January 20, 2010
The Luxury of Urban Living
By Leslie Hassler, Houston Interior Designer
Well, if you follow me on facebook (Luxury For The Home) or twitter (@luxuryforthehom), you may know that we are getting ready for the ASID Showrise Project at The Commerce Towers in downtown Houston. The event benefits the Houston Downtown Alliance and ASID. This will be our first showcase project and we are very excited.
Based upon our designs for our unit, our space titled, “Modern Sophisticate”. The unit is a two-bedroom loft with a very urban view. We are designing the entry/stair/landing and the Kitchen/Breakfast areas. When we first saw the unit, what struck me the most is the very URBAN view. But after many trips to New York, where the view is not always the best outside apartments, I felt inspired to create a stunning view inside for this urban home.
I could see a very successful businessman calling this place home. Which meant that we need very tailored lines, a welcoming space for those pre-evening festivities and the Saturday night poker games. With that in mind, I’d like to highlight our partners for the unit who have graciously allowed us to use their products as part of the Showrise.
The first partner I want to highlight is Laura Rathe Fine Art on Colquitt (713-527-7700). I can not say enough positive things about Laura, Kathy & Carol – they are friendly, gracious and very knowledgeable about their art. If you have never been here and love contemporary art, you owe it to yourself!
That being said, I also wanted to share with you the beautiful art and artists we’ve selected. Pictures never do the pieces justice, so plan on coming to the show February 13-14th & February 20-21st to see it in person.
Christopher Martin - Dreamscape (96" x 48") Acrylic on Acrylic. Available from Laura Rathe Fine Art
Meredith Pardue - Pods VI , Available through Laura Rathe Fine Art
Ray Phillips, Face 37 43" x 50". Available through Laura Rathe Fine Art.
Katherine Houston, Chaos, 40" x 60", Acrylic on Acrylic. Available through Laura Rathe Fine Art.
Marissa Starr, Water Wing Teal Red, Mixed Media. Available through Laura Rathe Fine Art.
Luxury For The Home believes that true luxury is not about ostentation or expense. It is about simplicity. Sanctuary. Comfort. It’s the beauty that happens when everything, including you, has its own ideal space.
Are you ready to bring luxury into your home? For more ideas sign up for our newsletter, or to schedule a consultation, please call 281-701-2461.
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January 4, 2010
The Luxury of the Art Salon: How to Hang Your Art – Part 2
by Leslie Hassler, Allied ASID; AKBD
In our first segment of “How to Hang Your Art” we focused on ways to hang your art as a part of composition. A very effective technique, to say the least. But my most favorite technique for hanging art is in the style one of the great Paris Salons. Apartment Therapy gave a great history of salons (check out the historical illustrations). If you want a truly technical way to hang art in this style, check out ArtEmerging.com. (Who said design isn’t about math?)
But while I researched this idea a bit for you, it seems that this style of hanging art is hitting a resurgence of popularity. There are several manners of organizing your art that can tell a story or even provoke a response from the viewer, afterall wasn’t that the intent of many of the artists that submitted art to the Paris Salons?
If you collect your art along a theme of subject or technique, consider organizing your art in a manner that tells a story, or shows the evolution of a subject, artist or technique over time. But, perhaps a more thought-provoking way to look at your organization would be a study of contrasts. Done well, the contrasts do more to highlight each individual piece as it stands so closely to its neighbors.
Salon style of hanging art of Houston home by interior designer Michael J. Siller. Architectural Digest 2007.
In this first example, the art has a bit of an ethnic feel, showcasing Native American, Egyptian and African art. The consistency of form and color help create a cohesive display of art. I especially love the contrast of the ethnic art against such a formal traditional interior.
Ralph Lauren's Bedford NY Home. Architectural Digest 2004.
In this lovely blue living room, the composition and compression of space between the paintings and photography works superbly. All the “guidelines” I’ve talked about, consistency of frame, similar subjects, composition; are followed here. The reason this really works is because the guidelines are loosely followed, and mixed with an artistic interpretation of the guidelines. This example of salon style is subtle and invites you in to study each piece.
This last example shows yet another way to interpret the salon style of organizing your art. I love that this example is a small, cozy space with a library feel. Most of us feel that we need large walls to use this style of hanging art, but this shows you can accomplish it is small areas as well.
Salon style example in a small area by designer Anthony Browne. Architectural Digest, September 2002.
I love how the art wraps itself up the staircase, and is in every nook possible. I even love the portrait displayed in the bookcase. The composition again is successful because of the invitation to sit, study and enjoy the art.
That is what you are doing when you hang your art. You are conveying parts of yourself to visitors in your home. How ever you display your art – you want to make it invitational to contemplation and enjoyment. Consider the salon style of hanging your art as a way to bring luxury into your home.
If you’re ready to bring luxury into your home, we’d love to be your interior designer. Call Leslie at 281-701-2461 to schedule an appointment.
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