Creating a bespoke art collection for one person’s homes around the world, from New York loft to Ibiza villa, is a task our Gallerist undertakes with pleasure

Starting an art collection from scratch would be many people’s dream. There would certainly be no concerns about matching it with existing art in your residences – and the type of residence is key. If you have a loft, or similar home, no matter whether it’s in Brooklyn, Shoreditch or Montmartre, sculptures will perfectly integrate into the space and compensate for the high ceilings and the volume of space you have.

Aerial bronzes by Mauro Corda would fit perfectly. Nude bodies of women cast from aluminum or nickel will even give the impression of sculptures flying in the room. Enhance your arrangement by putting some Arman furniture like the ‘Table avec coulées’, a table made by an accumulation of dropped coloured nail tubes; or ‘Chaise violoncelle’, a wooden chair made from cellos. Aluminum, stainless steel and bronzes can be put outside on terraces or patios. (Note to Brooklynites: if you live near the sea, be careful with bronze as it oxidizes. Best perhaps to keep them for the ranch in Montana.) These days, the apartment of the city dweller should comprise street art. I suggest opting for the initiator of the movement, the Frenchman Blek Le Rat, to the speculative – and now extremely expensive – English names such as Banksy. Beggar in Paris, The Man Who Walks Through Walls, and Stencil Pope are among the best pieces by the grandfather of street art (his creations have been adorning the streets of Paris since the early 1980s). Even Banksy admitted, “Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well. Only 20 years earlier.”

Stencil graffiti such as Blek’s perfectly matches with sophisticated portraits by the Canadian artist Johanne Corno. Her works – large scales, diptychs and triptychs – are rich with vivid colours, explosive energy, sensuality and vibrant emotion. Round off your selection with some Andy Warhol originals – be it a portrait of Joseph Beuys, Ingrid Bergman, Mick Jagger, Mao or Marilyn. Or, if you prefer, go for a Roy Lichtenstein.

A country-style theme might better suit your country house – but it doesn’t have to be Turners and Constables. Pick up La Partie de Campagne by Fernand Léger, Bouquet de Fleurs by Pablo Picasso, or a horseracing or harvest scene by Raoul Dufy. Collecting classics has become quite fashionable lately. Furthermore, they have always been a solid investment. But no matter how traditional your country home, you need to break with this conventional style and add a contemporary touch. Hang Merry Christmas, a sculpture of a reindeer in a camouflage wrap by upcoming Chinese talent Jiao Xingtao, in your hunting room. This quaint trophy will amuse all your guests…

And do you still have some empty walls to think about in your holiday house? Install a light box by the Swiss Daniele Buetti in your paradisiacal villa on Ibiza. To vie with the beautiful view of the sea, you will need Buetti’s glimmer and glitter works representing beautiful women asking themselves simple questions like “Will I ask for help?”, “Does history repeat itself?”, “Why should I be somebody’s hope?”. Add in some sexy ambiance with playmates in swimsuits by the French painter Moz, such as bikini-clad Ursula Andress emerging from the sea (the memorable shot from James Bond flick, Dr No). And, as in summer we spend most of our time outside, let’s also place a few sculptures in the garden. I’d recommend some playful and fantastic creatures by Frenchborn artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

Collecting art introduces one to the pleasures of amassing it while building one’s knowledge of it. With a start like this to your bespoke art collection, there is only one way to go in the art world – and that is up.

JEAN-DAVID MALAT is a director at the international Opera Gallery group; www.operagallery.com