I started out with a bunch of Ansel Adams black-and-white photos and some cool prints of vintage pianos and harpsichords. After college, I started collecting more original art. Now I gravitate toward photographs and watercolors or pastels by local artists and artists in cities where I visit. So I have pastels of Paris landmarks done by Parisian artists, watercolors of capitol hill rowhouses by a local painter, photos of Rock Creek park by a local guy and some black-and-white photos by a guy I met at a farmer's market who has traveled all over the world taking amazing photos.

I have a few friends who do nice work too - mostly photos but one friend paints - and I'm starting to buy stuff from them as well.

You can find inexpensive art at local flea markets, farmer's markets, etc. and then use Framesbymail.com to get reasonably priced but nice frames.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a lot of original art? Or mostly prints? Or a mix?

Is it declasse to hang prints on your walls?

Prints are fine. Framing really helps, but professional framing is expensive.

Put up what you love to look at.

We are going to take decades to decorate our house. Right now we have originals (one in every room) but I have my eye on a few valuable prints.

Take your time choosing, particularly if they're expensive.

All my famous art are print obviously.

All my original arts are from street vendors in various cities.

It's funny, I sometimes own the arts for years before is know where to display it.

I think nicely framed prints are just fine. I have many, and just a few pieces of original art.

We have original art, all from an artist friend. My husband also paints, so we rotate his canvases too.

Does kid artwork count as original?

A few paintings, prints, photos, ceramic tiles/plates...

Don't feel you need to do it all at once if you're looking to fill blank walls.

I've gotten quite a few original pieces through etsy for very reasonable prices (> 500 per). Sure you have to wade through a lot of dreck but once you starting "liking" some things, the web site can suggest new artists to you that create similar work.

Great list, PP. This is why I read DCUM.

A mix of both.

It's so easy to get good original art and prints, try:
Etsy
Society 6
Soicher Marin
Saatchi Art Online
20x200
Artsicle
Minted
Lost Art Salon
Serena & Lily
OKL
Dwell Studio
Studioworx
1st Dibs
Artriver
Torpedo Factory
Natural Curiosities
Conde Nast store

And, a lot of interior blog sites have links to artists online.

It's your house, do what you want.

We have originals (all of which we inherited from my mil) and prints. I don't give a crap if anyone thinks prints are tacky. I'm the one who has to look at them every day.

Do you have a lot of original art? Or mostly prints? Or a mix?

Is it declasse to hang prints on your walls?