At Home with Art

Book excerpt: A beginner's guide on how to start your own art collection on any budget—to create a unique home that reflects your individual style. A work of art—whether it is unexpected, groundbreaking, or one of a kind—can personalize your interior and transform it into a place like no other. But actually purchasing a signature piece—or even crossing the threshold into a gallery—can be a daunting act. How can you develop your own taste or gauge whether you’re making a worthwhile investment? Drawing on a decade of experience at Christie’s, Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Saulay know that the world is full of artistic talents waiting to be discovered and they want to reframe who can access original works. On a mission to make art accessible to everyone, they compiled their advice into this step-by-step guide that takes the guesswork out of purchasing, guiding amateurs to cultivate an eye and to select favorite pieces. They cover everything you need to know about starting your own collection, from how to find artists and galleries to how to define your collection, along with advice on purchasing, framing, hanging, maintaining, and conserving the value of your artworks. With tips for designing unique interiors with paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other decorative objects, this essential book will give art aficionados the confidence to select pieces they will love forever.