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Let’s talk about the elephant in the living room: matching art. You know what I mean—the painting that picks up the beige in your rug or the hint of sage in your throw pillows. Safe. Polite. Predictable.
But here’s the truth: great art doesn’t accessorize your space; it transforms it.
Interior designer Victoria Hagan (1st Dibs)
Art should be a statement, not decor. A powerful piece—a bold, colorful abstract that breaks the rhythm—gives a room its pulse. It brings energy, curiosity, and personality in a way a “coordinated” painting never will. Matching may feel harmonious, but harmony without contrast is just another word for dull.
As design icon, Dorothy Draper once said, “I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk.”
That’s the point of art. It should make you feel something. It should pull you in and hold your attention long after you’ve left the room. The best designers and collectors know this: art is conversation, not background noise.
So, when you’re decorating, resist the urge to play it safe. Don’t ask, “Does it go with the sofa?” Ask, “Does it move me?” The right painting doesn’t just fit a space—it defines it.
Don’t ask, “Does it go with the sofa?” Ask, “Does it move me?”
Be brave. Choose something that challenges you, that stands out instead of blending in. Because your home shouldn’t just look good—it should say something.
The best spaces aren’t designed to match. They’re designed to feel.
Pete Stein
Founder, Galerie Stein
Montreal
Galerie Stein will be presenting more contemporary abstract expressionist artists in the future, both virtually at GalerieStein.com and in our gallery. Contact: Pete Stein at peter@GalerieStein.com.
