Right piece, wrong room
I make styling mistakes all the time. I think everyone does while they're working out what their style actually is. But when I look back, my biggest mistakes have never been the bold choices.
They've been the safe ones: staying too neutral, trying to tick every box, and second-guessing my gut instead of just going for the thing I loved.
So many homes end up following the same pattern for exactly that reason. And here's the thing: what's the worst that can happen with a bold choice?
You learn something ….
You find out faster what you love,
what you don't, and
how far your personality wants to stretch.
I'm not talking about painting your whole lounge red. Start small, with a feature wall, a cushion, or a piece that makes you smile.
When it comes to art, the biggest mistake I see is this: someone falls in love with a piece, it's within their budget, and they walk away because they can't picture where it would go.
I've watched it happen at my own art shows. Someone stands in front of a painting for ages, tells me they love it, then says, "I just don't know where I'd put it." A few weeks later they're following me online, the piece sells to someone else, and I get a message: "Damn, I knew I should have grabbed it. I could have moved things around. Could you make another one?" Sometimes I can, as a commission. But right now, I'm not taking commissions, and honestly, I rarely make the same piece twice. Once it's gone, it's gone.
Nathan and I learned this the hard way, and now our rule is simple: if you love it and it's in your budget, buy the art and find the space afterwards.
The right spot always turns up. It might be after you shuffle some furniture, swap out something tired, or even in a different home down the track.
Finding a wall is easy. Finding a piece that genuinely speaks to you is the rare part.
Featured: ‘Aloha limited edition print. Only 10 available, dropping Thursday 22nd Oct.
If you've fallen for a piece like this that seems to belong in the "wrong" room, here's how to make it work:
Lean it, don't hang it. Prop it on a shelf, sideboard or mantel. It's commitment-free, easy to move, and instantly looks styled.
Try the unexpected spots. Hallways, laundries, bathrooms and the wall beside your bed are often the most boring parts of a home. A bold piece there is a lovely surprise every time you walk past. Case in point: Nathan once bought a limited edition print online with a cheeky bit of text on it. It didn't go with anything else we owned, so it went in the toilet. It is now, hands down, the most talked-about piece of art in our house, and we have some pretty interesting pieces. A bit of humour goes a long way, and it proves art doesn't need the "perfect" room to earn its keep.
Swap something out. That print you bought years ago because it "went" with the couch? Retire it. Let the piece you actually love take its place.
Build around it. One standout artwork can set the tone for a whole room. Pull a colour from it for a cushion, throw or vase, and suddenly it looks like it was always meant to be there.
Group it. If a piece feels too small or too different on its own, make it part of a little gallery wall. Mixed styles work brilliantly together when they share a colour or two.
Rotate. Art doesn't have to live in one place forever. Move pieces around with the seasons and you'll notice them all over again. It’s supposed to be fun, guys.
So my advice? Trust your gut. If a piece stops you in your tracks, that's your answer.
The room will catch up.
Featured: ‘Hothouse at night’, original hanging scroll from the Wild walls collection.
It’s also why I release my work in small weekly drops: every piece is a one-off, and when it finds its home, that's it.
If something catches your eye, grab it while you can.
And if you've got a big blank wall that's been waiting for something bold, keep an eye out for Wild Walls, my collection of large botanical scroll paintings, launching 26 November.
X Bri
