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For me, traveling is the ultimate way to unleash my inspiration. Changing my environment and immersing myself in a completely different culture helps me see the world through a new lens. When I got home, I was energized and excited to incorporate a fresh aesthetic into my space. My family’s recent trip to Ibiza achieved exactly this goal. Sun-bleached color palettes, works by Spanish Abstract Expressionists and vibrant beaches – it’s all a feast for the senses. This is exactly the creative inspiration I crave. And, as I curated the new Rare Editions Collection with Minted, I got to put it into practice.
My design philosophy is that anything I take home should be beautiful, functional, and meaningful. (It would be ideal if I could check all three boxes.) Minted’s line of rare editions fit perfectly into this approach. A capsule collection of limited-edition, one-of-a-kind pieces, Minted makes it easy to curate narratives of purpose, connection, and beauty through art.
Although decorating with art is a simple and effective way to enhance your home, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you create exactly the right look you. Next, I’ll dive into tips and tricks for finding meaningful art and how to style it in your home. Be sure to read to the end as I dive into all of my favorite pieces from the Minted Rare Edition Collection and the inspiring stories behind them.
How to find meaningful art
I get it: buying art can be intimidating. Many of us often get caught up in the question of whether something is “good” or not. PSA: This is completely subjective – it’s up to you. In order to find and purchase art that would add character to my home and inject personality into my walls, I relied on my intuition to guide me. Below I’ll share my process and tips to help you find the perfect piece for your space.
- Practice patience. Finding the right piece takes time. period. When you’re faced with blank walls, you may be tempted to pick up anything old. But finding meaningful art shouldn’t be viewed as a means to an end. Instead, embrace the process. Art is a great opportunity to express your tastes – allowing yourself to engage in a journey of discovery and creativity along the way.
- Trust your gut. Again, it comes back to your gut. We can spend a lot of time questioning the purpose or meaning of a piece, but in fact, it’s often as simple as noticing how it makes you feel. Does it fascinate you, stir emotions or inspire you? If so, take that as a sign to follow.
- Reflect on the emotions a piece evokes. As they say: when you know, you know. When I come across a piece that I can’t forget, I use it as a sign. If you love the piece itself, think about how much joy it brings you every time you see it in your home.
Home Art Style Tips
Remember: your home reflects not only your unique taste, but also the experience you’ve accumulated over the years. When styling art, I always go for a look that is vibrant and layered, yet complementary and harmonious with the rest of the home. It’s a balance between expressing yourself with bold pieces and creating less intimate vignettes. These are my go-to tips for styling your home with art.
Use a cohesive color palette as a base
Who doesn’t love mood boards? I like to develop a look and feel before taking on any project. To do this, I start with a few sentences that represent the final look I want to achieve. When working with Minted to curate my Rare Editions collection, I wanted the pieces to reflect sun-bleached tones and lean toward shapes inspired by sensual curves and terracotta tones.
From there, I collected images that represented the words and composed them into a mood board. (See image above.) Think of it as a road map to gain further insight into the pieces you choose and how to style them in your home.
Try a gallery wall
No, this isn’t just a passing trend from the 2010s. Gallery walls make it easy to style your own look, and the best balance is maximalism with a cohesive, grounded feel. I also love that gallery walls allow you to combine beautiful pieces with those that may be more nostalgic, such as family photos. Again, this is where your mood board is important – since you’ll be designing multiple pieces in one space, it can quickly become cluttered. Remember the look you want to achieve and let it guide you.
Establish focus
Plastic art depends largely on your ability to catch the eye and focus it. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love hanging large statement pieces above the fireplace in the living room or over the bed. (Take a sneak peek at my house tour for a visual.) Due to size and scale, any pieces you choose will impact the feel of your space—creating impact while still feeling streamlined.
over the wall
This is one of my favorite styling tips. Too often, we think art only belongs on our walls, but it can be fun and bring freshness to your space by hanging or tilting art in unexpected ways. You all know I love a stylish bookshelf moment, and layering smaller items with decorative accents like bowls, vases, and books is an easy way to add personality and interest. You can also prop the item up on the mantel or lean it against a kitchen shelf. Don’t be afraid to hang art in unexpected places. Anywhere from the laundry room to the guest bathroom will do.
