Samantha provides tips for effectively displaying family photographs. She recommends editing photographs down to only the best images and organizing them by size and style. Photographs can be arranged in a grid with matching frame sizes and colors for a cohesive look. Mixing frame sizes but keeping consistent spacing also works well. Complementary frame styles and considering the room's existing colors and textures are important to create an interesting gallery-style display without visual clutter.

1. 24 INSPIRED LIVING
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
Stuck with a decorating dilemma? Our experts are here to help. Just email your queries to inspiredliving@khaleejtimes.com
March is art season in the UAE and I thought it’s a good
time to invest in original art for my home. How should
one start building an art collection?
Samantha: There are many reasons to buy art: because you
need to fill a space in your house and you choose a piece that
goes with your decor; because you fall in love with it; because
you think it is a bargain or because you think it could be a good
investment. Whatever your motive is, remember that you will
have to live with it for a while and that the art market is fickle. So
the starting point is that you should buy what you really love to
avoid ending up surrounded by pieces you don’t like and don’t
want to live with.
So the best way to start a collection is to first learn what you
like and why you like it. Visit as many art galleries as you can
(there are many in Al Quoz and DIFC for example) and get on
their mailing lists so you know what exhibitions are coming up.
Go to museums (soon we will have many to choose from very
close by in Abu Dhabi). Go to art fairs or biennials held locally
or abroad. We are lucky to host three in the region: Art Dubai
(March 18-21), Art Abu Dhabi (dates tbc) and the Sharjah Biennial
(March 5-June 5). Attend auctions – the big ones held by Chris-
tiesor Sotherby’s and smaller ones like the Ayyam Auction for
Young Collectors (February 10). Build an art library. Buy books of
the art and artist you love. Become an informed buyer by doing
your research. Talk to different experts, curators, collectors and
befriend reputable gallerists. See which artist they like and why.
Get to know the trends and the reason behind them. Read art
magazines and art websites.
Understand that the value of artwork comes from not just
quality but also rarity, so that one-off editions have a different
value to multiple edition pieces such as lithographs. The smaller
the edition, higher the price. Know the market place by looking at
auction results for example. Look at past prices at which a certain
piece was exchanged for to know the ballpark value. Research
the artists you like. Are they still producing art? Have they had
solo or group exhibitions? Is their artwork part of an important
collection or museum?
But above all, be true to your taste and don’t buy because of a
trend or because you are supposed to like it. As you gain experi-
ence, the reasons why you buy will become more conscious,
complex and sophisticated. Don’t be surprised that what excites
you today may bore you tomorrow. Collections, like your taste,
evolve and are never static.
This time our experts tell you how to make the most of the upcoming art
season and make your decorating dirham stretch further.
EXPERTS TALK
tip! Bargain shopping is easier than before thanks to websites like Dubizzle. Set up an email alert to notify
you when something you are looking for gets listed online to be sold.
Interior designer and
APID member
CHRISTINE HUDSON
Interior designer
and art consultant
SAMANTHA DEANE
Art of the Matter
OUR EXPERTS
Measure your space
before you go furni-
ture shopping.
tip!
Use similar frames to create a
more cohesive display
Sofa from Fama; available at Interiors

2. 25INSPIRED LIVING
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015
EXPERTS TALK
Need help sourcing the right furnishings? Our experts will sort it out. Talk to us on www.facebook.com/ktinspiredliving
Between an architect, an interior designer and an
interior architect, who do we hire and for what job?
Christine: Demystifying the roles people play from build-
ing design to construction and finish is no mean feat.
Architect: Speak to one, if you want to build a house.
Whilst some architects may also do the work of an interior
designer (interior architects), they are primarily trained to
consider the engineering required for construction.
Interior designer: If you want to extensively remodel a
space and have schemes prepared for your interiors and
lighting, engage an interior designer. Interior designers pre-
pare schematics and drawings for floor and furniture lay-
outs, lighting plans, sanitation and plumbing. They propose
finishes for walls, floors and ceilings and select furnishings,
window treatments and ironmongery. An interior designer
is someone with a tertiary level qualification that permits
them to propose and prepare drawings for non-structural
changes to a building.
Interior contractor: If you want to make relatively minor
modifications to the space in your home, such as making
two rooms into one, or closing off a space; or replacing a
window, you may only need to engage an interior contrac-
tor who has experience of carrying out this type of work.
Interior decorator: The term interior decorator is often
used interchangeably with that of interior designer. How-
ever, the difference in their role is to advise on treatments
for surface finishes and general aesthetics. Interior decora-
tors are not to be confused with painters and decorators
who carry out the work.
Do you have any advice to make our dirhams go further
while we are redecorating?
Christine: The most sensible means of saving money is to carefully
plan what it is you want to redecorate. Your budget for this can depend
on whether you rent or own your property. Consider whether the re-
decoration is for home improvements that will add value to the property
if you are a home owner, or, if you are renting, it’s something you will
lose money on when moving or have to leave behind.
Budget for items you want to incorporate in your home. This will
mean calculating the surface area for decoration, including walls, floors
and ceilings and working out quantities of paint, wall coverings or
carpet that will be required.
Before going for drastic changes, try moving furniture around. Reduc-
ing the furniture in a space can give a fresh look at no cost. If you have a
well-loved piece that’s looking tired, consider getting it re-covered.
Before buying furniture, research the type and size of item you want.
Keep an eye on noticeboards in supermarkets for garage sales and
browse Dubizzle for the occasional bargain.
Costs can differ hugely, depending on whether you want a temporary
solution or an investment piece to use for a long time.
How can I display family photographs in an inter-
esting way?
Samantha: Whether it is part of your New Year’s resolu-
tion to print more family photographs or to finally display
properly the ones you have stashed away, the first step is
to edit them and choose only the best so you can create a
gorgeous, cohesive display.
One of the easiest ways to edit existing photographs is
by size and style. There are a myriad ways to display them.
It depends on the size and shape of the area, as well as
the style and size of the existing photographs. Pictures
displayed in a grid where the photographs, for example,
are all black and white and frames are of the same size,
reduces visual clutter. Use frames in the same colour, in
different sizes, but arranged close to each other with similar
distances between the frames for a less chaotic display.
Complementary frame styles instantly pull together a
gallery wall. If your room already has a lot of colour and
texture, then thin silver frames are a great choice for high-
lighting thephotos and not detracting from other elements
in the space. If the space is more neutral, it will become
more interesting with bolder frames in thick gallery-style
black or through a single colour scheme. If the walls are
coloured, black and white photographs in simple white
wooden frames can look stunning.