Beautiful things can be obtained anywhere and for minimum price, if one has a feeling for line and colour, or for either. If lover of beautiful was not born with this art instinct, it may be quickly acquired. A decorator creates or rearranges one room; owner does next, alone, or with assistance, and in a season or two has spread his or her own wings and worked out legitimate schemes, teeming with individuality. One observes, is pleased with results and asks oneself why. This is birth of good taste.

Treat your rooms like "still life," see to it that each group, such as a table, sofa, and one or two chairs make a "composition," suggesting comfort as well as beauty. Never have an isolated chair, unless it is placed against wall, as part of decorative scheme.

Keep painting simple for best result. When you see paintings that you like you can use them as inspiration for your own abstract. Simple bands of color can be very effective. Also blocks of color can look good too. Use tape to mask off areas before painting if you want a crisp edge. Acrylic paints are an adhesive, so remove tape before paint dries - unless you want to tape in final picture!

You do not need to cover all of canvas. Leaving areas of white canvas will help to brighten final effect. One method is to just splash on a few colors and leave it to dry.

If you are unhappy with result of your efforts simply paint over canvas and start again. No stress!

Leave picture to dry. When completely dry you can improve or highlight parts as necessary. This would be a good time to add metallic paints if you are using them.

Once final coats of paint are dry, give picture a coat of acrylic varnish to seal it. Once sealed, it can be wiped with a damp cloth to keep it clean.

The canvas could be framed, but a lot of modern pieces are displayed without a frame. In modern surroundings this is a very good look, and saves on cost of framing.

It really isn't that difficult to paint your own pictures. By learning a few simple techniques you will be able to paint with confidence. When you paint your own pictures you will be able to match your décor exactly and repeat patterns already used in room - all at a fraction of price of buying one from a gallery. Your own unique masterpiece!