John Chester, Wild Apple

Wonders for a Room

If John says it, who cares?  But if Martha says it, better listen up.

An ad for Martha Stewart rugs (by Safavieh) in HFN Magazine says, and I quote, "Art on the wall can do wonders for a room."  Yes!  That is exactly the message!  Sing it from the rooftops! 

The only problem is that this was an ad for rugs, not wall decor, and continues, "Imagine what art on the floor can do."  It's ironic that a floor covering company is helping do the art industry's job.

The quickest, most noticeable, and most personal way to change a room is with new artwork -- and it does not have to be expensive.  As an industry we need to keep driving that point home, again and again, repeatedly, redundantly (I don't care that you have heard this spiel from me before!).  Art is a natural focal point of the home and shouldn't be an afterthought in the decorating process.

Even though I'm in the art industry, it's still a marvel how fresh and energy-inducing new artwork can be.  Here at the office, we changed artwork in the kitchen last week, and it's an entirely new room.  As Martha would say, "It's a good thing."

Buy art. 

Room (with a) View

Last summer one of our customers suggested WIld Apple organize images by room setting (e.g. kitchen, bedroom, home office).  I actually listened.  I love the idea, because I'll bet (with no evidence or market research, of course) that when people are looking for art, more often than not they have a specific wall of their house in mind.  If consumers think that way, shouldn't retailers and framers -- and publishers?

It may have taken a while (there are a lot of images to categorize!), but it's up and running at http://www.wildapple.com/fineart/catsearch.asp.  It works best in conjunction another criterion (size, subject, style).  For instance, you can look for Oversized images for the Dining Room, or Floral images for the Bathroom.  Our hope is to offer one more relevant way of looking for art.

But remember, the room categories are just suggestions - you can put any image where you want it - it is your house, after all!