Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate News

 

 

Wandering among museum masterpieces or exploring new galleries may tempt you to start your own art collection at home. Though it’s certainly a big project, you don’t need to be intimidated by the task.

 

Kevin Vogel, president of the acclaimed Valley House Gallery and Sculpture Garden in North Dallas, gives his advice on amassing art – no art degree required.

 

Be adventurous

With work, life and kids, there’s not much time left over to pore over stacks of art history books. But, you don’t need to. Vogel says to venture out – go to the Dallas Museum of Art or wander around the Design District’s many galleries and find something that you connect with to help you find what your tastes are.

 

“Buying art should be an adventure,” Vogel says. “We’re in a period where time is limited for everyone, you can take Saturdays and wander the gallery scene. If nothing moves you, keep looking for what does.”

 

Fall in love

It’s an adage many art and design experts abide by. You want to connect with each piece you buy and carefully consider your purchase. After all, you want to buy something that you treasure for years to come.

 

“Art comes from the heart and soul. You have an investment in the artist’s energy,” Vogel says. “As an art dealer, the most wonderful thing I hear from my clients is that they connected with the art work. The art is talking to them, and they see something new every time.”

 

Be patient

If you’re wandering art galleries, itching to fill your space with as many pieces as possible – think twice. Vogel says buying too much art at once never works out well.

 

“If you’re starting from scratch, don’t buy 15 pieces at once. The chances of it working are less,” Vogel says. “If you see a piece you absolutely love, and you know it’s going to work, then yes, absolutely buy. But, don’t just buy it instantly.”

 

Don’t focus on money

Buying art as a financial investment might not reap the benefits you’re seeking. Art experts say that almost all art never goes up in value. Further, Vogel says art is not a liquid asset – you can’t return your piece to the dealer and have them buy it back immediately. While art is an investment, it holds so much more meaning than a stock, Vogel says.

 

“Art is something that improves your environment. It uplifts you, or should,” Vogel says.

 

Travel with a focus

Touring distant cities is an ideal time to search for additions to your collection. The local artists and design tastes will be different to what you usually see. It’s a rare moment when you can take your time to explore the city and galleries with your spouse, Vogel says.

 

“A couple can relax, not worry about the car payment, the boat payment. And they can make decisions together,” Vogel says. “Now they have something that not only is a work of art, but it reminds them of a wonderful time together.”

 

Mix and match

Don’t be afraid of falling in love with pieces from different eras. A turn-of-the-century work and a modern piece can create an interesting contrast.

 

“I know people who have 18^th century furniture and contemporary art on the wall. It’s a really fascinating dynamic, and what’s amazing to see is how well it goes together,” Vogel says.

 

Find new artists

Be on the lookout for new artists to inspire and update your collection. Vogel recommends visiting galleries, which use connoisseurs like him to curate and hone collections. And visit the graduate shows from Dallas’ universities to get a taste of what’s truly up and coming.

 

“People don’t have a lot of time to become an expert in the art world,” Vogel says. “They need to rely on experts to help them. Someone who’s a straight shooter will tell it like it is.”

 

Neutralize your space

As you grow your collection, keep your home neutral so swapping pieces from room to room or introducing new art into your home is easier.

 

“Most collectors, their houses are spare. When you walk into the living room, you don’t look at the furniture. You look at the art,” Vogel says.

 

 

While the changing leaves and chilly air may not arrive in Dallas until long after the first official day of fall, the season is approaching quickly.

 

If you’re longing for a New England autumn to come your way, mark the change at home by transitioning to warmer scents. Musky florals, foreign spices, smoke and luxurious textures can transport you to cooler climates.

 

We’ve chosen 10 indulgent scents to make your home feel like autumn.

 

 

Le Labo Santal 26 Home Diffuser | $590 | 1 fluid ounces of diffuser oil | Fresh up to one year

Notes: Amber, Coco, Vanilla, Cedar, Spices, Musk, Sandalwood

 

Presented in a unique, patent-pending electric diffuser, Le Labo’s Santal 26 fragrance oil penetrates through the home through a special misting process adjusted by the knob on the base of the reclaimed wood.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Luxury Candle | $470 | 88 ounces | Burn time: 230 hours

Notes: Pomegranate, raspberry, plum, pink pepper, Casablanca lily, spicy woods

 

Jo Malone’s signature scent has reached cult status for good reason. The warmth of the Casablanca lily and fruity pomegranate fuse with the smokiness of guaiac wood and amber to permeate the home in cozy luxury.

 

Tom Ford Café Rose Candle | $190 | 21 ounces | Burn time: 40 hours

Notes: Rose, exotic spices, coffee, incense resin, amber, woods

 

Roses are not just for spring if you’re asking Tom Ford. From Ford’s private blend line, Café Rose blends three enigmatic rose essences with the spice and depth of dark coffee.

 

 

Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Hourglass Diffuser 2.0 | $175 | 2.5 fluid ounces

Notes: Damp moss, crumpled blackcurrant leaves, sun-dried fig leaves

 

Diptyque’s fragranced hourglass is as much design as it is fragrance. The unique diffuser allows oil to be dispersed through the home in one-hour cycles. Notes of sun-dried fig leaves with hints of citrus will radiate through the home and leave it smelling like Dyptique’s first boutique.

 

Cire Trudon Byron Classic Candle | $95 | 9.5 ounces | Burn time: 55 to 60 hours

Notes: Black pepper, mugwort, saffron, cognac, iris, vetiver, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, leather, labdanum, opoponax

 

The eminent brand in candles, Cire Trudon has evoked the British Romantic poet Lord Byron by fusing wood, cognac and spices.

 

Byredo Bibliotheque | $80 | 8.5 ounces | Burn time: approximately 60 hours

Notes: Peach, plum, peony, violet, leather, patchouli, vanilla

 

Snuggle in a warm blanket with a good book and let Byredo Bibliotheque create the warm and mysterious atmosphere of stately libraries.

 

Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Three Wick Candle | $74 | 17 ounces | Burn time: 65 hours

Notes: Coriander, black peppercorns, vetiver

 

Travel to the aromatic sands of Madagascar with Molton Brown’s Black Peppercorn which will scent your home with the mysteries of a foreign land blended with the indulgence of a relaxing beach vacation.

Nest Moroccan Amber Three Wick Candle | $64 | 21 ounces | Burn time: 80 to 100 hours

Notes: Eucalyptus, Moroccan amber, patchouli, heliotrope, bergamot

 

One of Nest’s top selling fragrances, Moroccan Amber was inspired by a dinner party featuring Persian and Indian spices.

Neom Real Luxury Intensive Skin Treatment Candle | $62 | 5 ounces | Burn time: 30 hours

Notes: Jasmine, French lavender, Brazilian rosewood

 

Neom’s Real Luxury candle is true to its name. After burning the candle for 30 minutes, let it cool and pour the wax where you feel you need the most treatment. The wax is composed of 24 essential oils, cocoa butter, soybean and almond oil to make your skin feel supple and smooth.

 

Malin & Goetz Tobacco Candle | $54 | 9 ounces | Burn time: up to 60 hours

Notes: Basil, rye, chestnut honey, ylang ylang, tobacco leaves, guaiac wood, bourbon vanilla

 

While smoking is bad for you, Malin & Goetz’s Tobacco is certainly not. Handmade in Brooklyn, N.Y., using natural wax, Tobacco saturates the home with a warm, velvety scent.