The Artful Life Questionnaire: Sara Nash

This comprehensive guide highlights some of Nashville's premier home decor establishments, catering to a diverse range of styles and needs, from artistic pieces and framing services to unique gifts and furniture. It features six distinct businesses, each offering specialized products and services that contribute to enriching a living space. Bennett Galleries, established in 1978 in Green Hills, specializes in custom archival framing and features a curated collection of fine art from both established and emerging artists. They are recognized for their expertise in providing framing solutions for various art types and settings, from formal to modern. The gallery also offers an exceptional selection of art available for viewing on their website, serving interior designers and homeowners seeking unique artistic additions. COLOR, located in the White Bridge neighborhood and operating since 2005, is presented as a distinctive home decor and gift destination. This store emphasizes a personalized shopping experience, assisting customers with hostess gifts, bridal registry setups, and designing elaborate tablescapes. COLOR's inventory is dynamic, continually changing to include various home accessories, lighting fixtures, dinnerware, and other items, with a price range of $10-$400, offering options to refresh living spaces and find meaningful gifts. Epergne, situated in Belle Meade, offers an exquisite selection of tabletop items, ceramics, china, and fine table and bed linens. The store's collection is inspired by the extensive travels of its owners, Laura Chadwick and Susan Dyke. Epergne stocks prominent brands such as William Yeoward Crystal, Matouk, Juliska, John Derian, Gien, Agraria, and Mz Wallace, making it a go-to spot for unique gifts and elegant home essentials that are not commonly found elsewhere in the city. Ed Nash Studio, based in East Nashville, showcases the work of London-native artist Ed Nash. Nash, an alumnus of Reading University with a background in Fine Art and Psychology, creates large acrylic paintings characterized by vivid color transitions that evoke landscapes and deeper emotions. His abstract yet approachable pieces are suitable for various environments, from corporate installations to residential dining rooms. As an art appraiser, Nash also assists clients in finding the perfect placement for their art, highlighting his dual role as an artist and a consultant. GasLamp Antiques & GasLamp Too, located in the Design District/100 Oaks, is renowned as one of Tennessee's largest antique malls. It is a favored destination for designers, artists, and home decor enthusiasts seeking unique and salvaged items. The stores maintain a constantly updated inventory that includes furniture, art, and jewelry, ensuring a fresh array of discoveries for those looking to add distinctive touches to their homes or wardrobes. Margi’s Furniture & Design in Green Hills provides a blend of elegant and modern furniture with eclectic and timeless decor. The store offers a carefully curated selection of home furnishings alongside personalized interior design services. Whether customers are searching for a specific piece of furniture, decor, or guidance on fabric choices, Margi’s aims to fulfill diverse home design needs, further enhanced by convenient parking facilities. #NashvilleHomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ArtGalleriesNashville #AntiqueStores #FurnitureStores #TabletopDecor #LocalArtistsNashville

Artist Stephanie Dillon and her husband, Reilly, were captivated by a model home in Eden Prairie, which boasted a blend of whitewashed shiplap and shakes on its exterior, creating a timeless and airy aesthetic. The interior featured light-filled communal spaces, each with a distinct character, moving away from conventional floorplans. The color scheme ranged from calming charcoals and pale neutrals to deep greens and rich terra-cotta, evoking a European atmosphere. Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang, owner of West Bay Homes and the designer behind the model, drew inspiration from her travels to Paris, characterizing the style as French contemporary farmhouse. She envisioned the kitchen as a French pastry shop, integrating multiple layers of meticulously detailed materials throughout the 5,000-square-foot residence. The kitchen's design incorporates three types of glazed tiles for the backsplashes, with a small hexagonal tile chosen for its light-reflecting properties, contributing to an elevated visual experience. Dillon, an acrylic and mixed-media artist known for painting her emotions, found a kindred spirit in Vogelgesang, whose design philosophy also prioritized passion and feeling. Dillon retained Vogelgesang to complete the interior design of their new home. The designer expressed enthusiasm for incorporating Dillon's extensive rug collection. Elements like shiplap and painted charcoal, seen on the exterior, were repeated inside on the basement's fireplace wall and the vaulted ceiling of a lounge area adjacent to the kitchen, along with charcoal-colored square tiles extending from counter to ceiling in the kitchen backsplash. This repetition