Millions of us visit art galleries regularly and that number is growing. Now, this love for art is spilling over into homes with architects designing spaces with their clients' art collections in mind. Houses with less glass and spacious walls as art-display features are attracting more attention. The connection between art and home is deeply personal. Paintings, prints and sculptures make the rooms feel cosy in winter, and give us a sense of pleasure. Serious art collectors have an appreciation of fine art and usually own several quality pieces. They brief their architects to hang these in comfortable spaces such as above a fireplace or in the entry vestibule where big paintings tend to dominate, but there is also a desire for the intimacy of smaller works in more intimate spaces and corridors between rooms. This is where fine limited edition prints, which have similar investment value, are best. “Architecture is the art in which all other art is housed” sums up the link between homes and art. Art lovers view their homes as a piece of art in itself and are therefore incorporating works into the actual design of their homes, requiring a rethink of conventional design concepts. To create a great art home requires a simple, honest building with specific art-friendly features in the design that don’t compete with the art itself. Melbourne architect Peter Ellis says more and more clients are looking to factor art into their homes.

“At the upper end, 50 per cent of my clients have beautiful art and  It’s important to have spaces for it. Many of our clients are art aficianados because  quality art enriches the fabric of their lives".