Whimsical wall art for all ages

Grown-ups can do whimsy too! 

A couple weeks ago, I shared three of my favorite artists for decorating kids rooms. These pieces tended either nursery sweet, super bright and fun, or very fairytale — things I love, but really only work for children. Luckily, two of those artists also create pieces that skew more adult — or at least, I like to think they can pass. Here are three artists that'll satisfy your inner child. 

#1 Helen Dardik
What makes these pieces by Helen Dardik work for grown-ups are the color palette and subject matter. Either the colors are more muted, or the subject of the piece is something that, unlike most of Helen's art, could work outside of a kid's room.

Below: Wild Horses, Tiny Homes, Love

#2 Emily Winfield-Martin
These pieces certainly work on grown-up walls — I speak from experience. I pulled a similar Poppy portrait from Flow Magazine and worked it into the collage wall in our apartment, and a bookish friend of mine has I Saw Her In The Library in her own place. Most of Emily's work is rather strange and enchanted, but the subjects of these pieces are just the right mix of realism and magic.

Below: The Night Garden, I Saw Her In The Library, Shirley Poppy

#3 Kelly S 
The artist behind Loopy Lolly on Etsy simply goes by Kelly S. Her work has a definite Wonderland quality, but her technique and themes are sophisticated enough to pass in a grown-up home. Like my friend Rebecca said: "It is silly, but silly in the best way. Like, why do people have pictures of boats and fruit baskets in their house? I never understood stuff like that. People should have pictures of lady bunnies and man foxes being married and sitting on velvet fainting couches. Obviously." 

The point is, if you love it, go for it. Why be boring? Adam and I have Mr. Deer and Mrs. Rabbit hanging in our hallway. They're not front and center, but they lend the perfect dash of whimsy.

Below: Mr. Deer and Mrs. Rabbit, Mad Hatter Fox, Elephant Penguins

Tips for working a little whimsy into your wall art: 
- Buy smaller prints so they're not overwhelming — at least until you're totally confident in the look. 

- Work those smaller pieces into a college wall so that you can surround them with different styles and subject matters so that it's not all whimsy all the time. 

- Or, place whimsical artwork in less prominent places throughout your home so that, though it's not in your face, those fanciful touches are still there.