Learn How to Curate Art for Your Home

Nothing gives a room its soul like artwork. Cara Fox of The Fox Group discusses how she curates and displays art to create warm and dynamic spaces.

Art speaks to Cara Fox’s heart—an inheritance from her artist mother—and now she curates art for her shop and for her clients’ homes. Learn from Cara on how to curate art for your home.

“I was raised and taught to see valuable worthwhile art and true talent,” shares Cara, the owner of The Fox Group. Whether she is finding the perfect piece of art for a client’s home or for her shop, The Fox Shop, it’s a work of love and passion for Cara.

Cara Fox in The Fox Shop beside painting of two children — High Contrast. Some may naturally match their art to a room’s color palette, but Cara never does. “Art is just so versatile that it can go anywhere,” she says. “The thing that matters most is how happy it makes your heart to have it in that space.”

A Heart for Art

When it comes to curating art for a client, Cara considers their feelings, interests and personality. First, she makes sure all selections have artistic value and high composition, applying the principles she learned from her mother. Then, she shows her clients different pieces, keeping a keen eye on their reaction.

“Every time I present an artwork to a client, I watch to see what their emotional response is,” Cara says. “Any meaningful response that evokes love or memories is what I want for a client’s home, especially since they will see the art every day.” She firmly believes that art is personal and what someone loves doesn’t mean everyone else or someone else will too—and that’s why she works so hard to find the right pieces suited for her clients.

Cara Fox with artist Patti Christensen — Choices, Choices. Cara herself curates every piece in The Fox Shop and loves featuring original artwork. “We add new pieces every month,” she says. “There is always a new artwork to transport our customers into new worlds with a single glance.” Cara is shown here with artist Patti Christensen (left).

Art Store

Art is one of the main reasons Cara and her husband opened The Fox Shop and it is their biggest selling category. The areas dedicated to art have the magical feeling of an art museum. “It’s wonderful because we work with local artists and artists all over the world,” Cara says. “We probably get about at least two inquiries from artists a week about putting their pieces in our shop.” This means The Fox Shop has an extensive range of offerings. Landscapes and portraits as well as modern, abstract or classic pieces, all in a variety of mediums from oils to watercolors to even charcoal sketches fill the shop with their stunning images.

“Our selection process is based on the raw potential of an artist,” Cara says. “I can usually tell within 30 seconds of looking at a portfolio whether we want to carry them. It’s been amazing and a neat opportunity to meet such talented people in my own community and all around the world!”

Cara Fox holding painting of woman reading by candlelight — State of Art. Hanging artwork at the right height is essential for a room’s aesthetic flow. Cara says, “Avoid hanging art too high above eye level. Hung at the right height, art will move the eye around in a pleasing way.”

Framed!

In general, Cara loves a classic, thick gold frame for art, but she says certain pieces need black frames—or even no frames at all. “It all depends on the mood and vibe of the actual piece. I think a classic home should have all types of art: modern, abstract and classic,” she says.

Art is in the eye of the beholder, and when you find just the right art for your home, it truly becomes yours.

Cara Fox holding two drawings of babies — Family Affair. Since Cara’s mother was an oil painter, art has always been near and dear to Cara’s heart, a way of connecting with her heritage while helping families express themselves in their homes. She sees the art offered in The Fox Shop as cherished heirlooms for future generations.

Going Online. The Fox Shop has an online gallery of easily shoppable artwork, all photographed in frames for inspiration and helpfully categorized, from still life to seasonal to religious to local. “It helps customers find the right pieces that reflect them,” Cara says.

painting of yellow lemons — Yellow Lemons by Annai Smith

vintage gingham horse cross stitch — Vintage gingham horse cross stitch

Traditional American Schooner painting by Jacobsen — Traditional American Schooner by Jacobsen

Still Life with Mandarins painting by Annai Smith

Looking for more ideas on how to curate art and display it in your home? Find display ideas from this lovely small cottage’s styling. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!