Bring the Artwork Higher
by Eryn Oruncak
“Art and Accessories” typically fall near the end of the list when designers set out on the beautiful journey of creating their spaces. I’ve been guilty of this myself! Even as a fine artist, I had this line item at the bottom of my interior design projects just because that’s the way it’s usually done. Not any more! I challenge us all to prioritize the consideration of art and accessories throughout our design process. Because, there’s no question that when we honor the artwork, the success of the space is practically guaranteed.
There's a lot of psychology that goes into designing a space. The basic premise of interior design is to elevate our client’s life, work, experience through the spaces they inhabit. When the right artwork is installed , there’s an added energy field...like a new living thing whose presence is literally felt within your being. I have the unique fortune to create the magic of both luxury interior design and original fine art together. For every one of my clients who commission a new piece of original art for their space, we stand there for a moment and admire how it looks, and feel the energy it brings to the space.
I've always believed that things hold energy, and am someone who is very sensitive to that energy. Turns out, there’s a word for it, “nunchi”. Many people have this sensitivity to the energy field that things have. Interior Designers have this talent of walking into a space and knowing what it’s saying – and what it needs. The magnetism of a painting or a sculpture is unmistakable for art collectors and connoisseurs, and it turns out for our clients as well. The presence of well-curated, original artwork is mesmerizing, enhancing a well-crafted room design.
As designers, we understand how to “listen” to a space. The architecture has a language, the materials have a language, and when put together they speak to each other -- and to us. One can sense good labor: the way in which the tile was set or the way the millwork was installed either quickly just to get it done, or with care and precision. Our job is to recognize these cues, listen to the space, understand the people that will be living there, and ultimately bring together a multitude of elements that compliment both the structure of the house and the household. It’s no easy feat. One could say, an art form in and of itself.
Quality is experienced through visual cues, like how straight the stitches run along the trim, as well as tactile cues of high caliber material like the way velvet feels. The collaboration of material and craft emanates an inherent energy field. The same goes for fine art. High quality, handmade pieces resonate more deeply in our spaces. While pieces that are mass produced have less impact on your well-being.
What’s the point of building a beautifully well-designed room if you’re looking at blank walls, or even cheap junk from Home Goods? When someone buys a piece that is mass produced and reprinted a thousand times, it feels generic, which is not what you just spent four or five months creating! The details matter so much in a space – that’s what gives it the designer’s touch.
So, the end of the project is not the time to speak to your clients about the “Artwork and Accessories”. Oftentimes, designers are left to just get something to fill the space. If you are just putting something on the wall to fill space, does this reflect how your client conducts their everyday life...just filling space? Instead, let’s give them a visual cue that inspires them and brings an uplifted energy to their households.
It's easier than ever to purchase an original piece of art. The cycle of art is that it brings joy to those who experience it. Then those who experience it, can bring joy to the rest of the world. Artists and collectors alike understand this concept.
There is great value in experiencing an artist's work in your everyday. I invite you to explore different mediums and consider mixing them within your spaces. I have the honor of delivering contemporary custom artwork to my interior design clients and private collectors. I've also enjoyed working with other interior designers, architects, builders, realtors, and stagers who have acquired pieces to elevate their projects.
In my next article, I’ll delve more into the conversation of value. These are the details to share with your clients to help them learn the impact that quality artwork and quality merchandise have on their spaces.
Check our page on private commissions to see how easy it is to commission fine art for your projects. Enjoy with your family, and elevate any atmosphere within your home and office.