LIFESTYLE, TRICKS OF THE TRADE, How-ToMichelle AdamsSeptember 12, 2022Comment

At Home With Art: Expert Tips from Olivia de Fayet & Fanny Saulay

LIFESTYLE, TRICKS OF THE TRADE, How-ToMichelle AdamsSeptember 12, 2022Comment

PHOTO © Hervé Goluza from At Home with Art by Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay (Flammarion, 2022). Art credits: Amélie Dauteur, Dansa and Iwa; Fernando Daza, *Raspberry Circle*; Géraldine de Zuchowicz, *Bogota*; Michaël Schouflikir, *Uproar*.

“This book is the essential reference for all those who wish to surround themselves with works of art and have always wondered how to go about starting a collection.”

— Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay

Inspired by the notion that art should be accessible to everyone, authors Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay have compiled a step-by-step guide to the art world in their latest book, At Home With Art: A Beginner’s Guide To Collecting On Any Budget. Drawing on a decade of experience at Christie’s, the authors cover everything from navigating the gallery scene to expert tips for arranging and hanging artwork. “This book is the essential reference for all those who wish to surround themselves with works of art and have always wondered how to go about starting a collection,” says de Fayet and Saulay. Read on for expert tips on lighting and placement in an excerpt from At Home With Art.

The following is an excerpt from At Home With Art: A Beginner’s Guide To Collecting On Any Budget.

The art of combining objects

Artful Mixes

Those collectors who are just starting out may find themselves surrounded with works that need to be artfully arranged: ceramics, sculptures, small framed pieces, etc. It just takes a few ideas and tricks to create happy marriages that can last a lifetime or facilitate the formation of attractive blended families.

Each collector is free to appropriate their space and arrange it as they see fit, to reflect the multiple facets of their personality. Mixing and matching is therefore often called for, and can lend rhythm and originality to the decor. Beware though: the collection must be ordered and organized if it is to be successful.
In a bookcase, you can combine works (including small paintings, sculptures, and ceramics) and intersperse them with everyday objects, such as vases, flowers, and books with attractive covers.
Knowing how to combine objets d’art is an art in itself. Feel free to rework existing compositions on a regular basis, trying out new groupings or changing frames. You can also experiment with monochrome or colorful arrangements. And don’t hesitate to mix subject matter: very figurative photographs harmonize beautifully with abstract art.

PHOTO © Hervé Goluza from At Home with Art by Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay (Flammarion, 2022). Art credits: Michaël Schouflikir, *The Waves*, *Crowd*, and *Well Packed*; Margaux Derhy, *Gate of the Anti-Atlas Nos. 10* and 17 © Adagp, Paris, 2022; Raquel Levy, *Red and Yellow Creased Papers* © Adagp, Paris, 2022.

Professional Pointers

Little alcoves and bookshelves are compact spaces that are often just the right size for displaying small artworks. These accessible locations allow the viewer to get close to the piece and admire its smallest detail.

PHOTO © Hervé Goluza from At Home with Art by Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay (Flammarion, 2022). Art credits: Audrey Noël, *Untitled (Cobalt Blue);* Michaël Schouflikir, *Aegean*; Jean-Charles Yaïch, *Kirigami 416*; Laurent Karagueuzian, *Stripped Papers No. 247* © Adagp, Paris, 2022; Amélie Dauteur, *Boshi*; Patricia Zieseniss, *Friend*; Hubert Jouzeau, *Palm Trees*; Danielle Lescot, *Large Reef* © Adagp, Paris, 2022.

Don’t Forget The Lighting

A Crucial Question

Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to see a work of art properly, simply because it is badly lit. The issue of lighting is a major challenge for professionals as well as collectors. Here are a few guidelines.

Spotlights are the best way of illuminating works of art. Simple to install, they can provide one or more sources of light that can be redirected and adjusted depending on the requirements. Spots now use LED bulbs; they present no danger to the work they are illuminating and make the most of its qualities.
If you can’t install spot track lighting, consider wall or ceiling fixtures with adjustable clamps that can direct light toward objects on the wall.
Old-fashioned light bulbs release UV rays and considerable heat. Avoid using them to illuminate artworks. They have the same effect as direct sunlight and are highly destructive to all types of pigment. Study the information labels on lamps and bulbs and go for LEDs wherever possible. Consider standing spotlights, which are easy to place and move around as needed.

Professional Pointers

Take advantage of natural light without annoying reflections by hanging paintings in unglazed frames directly across from windows. If that is not possible, you can use frames with antireflective glass.