Whether it's anchoring an entrance hall, infusing color into neutral spaces, or creating a serene sanctuary, the integration of fine art elevates residential interiors to new heights of beauty and individuality. Enjoy these real-life examples with expert advice from designers Amy Miller Weinstein, Lucy Earl, Laura Zender, and Jane Synnestvedt:
Amy Miller Weinstein discovered this series by Tyler Baker at a local gallery and instantly knew it was the perfect choice to break up the long wall while complementing the room's geometry. Photo by Martin Vecchio.
Amy Miller Weinstein of AMW Design Studio suggests that while fine art selection is deeply personal in terms of subject matter and style, as a designer frequently tasked with advising clients on such choices, she recommends considering the following fundamentals:
- The size of the piece and how it relates to the wall size, as well as the item it’s being hung over or next to.
- The height at which pieces are hung – NEVER hang art too high.
- The frame and how the piece is mounted inside the frame.
- Art in any space can be the icing on the cake. If well-chosen and hung properly, it can bring a space to life.
Available at MDC (Living Room - above): Sofa & Dining Chairs – Designer Group Collection; Chair Fabric– Tennant & Associates; Coffee Table w/ Ottomans – Designer Furniture Services + Fabrics; Light Fixture – City Lights Detroit
This series by Lisa Spindler features detail shots of an elevator shaft that have been manipulated with enlargement and layers of color. Photo by Martin Vecchio.
“I love working with Lisa Spindler, who is a Detroit artist,” says Miller Weinstein. “Her work is primarily photographic, and she will customize her images to work specifically in any space.” In the bedroom (below left), an abstract photograph printed on metal adds depth, serving as a perfect accent. In the dining room (below right), Lisa Spindler's gerbera daisy photographs inject color into the monochromatic space, tailored to the client's floral preferences.
Available at MDC (Living Room - above): Sofa & Chairs – Baker | McGuire; Coffee Table – Designer Group Collection; Drapery & Pillow Fabric – Tennant & Associates
More pieces from artist Lisa Spindler displayed in rooms by AMW Design Studio. Photos by Martin Vecchio.
Available at MDC (Bedroom): Drapery & Tête-à-Tête Fabric – Tennant & Associates | (Dining Room): Banquette – Designer Furniture Services + Fabrics; Banquette Fabric – Pindler; Drapery Fabric – Tennant & Associates
Lucy Earl considered the architecture and dimensions of this traditional foyer when selecting this modern abstract. Photo by Beth Singer.
Lucy Earl, founder and principal of Jones-Keena & Co. feels fine art brings soul to a project, adding sophistication to a space and bringing a home to life–art elevates interiors. In the foyer above, Lucy selected this beautiful abstract painting by French artist Bea Robelot. The size of the artwork should be proportional to the size of the space. The painting anchors the entrance hall and dictates the blue color palette and furniture selection. Further, the contemporary piece ‘pops’ when juxtaposed against the traditional white millwork making a bold first impression. A second abstract piece by Robelot was also used in the home to create a colorful focal point over the fireplace (pictured below).
Available at MDC: Console and Chairs – Baker | McGuire
Lucy chose to mix modern art pieces with traditional furnishings to create a collected effect. Photo by Beth Singer.
Designer Laura Zender found the perfect place above the bed for this large painting by Krista Harris, while a smaller oil-on-wood piece by Detroit artist Clinton Snider resides on the bedside table. Photo by Werner Straube.
This primary bedroom by Laura Zender of Laura Zender Design was a part of a larger renovation of a midcentury home in Ann Arbor by David Osler. Laura tailored the design around two significant contemporary art pieces that her art collector clients owned. The first art piece (pictured above) is the large colorful impressionist painting by Krista Harris over the bed. The second is a more subdued lithograph by Joan Mitchell (pictured below). “We purposefully kept the furnishings, area rugs, paint, and window treatments on the neutral side–including the warm white walls–to complement rather than compete with the artwork,” explains Zender. “Furnishings were kept low slung with very clean lines to keep the eye on the paintings above.”
The room is both calm and hip, and the warm Alabaster paint from Sherwin-Williams allows the artwork to really shine. Photo by Werner Straube.
Jane Synnestvedt chose the dining room palette for a burst of color, meeting the client's love for cool blues in a neutral space.
Jane Synnestvedt, principal designer at Jane Synnestvedt Interior Design, highlights the transformative impact of commissioned artwork in two distinct projects. Working with Polish artist Katarzyna Korytowska, Jane curated pieces that evoke a watercolor/impressionist feeling, tailored to each client's preferences and the specific ambiance of each space. From bursts of color in the neutral dining room (above) to warmth in a living area (below), Jane showcases how art can enhance the mood and visual appeal of a room, particularly in regions like Michigan with its grey winter months.
Available at MDC (Dining Room): Table/Sideboard – CAI Designs; Rug – The Ghiordes Knot; Chandelier – City Lights Detroit; Dining Chairs/Fabrics – Rozmallin; Drapery Fabric – Pindler; Drapery Hardware/Fabrication/Installation – Decoroom
Jane chose artwork with warmer hues to create points of interest, adding subtle color and warmth to the space year-round. Photo by George Dzahristos.
Available at MDC (Great Room): Furniture/Fabrics – Rozmallin; Dining Table/Chairs – CAI Designs; Rug – The Ghiordes Knot; Drapery Fabric – Designer Furniture Services + Fabrics; Drapery Hardware – Decoroom
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