Many of our clients are passionate about art and have collections they wish to bring to their new home. These collections include paintings, photographs, sculpture, pottery, rugs, and mixed-media, and are important reflections of their personal aesthetic and history. We share their enthusiasm, and are committed to creating spaces that display artwork for optimal impact, with close attention to safety and preservation. Here are questions clients have asked us, and projects that illustrate our thinking about the interaction of art and architecture. 

How will the style and scale of our art pieces work in the new space?

For our Georgina project in Santa Monica, one wall in the wine room is covered with the work of LA graffiti artist James Goldcrown, who was commissioned by the client, Julie Cantor, creator of the Harlan Collection. She also did her own interior design.

In collaboration and discussion with our clients, our aim is to incorporate the art into the overall aesthetic of the house, creating points of interest, color, and drama, as seen in our Summit house below.

A small collection in the stairwell of our Rustic Canyon house, a complete remodel of a 1960s modern.

Can we see how the art will look as we walk through the house?

On many projects we've chosen selections from our client’s collection, and included them in our 3D videos and elevations of the house design. This kind of visual reference allows clients to better experience the interior sightlines and views they will get of their art day-to-day.  

Can an exterior sculpture be incorporated into my design?

Our Trousdale clients were serious collectors, and on this project they wanted to commission a large outdoor sculpture for the property. They found Richard Erdman, and his lively Serenade now stands at the entry.

A delightful sculpture emerges from the lawn at our Hopen house, entitled Sprout – custom designed for this outdoor living space by Nancy Braver. 

How will the color palette work in relationship to our art pieces?

Artwork is an integral part of the interior design, and clients usually choose art with colors that they have an affinity for. The color palette of the artwork can be drawn on by the interior designer and inspire their selections.

In the Summit bedroom colors are reflected in the artwork. In our Trousdale master suite, a long horizontal painting interplays with the soft hues and romanticism of the decor.

Freestanding wall panels and partitions can create the perfect neutral background for displaying art, seen in warm wood, displaying photographs at Wallace Ridge, and in all-white at the Summit house.

The interplay of color and design is seen in the Summit dining room.

Red accents flow through the house, from the artwork to the furniture, in our Walker Road house.

How will each piece of art be illuminated?

It is essential to work with lighting specialists; especially for artwork. Designers from Fox & Fox in LA did the lighting for our Georgina project.

LED lights are best for showcasing valuable artwork as they do not give off heat or emit ultraviolet or infrared rays. Halogens and other incandescent bulbs can cause deterioration. Good lighting should barely be noticed, and the eye drawn only to the art.

How much sunlight will our art be exposed to?

We love natural light, but appreciate it can cause damage to art over time. A solution used in our Summit house was electronic smart blinds that are programmed to protect art from the sun throughout the day. The glass window-walls we often use are made from layered energy efficient glass that minimizes heat transference and blocks harmful rays. Careful positioning and the use of skylights for indirect light can also help mitigate problems and protect the owner’s treasures.