Ty Pennington- carpenter, model, television host, author, et al. -may be a jack of all trades, but what unites his body of work is his commitment to making great design accessible.

Ty on the role that art plays in his personal life

Being a huge fan of art and artists, I'm always on the lookout for new works that I'm drawn to, and inspire me.  As someone who lived in New York, I seldom walk by a gallery without going in. Instagram and Etsy are also great platforms for finding art. I’ll find an artist I like on Instagram and then check out who they follow as well.   

Adding original art to our homes is one of the most satisfying ways to personalize our spaces.  There are so many places to find working artists as well these days.  Whether it is online, through social media, at a local art fair, student shows or studio tours, I must say some of my favorite pieces which I've acquired are directly from the artists themselves, and anyone can find amazing art and support artists this way.

Art inspires me so much that I tend to surround myself with it. No corner or wall is left unadorned. I have a couple pieces by Chris Roberts-Antieau that I really love. Her pieces just have so many layers to them you tend to notice something different every time you look. She is incredibly talented and I really love the element of humor in art. I mean, I’m just a big fan of humor anyways so to get it in art is a bonus.

Can’t take life too seriously, you know? 

   

On Buying Art

Go for something that moves you, something that evokes real emotion- joy is always a good one! If a painting brings you joy you can never go wrong. 

If you are really struggling with a decision, it’s a no. 

And while yes, [purchasing a large or expensive art piece] is a commitment, I don’t believe that if you purchase something you need to display it forever.  I love to move art around in my home from time to time and I also love swapping art out. 

Maybe the piece lives on a wall for 5 years, perhaps you take it down, store it for a few and later bring it back again in a new room or a new house with a whole new feeling- like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Ty’s Take On “The Rules”

What's better than breaking with Tradition?  It's the basis of creativity right?  I'm more of a 'suggestions' guy than a rule follower.  Taking risks with design is what gets noticed most.  Just one example I've used in the past, why do we think hardwood flooring is just for floors?  I put it on the ceiling, on the walls and I even make furniture out of it. 

Think outside of the box!  

As for design “rules” I tend to never break, personally I’m just really drawn to symmetry.  Having designed countless bedroom suites over the years, you'll notice, when possible, the bed is centered on the main wall, 2 matching side tables with matching light fixtures, pillows in their place and neatly folded blankets and throws. 

Symmetry is my Zen.  

  

A Bonus Design Hack

One of my favorites is to use large canvas art that is fairly blank, and use it as a television screen for your projector. I much prefer this over a traditional television set. 

    The most important thing to remember, when designing your space and adorning it with objects d’art, is that YOU are the one who inhabits it.  Take Ty’s advice to really give yourself the time and space to find pieces that resonate personally with you, especially those that bring you joy.  Whenever you can, take the opportunity to connect with living artists, to find pieces that can speak to you in more ways than one!

-Elisa

Photos Courtesy of Ty Pennington