"Pick out a color from your cushions and find a print that matches." It's one of the most common pieces of decorating advice. It works, in a way: the room looks coordinated. But it treats art like an accessory, something chosen for the sofa rather than for the person sitting on it.
Here's another approach: choose art by the feeling you want to live with.
Why feeling matters more than color
You'll see the art on your walls thousands of times. Every morning, every evening, on good days and hard days. Over time, it shapes the atmosphere of a room more than any paint color. A piece that makes you feel calm, nostalgic, joyful or brave will keep giving you that feeling long after you've stopped noticing whether it matches the cushions.
Start with what you're missing
Ask yourself: what feeling do I want more of in my days?
- If you're often scattered and foggy, look for images that gather your attention: simple compositions, one clear subject, quiet space. - If you're tired, look for rest: soft light, gentle colors, figures at ease, open landscapes. - If you feel lonely in a busy city, look for warmth: faces, intimacy, scenes of togetherness, letters, homes. - If you're always rushing, look for stillness: water, horizons, interiors where nothing happens. - If you crave inspiration, look for energy: movement, bold color, works that surprise you. - If you need comfort, look for shelter: candlelight, enclosed rooms, soft shadows.
Then decide where you need it
A calming piece belongs where you rest. An energizing one near your desk. A tender one where you wake up. Let each room's purpose guide the feeling.
Colors will follow
Once you choose by feeling, you'll find color harmony comes naturally, because the pieces you're drawn to often share a mood. And if a piece clashes slightly with the sofa, it might just make the room more alive.
Art as a souvenir of a feeling
That's the idea behind the art I make: each piece is chosen for a feeling. My Tuileries prints, a deconstructed view of the Jardin des Tuileries in spring with crisp air, blooms and bright blue sky, carry lightness and renewal. Each print is hand-finished, signed, and comes with a meditation letter. Choose the feeling first. The wall will follow.
Remember to take as much time as you need, and meet me at the next one.
Love, Evi