Jennifer Aniston's Living Room Art Is A Master Class In Design We Can All Learn From

Jennifer Aniston has often referred to interior design as her "love language," so it's no surprise that her own home is absolutely stunning. And it's clear that every detail has been carefully considered. The actress's living room, in particular, which was designed by the renowned architectural and interior designer Stephen Shadley, is a beautiful homage to mid-century modern style. It's also the perfect example of how a carefully curated art collection can tie a space together — and how just one piece can bring an entire room to life.   

In Aniston's case, the art piece she chose as the main focal point in her living room is a 1963 canvas painting by Robert Motherwell called "Throw of Dice No. 17," which she reportedly purchased from a New York City auction for $1.2 million. The artwork's bold shades of orange, blue, and deep red tones bring a beautiful warmth and vibrancy that contrasts with the room's dark, mid-century features — which include rich wood wall paneling and darker furniture pieces — while still blending seamlessly with the space's earthy, retro color palette. There's no denying that shying away from color is one of the most important things to keep in mind when styling a home with mid-century modern decor. The trick, however, is making sure you are choosing hues that strike the perfect balance between contrasting and complementary. And Aniston's Motherwell painting does exactly that. Of course, this rule isn't exclusive to the mid-century modern style — it can be applied in your home no matter what kind of design aesthetic you follow.

There are lots of tips for choosing the perfect artwork for your home. A good one is finding a statement piece that feels personal yet bold, similar to what Jennifer Aniston has done in her living room. Filling your home with art that you actually love doesn't need to cost a fortune, though. 

Local thrift stores and online vintage marketplaces like 1stDibs and Facebook Marketplace are just a few places you can buy incredibly affordable art. And once you've found the perfect art piece to act as the anchor of the room, bring in other décor pieces that complement it, without looking too matchy-matchy. This is just what Aniston did, for example, with her blue and gold mosaic tile lamp.

For those whose style, like Aniston's, leans more mid-century modern, artwork featuring geometric shapes and clean lines will always be a great way to embrace the retro aesthetic. If your walls and furniture are darker, look for art with brighter, more vibrant hues to create contrast, as Aniston's Motherwell painting does. On the other hand, if your walls and furniture pieces are on the lighter side, a piece with deeper colors can add depth to the space. Another benefit of finding the perfect art piece to act as a room's focal point is that it can ground the space and inspire feelings of calm and focus. And, considering that Aniston has said she puts a large focus on making her house feel like a "calm environment," it makes sense why she's done this in her own living room.