You may be lucky enough to be an artist in which case what better way to market your art? Hang those pictures with a tag if you like. Have a price list and reference number in your guests Cottage Information Folder. If you are not an artist perhaps your friend or neighbour is! Offer them a wall.
Why is Art important for your Holiday Home?
It can make all the difference – lovely artwork in your cornish retreat can make it stand out from the crowd.
Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust
What to consider when choosing your Art
This can depend on your taste, keep it simple and keep it unique. Naive art is lovely but that’s my taste, perhaps you prefer a gorgeous harbourside town in bright colours or an abstract seascape. If your budget won’t stretch to an original, there are plenty of copies available. My choice of reasonably priced art for a holiday cottage would be a print from Whistlefish, great pictures, beautifully mounted and easy on the eye.
Wall Space
If your wall space is limited, keep it small. Perhaps a number of small prints as opposed to one large picture.
Focal Points
Cornwall is the guests choice of destination because it’s by the sea and the elements are often wild. A family portrait might not be ideal, however the coast and harbours appeal to every holiday maker.
Themes
Seaside and harbourside themes are popular; however Cornwall being at the heart of the artists society the choice is immense, be it Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallace or a Forbes they are all different and they all have their place on a wall somewhere.
Hanging Art
If you have a large bare wall in a focal point of a room but your budget is limited, opt for a large show stopper, although having said that, if the room is dark or you could reflect the sea view in that space, opting for a mirror is always a winner!
Holiday Home Location
If your holiday home is close to the sea, pictures of harbours and seascapes fit the bill. Do you happen to own a rural Manor house? You may have family portraits and historical paintings already in place – leave a resumé of each picture. I once managed a house bought by Nelson’s payment from his battle of the Nile. The history, written by the owner, a descendant, was intriguing and guests loved all of the background information regarding the history, pictures and the house.
Cornwall One Wall Artwork
Guests don’t just want a place to stay—they want an experience. Imagine them stepping through the door, instantly transported to the Cornish coast, with artwork that tells a story, sparks conversation, and enhances their stay.
Thoughtfully chosen prints elevate your holiday let’s interior, making it feel more inviting, high-end, and uniquely tied to the destination. Plus, by supporting Cornwall’s talented artists, you’re not just decorating—you’re investing in the authentic soul of this incredible region.
Make your property stand out, increase bookings, and create a home-from-home that guests will want to return to, year after year.
Choosing Art for your Holiday Home: The Ultimate Guide 2024 8
Choosing Art for your Holiday Home: The Ultimate Guide 2024 9
Choosing Art for your Holiday Home: The Ultimate Guide 2024 10
What Types of Art are there?
Goodness me, where to start? The artists movement started here, mainly in Newlyn and Lamorna. There are still art school’s a plenty in the area. Artists flock to Cornwall from all over to erect their easels and don their smocks to paint the landscapes, the rugged coast and iconic monuments such as St Michael’s Mount and historic harbours of which there are many.
Photo by Europeana
Paintings
There are some stunning paintings by new artists available and priced very reasonably. Perhaps a great investment for the future after all Forbes and Jack Pender were young artists once, selling their pictures, or giving them away for a favour or a pint. Yours may well increase in value in a short time.
Prints
If your budget won’t stretch to an original there are some fabulous prints available, have a look at the Whistlefish art online or, if you are in Cornwall, pop into one of their galleries and choose, often there are great deals to be had if you are looking to purchase more than one.
Photography
I’m not sure about photos, be it your favourite beach or most walked coastline, they can be a bit too much in a small room. That’s only my opinion and you may be one of the world’s most iconic photographers with stunning contemporary photos in which case, yup hang the photos and ignore me!
Posters
Posters are OK but they really would need to be framed otherwise they may well be warped by the elements, some damp in the walls, even a tiny bit would damage the poster and ruin its appeal.
Wall Decals
Otherwise known as wall transfers. These are popular but may have seen their day. “Sweet Dreams”, “Life’s for Living” etc these quotes have taken the place of wicker hearts once hung in every hallway in every holiday cottage.
Textile Art
I have seen some stunning textile wall hangings, again, these are not to everyone’s taste but if done properly, these can be eye catching and make a perfect focal point in a room. Tapestries (needlepoint/cross stitch), unless antique like the Bayeux Tapestry, don’t really have a place in a holiday cottage. This can date a property and dampen its appeal.
Sculptures
Barbara Hepworth, eat your heart out, there can always be a place for a sculpture, indoors or out. With Cornwall being at the heart of the arts movement, there are some weird and wonderful sculptures available to buy, or again, perhaps you are a sculptor or know a sculptor, use your space to showcase the works, even use it as a gallery. However, the right piece in the right place is essential. Not a huge sculpture in a tiny cottage but a small delicate carving. However, if you have a large “less is more” holiday home, opt for a simple but large enough piece, making it the focal point in any room.
Mirrors
Sea views? Little light? A mirror can, and will, make all the difference. Hung to encapsulate the view from every angle of the room, or hung in a dark corner to brighten a cosy cottage.
Clocks
As W H Auden stated, Turn back the Clocks. Why watch time whilst on holiday? Although, having said that, there are many statement clocks available and they do definitely have their place in a large open plan living area. Your Manor house may have an antique Grandfather clock, ticking away in the entrance hall. Keep it there, it’s a unique feature (but make sure it’s insured!)
Collages
I once managed a lovely remote croft on the cliffs of Zennor. The Owner’s daughter had created a fabulous collage of the surrounding area. It was a display of all the walks and landmarks nearby and was stunning in its naivety (as well as being the most useful wall hanging I’d seen).
