The Importance of Art In Interior Design
ART, PLANTS, AND GOOD LIGHT ARE ALL YOU REALLY NEED TO MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK “DONE.”
I’ve been a home organizer and decorator in Los Angeles since 2014. I often go into people’s homes who have not had the time or know-how to approach filling in the gaps to complete their space (empty walls, empty spaces, outgrown furniture, unflattering lighting, lack of dimension/layering, etc…)
Despite having lived in their homes for sometimes decades, so many of my clients have blank walls. Too busy and overwhelmed by the task is why. One of my favorite aspects of interior design is to curate and place art. Art, plants, airflow, space to move, and good light. That’s all you need to have a home that both feels and looks beautiful. If you don’t have art your home will lack personality and feel undone. If you don’t have plants, natural light, and airflow your home will feel stagnant.
If you flip through Architectural Digest magazine you’ll struggle to find an image of a room without an impeccable piece of art on the wall, a plant or flowers somewhere in view, and either great natural light or a at least one show-stopping lamp or chandelier.
Why is art fundamental in interior design?
I believe that the interior of a home is greatly improved by art. Incorporating art in the design of a room to influence the other elements is ideal. If I don’t personalize your home it will end up resembling a brick and mortar store like West Elm.
As a decorator I feel that a home should reflects the unique personalities of the occupants. Utilize items that create conversation or that are a source of joy or pride. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
Working with the bones of the home in conjunction with client’s personalities is important. I will never be able to make a dark craftsman built in the 40s into a Hollywood regency style bright white modern Instagramers delight. I will be upfront about this. I love problem solving to find a solution that will get my client equally excited.
Valuable art is expensive. I know first-hand as I briefly worked for an art advisor and got to see up close and personal the buying and selling of incredible pieces of art. The art world is not unlike stock trading. There are unknown artists who are “hot” and potentially their art will be extremely valuable one day (a risky venture). Then there are artists like Yayoi Kusama and Banksy, who are already established household like Warhol. When I worked an assistant to an art advisor, I was instructed to call Tokyo art galleries and try to find a 12” Yayoi Kusama pumpkin oil painting for a wealthy actor. It was not an easy feat. In addition to whoever wants to fork up the hefty amount of money, an artist would prefer their art be procured by a reputable buyer with an already elite collection of art, they want control over where the art ends up to ensure it remains valuable.
Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin
Unfortunately, most people can’t afford to gamble in the art world. But don’t fret, there are other more affordable ways to procure art and incorporate it into your home.
In addition to other high-end, medium, and low end online stores where interior designers shop, I have linked a few online art stores on my “Where Do Interior Designers Shop?” blog.
When I go into my client’s homes, and their walls are empty and there are no personal effects, what I like to do is dig around and extract physical artifacts, momentos, and old photographs I think are cool. I will incorporate them in the design of the home. For example, one of my clients used to perform in rodeos when he was a young buck. When I pulled out his old spurs from a box in a closet his face lit up. The spurs were beautiful. They needed to be put on display (I put them on the fireplace mantle). I also found old photos of him riding in the rodeos. One photo was so incredible I couldn’t believe it wasn’t blow up and framed. So I did for him. He was so happy.
rodeo spurs decor interior design los angeles
If you don’t have old relics or photos you can always frame a favorite movie poster. I link my clients to these sites:
http://marqueeposter.com/
https://filmartgallery.com/
https://www.movieposters.com/
https://alternativemovieposters.com/
I personally have Barry Lyndon by Stanely Kubrick (master of lighting) and Dillinger Is Dead by Marco Ferreri framed in my home (I went to film school and used to work in the film industry – I love movies) in addition to other pieces of art I have drawn or painted myself.
BARRY LYNDON and DILLINGER IS DEAD
Movie poster are an affordable way to fill your walls.
Human skull drawing
I drew this in high school. I’m still proud of it and it gives me confidence when I see it.
I took two “art forgery” classes at Barnesdale Art Park and highly enjoy the replication process. You learn a lot about technique and you also get to take home pieces I would never be able to afford IRL. Christiane Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick’s wife, is one of my favorite painters. For my art forgery class, I decided to replicate her painting “ “. This is her and my copy side by side.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ultimately, I want you to feel that the result represents your unique style and most importantly work with the bones of your home. Some people live in their beautiful homes for years but never fully enjoy them. More than just organizing and making things look pretty, what I really try to do is show people how they can fully enjoy living and relaxing in their home. Everything should be useful, comfortable, and beautiful. I think of the details related to function and efficiency, as well as rituals relating to relaxation. Creating a warm welcoming home that will foster a sense of community…inspire creativity… make you excited to have guests…move your body and think …is always in the forefront of my mind. You don’t need to be rich to have art and you don’t need to have a big house to be able to enjoy your home.