My collection of Minted rare editions
Now, let’s dive into Minted’s line of rare editions! As a brand dedicated to showcasing the innovative work of independent artists from around the world, partnering with Minted is the perfect way to bring resonant, meaningful work to my home and share it with you.
Aside from the stunning work itself, what makes this series so special? First, each piece is part of a limited edition, which means you’re one of only five people in your family who works on it. What’s more, each piece is signed in graphite pencil by the artist and is uniquely numbered. Finally, I like the emphasis and attention given to the framework. Each piece comes with a handcrafted frame with a finish that best complements the piece.
All of these elements combine to create a thoughtful, considered collection that respects the intention that goes into each piece. Next, learn more about the pieces I selected for the capsule collection and the inspiring stories behind the artists who created them.
Ilana Greenberg
Brooklyn-based painter, illustrator, and graphic designer Ilana Greenberg combines simple, clean forms with an acknowledgment of imperfection. She describes her work as urban vintage, drawing inspiration from mid-century artists as well as her surroundings.
Work: Perfectly composed original artwork
I immediately resonated with the piece’s emphasis on sensual shapes in black and white. My office is the perfect place for this painting – the painting’s bold geometric shapes contrast beautifully with the soft tones of the room.
Kamala Nahas
Based in Southern California, Kamala Nahas has always been associated with photography’s ability to capture perspective and represent our experiences. She specializes in improvisation, responding to her own senses and emotions to construct a moment. She does not set out to document a place, but to capture its essence and how its elements make her feel.
Work: twilight palm tree
Kamala’s process for taking this photo illustrates the care and consideration she puts into all her work. She first took the photo using a 1970s Polaroid SX-70 instant camera. She then gently layers the photos with her hands to reveal the images within. Using water again, she transferred the thin emulsion to heavy cotton art paper and applied a UV-resistant varnish. For Kamala, the exploration and experimentation inherent in creating a piece is as exciting as the final visual result.
The smaller size of this piece makes it perfect for placement in an intimate corner. I hung it next to the window to complement the soft sunlight filtering through the curtains, and placed it above the rubber tree to further emphasize its green, natural feel.
Bethany Lima
Brazilian surface designer Bethania Lima is passionate about pattern, color and design. She lived in Chile for ten years and recently moved to Uruguay. She is currently exploring the ups and downs of a freelance career and attributes much of her success to the loving support of her family and friends.
Work: Found by the seaside
A few months ago I saw an exhibition of Matisse’s many paper cutouts. I immediately fell in love with the organic shapes and bright colors. This piece resonated with me in the same way, captivating me through its layered tones and diverse yet harmonious forms. I placed it on a bookshelf in my living room to inject a little color into the space and highlight the patina of my favorite clay vessels and vases.
Jennifer Daly
Jennifer Daily has been drawing and designing since she was a teenager. Now with a degree in graphic design, her work draws inspiration from the Bay Area’s vibrant culture and diverse climate. Her work relies on simplified forms and a neutral palette to convey her efforts to reduce distractions in art and life.
Work: what will we become
“Life can be viewed as an unfolding process,” Jennifer writes. Every moment, we are surprised by what we discover along the way. This is how Jennifer approaches each work—proposing “what ifs” that drive new desires, new paintings, and new ways of being. I hung it in the corner of my bedroom to echo the soft, light wood of the bed frame. It has a calming and grounding effect, which is exactly the vibe I was going for.
Karin Owen
Caryn Owen is an inspiring multi-talented person who has spent many years balancing art with motherhood and a career as a professor of marine biology. Caryn lives in Santa Cruz, California, and left the field in 2014 to devote herself full-time to art. Karin specializes in acrylic paint on canvas and her work focuses on abstract landscapes and plants as well as purely abstract expressionist paintings that explore the boundaries of color.
Work: Santa Cruz sea view
This vibrant abstract landscape on stretched canvas connects the viewer to the vibrant qualities of the Northern California coast. A self-proclaimed colorist, Carlin seeks to represent the intensity of color rather than its literal form. I immediately resonated with the layered colors of this piece – a reminder that nature is often more layered and contains greater depth than we first see.
