I love to decorate and redecorate. Now it’s called interior design,
but the term decorating is fine with me.
—Gloria Vanderbilt
Samples
Vignettes
Salon Style
Gallery walls are grounded in an art history reality of salon styling from 17th century France—a way to showcase many works in limited space. In today’s homes, the juxtaposition of artworks adds depth to the conversation.
Cream of the Crop
Inspired by an antique store purchase of the diminutive painting of a West Highland Terrier (center left), this black and white (with a bit of red) gallery grouping came together in an almost perfect grid.
From the get-go, the plan was to incorporate both the light switch and the thermostats as if works of art themselves. But the winning pieces remain those of, by, or from friends and family.
Pamela Jo Waddell ink drawings and Dan Cautrell woodcut screenprint. CB2 lamp, antique washstand.
The subject matter of art is life, life as it actually is; but the function of art is to make life better.
—Gertrude Stein
Aquamarine Turquoise
A blue hue winds its way through the bulk of this gallery collection sharing the space with its brothers, green and purple.
The assortment of drawings, paintings, photographs, and ceramics is hung balanced with a mix of metal frames and paint finishes that lend interest and cohesion simultaneously.
The collective provenance of these works of art tell a tale of the client’s shared history. Jill Logan giclée prints, Pamela Jo Waddell watercolor, Theodore Waddell pastel.
A good book, resting unopened in its slot on a shelf,
full of majestic potentiality, is the most comforting sort
of intellectual wallpaper.
―David Quammen
Stacks & Staples
At the end of this project, the owner told me that she can’t walk by this bookcase without stopping to admire its curation.
Stacks of books and magazines intermixed with objets d’art of glass, ceramic, wood, and metal make a varied yet well-edited anchor for this family’s living room.
A good book, resting unopened in its slot on a shelf,
full of majestic potentiality, is the most comforting sort
of intellectual wallpaper.
―David Quammen
Assembling such a cohesive showing comes together swiftly when the mix is of a similar color palette, each item beautiful or meaningful in its own way. Further supported by the furniture and décor of the entire room. Simon Pearce glass bowl.
Pajamas & Wallpaper
This dresser started life as an Ikea flat-pack kitchen island with peekaboo drawers.
Since its early days as a blonde utilitarian item, it’s been transformed with matte black paint and wallpaper-like handmade paper.
Now an upcycled piece of furniture, its horizontal surface offers the owner space for ever-changing displays.
This iteration includes vintage hat and glove forms (spray-painted silver), a Lydia Bassis painting, CB2 lamp and frame, OKA temple box, and an antique writing box.
I love to decorate and redecorate. Now it’s called interior design, but the term decorating is fine with me.
—Gloria Vanderbilt
Neutral Tableau
The juxtaposition of a round wooden coffee table and gorgeous neutral coffee table books, make a deceptively simple styling moment in the middle of this living room.
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
—Antoine de Sainte-Exupéry
Of all the possible décor items to choose from—candles, flowers, trays, plants, bowls—for such a spot, book stacks reign supreme. Most especially chunky tomes whose titles speak to the residents within.
The petite ceramic vase winks to the mantel styling mix of similar ceramic vessels and balanced with the warm tones of the clock and framed art.
Ivy Home + Gift and Crate and Barrel ceramics, antique clock, and a Taman VanScoy artwork.