3D Wall Art
Each to his own! I’m not a fan but in the right place and the right design it could be a winner
Shadow Boxes
These deep wall mounted boxes can hold an array of art such as beach shells and sea glass, artistically inlaid by your (or a local artists’) fair hands. Be it dried flowers or a selection of heart shaped pebbles, they have their place in the right space.
Floating Shelves
Now, this style of contemporary shelving does have its place. Perfect for use as a bedside table in a tiny space, perfect for displaying that modern sculpture you recently purchased. Books (what about a display of Penguin paperbacks?) stacked high, guests love to wile away the hours, especially in winter, with that book they read in their youth or a book that they never read at all.
Digital Art Displays
Really? Perhaps though, you have the right space to exhibit a digital art display. Not for everyone but the right choice of design in the right setting, might just win one over.
Ceramic Plates or Tiles
Wow! I have seen some gorgeous tiles, bought at great expense, but just the right thing to offset a gorgeous Aga or an Everhot in a lovely cottage kitchen. Welbeck Tiles are made in Penzance and really are the most gorgeous tiles you could wish to find. There’s something for everyone, cutlery, letters or perhaps just a feather – they really are stunning (and locally made). However, the fashion now is to have ceramic floor tiles too, these can uplift any tiny space or dark corner giving a place a real zing.
Mosaics
Once fashionable but so difficult to clean. All of that grouting will not stand up to the wear and tear of a holiday home. The reason being, it goes mouldy very easily, your housekeeper will not forgive you, I promise.
Have you ever seen any kinetic metal works by Mike Chaikin (Metal Chicken)? These amazing mounted fish sculptures can be bought in a couple of bespoke galleries or directly from Mike’s workshop on the outskirts of Mousehole. Hang them outside to chime or inside where it really will be the talking point of distinguished guests. Unique and breathtaking, these large sculptures are a delight to all.
Framed Maps
Essential! If you are catering for guests these are perfect for any wall, be it in the bedroom or the living area – perhaps you even have a hallway where, on guests arrival they can already plan their adventures whilst hanging their coats. Paper maps are also available as wallpaper. Choose your area and have a Google, you will find the ordnance survey maps for your property location.
Chalkboard or Whiteboard Art
Perfect for Pictionary but otherwise these don’t really have a place in a holiday cottage. Perhaps a small one in the kitchen for a well organised guest to write a shopping list but other than that, no, don’t bother.
Neon Signs
In the right place and in keeping with the right property these really do have the Wow factor. Perhaps not best in a small cottage but if your holiday home is spacious and rather quirky, go for it. What a great addition to a stylish retreat.
Where should I buy my Art from?
Cornwall is renowned for its plethora of galleries and museums. No, I know, you won’t want to buy an original from a museum but they really do have a great selection of prints and copies of some stunning works of art. The Tate St Ives is a good place as well as the Penlee Gallery in Penzance and Newlyn Art Gallery in Newlyn of course!
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better
Local Artists
There really are some amazing artists in this area. Iona Sanders with her simple acrylic and oil paintings, just exquisite. Noel Betowski, his fabulous and vast oils. Just a couple of the many many great artists working and living in West Cornwall.
Art Galleries
The Tate St Ives, yes we have one down here too! Standing proud overlooking Porthmeor beach, this grand gallery is iconic and well attended. There are so many and so varied. Many focus on paintings and some sculptures, unique jewellery and flotsam and jetsam creations from the beaches and coves. All have their place in a holiday cottage.
Art Fairs
These are plentiful over the summer season and shoulder months. If you are looking for them they will be advertised locally and the entry is generally free
Art Shows
These are usually held in the galleries themselves, again advertised locally and not to be missed if it’s your favourite modern artist or a past master, rarely seen or exhibited it would be your chance to enjoy the moment taking in the art culture.
Open Studios
Open Studios in the area are well worth a trip out. Indicated (usually at the end of a driveway) by an orange circle and “Open Studio” poster. Once you see this you can just go into the artists house and peruse the works. You can also download a program of what’s on and where, saving you the embarrassment of finding yourself looking at art that wasn’t your cup of tea.
In the spring hundreds of artists, designers and makers from across the Duchy will throw open the doors of their studios and workshops to share their artistic practice against a uniquely Cornish backdrop of creek, countryside and coast.
By following the distinctive orange Os that denote these quaint and quirky spaces in beautiful places, Open Studios Cornwall offers an exploration of multiple art forms – from painting to pottery, furniture to felt making, weaving to woodturning, and more besides – to inspire ideas, enchant the eye and stimulate the senses.
From Breage to Bude and Mousehole to Marazion, a cornucopia of creatives will beguile us with their myriad interpretations of the natural world, abstract expressionism, statement sculpture, evocative pottery and textural textiles.
Meet the artists and hear their stories. Purchase original, affordable artwork and experience creative Cornwall.
Photo by iSAW Company
Where to buy affordable art
Well Open Studios of course! However if you are not in the area at that time, there are plenty of places for affordable art. I have mentioned Whistlefish a couple of times in my blogs but their art covers every subject be it flowers in a vase or the VW camper van for your Surf shack. Great harbourside pics and from each popular harbour too, Padstow to Porthleven. St Ives to Penzance
Benefits of having Art in my holiday home
Make your holiday let stand out with exclusive art and unique curios. The interior photography of your holiday let is what will sell it and if you have invested in that one piece of art that makes it stand out from the crowd it’s definitely worth spending that little bit extra.
