Sarah Walker The Curated House, Author at The Curated House

Decorating a Nursery with Groupings of Original Art

I must apologize for not posting this last week as I’d promised. Real life got all kinds of “real” and…well…you know what they say about best laid plans. But it’s Monday morning, the sun is shining, and there is a fresh and happy week ahead of us! What better way to start that week than with some inspiration on how to use original art in your nursery design?

The lovely Patricia from Art Interiors sent me some wonderful inspiration images showcasing pieces from their gallery installed in children’s rooms, and let’s just say I’m in l-o-v-e. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but I really do believe in carving out room in your decorating budget for original art whenever and wherever you can. Original art has the ability to transform a space from pedestrian and boring to personal and dynamic in a way that little else can. Just feast your eyes on these inspiring spaces and you’ll see what I mean!

This first nursery {above} feels quiet, sophisticated and perhaps a little bit quirky; whereas this second children’s room {below} feels bold and fun and unexpected.

This little girl’s room {below} is all kinds of charming, and the solo piece that greets you as you enter suggests she will grow up into a very interesting and sophisticated lady.

I’m totally crazy for the grouping in this sweet baby girl’s nursery {above}. The diversity and juxtaposition of the pieces creates such an interesting sense of story, and the pieces they have collected can easily be built upon and rearranged over time.

Is it just me, or does the art totally make these spaces come alive?

Not only did Patricia send over some inspiration of art groupings that have already been installed in children’s rooms, but she also kindly pulled together three fresh groupings for us – all created with a baby boy’s nursery in mind – to get the creative juices flowing using pieces that are currently available at The Festival of The Smalls.

Grouping Number One {above} is a delightful mix of hip and fresh with a healthy dose of vintage throw-back for good measure. I particularly love the hockey player by Patrick Lajoie {left} and the hipster playing with the viewfinder by Kelly Grace {top right}.

Grouping Number Two is given a more modern edge with the photograph by Emilie Rondeau {left}. My favourite piece in this grouping is the cyclist by Sara Caracristi {bottom left}, but I love the play of colour and texture that keeps the eye moving and engaged amongst all the pieces in this dynamic grouping.

Grouping Number Three {above} is really a marriage of the first two. Anybody remember Marigold? Oh my goodness that takes me back! And the vintage Fisher Price record player {top right by Kelly Grace} was seriously one of my all-time favourite toys when I was a kid! The abstract colour-blocked piece by Richard Herman is fresh and lends a modern edge to the nostalgic vibe of some of the other pieces.

Today’s visual design lesson really builds upon last week’s 3 Tips For Buying Original Art: buy what you love; start small and build over time; and be open to diversity! As you can see from the groupings above, an interesting mix will add energy and intrigue to a space in refreshingly unexpected ways. And remember what we learned from the gents at Madcap Cottage? Gallery groupings are totally where it’s at.

Can’t wait to get working on my groupings for Project Debonaire Young Sir and Project Nursery. Goodness, I have so much to do! But believe you me, the art groupings are already floating around in my head like happy little dreams. Just have to get the spaces ready so I have fresh walls on which to hang the art!

Wishing you a happy Monday, brimming with inspiration and fresh perspective.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 18th, 2013|0 Comments

High Point Market Highlights | Wesley Hall

One of the things I loved about exploring the showrooms at High Point Market was discovering the diverse “personalities” of the lines that were presented. Each showroom definitely had its own mood or vibe, and I would describe the vibe at Wesley Hall as sexy. Why sexy? Because more than anything, I fell in love with the curves and sumptuous lines of their pieces. I’m kind of a curvy girl myself I’d say, so it felt like they were speaking my language! And the truth is, if you get the lines of a piece right you can really upholster it in anything and take it in a thousand directions that will all end in fabulous.

Here are my top four picks from their new releases at this October’s Market:

ONE: The Barber Curved Banquette is all kinds of femme-glam with her hourglass figure and her button tufting and nailhead trim details. This is the kind of piece I would build a sophisticated breakfast nook around as the heart of a happy home. Here’s a shot of her live and in person nestled up to a round dining table in the showroom:

TWO: The Sway Accent Ottoman feels like it is extending an invitation to me to have my backside cradled by the warm embrace of its contoured shape. I look at it and immediately want to sit on it with the feeling that the curvaceousness of my badonkadonk will not be judged, but rather welcomed into a piece that was designed just for me and my backside. Any piece of furniture that can make me feel like being curvy is where it’s at has my number. I loved seeing this piece upholstered in this chartreuse chevron {below} in the showroom. Dee-lish.