of color ensures cohesiveness and a holistic progression throughout the home, where all environmental elements relate to one another. Vogelgesang skillfully managed the abundance of materials, preventing a busy or cluttered appearance, much like Dillon blends colors on her canvases. Some design choices stand out, others recede, and some shimmer, collectively defining the mood of each space. The materials coalesce into a balanced and proportionate composition, resulting in a home tailored for an artist. Vogelgesang aims to create spaces that are timeless and elegant without being overly delicate or cost-prohibitive. The lower-level bar area features charcoal shiplap around the fireplace, painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Dorian Gray, and steps down into a sunken media room, showcasing the designer’s preferred brass and gray combination. Brass hardware also adorns the front entry doors. Light fixtures, including those from Mitzi on the library ladder, were strategically chosen. The unexpected entry leads to a "dining hall" that functions as a grand foyer, as described by Vogelgesang. This space features nine-inch-wide-plank white oak floors laid in a herringbone pattern, with ceiling beams bisecting its soaring height, allowing ample natural light. The built-in bar features a backsplash of alternating light and dark neutral tiles, custom cabinetry with dental molding, and a marble sink skirt. Open shelving in the kitchen displays two sizes of backsplash tiles from The Tile Shop, with custom alder wood cabinetry finished with a clear whitewashed stain and brass hardware for an enhanced shimmer. The kitchen, inspired by Parisian pastry shops, includes two islands for ease of navigation, with only one housing a sink to allow for uninterrupted dining on the other. The mudroom boasts large-format heated tiles combined with white oak cabinetry, finished in a whitewash stain, offering an industrial concrete look harmonized with French country cabinetry. A basement guest bath incorporates vibrant color through whimsical floral tiles from The Tile Shop on one wall and Sherwin-Williams’s Perfect Periwinkle on the adjacent wall. The library features a bold mix of Sherwin-Williams paints: Canyon Clay on the walls and Gauntlet Gray in a high-gloss enamel finish on the moldings and doors, complemented by chartreuse chairs. A wide-plank whitewashed cedar wall on the rear deck provides privacy. The prep kitchen off the mudroom embraces color with Waverly Classics wallpaper by York, cabinets painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Green Onyx, and a hammered copper sink, showcasing how personal touches can enhance practical areas. The powder room dazzles with an antiqued mirrored glass tile wall from The Tile Shop, a custom white oak vanity with a marble shelf, and Savoy House sconces. The floors throughout the home incorporate patterned ceramic tiles from The Tile Shop. The home's floor plan, while a traditional rambler, diverges into an unconventional layout where the front entry opens into a vaulted foyer and dining room, serving as a pass-through to the kitchen and great room. #HomeStyle #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #FrenchContemporaryFarmhouse #CustomCabinetry #TileDesign #ArtisticHome #ArchitecturalDetails #EuropeanInfluence

The architectural landscape in London is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a new generation of practices equipped with innovative ideas, advanced digital tools, and fresh approaches to design. Among these emerging studios, Matter Space Soul, led by Natasha Reid, distinguishes itself by prioritizing the social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of individuals in its architectural projects. Initially established as Natasha Reid Design in 2014 and later rebranded in 2019, Matter Space Soul functions as a compact architecture lab and consultancy. Its core mission is to redefine the creation of built environments by fostering positive human experiences. Natasha Reid's approach is rooted in a proactive and research-led methodology. Her team collaborates with psychologists and other scientific experts to delve beyond conventional design practices, aiming to cultivate spaces that evoke joy and soulfulness. She emphasizes that the studio's ultimate goal is not merely to construct buildings but to craft experiences that enhance the "human performance" of places. This encompasses the impact of spaces on people's happiness, sociability, and sense of identity. The results of Reid's methods, while not always overtly visible, have demonstrated tangible success. For instance, her redesign of the Mondrian Suites hotel in Berlin, employing nature-inspired biomorphic principles, transformed a previously sterile and crime-prone area into a vibrant, safe, and welcoming destination that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings. Similarly, the Larch House, a modest London extension, was reimagined as an urban sanctuary, fostering connection and togetherness for the resident family. Beyond residential and hospitality projects, Matter Space Soul has also applied its human-centered design philosophy to commercial spaces. The