Apparently! Francis Bacon’s Three Views of Lucian Freud just sold for $142.4 million at Christie’s in New York City! At Sotheby’s Andy Warhol’s “Liz #1” sold for $20,325! We’ve heard the recession did not affect everyone! Do you have a favorite piece that you bought many years ago from a good, but as yet unknown artist? My clients who have purchased from Scottsdale, AZ galleries have been pleasantly surprised to find the artists they have pieces from are in demand when they want to sell them. Of course, Antiques Road Show is a sure motivator with their recovered treasures! The real test is if you love it and enjoy living with it – that makes it priceless! (Unless you get a great offer!)
Art
Including Asian Accessories in Your Home
When “Crazy Rich Asians” was #1 at the box office, it gave me pause to appreciate all of the beautiful Asian accessories clients have used over the years. You can easily integrate with most styles special art objects purchased from travel, items passed down or treasures discovered. You can add to the diversity and personalization of your interior. It has been interesting in my own travels to discover a piece at Giverny that Monet admired.
My Pinterest board – Asian Vibe has examples of pieces that most of us take for granted as a part of American interiors. Pictured: Chinese apothecary chest with contemporary accents, sculpture of sailing woman with THE umbrella, antique mandolin, hand painted silk kimono next to an antique female memory board, a contemporary brass sculpture with the vibrant Chinese red charger, a paper mache fish on a red leather box with shell and quartz log backdrop. Mix it up and enjoy your treasures!
Need a new look for fall? Bring in old and new additions from this wonderfully artistic culture.
Adding new art?
It is so tempting to purchase a new piece of art, get it back to your home and wonder where it will fit in. During my design career I have purchased hundreds of pieces of art! Typically, if the client likes a particular style, the art follows through with their likes. My favorite method is selecting art first! The more open the areas of the home are the more necessary it is for the pieces to complement each other. As you get further into collecting, you consider what location the new piece will occupy and if others will need to be rearranged. Within an area, there should be a main focal point – the outside view, fireplace or a piece of art. While staying at the Peabody in Memphis, our room had a mirror with a scene painted on it in neutral tones. What a discovery! A space needs only one landscape, one floral, etc.
Here is yet another medium to add to the mix. While on my vacation, the client I was working with decided to part with the older bedroom furniture and complete the newer contemporary look. A large mirror was above the pop up TV chest. I suggested we use it in the living room. My miraculous painter added the tree and voila! We had completed the area!
One more option with variety over redundancy!
Celebrating the most versatile sculptural design!
It has been uncommon in my 30+ years of interior design to use any resource more than once, but the record goes to John Gleason’s sculptures! These twisted, simple designs are so versatile that they always come to mind as adding to the space with great versatility that works with so many different types of art and design styles! This is the fourth installation I’ve done with John’s art. This time an office with curved walls where we used three sculptures. Artists often do custom designs to fit the space perfectly. Visit John at the Quantum Art Gallery on Main Street in old town Scottsdale!
Let’s hear it for Traditional!!
Are you a hold out for a more traditional interior even though all we’ve seen and heard for years “now” is contemporary?
Current TV programming such as Bridgerton and Outlander make all of your favorite treasures come to life again! Check the shows for inspiration and dare to incorporate your own spin on integrating your favorite pieces.
After years in design working on so many second homes, I admit it is fun to see these interiors with the continuity you just can’t get from an eclectic look. The brand new pieces fit the spaces exactly and the finishes and fabrics blend from room to room.
However, nothing says home like your favorite furnishings surrounding you! So don’t hold yourself back! If you love the traditional style with an eclectic mix of colors, woods and finishes, make it your own and enjoy!
Art Adventure!
Art and sculpture are the most personal additions to your interior! From postcards that you frame from your own trips to your emotional purchase at an art fair (an artist that may become famous) or a Sotheby’s purchase with investment potential. Art comprises the most interesting visuals in your home. Variety is the key. When visitors enter your home, everything they see should have a feeling of compatibility. As you gather art over the years, re-mixing your pieces gives a refreshed look. Each piece needs to compliment the others. The combination may include a landscape but with contemporary squares that repeat similar colors, a complete departure with an architectural remnant or sculptures mixed in on shelves or showcased on a pedestal. Family photos are great for hallways or master bedrooms. Unique pieces can be dispersed to secondary rooms, hallways and baths. The mix creates an expression of your personality and interests!
Many times over the past 20 years I have needed a simple sculptural feel for fluidity. Scottsdale artist,John Gleason, at Quan’tum Art always creates the perfect size and shape! He is hard at work in his gallery in old town Scottsdale. Stop by for a new look or a custom piece for a hard-to-fill bare spot!
John’s website
Studio address: 7077 E Main St, # 16, Scottsdale, AZ
Need a Refresh?
These are clients I have worked with for many years. They need an update from time to time! It is so gratifying to work with returning clients as the results get better and better. The living area in this remodel has a new rug, two chairs, a small round table and ottoman. Look at the difference! Stay tuned for new additions.
Art to the Rescue!
Here is another example of the power of custom detailing! Unsightly AC access doors were in the hall between the main living area and the master bedroom. They were right beside the powder room. From my art file I selected a couple of photos for inspiration. The end result looks nothing like either! The point isn’t to copy; it’s inspiration! The former owner had found a painting large enough to cover the space – a primary colored horse. But the painting needed space to be viewed properly and it had a heavy frame which cluttered the narrow hall space. Dawn Bowman, one of my all-time favorite artists, had a canvas stretched for a perfect fit and painted this neutral piece that carries the eye down the hall to the grey toned master. Interior design professionals have artisans they have worked with for years to call on who can bring the project together!
