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.

At last count, there were over 50 million Hispanics living in America and that number is expected to only grow in the years ahead. Many of them zealously embrace their heritage and others are just learning about their ancestors’ birthplaces. However, both groups seem to enjoy showing off their familial roots with the aid of world culture art. So we’re chiming in today with a quick look at five Spanish artists that people may not be familiar with:

1.) Simon Silva (Mexican)

One of the first artists to make our list is Mexican Simon Silva. Considered a native of Mexicali, he was born into a family of migrant farm workers who eventually relocated to California. Not surprisingly, many of his vibrant prints feature agricultural families going about their daily lives. Our list of favorites includesAmor a Todas Horas, Las Comadres, Dos Mujeres and Un Dia de Campo.

2.) Pedro Alvarez Castello (Cuban)

Pedro Alvarez Castello is another world culture artist of note. Born in Cuba, he was influenced by other Spanish artists, like Victor Patricio Landaluze and Alejandro Mendoza. Unlike Silva, his work took on a more pop culture feel. As such, it was not uncommon for him to highlight Latin American dances and other aspects of Cuban American culture. One painting that illustrates the passion found in Spanish dances is titled, Tango Argentino. It features a dancing couple in the midst of a romantic embrace.

3.) Juarez Machado (Brazilian)

While we are on the subject of world culture art that features Latin American dance, we can’t help but mention Juarez Machado. A native of Brazil, he has produced many paintings that show Spanish dancers and revelers in all of their glory. His list of fabulous works includes Femme au Robe Rouge, Tango a Robe Rouge and Copacabana Palace Hotel.

4.) Jaime Olaya (Columbian)

Of course Latin American culture includes more than just passionate dance and agrarian roots. It also includes a good deal of religious images. So we wanted to add Columbian artist, Jaime Olaya to our list. His paintings feature images of Hispanic family life, women and angels. Paintings in his collection that world culture art lovers may enjoy are Dos Angeles, La Maternidad and La Familia.

5.) Diego Rivera (Mexican)

Lastly, we’d be remiss to bypass the world culture art of Mexican, Diego Rivera. He is quite well known and exhibits devoted to his work are located all over the world. Some of his most beloved paintings feature calla lilies, sunflowers, women, children and farmers. Examples include Vendedora de Alcatraces, Muchacha con Girasoles and Flower Festival: Feast of Santa Anita.

To discover more art from this culture, check out our Hispanic art selection!