The Artful Life: 6 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

The article discusses the intricacies and tensions surrounding stand placements at major art fairs like Art Basel and Frieze. The issue gained public attention when Air de Paris, a long-standing exhibitor at Art Basel since 1999, publicly withdrew from the fair due to dissatisfaction with their assigned stand. The gallery's co-founders described the process as "brutal and unfair" after declining a new location that was then "imposed" upon them. Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director of fairs, offered a different perspective, stating that stand placement is outlined in the fair's rules and regulations, and galleries are frequently moved. He noted that 58 galleries at the upcoming Art Basel fair had their stands relocated, partly due to the introduction of a new section called Premiere, which focuses on works created in the past five years. The incorporation of new sections or larger initiatives often necessitates a revamp of the fair's layout, which is a regular occurrence. Aesthetics is another significant factor in determining gallery placement, with Art Basel continuously assessing how galleries can best interact with their neighbors as their programs evolve. Contrary to a common misconception, Art Basel's floor plans are not static. The layout design process, involving De Bellis and individual fair directors, typically spans about four months, followed by three months for exhibitors to customize their assigned spaces. While Art Basel strives for open communication regarding these changes, De Bellis acknowledges that complete satisfaction among all exhibitors is unattainable. Different gallerists have varied preferences for their stand locations. Some prioritize specific configurations, such as corner units or stands allowing visitor pass-through, while others prefer to be positioned near galleries with complementary artistic programs. The overarching concern for many is visitor flow; galleries benefit significantly when the fair layout directs crowds towards their stands and can suffer when it does not. Katey Acquaro of Silverlens Galleries emphasized the importance of being in prominent locations, stating, "Off the beaten path is not a great place to be at the art fair." Both Art Basel and Frieze have implemented changes to their floor plans to optimize visitor experience and traffic. In 2023, Art Basel Miami Beach redesigned its layout around five interior plazas to redirect foot traffic. Frieze London, in 2024, transformed its compartmentalized layout into a continuous loop, placing younger galleries near the entrance and established ones at the opposite end to ensure consistent flow. Despite positive feedback on Frieze's new layout, artistic director Eva Langret noted that grievances over stand assignments persist, handled through dialogue rather than a formal dispute resolution process. #ArtBasel #ArtFairs #GalleryManagement #ExhibitionPlanning #VisitorExperience #ArtMarket

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation

Gallery walls are a popular interior design element, admired for their stunning, eclectic, and seemingly effortless appearance. However, creating a cohesive and visually appealing gallery wall can be a daunting task due to the expert curation required and the challenge of finding suitable artwork. This article provides insider tips from interior design professionals and seasoned gallery wall creators on where to shop for artwork and how to approach the design process strategically. Rosi Norton, co-founder of Santo Gallery, emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach, suggesting that a mix of varying artwork styles creates a sophisticated dialogue between pieces. She encourages creativity, advising readers to expand their definition of art to include non-traditional items that can be beautifully framed and incorporated, resulting in a more personal and eye-catching display. When it comes to framing, Norton recommends intentionality; a single frame color for all pieces offers a polished, minimalist look, while mixing and matching frames can achieve a more eclectic vibe. Before committing to hanging, she suggests laying out the pieces on the floor, using craft paper cut to size, to visualize the arrangement and carefully plan the spacing. The article then lists 12 recommended online sources for artwork, featuring insights from interior decorators and stylists. Katie Zamprioli, known as @candycoloredhome, recommends DROOL for colorful and contemporary painting prints, highlighting its collaboration with grassroots creatives and its profit-sharing model with artists. She also suggests Minted for affordable options and a wide range of designs from independent artists, particularly their limited-edition fine art prints. For original fine art from up-and-coming artists, Zamprioli points to Return On Art, praising its transparent pricing and fair artist compensation. Norton herself recommends Santo Gallery, emphasizing their curated selection borne from a passion for art collecting. Lowe Saddler, behind @hotsundayhome, favors Etsy and Chairish for vintage-looking and actual vintage pieces, offering tips on how to find affordable items by filtering prices from low to high. Carissa Henderson, an interior eDesigner, and Saddler both recommend Fy for its large assortment of unique pieces, including photography, and its reasonable pricing for large prints. Henderson also highlights Jungalow for statement pieces with bold colors and abstract portraits, particularly admiring Justina Blakeney's work in the bohemian maximalist style. Society6 is noted by Henderson for its endless options of unique prints from smaller artists, as well as traditional and classic pieces at affordable prices. Finally, Emma Jane Palin, an interior stylist and art consultant, suggests Print Club London, Partnership Editions, and Jealous Gallery for accessible art from diverse artists, including rare pieces from well-known figures, and John Derian for unique prints like those by Hugo Guinness. #GalleryWall #ArtworkShopping #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArtCuration #OnlineArtMarketplaces #AffordableArt #DecoratingTips

