with nothing else in my home - who cares? I love them & haven’t gotten tired of them. I need the bit of whimsey in my life.

I'm sure you've noticed that blue sky is outdoors everywhere mixing with all the colors of the rainbow (sometimes literally), especially browns and greens.

Yes, the two pieces don't compliment each other but you said they aren't together so all good. If the barnyard buddies are going by a window, they will compliment the real outdoors.

I never buy art for my house. Houses change, decor of houses change but I've found when I buy a piece I really love, I love it forever wherever I call home.

I think it's unanimous that artwork has not much to do with your decor. If you love the piece--the colors, the subject, the execution--then there's no reason not to display it in your home. I agree to place it where you will see it every day, especially since you say it makes you smile. And if it makes you smile, then most people who visit your home will feel the same way.

Enjoy it!

You have already gotten a lot of good comments. I just want to say blue goes with green, so I don't see anything wrong with having this piece in your house. High end designers frequently put colors together that most of us would never think to put together, but somehow it works. Putting blue with green is not a dramatic contrast. Is it the right size for where you want to hang it?

I only buy art that makes me smile and have honestly decorated rooms for the art not the other way around.

"Is it the right size for where you want to hang it?"

It will be, after framing. I'll probably take it to the shop this weekend.

Thanks for all the replies, they are reassuring. Good point about the blue sky in the painting mirroring the blue sky out of the window it will be near.

Another word of advice on selecting framing. I’ve learned to listen to the suggestions given by the framer on both selection of molding color, size,style & also their suggestions on matting or not. I’ve found it very helpful to take pics of the space the piece will be hung in so the framer can ’see’ what I’m describing. I’ve had small size art made larger to fit a space by adding a mat or two. Magic can be done with reverse beveling - or not. Most of all, chose the frame molding to complement the art, not the space.

Go back to the gallery and take another look at the other painting you love to see if you want to buy it.

Does your home not sit under a blue sky on a sunny day?! Yes.

Do you move your home just because it may not ”go “ with a natural landscape?

Asking for a friend…….

I live in 800 sq foot house, surrounded by large colorful art. I love it. I paid a lot of money for the paintings. Everybody thinks my kids painted them in high school. Who cares what other people think?

Annette Canale I like your art! I enjoy looking at it, and that's what art is all about.

"Annette Canale I like your art!"

Me too!

I never pick art to match anything. I don't live in a hotel or office building.

Art needs to make you feel; it needs to make your soul happy. I am quite sure if you look out your windows, you will see the blue sky mixed with tall trees and its wonderful!

Buy the painting that makes you happy whenever you look at it and don't ever doubt it.

Yes, those paintings are fabulous!

Adjust the decor in your room slightly to complement your new art. I would add some blue elsewhere in the room.