I truly adore having a house full of artwork, walls covered in colour, in personality and things that mean something to us. I love walking into peoples homes and not knowing where to look first, homes bursting with character and with loads to see, thats what I want people to feel when they walk into our home, I want a house that feels like a home, a home that is lived in not a show home. So I’ve been collecting some pieces of art over the past few years and with that I’m often asked what I look for and where I head to to find the perfect piece, so I thought I’d compose a blog post that shared just that.
I’ve snapped some of the pieces of art within our home on my Olympus Mju II film camera and whilst they’re certainly not perfect, they connote exactly what I wanted them to, an imperfect but totally relaxed and colourful vibe, just like our home in Manchester.
So let’s start with the dining room, a space painted in a gorgeous deep green shade (Hobby Wood by Earthborn Paints) and my favourite room in the house. The colours of the walls lend itself perfectly to lashings of further colour in the form of prints and art and there is certainly tonnes to look at in this room.
The Edie Sedgwick Print above is from King & McGaw my first port of call whenever I’m looking for a new piece for our home. They have SO many amazing pieces whether it’s photographic, abstract or simply awesome posters, there is so much amazing choice. I also adore the way they frame each piece so King & McGaw tends to be the first place I start when on the hunt.
This piece was a Christmas present from my mum & dad and I totally LOVE the black and white photobooth style snaps of one of my style icons of the 60s Edie Sedgwick. It’s a piece by Andy Warhol too somebody else I truly admire. This piece combines everything I love including the 1960’s, fashion, photography and art, I think it’s one of my favourites.
EDIE SEDGWICK- c/o KING & McGAW, VOGUE- KING & McGAW (house warming gift from parents), NYC- KING & McGAW, BOWIE- c/o MR PORTER, 2015- ELEANOR BOWMER, UP TO NO GOOD- OLIVER BONAS, DOG- KING & McGAW
Next to that image we have a snap of our gallery wall which is directly opposite the Edie print and, if you know our dining room well (full tour coming soon) opposite the personalised neon too. We have a few other prints from King & McGaw here including the NYC travel poster; New York is a very special place to George and I so this has more of a sentimental feel to it, the 1960’s Vogue print was a house warming gift again from my mum & dad along with the “Le Chien” by Picasso.
I totally adore this wall and how it all ties together with the yellow tones of the NYC print, the David Bowie photograph from Mr Porter and the Up To Know Good print from Oliver Bonas. Oliver Bonas do the most amazing pieces of art, I could quite happily own every single piece. Scattered throughout this wall are photobooth snaps of George and I, along with some photographs of the Sex Pistols, Elton John and a couple of pieces by the amazing artist Eleanor Bowmer.
The abstract piece is another absolute fave of mine and unfortunately I no longer remember the artist which is a huge bummer but I thought I’d share it all the same. I love the use of colour within this piece, the abstract shapes and the fact that it is actually an old window that has been painted by the artist. I saw this hanging in a local coffee shop and simply had to have it, I made an offer and proudly walked out with it… Or should I say George went and picked it up in the car. It’s always worth asking the owners of independent coffee shops/bars/restaurants/shops etc about the pieces you like on their walls, you never know they might let you have it or at least divulge the artist for you to go forth and hunt down.
George and I are quite sentimental people so we like to collect posters/postcards etc on our travels and thats where these two pieces came from. The first is an Isle of Wight poster from when George and his band One Night Only played the festival and the second is from a night at Burlesque show Crazy Horse in Paris. I was there with L’Oreal and it was such an awesome night that I just had to have a souvenir to take home with me.
ABSTRACT- c/o PRINT CLUB LONDON, PLAYING CARDS- ETSY, MUSICAL SCORE- GIFT FROM GEORGE <3, CHANEL- ETSY, ALOHA- PINFOLD CREATIONS
Although I’m into colour in a big way I do like the pieces to work together in some way and our living room is a great way to showcase this as everything that is hung on the walls has a touch of orange within it which works beautifully against the dark walls (Farrow & Ball Railings) and compliments the orange sofas. Scouring websites such as Junique, Etsy and Desenio are always great, affordable places to start when looking for artwork.
Our hall, stairs and landing is one of those places that has a lot of layers to it. We tend to keep adding to it and it’s becoming such a warm and vibrant place in our house. The LOVE mirrors were found in Arighi Bianci, one of my absolute fave homeware stores. This sign is one of my favourite pieces in our home and it looks so fab against the grey walls (Farrow & Ball Downpipe) and above the yellow radiator cover.
The order of service for this area seems to be “If it’s colourful, graphic and has a touch of retro-ness then it can stay” and I just love it so much.
