You have a lot of options for that space. Pick something you love. Look at allposters.com for a great selection of prints that come framed and unframed. I got a 1932 Good Housekeeping cover for my renovated kitchen in a house built in 1935.

I can see that whole shelving unit painted the same gray blue or steel gray, you have in the artwork over the couch and the pillow.

I read a bit of your other thread, and I guess my advice would be to stop worrying about what other people like, and find something you like. Get some color in there, and love the art for what it is, not whether it matches the furniture.

Think of this as “concept” and you can find pieces you love. First, the space in built-ins is probably 12” or so deep. So you need more than just art here. You need texture and depth of interest. I put black framed piece of art and it doesn’t have to be real big. Then a tall thin sculptural piece and a floral arrangement in a uniquely shaped container. By “layering” items you can create a very interesting focal point without big color etc.

Notice the step down nature of this grouping. Art tallest look, next the sculpture is lower than top of art following by the arrangement that is lowest. Very important.

Thank you, Flo Mangan. Do you have any suggestions for the artwork? I'm having a difficult time.

Houssaon. Thanks for the link. And the last thing I want is more grey. As I said in the very beginning, "I'm not really a grey person." I'm trying to move away from that.

jmm1837. Did I give the impression about what other people like? I'm not. It's me that's not liking the mixture of the white shutters with the black wood balls on chair and going nuts trying to find a piece that will work as a console that's not grey.

But let me add, I like the room. It's absolutely a tremendous improvement and reflects my style but it really is closer to the designer's style not mine. P.S. I did not decorate the original room. This was my husband's house before I moved in.

Question: How do you find the work of a nice but affordable artist?

Go look on Etsy.com.

This is painting I put in the niche. It has soft coloring. Art is very personal so if you just want “art” there you might have to get a custom piece due to size of space. What is your budget? Favorite colors?

My favorite color is blue. I was in love with this piece for over the couch by a local artist photographer Barbara Erdmann (beautiful work) but thought it wouldn't go. I'm rethinking it because i love it so much. What is your opinion? This would have to go over couch. I tried putting it in center but she would have to trim it and it would lose it's effect. The colors are more beautiful and vibrant in person. Stunning.

That picture might be cropped off but that would work much better than what is there. You could add a lumbar pillow on the sofa with that color in a velvet for example and repeat the color one other spot. Doesn’t have to be large. Could be a book on lower shelf of coffee table with dust jacket that has the blue tones.

How wide is sofa? How wide is picture you like?

We can still use your fav picture even if it isn’t wide enough with a few other things like silver candle sconces to expand look.

Here is mock up using your fav picture with a pair of candle sconces. I also put a sculpture in center of bookcase. Can’t determine art until main focal point art is decided for over sofa.

Opps

Thanks so much, Flo. The picture above is horizontal so that would go over couch. It would have to be cropped if it were to go in wall unit which I don't want to do; crop it that is.

Both images are by the same artist. I would move the one over the couch to either a bedroom or my husband's office. I might do that after all. I love the blue picture so much. I still need something for the console, though, that is probably not a photo but painting of some sort, an abstract. I like Rothko but the blue water image has the same feel and they might not go together. I need something with other colors.

I realize the last photo is of waves and has a direction it should go, but it's appeal (for me) is as an abstract; I like the shapes and colors independent of what they actually are. Would you consider hanging it vertically as an abstract? Or would it always bother you that the waves went the wrong way?

I wouldn’t do two of those same looks in one room. Might look like you got a bargain. It is best to mix mediums of wall hangings for greater depth and interest.

I normally recommend looking for art locally (craft fairs, student shows, etc.), but under the circumstances I won't feel bad pointing you to Saatchi Art. I've used them and been happy with both the art and the process. The site has pretty good filters for size and orientation, price, medium, style, color, etc. The artwork is shipped from the artist; not from Saatchi; I don't know what kind of a cut they are taking but this isn't a situation where the artist doesn't benefit from the purchase.

Where did the artist sign the picture or intend for it to hang? Honor that.

Flo, I will.

Hi PeaceofHome-

Art is so individual.

You will live with it for a long time, please don't be in a rush.

And don't buy something just because you like the color blue, or you like movement.

Get something really special that speaks to you in its entirety.

Take your time and really look around.

Look around greatbigcanvas.com to get a feel for your style.

Also, since the world's museums are closed, many have virtual tours.

Take tours of the great museums and educate your eye and learn what you do and don't like in art and artifacts.

Don't let your money burn a hole in your pocket.

There's no rush.

When the corona virus pandemic is over there will be lots of art shows and things will sell for a song.