COME STYLE MY NEW ART WITH ME: How to Choose Meaningful Art for Your Home
They say that when you hang art on your walls, you give a soul to your room.
My recently finished powder room was missing that soul. I had been on the hunt for a while, and one day while searching brass decorative trim for my client on Etsy, I came across an artist who was making small cat paintings.
I'm Not a Cat Person—But...
Now let me tell you—cats are not my thing. I have a phobia. But the painting I saw... the cat looked cute. So I kept scrolling.
Now, if you’re wondering: If I’m not a cat person, why did I keep looking?
Well, because my husband loves cats. And I thought I might find something for him.
The Painting That Told Our Story
And lucky me, I found the perfect piece—a black cat sitting on the throne (aka toilet) with a book in hand. The moment I saw this painting, it reminded me of my husband. Not only does he love cats (he grew up with a dozen cats in the courtyard of his childhood home), he loves a black cat.
Also, the painting was perfect because it depicted his everyday behavior—spending long periods of time on the throne with a magazine in hand. I immediately knew that I had to have this piece in my home.
This is how every piece of art and decor in our home has been found. Either the piece makes us feel something or it narrates our story.
Sometimes, when you have empty walls, the pressure is high and you feel the need to just fill them up. But purchasing a piece for the sake of filling a wall doesn’t add soul to a room. It’s a process that takes time—but is always worth the wait.
The Joy of Supporting Independent Artists
It is also important to me that when I’m purchasing art, I’m supporting another creator. Rather than purchasing a replica of a famous painting or any mass-produced print and giving my $$$ to a chain store—a multi-million dollar company who really doesn’t care if I fell in love with the art—I would rather purchase a piece from an independent artist.
They may not be famous, but they make art that touches the soul (and also write you a handwritten little note when you buy from them… and do a happy dance when you place an order).
Don’t Underestimate Small Pieces
I understand that purchasing large pieces of original art can be expensive, and some situations really call for a large piece. But many times, you can get away with groupings of smaller pieces to create an impact.
In fact, there are so many fun ways to group small pieces—and it’s visually more interesting. If you struggle with styling smaller pieces of art and making a statement with them, leave me a comment and I’d love to share how I arrange art in groupings.
Also, when an original isn’t in the budget, I’m all for investing in a print from the artist. When you purchase the print directly from the artist, you are still supporting them.
Today, I also want to share with you some sources where I like to purchase art, and some artists that I’ve found. I’m always asked about where to find art, and these are some artists whose work has spoken to me.
And here are 5 artists I love and recommend browsing:
Artists to Check Out
👉 DIYA SANAT
The black cat painting brightening up my powder room was created by Diya Sanat. It’s an original oil painting, featuring bold brushwork and layered texture. What draws me to her work is her use of traditional oil techniques to create expressive portraiture with a contemporary twist.
You can purchase her work through her Etsy Shop, shipped all the way from Istanbul, Turkey.
This portrait print by artist Janet Hill is a delightful blend of magical realism and vintage elegance.
👉 JANET HILL
Janet Hill’s work is elegant yet whimsical, but I’m especially in love with her portraits. She paints poised figures with vintage charm and sophisticated elegance—but not in that overly antique way that makes portraits feel like pictures of dead people. Her work feels alive, imaginative, and full of personality.
You can shop prints of her work from her Etsy Shop.
👉 ALLYSON CAIRE
Allyson Caire is an abstract artist based in Houston, Texas, known for her vibrant mixed media paintings inspired by nature. Her layers, expressive style captures the beauty of the natural world, reinterpreted through color and movement.
Checkout her original mixed media painting on her Website.
A print of a whimsical, storybook scene by Lisa Finch, the Canadian artist behind French Canvas Studio.
👉 LISA FINCH
I’m particularly in love with the warm, elegant interiors Lisa Finch paints. Her room scenes have a vintage flair and are filled with cozy details. They feel alive—like an invitation to step into a storybook. And honestly, I really want to step into those rooms.
You can shop prints of her work from her Etsy Shop.
👉 MADDIE GRACE
I recently came across the work of Maddie Grace, and I’m blown away by how she marries still life with bold, expressive energy. Her abstract impressionism, mixed with saturated colors, really speaks to me. You’ll soon see a new print from her added to my collection.
Check out her playful tabletop styling prints on her Website.
If you’re looking to start collecting meaningful, personal artwork, these artists are a wonderful place to begin.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like me to share more of my favorite finds. And if you are struggling to make your collection of small pieces feel impactful or stand out as a statement— leave me a comment and I’d be happy to share the styling tricks I use to make even the tiniest pieces shine.
