So you're a sports fanatic seeking to decorate your home or office with conversation pieces or maybe you just want a vintage sports theme for a specific room like your man cave or bedroom. Purchasing antiques can get expensive and require space to display them. Consider filling your space with vintage sports photography. Artwork is something that can hang on your walls so it doesn't take up too much space. It’s also a great way to surround yourself with conversation starters without going broke. There are a few tricks and things to consider when choosing vintage sports posters.

Choose a color!

One big thing to consider is the color. What will fit best in your decor, black and white, sepia toned or color sports photos. The color theme you choose can depend on the color of your walls, furniture and other accessories in the room. If the room is full of color it may be a good idea to use black and white or sepia to tone the colors down. Using color sports photography in a room full of color can become overwhelming. The sepia tones and photographs that lack rich colors is what tends to give the photograph a more vintage feel. When you find the right color for your room, the finish for the print is your next big step. If a frame compliments your piece best, you'll want to use a frame that has more of a vintage feel rather than a modern frame. Some mat colors that may pair well with retro sports photos include egg shell, buff and serene cream.

The Sport or the Name?

Before you automatically select photography that includes famous athletes or stadiums, browse pictures that feature the unexpected or show humankind’s love of the sport. Good examples are photos like Free Golf and Retrieving the Ball. Each one presents everyday people engaged in the sport of golf. We carry prints in various types of categories like football, racing cars, hockey, tennis, lacrosse and more. So take time to find the beautiful golf course or the motivational soccer poster rather than automatically searching for famous sports players and stadiums.

If you do feel compelled to spotlight famous athletes or locations, there are tons of sports places and people to choose from in our categories. One of our best illustrations in that regard may be found in the photo titled, Lou Gehrig – With Bats. It's almost a 3-D look the way that the baseball bats are positioned, it gives the illusion that they are literally coming out of frame. This piece and pieces like it would look great printed on a seamless piece of canvas or a two-toned, ebony and gold bastion frame.

The Last Game

The last best thing to consider is the last game. If you have a favorite athlete, finding photographs from their last game is not only great decor but a great conversation starter as well. A good example would be to pair photos like Lou Gehrig – Farewell #2 or Babe Ruth - Farewell.

Finish it Off

Artwork is not complete with out a frame, laminate or canvas finish. If a canvas best suites your desired piece, choose a painted sides color that matches something in the frame. For black and white photos, black painted sides is always an amazing finish. If you're choosing a frame finish, choose a vintage styled frame. You can also choose a frame that matches the furniture in the room it will decorate. If you have a mahogany colored bed frame and the chosen piece is going in that bedroom, try choosing one of our mahogany frames if they match the piece as well.

All of our frame and canvas finishes come with 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

One of the most enjoyable parts of having a child is decorating his or her bedroom. Before their babies are even born, many new parents design a nursery with artwork and accessories that they hope will appeal to their new arrival. They might choose soothing colors and quiet themes to help the baby (and the new parents!) relax and sleep. As they grow and their eyesight develops, babies are drawn to more visually complex pictures and objects.

For toddlers and older children, playing and learning are their two most important occupations. They may spend as much time playing in their rooms as they do sleeping. When decorating their bedrooms, you can choose children's art from among popular characters, interests, or hobbies. You could design a space that incorporates all of their favorites, or pick a central theme or object, such as a traditional children’s story, and have the artwork complement your theme.

Exposing children to different types of art at a young age can help inspire their own creativity. Furthermore, they will feel more comfortable in a room personalized with their specific interests in mind. When decorating your child’s room, you can explore color and design to create a unique space that appeals to both of you.

For instance, encourage storytelling and imaginative play by displaying art with characters from beloved books and movies. This can motivate children to recall scenes from stories and to expand on them, creating their own fantasy world right in their bedrooms. Don’t forget the playroom or family room, two more locations where you could decorate with children's art pieces.

One of the greatest types of art we offer for children is educational art. Every child learns at a different pace and hanging educational art in their surroundings can influence their learning. Alphabet posters, animal posters, counting posters and more are a great fit for a child's room. These types of posters make learning colorful and fun with pictures of the what they are teaching. Educational posters brings learning to life and is something they can use as they grow up and for their own future children. 

Black & white photography is timeless. It adds depth to its surroundings and can bring an instant element of class and elegance to a room. However some people shy away from the idea of using black and white photos for decorating, afraid it will look dull and lack creativity. This could not be more untrue. Black and white is the perfect medium for decorating with pictures in any room in the house; even a child’s bedroom. The key is in knowing how to use it.

 Tips for decorating with black and white photography:

Tip 1: Black and white photos are ideal for decorating brightly colored walls because they won’t conflict with the surrounding color. Use the same frame style and color for every picture to prevent competition, while drawing one’s eye to the subject of the photo. Solid black or white frames with white matting work well with vivid backgrounds. 

Tip 2: Adorn a child’s room with black and white prints of a subject they love. Baseball fans will be thrilled by the variety of vintage shots featuring famous sluggers and well-known stadiums. For a child who adores animals, black and white pictures of puppies, kittens or horses play well against pale blue or pink walls. 

Tip 3: Teenage girls enjoy themed decor such as Paris, glamorous movie stars or dance. Paired in brightly colored or black frames against white or cream walls, black and white photos will blend in beautifully with her inspiration.

Tip 4: Neutral colored walls in a living space form the perfect pallet for black and white art. Photos of the beach or ocean framed in distressed white, light blue or natural wood give a special touch to a coastal themed room. A more modern and chic look can be achieved by combining photos in both black and white frames in a beige room with white trim and shelves and black wrought iron wall hangings, candle holders and lamps.  

