How does art impact design?
When we work with clients, one element of the process that we find to be extremely important is choosing artwork. Today we’re looking at the bigger picture and asking, how does art impact design?
Designing around a client’s existing art collection
Some clients move into a new home or office with an existing collection that they love. In these situations, we start with the art because colors, textures, and styles inform aspects of the design. We always look at the art first and ask our client which pieces are most important to them. Is there something that they want to see every day? If so, we layer it into a common area with a lot of use, like the family room or entry. Another option is a stairwell where they’ll see it each time they go up and down, like our Washington Square clients’ home.
Artwork in a Washington Square West townhome by Glenna Stone Interior Design; Photo by Rachel McGinn
Playing with scale
It’s very important to factor in scale when incorporating artwork. From both a practical and aesthetic viewpoint, the scale of the art has to work with not only the dimensions of the space, but other design elements as well. For instance, we recently worked with a client to select an original oil painting for their dining room; however, the wallpaper that we selected is a medium scaled geometric pattern. In this design, the art needed to be large enough against the scale of the pattern in order to stand out. On a larger level, we have to work with both the footprint of the room and how much space we want to occupy on the wall when considering size, and scale pieces appropriately. We chose artwork for our Wyndmoor home office in relation to the size of the surrounding built in.
Working with an art advisor
One of the greatest benefits of working with an art advisor is their ability to bring unexpected pieces into a design. They live in the art world, so they have their finger on the pulse of what’s new and emerging. In addition, they can hone in on the perfect artist or style for a space after we discuss the colors and aesthetics of the space. We really enjoy the sense of collaboration among the advisor, the client, and us when all parties are selecting artwork as a team. That “aha” moment is even more fun when we can share it!
Sourcing commissions
When it comes to sourcing work directly from an artist, the collaborative approach is similar to that of working with an advisor. We bring colors, styles, and inspiration to give the artist the mood and colors that the client wants for their space as well as what we want for the design. The teamwork creates a feeling of synergy and ensures that the art is perfect in the space. In the commissioned piece below, we worked with the artist to create just the right artwork for the relaxation room in our spa project.
Spa relaxation room by Glenna Stone Interior Design; Photo by Joe Kitchen
These are just a few answers to that question of “how does art impact design?” Stay tuned for more in the near future!
Header image: Art in a Washington Square West entry by Glenna Stone Interior Design; Photo by Rachel McGinn
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!