studio supported Cleveland and Co, a progressive female-led law firm, in creating an office environment that reflects a collaborative and non-hierarchical ethos. This was achieved by integrating elements of domesticity, customization, and flexibility into the workspace. The firm is also actively developing community and co-living initiatives, further underscoring its commitment to social impact. Reid's innovative perspective gained early recognition when she won New London Architecture’s international competition ‘New Ideas for Housing’ in 2015, addressing the country's housing crisis. The studio consistently balances conceptual and theoretical work with practical building and interior commissions. This is supported by research and grants from organizations like the British Council, focusing on critical issues such as gentrification, placemaking, and social impact. Reid is also a Fellow at the Centre for Conscious Design and co-curated the 2020 London edition of the Conscious Cities conference, a global event exploring how human-centered, science-informed design can create healthier, more equitable, innovative, and sustainable cities. The conference theme, 'Flourish,' highlights the importance of intersections, connectedness, and ecosystems in enabling people and places to thrive. A recurring theme throughout Reid's work is the emphasis on emotional quality, wellbeing, and the human experience. She firmly believes in universal access to spaces that facilitate growth and flourishing. Empathy is a core value in her studio, guiding them to uncover solutions that cater to both body and mind, and resonate with the personal narratives individuals wish their environments to tell. Drawing inspiration from Geoffrey Scott's "The Architecture of Humanism," which posits that architecture studies the effect of structure on the human spirit, Reid aims to bridge the gap between architectural practice and the diverse realities of everyday life. Through the pioneering efforts of studios like Matter Space Soul, there is significant hope for a more human-centric and impactful future in architecture. #Architecture #Design #Wellness #HumanCenteredDesign #SocialImpact #LondonArchitecture #MatterSpaceSoul #NatashaReid #ConsciousCities

This article features an interview with Ann Flemings, a contemporary abstract painter based in Austin, Texas. Flemings discusses a significant project she undertook in 2017: a self-designed residency focused on scaling up her artwork. Initially, she envisioned painting "big" but lacked the necessary studio space. To overcome this, she arranged a trade with an artist friend, pet-sitting in exchange for using a large studio for two months. Her plan involved working on ten 4-foot by 4-foot canvases, dedicating June to preparing small study paintings, and acquiring larger art supplies like brushes, mixing containers, and gallery-wrapped canvases. She set up ladders as easels and felt a sense of excitement rather than intimidation by the large scale. Flemings began painting on July 5th, using her reference studies as a starting point. She quickly realized that scaling up presented unique challenges, including mixing larger quantities of consistent color and effectively wielding bigger brushes. To translate images from smaller studies to large canvases, she used a tracing-paper grid. While she started with vigor, the work output gradually slowed down as the larger canvases required more time and attention. Challenges arose from the studio environment, which lacked air conditioning in Texas during July and did not have a bathroom. The intense heat caused her paint to dry rapidly, necessitating the use of gel mediums and water to revive it, which altered the paint's texture and flow, hindering her process. Despite these difficulties, she persevered, finishing two paintings and making modest progress on two others. After four weeks, Flemings decided to complete the remaining two canvases at home due to the studio conditions. This self-directed residency, while frustrating, provided invaluable lessons about the complexities of scaling up artwork. She now enjoys painting large-scale pieces, with the primary limitation being the size of canvases that can fit in her car. This experience boosted her confidence in tackling ambitious projects and refining her artistic approach. She also views the self-directed residency as a beneficial strategy for exploring concepts for future formal residency applications. Flemings, born in Los Angeles and raised in Pennsylvania, has a BFA and previously worked in fundraising. She re-engaged with art in 2015 and now creates vibrant abstract art through layering, excavating, and revealing, aiming to evoke peace and beauty. Her process is intuitive, influenced by emotions and memories, allowing the painting to guide her. She emphasizes the importance of listening to the painting and believes each piece has a unique story and soul, bringing personality and spirit to a home. She hopes her work conveys a sense of calm energy, balance, and "relaxed spaciousness," a Buddhist concept she incorporates into her life and art. The article also covers how to foster a supportive environment for