Art, whether modest reproductions or museum-quality pieces created by famous painters and sculptors, can grace any home. The more expensive the home, the more elaborate the art project tends to be. When it comes to multi-million dollar properties, homeowners consult professionals who appreciate the delicate relationship between art and architecture.
“I see great spaces and built environments as canvases for great art,” says Kipton Cronkite, who, through his firm ArtStager, provides art curation primarily to clients in California, New York and Florida. exhibition and consulting services. “My passion is connecting beautiful homes with the work of emerging and established artists, because the true essence of a space can only be fully realized through art,” Cronkite explained. He believes that art can display a homeowner’s emotions in a way that furniture or lighting cannot.
Kipton Cronkite for ArtStager.Photo by Stephen Busken
Cronkite, who was involved in the design process at the end of the project, reports that art consultants have become more valued in recent years and that his input now begins early, preparing preliminary renderings. “The heightened awareness of art as an integral part of overall design fosters a collaborative relationship between designers and art consultants,” Cronkite said. “I try to respond to the vision of architects and designers who trust me to respect their aesthetic,” explains the art expert, but cautions that he’s usually reserved by homeowners.
Photo by Austin Moreno
“The juxtaposition between different styles creates interesting dialogue and layers of creativity,” Cronkite said, insisting that modern art can be effectively presented in traditional settings and vice versa. The consultant regularly discovers new galleries and attends art fairs, and is especially qualified to identify trends and emerging artists for clients. Currently, Cronkite reports strong interest in contemporary African art (the category includes African-American artists), which conveys a strong contemporary voice. Artists such as Rashid Johnson, Paul Sepuya and Danielle McKinney are commanding a premium as buyers seek diversity in their collections . ArtStager has its own virtual gallery that focuses on sub-$10,000 work by emerging artists such as Alexandria Hilfiger, Brandon Lomax, and Wes Aderhold.
Photo by Jano Currie
Luxury residential architect Richard Landry, founder of Los Angeles-based Landry Design Group (LDG), often has to incorporate his clients’ museum-quality art collections into the firm’s designs. Suzanne Evans Shepela, partner at LDG, said: “We ask a lot of questions about how clients want to live in their home, and one of the questions is if they have an art collection that they want to display. ’” Sheppella explained that the goal was to integrate all of the art harmoniously into the project, “depending on the size and type of art, it can be the star or it can blend into the background.”
Emphasizing a collaborative approach, Shepela reveals, “Our goal at LDG is to work seamlessly with interior designers so that people don’t know where the work of architects and interior designers stops and starts.” She insists that artistic considerations go beyond In addition to the interior design range, “if a client has a sculpture collection they would like to display in the garden, we will ensure that is met and provide options for them to review.”
Landry and his team integrated a client’s extensive art collection, and his Beverly Hills residence is a unique combination of classic French chateaux and modern aesthetics. Dubbed Papillion (French for “butterfly”) for its themed art installations, the residence includes a 9-foot butterfly sculpture by Rubem Robierb and a spectacular chandelier of 350 hand-blown glass butterflies hanging from On the soaring glass rotunda, interior designer Philip Nimmo collaborated with Windfall Contemporary Crystal Lighting.
Photo by Manolo Ranjis
In another Landry project in Los Angeles, a modern guesthouse on the site of a large, classically styled estate, Brad Howe designed a colorful modern sculpture that soars to the sky through cutouts in the cantilevered roof, a nod to the home. The powerful promise of art. “While designing the sculpture for the hotel, we had multiple meetings with the client and the artist to discuss the importance of scale, colour, movement, transparency and considering its highly visible position,” said Sheppella. For a contemporary beachfront residence in Malibu, whose form was inspired by a large-scale sculpture by Richard Serra, LDG created a seaside retreat that doubles as a museum, featuring Roy Lichten Masterpieces by Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miró, Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder.
Founded in San Francisco by Paul Vincent Wiseman more than 40 years ago, The Wiseman Group regularly incorporates existing collections or newly curated artwork into the firm’s diverse designs, The designs are appreciated for their suitability to their base buildings and local context. Design director James Hunt says art is an extremely important tool for enhancing beauty, “When art is on the wall, the home truly comes together.” He added: “Not only does it personalize the home, but it also provides The scale and perspective of the space.”
Photo by Matthew Millman
“Years ago, we would refer clients to art advisors, but now we have designers in our firm, including myself, who have the deep knowledge needed to work directly with clients,” says Heng, who works with trusted galleries around the world. Special said. Clients who buy museum-quality pieces often tend to display them prominently, and designers sometimes need to advise against this, he noted. “This piece might be better suited for a powder room, where it would sing in a way that it could never sit on a mantel,” comments Hunt. He cites a contemporary residence in Hawaii where the Wiseman Group has successfully housed a world-class collection – works by the likes of Ellsworth Kelly, Franz Klein and Frank Stella Paintings – There are some neutral backdrops, but vibrant modern art is complemented by furniture in bold hues.
Chandra Cerrito/Art Advisors, based in Napa, California, selects art for multifamily developments and public spaces. “Art really humanizes a space,” said Principal Chandra Cerrito, who added, “When you walk into a building, art tells you about the space more than anything else has been touched by human hands.” At Trinity Square in San Francisco, Cerrito and the development team commissioned Lawrence Argent to create “C’era Una Volta,” a multi-element installation whose focal point is a 92-foot polished stainless steel Sculpture of the Venus de Milo. At Vespr in Auckland, Cerrito has curated two large-scale artworks to differentiate the residential development. “Golden Wave” by sculptor Ray King” Consisting of thousands of suspended glass elements, it extends from the outside of the main entrance to the lobby.
Mia Jung, Interior Director, New York-based Kligerman Architecture & Design is known for its unique single-family homes inspired by traditional designs but smartly updated for contemporary living. Art is reported to have often been a consideration. However, she points out that surprisingly only a small percentage of projects are required to accommodate the vast existing art collections. “For nearly thirty years, I have rarely been asked to design interiors around existing collections,” says Jung, who adds, “In new homes, even serious collectors usually prefer to source new pieces, while Not to show existing art.”
“Art tends to be an afterthought for many clients,” Jung notes, but acknowledges that art is essential to successful interior design. “I love bringing in art,” says the designer, “you need to add art to really complete a project.” For a beach house on Nantucket, Jung sourced contemporary art, but due to exposure to salt and damp environment, be wary of curating museum-quality work. For a project in Cabos San Lucas, she negotiated with local dealers to buy art and accessories in Mexico City. When Jung works with an art consultant or gallery, it’s a collaborative process, with the interior designer reviewing all suggested options for compatibility.
Silvia Lattova Founder and Chief Curator THINK+feel Contemporary is a Miami gallery and consulting firm that advises homeowners on what art to buy and where to exhibit it. “We want each piece to be displayed where its quality and artistic philosophy are best reflected,” she reports, noting Maintaining the integrity of an interior design while displaying work can be a difficult balancing act. Latova sometimes marvels at how much forgettable art people buy, but says, “With Miami’s international reach, the complexity of the artwork continues to rise, and we work hard to educate our clients and guide their choices.”
Roger Grody
This story originally appeared on Homes and Manors Magazine.
