Your Guide to Antique Art with Soul
What makes a painting or antique special enough for Tale House?
I look for pieces with character — something that tells a story through its brushwork, subject, or even the patina of age. I want every item to bring a sense of history and individuality into a home.
How can antique art add character to a room?
Even a small painting can transform a space. Antique art softens modern interiors, adds depth to period homes, and creates a sense of atmosphere that new prints often can’t.
How should I style antique art in a modern home?
I don’t feel antiques are purely for older properties. In fact, they can bring so much more depth to modern homes. In today’s day and age, we often combine the old and the new — and by doing that we add richness, contrast, and a sense of story to our interiors. A single antique painting can completely change the feel of a room, making it warmer, more layered, and more individual.
What advice would you give to someone buying their first antique painting?
Choose something that speaks to you. I can still remember the first painting I ever bought — a beautiful country scene. It wasn’t particularly expensive, but I loved the colours, the palette, and the mood it evoked. I still have it hanging in my bedroom today. Art is deeply personal, and it has to resonate with you. Even if you don’t have the perfect spot for it right now, I can assure you that with one-off pieces of art, it’s always the ones you don’t buy that you end up regretting.
How do I create a gallery wall?
Creating a gallery wall can feel daunting when you only have one or two pieces, but that’s part of the fun — it takes time to build. My own gallery wall probably came together over the course of five years. I used a complete mixture of subject matter — landscapes, still lifes, portraits — and somehow, when layered together, they complement one another and bring out new details in each piece. A gallery wall doesn’t need to be rushed or perfectly planned; it’s about building a collection that grows with you and tells a story over time.
