Top 5 Places Where Designers Find Great Art

Art can transform a room faster than any sofa swap, and today we map the exact places we rely on to find pieces that feel personal, joyful, and within reach. We start with the VCA Art Grad Exhibition, a friendly doorway into original art where you can speak to creators, learn what moves you, and buy before prices climb. Then we head to Leonard Joel for the thrill of the auction: weekly catalogues, known names beside hidden gems, and a smart path to works on paper that deliver character without the premium.From there we zoom in on accessible curation. Studio Gallery makes discovery simple with transparent pricing and an easy-to-browse stockroom across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. For budget-savvy walls, we lean on The Poster Club and Paper Collective: beautifully curated prints, multiple sizes, and framing options that look elevated, not mass-produced. And because flat art isn’t the whole story, we champion ceramics and sculpture from Pepite and Craft Victoria to add texture, shape, and depth to shelves, consoles, and dining tables.If you’re craving bold colour, Fenton & Fenton curates expressive, playful work that suits lived-in homes. For a wider view, the Affordable Art Fair and Melbourne Art Fair offer a mix of approachable and high-end galleries in an open, energised setting where conversations come easy. We also share how to read gallery pricing with confidence and why many spaces now list costs online. To wrap, we demystify commissioning: how to brief an artist on size, palette, and budget so you end up with something made for your light, your scale, your story.Whether you’re buying your first print or commissioning a centrepiece, the rule is simple: collect what you love and you’ll never tire of it. If this guide sparked ideas, follow the show, share it with a design-loving friend, and leave a quick review to help others find us.Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment. Bookings now open -  Book nowLauren also offers design consultations, so if you're needing expert guidance & inspiration for your project, please reach out  @sisalla_interior_designWould you love to be part of a small group of 8 designers joining Lauren & Bree on The Design Anatomy Tour of Paris & Milan Design Week in 2027?Please reach out to us via DM @design.anatomy.podcast, or @sisalla_interior_design & @bree.banfield