THREE: The Foster Tufted Sofa is a beautiful marriage of traditional and modern. The tufted back and roll arms feel very debonaire English traditional, while the fully upholstered deck and legs and the nailhead detail that highlight them have a very modern edge, making this the perfect transitional sofa. I also kind of want to bite my palm seeing it finished in that decadent navy velvet. Truly a forever investment piece, Foster is the kind of handsome gentleman I would love to see with a dashing twin, the pair facing one another and flanking an oversized and dramatic fireplace.

FOUR: The Dunham Bench? Well, she’s got legs, and she knows how to use them. Between her leggy details, her button tufting and the gorgeous trim details {all customizable, of course} she is my kind of girl. I also fell in love with her kissing cousin, the Dunham Ottoman {shown below bunched as a group of four for a flexible, functional and fabulous alternative to a coffee table. Don’t you just love the contrast between the velvet and the linen? Yummy.}.

There were many other pieces in the Wesley Hall collection that put a glimmer in my eye, and my guess is they’ll be showing up in future posts. I’m also particularly intrigued by the rumour that headboards are in Wesley Hall’s fabulous future. I will most definitely be keeping my eyes open for that kind of gorgeousness when it makes its debut!

Hope this finds you warm and well on this Wednesday morning. Thank you, Wesley Hall, for such sexy and sumptuous inspiration to get our motors running!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 13th, 2013|1 Comment

The Festival of The Smalls at Art Interiors | How to Start Collecting Original Art For Your Home

{“The Battery” by Charlene Serdan}

It should come as no surprise at this point that art is often my starting point for design projects, whether for clients or for my own home. As I’ve said many times, I believe art gives soul to a space and allows you to personalize your home in a very unique and meaningful way. Whether you start with art or finish with it, I believe original work should always be a part of a well designed interior.

{“Arc En Ciel #3″ by Chrstine Breakell-Lee}

I also believe that original art should be accessible to everyone. For many, it is intimidating at first and I get that. Price tags seem high and many galleries seem to look down their noses at you if you don’t understand the “gestalt” of the artists they happen to represent. So…where do you start?

STEP 1 – LOOK FOR ART THAT CONNECTS WITH YOU

Art should speak to you first and foremost, and that’s always the place to start. It might be something clear – a piece that reminds you of a a place you’ve been or something you’ve experienced – or perhaps it will be something more abstract, eliciting an emotion or a mood. Whatever it is, you are the beholder, so your reaction is all that matters.

{“City Nights 2” by Eleanor Doran}

STEP 2 – START SMALL AND COLLECT OVER TIME

Once you’ve made the connection and have found an artist, a style, a medium or a subject matter that moves you, start small and work your way into a collection over time. There really is no better way to do that than by collecting smalls, and my favourite Toronto gallery Art Interiors has made an art form out of this approach.

{“Alone Together” by Elizabeth Lennie}

Every year, Art Interiors puts on The Festival of The Smalls where original works of art ranging in price from $55 – $250 are available from a vast array of incredible artists. Owners Lisa and Shira and their amazing team are phenomenal at making art accessible. Rather than feeling judged for what you like or don’t like, they will empower you to find art that connects with you, and they are brilliant at pulling together bespoke and customized groupings. Gallery groupings are one of my favourite ways to create interest and an engaging focal point in a space. In its 20th year, The Festival of The Smalls really is the go-to place to get started!

STEP 3 – BE OPEN TO DIVERSITY

Once you’ve found an artist or a style that speaks to you, it can be tempting to just keep collecting the same thing so that it all “works together.” Here’s the thing: juxtaposition is one of the energizing gifts that original art can bring to a space, so the only rule to follow is to go with what moves you. Be open to new artists, mediums, subject matter and a variety of scale. As you collect over time there will no doubt be a thread that connects your collection, but it will also tell a story of a home that is curated through the lens of life experience. A space that is curated over time is always a more interesting and unique reflection of its inhabitants.

{“City Girl Ski Lesson” by Sarah Martin}

{“Lemons” by Greg Nordoff}

The Festival of The Smalls is on until December 24th, and in my opinion it is the PERFECT place to do your Christmas shopping. If you’re afraid of purchasing something that doesn’t suit that special someone on your list, why not purchase a gift certificate and make it an experience? Give them an Art Interiors certificate along with an “Art Adventure IOU” to take your loved one with you to visit the delightful team at Art Interiors. The shared experience of finding that special piece together will only enhance the enjoyment of it for years to come.

Later this week I’ll share some charming concepts from the team at Art Interiors on creating customized groupings for an inspired nursery. In the meantime, be sure to check out The Festival of The Smalls online and even better, visit the gallery in person for an abundance of inspiration! My guess is you’ll find yourself struggling to choose between the myriad of pieces that will have you falling in love and feeling alive.

Happy Monday!
xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 11th, 2013|0 Comments