Black and white photos can be dramatic, playful, elegant or glamorous, bringing tremendous beauty and infinite possibilities for decorating to a home. Consider the possibilities in your own home and then browse our large selection of black and white photography.  

Whether it’s your first or your fifth, having a baby is a special time in a family’s life. There is typically much to do, including decorating a nursery. There are various ways to go about decorating a nursery. Some parents opt to go with a theme and others do not. If you hope to go with a theme for your baby’s nursery, the following artists’ prints may help further your efforts:

Francis D. Bedford

When it comes to decorating a nursery, artist Francis D. Bedford’s work would be perfect. Bedford spent part of his life creating charming illustrations that appeal to children. Among them are a whole series of illustrations devoted entirely to the world’s beloved, classic nursery rhymes. His framed illustrations also typically contain the nursery rhyme itself, which makes them suitable for toddlers and preschoolers’ rooms too.

Blanche Fisher Wright

Another children’s illustrator’s work to consider is Blanche Fisher Wright. Perhaps you received a reprint of her book, The Real Mother Goose, at your baby shower. Although it was published decades ago, it remains popular with parents today. Some of her illustrations from the book have been turned into framed art that could be added to a nursery or playroom’s wall.

Stephanie Marrott

For a more contemporary representation of classic nursery rhymes, we’d suggest looking at artist Stephanie Marrott’s collection of artwork. It includes colorful prints featuring the traditional rhymes' text and modern day graphics. In addition, she’s created non-nursery rhyme artwork too. Examples to consider are Goodnight Sweet Princess, Butterfly Kisses, Lucky Bug, The Prince Sleeps Here and My Honey Bee.

Lila Rose Kennedy

Artist Lila Rose Kennedy is a wonderful artist as well. Her collection of work includes adorable, colorful pictures of things that most children adore. For example, if you are having a boy, her pictures titled Concrete Mixer, Fire Truck, Train, Soccer, and Moon Rocket may prove to be ideal choices. Her work also includes cute pictures of barnyard animals and butterflies too.

For a closer look at these and other artists whose work would be ideal for decorating a nursery, please contact one of our professional customer service representatives!

Thinking of using children’s art to add vitality and dimension to your kid’s room? Or perhaps you’re looking to dress up a nursery or a space that’s kid’s friendly? Finding children’s art that conveys a sense of wonder and the whimsical can be challenging but not impossible. If you’re looking for children’s art that is fun, delightful and interesting, why not consider Nancy Lee’s children art?

Nancy Lee is not foreign to the art community. She has left trails of glory in various aesthetic endeavors. A nationally acclaimed Jewish artist, she also made major contributions as an editor and a poet. Her sculpture and liturgical works made her more than a one-dimensional artist; she shines in various media and no less when she creates children’s art.

She began her career as a painter, having her art training at the DeCordova Museum School in Massachusetts. Over time, her paintings have become more and more sculptural and her “found metal” sculptures received national attention. Her paintings and artwork have been featured in museums, galleries and selected juried exhibits across the United States. In due recognition, she was named a “Copley Artist” by the Copley Society of Art, the highly prestigious and the oldest art association in America.

Her short stint as the editor of Child’s Life Magazine may have given her an added edge when it comes to creating children’s art. Looking at her children’s artwork, her artistic genius in representing art that appeals to children is pristine. Her animal themes—whether they are owls, elephants, squirrels or horses—are whimsical, fun and convey a sense of wonder. She presents her animals in various playful settings, for instance, an owl in a tutu or a playful elephant taking a bath in a bathtub. Her color schemes flow and the overall effect is one of wonderment, as befitting children’s art.

Decorating your child's bedroom with children's art requires only a few simple steps to create the perfect decor for your child. Understanding your child's preferences, reviewing the type of furniture in the room and determining one wall to be the focal point will allow you to make the right art choices.

Understanding Preferences

Wall art designed specifically for kids is as varied as the kids themselves. From astronomy to Winnie the Pooh there are photographs, pictures and paintings for many themes. But every child is different and it is important to understand their preferences in both color and content. Age and gender may influence preferences, but don't make assumptions. Ask them what they like and you may be surprised. The little girl who plays with Barbies all day may be dreaming of a room filled with teddy bears. The little boy who loves playing with cars may want a pirate theme. Spend some time browsing through options to get a better feel of what they like. They may not really know themselves yet.

Another factor in choosing the right wall art is the style of the furniture in the room and the overall color theme of the room. Wall art can stand out or blend in, according to your preferences.  For example if the room is decorated in pastels a bold picture will stand out, but a softer painting will blend in. Of course you want to avoid colors that will clash so consider the color of bedding and carpeting as well. The frame that will hold each piece of art is also an important consideration when looking at style.

Style and Color

When you are choosing more than one painting consider how they will work together. It is important to stick with a theme so that artwork on different walls works together. The theme can be around color or subject. For example, the pirate room may also have some art with ocean creatures that have the same color theme as the pirate picture. Another room may have Disney Princess art as the theme, even though each princes has her own set of colors.

Measure First

Before you begin shopping measure all of the walls where you plan to place artwork. When you are considering a purchase make sure you add on extra inches for framing to ensure the art will fit. If you want to have a focal point in a certain place in the room determine which wall first. If the room doesn't have one large wall to use you may not want to choose a focal point until you have chosen the art.

Often the focal point is the largest wall in the room, but it doesn't have to be. If you find the perfect artwork that is smaller, use that as a focal point. The most important aspect of any artwork is the emotion it causes in the people who see it. Of course the people who will see it the most is your family, so make sure you all like the choices made.

For more information on decorating a bedroom with children's art contact us.