ART&ANTIQUES Ways with
Make the most of treasured objects, both antiques and works of art, by giving thoughtful consideration to the ways in which they are displayed
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ntroducing art and antiques to any room adds not only interesting and intriguing colour and patina, but also very welcome character. As Camilla Clarke, creative director of design studio Albion Nord, says: “A room without art is a room unfinished.” The same goes for older items of furniture and even smaller pieces, such as ceramics and glassware – from family heirlooms to carefully considered acquisitions. Here we look at how to ensure that such much-loved and unique possessions fully complement their setting and are shown to their best advantage, whether they are hung on the wall, arranged in a cabinet or simply placed against a complementary background and carefully illuminated.
82 THE ENGLISH HOME
LIGHTING FANTASTIC Good lighting elevates a display enormously. The most effective (and expensive) option is to use a framing projector, which must usually be inset in the ceiling and will focus the light into a pattern to perfectly illuminate the artwork but not the surrounding wall. Much simpler choices are ceiling-mounted, adjustable spotlights, a track system, or picture lights fixed either to the wall or the picture itself. Experts recommend a colour temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 kelvins, which is a slightly yellowish to a neutral warm white (some say early paintings, created by candlelight, should be lit by
‘warmer’ bulbs). Colour rendition is important, too – a high-quality bulb will show off the vibrancy of all colours, including trickier reds; look for a colour rendering index (CRI) of at least 95. Kate Wilkins of Home Lighting Ideas adds: “If artwork is behind glass, it is important to check that it is non-reflective and protects against UV. The angle of light is significant to avoid glare.” ABOVE TM Lighting supplied the Slim Light Pro picture light, a made-to-measure, minimal, contemporary design finished in antique bronze plate, for this chic townhouse space designed by Rebecca Hughes Interiors.
