The Better Designer: Tara Seawright

Today I'm so excited to be able to share with you some great information I got with the talented, New York-based designer, Tara Seawright. Not only is she an amazing designer, but she also uses her studio art background to help direct clients through the process of selecting art for their homes.

Photo courtesy of Tara Seawright 

TARA'S ADVICE FOR ART SELECTION 

Starting the process: Go to museums and start to develop your eye. Do you like sculpture or photography? Give life to the dream; this part does not cost a thing. Expose yourself to new artists by going to gallery openings, museum shows and even by browsing online.

Finding what you can afford: When starting an art collection, you do not need to buy a million dollar piece. There are great affordable online resources such as Uprise Art and Saatchi Art. They both provide a full range of art and prices. The greatest form of flattery is imitation. So another way is to make your own art.

Placement: Certain places beg for art: over a mantel, between a pair of sconces, or above a large piece of furniture. Be creative. The installation is part of the creative process. Put art in unexpected places like above the toilet in the bathroom. Play with scale too. Place small pieces on a large wall or a large piece on a small wall.

Creating a cohesive collection: Think twice about buying from the same artist over and over again. It is important to have variety and to reflect your own interests. Repeating a theme is a great way to reflect the people living within the space. Everyone has their own natural aesthetic which generally tends to be cohesive; they just do not know exactly what it is. That’s why it is so important to expose yourself to different things. The possibilities are endless. Do not limit yourself.

TARA'S ADVICE ON THE DECORATING PROCESS

Big transformations on a little budget: Paint. Paint is the biggest bang for your buck. You can go simple or go crazy with colors: just be creative. Express yourself. Also, the use of mirrors and proper lighting make a huge difference in a space as well.

Making the functional beautiful: Wallpaper can add a lot of beautiful texture and contribute to a very glamorous look without sacrificing the functionality of a space. For those who rent, temporary wallpaper offers a fun alternative to paint.

When to splurge and save: Everything does not have to cost an arm and a leg to be beautiful. Many believe expensive equals better; that’s not necessarily the case. For those who are on a budget (and those who aren’t), as an alternative to Pottery Barn and Target, go to thrift stores and flea markets to find unusual objects to express your personality. The value of the object means nothing; it’s all in the presentation.

Tara was so sweet and showed me around her home and office. I couldn't resists snapping a series of textural shots to share. 

 I want to give a big thanks to Tara and right hand, Ellen for taking the time to talk to me. They were so great and their advice is so applicable to anyone's lifestyle and living space. To see some more of Tara's work click on the pictures below.

Photos courtesy of Tara Seawright