Hello, I’m Janelle Patton, an interior designer in Texas and I love art. Love it. It is my go-to treat-yo-self purchase. Forget the name-brand purse or the designer sunglasses — I’d rather have art every single time. Because art is what turns a house into a home. It adds color and joy to a otherwise sterile, vertical space. It makes your home feel lived in and collected. And I consider it a critical piece of any design project I tackle.

But as much as I love art personally, I’ve found it to be one of the biggest pain points with our clients. Everyone loses their mind over art. Seriously. Otherwise decisive clients turn into (as I once read on a mug) over-thinkers over thinking things. Guys — if one more person tells me that “art should have personal meaning,” my eyes might fully roll out of my head. Does your coffee table have to have “meaning”? No. The couch? Definitely not. Your blouse? Nah, man. But for some reason the entire population had decided to put unachievable sentimental pressure on what goes inside a frame on the wall.

And here’s the real secret - you want to know what is meaningful? Liking something! Seriously — if you like a piece of art, that gives it meaning. If it sparks joy in you when you look at it, that is meaningful. Whether it’s a photo of where you honeymooned or not isn’t relevant. Got it?

Okay. Rant over. Climbing down from my soapbox over here. Onto the how-to portion of this post. I know that’s what you’re here for. Here’s a guide to all things art for your home:

Where to Buy Art

You can find good art for your home anywhere from Etsy to galleries to thrift stores to the Round Top Texas antique fair. But here’s a few of my favorite retail art sources. Whether you’re local in Dallas, Texas and looking for the best art galleries to check out, or if you’re looking to order something from the comfort of your couch, I’ve got you covered! Let’s enhance your living space with these art shopping retailers-

Juniper Print Shop:

Juniper Print Shop: This is the best resource for affordable, large-format art out there. Truly. Jenny Komenda is an interior designer herself and a genius for starting this company. And, bonus!, she has incredible taste. The artists and pieces she features in her stop are all A++. Not only that, she provides a guide for every step of the process — from where to get it printed to how to frame it cheaply (Ikea, of course). If you need large art on a small budget, this is the place to go. And because it’s downloadable, you don’t have to be located in Dallas, Texas to buy it. Download it straight to your computer, anywhere in the world!

Artfully Walls:

Artfully Walls: This is another fantastic resource that features great, unique prints of artist’s work. It’s more expensive than Juniper, but still extremely reasonable for what they have on offer. I especially like their frame selection — it’s mass produced, but doesn’t look like it. For a jumping off point, check out their “Designer Guides,” where fantastic designers have pulled together their favorite pieces from the site.

Etsy:

Etsy: This is another solid, affordable art resource. While they have great art of all types, this is a go-to for when I’m sourcing art for kids rooms (along with Minted and FY!). When it comes to Etsy, it’s a great source for textile art like macramé (see the rainbow above), needlepoint, personalized pennants etc. You can get that handmade quality for affordable prices while supporting small artists. I also use Etsy as a great place to source downloadable art. Going this route can often save you a lot versus buying the art already framed. The great thing is you can get that Star Wars graphic art (since they’re obsessed with Star Wars) and then not feel bad to get rid of it in a few years when they’ve moved on (although do we ever really move on from Star Wars?) because you haven’t spent a fortune to get it. Bonus: check out vintage oil paintings on Etsy- you can score some pretty awesome pieces of art that can work for any room in your house!

Instagram:

Instagram: Instagram continues to be a wonderful guide to all things visual. I have found many artists that I’ve fallen in love with via Instagram over the years — many of whom we’ve commissioned pieces from for projects. Here are a few of my favorites: Colleen Leach, Annie King, Heather Essian, Katherine Daggett, and Alexis Walker.

Galleries:

Galleries: Galleries (both online and in person) are a fantastic resource to find artists you love. A few of my favorites are Blue Print Gallery (such a great Dallas, Texas resource), Anne Irwin Fine Art, the Maybaum Gallery, Well & Wonder.

If you are looking for some more unique ways to add color and character to your home- but you know in a classy way- check out this post. And if you’re ready for us to take over and curate the art in your home then reach out to us! As an interior design firm in Texas, we’re ready to help!