artists. Flemings encourages individuals to attend exhibitions, become museum members, visit local art shows, purchase original art directly from artists, and contribute to arts non-profits. She advocates for voting for representatives who support the arts and encouraging community engagement in the creative ecosystem. She highlights the role of art in offering beauty and reflection, quoting Brian Rutenberg on how art encourages "slowing down" and "breathing." Flemings believes that finding original artwork that resonates with an individual is a special experience and strives to share her work widely through social media and, ideally, in person, emphasizing the unique experience of engaging with handmade art in a technology-driven world. Flemings shares a story about resilience, recounting a challenging portfolio review in 2015 that criticized her composition, color use, and lack of focal points. Despite initial devastation, she adopted a practical, objective approach, deciding to strengthen her foundational skills. She joined a life drawing group, practiced "notans," and worked with a respected teacher to improve her drawing, painting, and color mixing. This rigorous training, though frustrating at times, helped her develop a stronger artistic eye and a better understanding of line, tone, and value. A year later, her improved work was well-received by the public, validating her growth as an artist. She expressed gratitude for the candid feedback, attributing her increased strength as an artist to that challenging experience. #AnnFlemings #AbstractArt #ArtistInterview #ArtResidency #PaintingChallenges #CreativeProcess #ArtistResilience #ArtisticGrowth #HomeDecor #ArtCommunity

Quintessence, a lifestyle blog, has successfully transformed into a robust business, largely due to its popular "At Home With" video series. Co-creator Susanna Salk highlights the shift in media consumption, where traditional categories are blurring, allowing for a broader exploration of topics like home, fashion, travel, and personal stories. Stacey Bewkes, the founder of Quintessence and a former art director for Simon & Schuster, developed her videography skills by creating a retrospective DVD for her daughter's fifth-grade graduation, which eventually led to the inception of the video series. The first video, featuring Thom Filicia, was launched on Valentine's Day in 2013. The early videos showcased Salk and Bewkes shopping with designers in New York, where designers shared their preferences and insights. The series has since featured prominent designers such as Suzanne Rheinstein, Cathy Graham, and Paolo Moschino. Despite their individual projects—Bewkes managing the Quintessence blog and Salk writing books—the duo has cultivated a strong working relationship, even collaborating on books. This synergy is central to their success, with Bewkes noting their shared work ethic and enjoyment in their creative endeavors. Salk particularly values the connections forged with designers and the community engagement fostered through their content, citing an example where a custom dog collar seen in Emma Burns's home led to a collaboration between her neighbor and a local artisan. Maintaining the content machine for Quintessence involves significant effort. Bewkes admits that the workload is substantial, especially for creating original content. Initially, she posted five times a week, a schedule that proved unsustainable, leading her to reduce it to three times a week, and now even less frequently due to the demanding nature of video editing. She acknowledges the necessity of taking breaks and managing expectations regarding content volume. The financial sustainability of Quintessence was initially a challenge, with Salk and Bewkes investing considerable personal time and money into the project. However, the venture began generating revenue through sponsorships. With 5 million views over five years, and a significant portion of those views accumulated in 2018 alone, sponsorships became a viable option to support their passion project. They currently charge $6,000 per sponsored video, integrating commercials and ensuring that these sponsorships are permanently attached to the chosen videos. This model contrasts with print media, which is more expensive and ephemeral, as Quintessence's videos continue to attract viewers months and even years after their initial release. Publicists and marketing directors often facilitate these sponsorships by pitching clients whose licensed collections or brands align with Quintessence's content. Approximately 80 percent of their videos are now sponsored. Despite not yet reaching their desired earnings, Bewkes and Salk view this as a progressive step. A core principle for them is maintaining editorial integrity; they commit to only featuring brands they genuinely admire, ensuring that sponsorships do not compromise the quality or authenticity of their content. This commitment to their shared vision and ethical approach has been crucial in building and maintaining their audience's trust. #Quintessence #SusannaSalk #StaceyBewkes #LifestyleBlog #VideoSeries #DesignIndustry #ContentCreation #MediaMonetization #Sponsorships #HomeDesign