LOVE- ARIGHI BIANCI, GLAMOUR OF MANCHESTER-, PROPER NORTHER- c/o NORTH 6
JOY- c/o MADE.COM, FLOWERS- c/o KING & McGAW, GET NAKED- OLIVER BONAS, NICE TO BE NICE- DESENIO, DARLING YOU'RE DIFFERENT- c/o PRINT CLUB LONDON
Our dressing room has a little slither of wall free so we popped up some monochrome prints and drawings that were kindly sent to my PO Box by you guys (if it was you please let me know so I can credit and THANK YOU AGAIN SOSOSO MUCH!) mixed in with these are some pink & red tones that you know I like a lot…
The Darling You’re Different print in my office is a daily reminder to just do me, I adore the typography and of course the vibrant colours so much and it truly makes me smile every time I look at it. It’s nice to have these little “note-to-self” quotes scattered throughout our home to be taken from whenever we need them. This piece was a beautiful gift from the team at Print Club London who again have the most phenomenal selection of prints. Head here if it’s colour and graphic designs you like, they have them by the shed load!
MATISSE- TATE, OASIS (gift from George), VOGUE- c/o KING & McGAW, TIGER- c/o ELEANOR BOWMER
NO SLEEP CLUB- c/o ELEANOR BOWMER, LOVE IS A SUPER POWER- BUILT THIS CITY LONDON, DUSTY LYRICS- c/o IT'S POP IT's ART, DUSTY PORTRAIT- (gift from parents), PALM SUNRISE- JUNIQUE
Our bedroom is a really tranquil space with simply just a bed and a chest of drawers within it, which we both love! We wanted to create a really relaxing space but needed it to still feel like us hence the gallery wall. A real mix up of the things we love in here whether thats Dusty Springfield, photography, retro typography and animals (my mum calls us the love birds) yet they each incorporate the blues, pinks and yellows that the rest of the room has. I find myself looking at this wall each night before I fall asleep and loving it a little bit more every day.
So thats a little look into the artwork within our home, I really hope you enjoyed taking a peek around our house and it’s inspired you to add some art to your walls. Basically, anything goes when purchasing art but it helps if it’s something you and your partner or roomie LOVE. Tying in colours helps link a gallery wall together beautifully but essentially it’s all about trial and error and having fun with it, it’s your home so put up exactly what you love.
Any questions I am all ears.
x M
Omg I haven’t even read the post yet but I just had to comment that this couldn’t have come at a better time!!
I’m currently looking for artwork to decorate the bare walls of my new flat. I’ve always loved the artwork in your home, I’ve even bought the French Connection “Up To No Good” piece for my friend for his new flat. Wish I’d bought one for myself too 🙁
Ah well, time to make a brew and read this post properly…
Fantastic 🙂 I’m so glad you’re excited for this post and hope it was useful for you 🙂
x
I loved this post, your home is amazingly beautiful, as are you ☺️
Where is the bee lamp from?! I neeeeed it in my life.
Ohhh thanks gorgeous girl, it means a lot.
The bee lamp is from India Jane x
Your home is amazing as are you. Thank you for the detail that went into this post, capturing every print and telling us where we can find them all. I’ve since gotten a few very abstract pieces from King and McGaw on your recommendation using your old discount code and agree the framing really is second to none.
I also love the print of you and George together and I remember he had a special piece commissioned of just you surrounded by the things you love or that have some special meaning to you. If you ever come across an online service that would create something as unique do let us know as I’d love a more artistic take on some of my wedding photos.
As always Megan thank you for being a continued source of creative inspiration and have a great weekend. xox
Sarah, thank you so much for your lovely comment it truly, truly means a lot! I’m thrilled to hear that you’ve picked up some pieces from King & McGaw in the past and that you’re super happy with their framing. I’m so excited to get lost in their website again soon!
Ahhh yes that piece <3 you've got a great memory. Thats hanging in our dressing room and could do with being reframed so thank you for the reminder on that one ;) That was done by the artist http://www.wethreeclub.com/ who are friends of ours but I’m sure if you emailed them they’d whip something up for you.
Lots of love to you x
Love this post! Can you remember where the Elton print is from? I need it in my life 😍😍 xx
I’m so glad you enjoyed it babe.
The Elton piece was something George has had for a really long time and I believe is from http://www.iconicimages.net
xxx
I absolutely loved looking through this post and seeing all of your artwork! I love how personal the pieces are and how they are influenced by your own style and passions. I always like walking into someone’s home and seeing the person reflected in their choice of art and interior design, and this is definitely the case with your house – your colorful, retro inspired style carries into your choices in art, and I also love that George’s and your passion for music comes through in many of the pieces! Your home seems like such an inspiring place to be, and I can tell how much work you put into curating everything you hang on your walls while still maintaining a homey, lived in feeling. Thanks so much for sharing this – you have definitely inspired me to check out some of the places you source your artwork from!
Sydney | thesydneystories.com
It sounds like we have the same thoughts and feelings on what it is that makes a house a home Sydney, I’m so glad you agree 🙂 Thanks for the lovely words on our home and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post x
Thank you so much for this, I definitely needed some inspiration for my plain white walls! I love the Matisse poster, do you mind if I ask what size yours is? Lovely post as always 🙂
It’s an A1 size m’lovely x
I don’t suppose any one reached out to you about the ones sent to your PO box? In particular the one of you and George – such a cool concept!
Unfortunately not which is such a shame :'( I’m desperate to know who did it x
love your house – i cant see what colour your bedroom is? please do tell!
Beautiful page! You’re amazing.