art Archives - Page 2 of 14 - The Curated House

Inspiring Art, A VIP Party + A Giveaway!

Heads up, art lovers. There’s a new kid on the curator’s block, and she’s all kinds of amazing. Friends, meet Alessandra Salituri of Citizen Atelier.

The most inspiring adventures are always born out of passion, and that is most certainly the case with Citizen Atelier. Alessandra spent countless hours visiting galleries and pouring over portfolios before curating her Montreal-based collection. And I think you’ll agree, the art she offers is entirely chic, edgy, feminine, fashion-forward and totally my cuppa. In fact, she has included some of my favourite contemporary artists in her collection.

ANGEL I (left) and ANGEL IV (right) by ZENA HALLOWAY

I can’t tell you how much I want one of Zena Halloway’s Angels. Etherial. Dreamy. Feminine. Dramatic. Perfection.

And wouldn’t it pair perfectly with one of Ashley Woodson Bailey’s stunning florals? They are both moody and uplifting all at once {how is that even possible?}. Strong yet soft and somehow mysterious.

ALEX by ASHLEY WOODSON BAILEY

COOGEE WAVE by GRAY MALIN

Gray Malin’s art just makes me want to go on an adventure and enjoy my life. Seriously. All of it. And that’s the best kind of inspiration to have hanging on your walls if you ask me.

Remember Jenny Andrews Anderson? Yep, she is a part of Citizen Atelier’s stellar line up as well.

BREAK by JENNY ANDREWS ANDERSON

As if Alessandra’s twin-sister-taste in art weren’t enough to make me love her, she’s coming to town. She’s not just coming to town, but she’s kind of moving to town, because she’s opening up her first bricks-and-mortar presence in partnertship with the gorgeous Black Rooster Decor. And naturally, she’s having a coming-out party to celebrate. Think VIP, invite-only kind of scene, rubbing shoulders with the who’s-who of design and shelter publications all right here in Toronto this Wednesday night from 6-9pm.

And here’s the best part: One of you lucky art lovers can win the chance to get your name on the exclusive invitee list for said party where you can hang out with me and Alessandra while taking innumerable selfies and sipping something fabulous. Oh yes, and that is also when and where you will personally receive your choice of a small print from Citizen Atelier artist Georgianna Lane. Just feast your eyes on these beauties!

SPARKLE by GEORGIANNA LANE

VERSAILLES CHANDELIER II by GEORGIANNA LANE

VERSAILLES CHANDELIER I by GEORGIANNA LANE

VERSAILLES CHANDELIER III by GEORGIANNA LANE

VERSAILLES CHANDELIER IV by GEORGIANNA LANE

Who doesn’t need a touch of Parisian magic in their home? Georgianna’s prints are the perfect way to make that happen.

So how do you make sure you are the one to party like an art lover and walk away with the print to prove it? 3 easy steps:

1. Follow @citizenatelier and @thecuratedhouse on Instagram
2. Sign up for my email list in the right side bar
3. Pin your favourite Georgianna Lane print above to Pinterest with the hashtags #citizenatelierXthecuratedhouse and #artgiveaway

That’s it! 3 easy steps to truly the most exclusively delightful invitation and gorgeous gift of the week, so hop to it, darlings! Just let me know about all your social media love in the comments below, and we will announce our lucky winner on Wednesday morning. Can’t wait to see one of you at the party!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|November 17th, 2014|0 Comments

2014 Brian Gluckstein Princess Margaret Lotto Showhome | PART TWO

So yesterday I shared with you some of my favourite design features from this beautiful home through the lens of my personal Dream House Wish List. I think I’m going to have to make this a regular feature as the list of dream details keeps growing, and they are far too delicious to keep to myself! For now, more design love from the 2014 Princess Margaret Lotto Showhome designed by Brian Gluckstein.

A GREAT KITCHEN

The heart of every dream home is truly the kitchen. This is where family and friends gather, where meals are prepared and shared and where some of the most meaningful conversations of the day often take place. There should be a simpatico in the kitchen – a welcoming of the ebb and flow of people who make a house a home – matched with a comfortable calm that invites creativity and connection.

I love the high gloss black lacquer on the island cabinetry, which serves as a nice punch of contrast to the clean and serene waterfall countertop made of Cambria quartz.

The satin brass cabinetry hardware is a modern twist on a classic. I also love the retro feel of the brass and frosted glass pendants over the island {below}.

The Le Cornue range and hood vent offer a dramatic focal point, adding more contrast and a touch of French decadence to this kitchen.

And the collection of toasters from the 1930’s and ’40’s adds just the sense of quirky personality this kitchen needs!

A PLAYFUL SPIRIT

For me, every dream house absolutely has to have a sense of whimsy. We should never take ourselves too seriously, but especially not at home. After all, how can we have a house filled with laughter if we lose our playful spirit? Laughter is a must in my world! And in this house, the whimsy and lightheartedness I look for are best seen in the art found in the children’s bedrooms, all from Art Interiors. I love how the artwork plays off of the colourful bedding from the Gluckstein Home collection. Bright, cheerful colours for a bright and cheerful little life! It doesn’t hurt that navy and orange happens to be one of my favourite colour combinations.

Creamsicle anyone?

The effortless drape of the bouquet of tulips over the bed creates a casual beauty that’s perfect for this room!

I’m also in love with the GENIUS way that Brian concealed an awkward bulkhead in one of the bedrooms by creating this nautical-inspired built-in bunk bed {below}. Rumour has it the ladder was tucked away for safe keeping before the house was opened to guests because the adults on the team “may or may not” have been climbing up it and playing on the bunk beds themselves. That’s a good sign in my book! It’s all about keeping a childlike spirit alive.

How much is that doggy in the window? Love him!

Isn’t the craft room adorable? That whimsical dalmatian totally sets the tone!

DRAMA

To juxtapose that playful whit and lightheartedness, every dream home should have at least one moment of drama. Take, for example, the the theatre room on the lower level of this house. The dark walls, masculine furnishings, gallery wall of photography and eclectic, well-traveled spirit of the styling of the accessories all tell an interesting story and set the stage for the drama and intrigue that make for a perfect movie viewing room.

INGENUITY

One of the things I love most about being an interior designer is the opportunity to use my strategy gene to turn problems into solutions and even design features. Brian Gluckstein is the absolute master of this very brand of design magic. I love how he used his ingenuity to solve the problem of a home gym that was totally lacking in natural light. Not one to settle, Brian got creative and thought – what if one of the walls was “see through?” Literally! By encasing the wine cellar in glass instead of drywall and suspending the racking between the floor and ceiling so that it didn’t require a wall to anchor it, Brian created a giant window into the home gym that welcomes in a wash of natural light to keep the fitness buffs in this household feeling fresh and inspired. Genius!

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I’ll reveal my favourite space in this house and why I love it so!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|October 1st, 2014|1 Comment

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