This article compiles a series of recommendations from T Magazine, covering various cultural and lifestyle topics, including restaurant renovations, art exhibitions, designer collaborations, and publications. The first section details the reopening of La Tour d’Argent in Paris after a yearlong renovation led by architect Franklin Azzi. André Terrail, the third-generation owner, aimed for a more thoughtful and exacting experience while drawing inspiration from the restaurant's Art Deco era. The seventh-floor dining room, now in indigo and silver, features an open kitchen and a platform for preparing the signature pressed-duck dish. New bars, Le Bar des Maillets d’Argent and Le Toit de la Tour, offer more casual settings. Additionally, a private, Scandinavian-minimalist apartment on the fifth floor is available for overnight guests. The second section focuses on a new exhibition at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas titled “Groundswell: Women of Land Art.” This exhibition challenges the male-dominated narrative of the land art movement by highlighting the work of 12 female artists. Featured artists include Ana Mendieta with her “Silueta” series, Beverly Buchanan with “Marsh Ruins,” and Agnes Denes’s “Wheatfield — A Confrontation.” The curator, Leigh Arnold, emphasizes these artists' subtler and more poetic approach, aiming to collaborate with nature rather than dominate it. The exhibition also debuts new works by Mary Miss and Lita Albuquerque and reimagines Nancy Holt’s “Pipeline.” The third recommendation introduces Mexican tableware designed by Carla Fernández in collaboration with Mexican artisans, available for purchase to benefit Ballroom Marfa, a West Texas contemporary art museum. The collection, first showcased at Ballroom Marfa’s annual summer party, includes clay plates, ceramic cups, wooden napkin rings, ceramic creatures, and a piñata mask lantern, all reflecting a blend of traditional Mexican artistry. The fourth section discusses the French annual publication, Tools magazine, and its latest issue, “To Fold.” This issue is part of a series exploring simple techniques, following “To Mold” and “To Weave.” The magazine delves into the art of folding through various objects like umbrellas, bistro napkins, and camping tents, featuring photo essays and interviews with craftspeople. The bilingual publication, known for its aesthetic sensibility and focus on overlooked crafts, is curated by artistic director Clémentine Berry. Finally, the article highlights the "Memento" collection of hand-knotted rugs by Yabu Pushelberg in collaboration with CC-Tapis. Designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg drew inspiration from “impossible architectures,” Giorgio di Chirico’s artwork, and Montreal’s Expo 67. The seven rug designs play with color, shadow, and texture, often featuring free-form shapes and Brutalist-inspired aesthetics. Each rug, made by Tibetan artisans in a Nepalese atelier, includes the weaver’s signature, adding a personal touch to the handmade pieces. The last recommendation is for an art exhibition, “Sightings,” at the Sun Valley Museum of Art in Ketchum, Idaho, focusing on U.F.O. art. Curator Courtney Gilbert commissioned Deb Sokolow and Cable Griffith to create works exploring the human motivation behind U.F.O. sightings. The exhibition also features works by Esther Pearl Watson and Karla Knight, known for their U.F.O. and extraterrestrial-themed art. #RestaurantRenovation #ArtExhibition #LandArt #MexicanTableware #DesignMagazine #HandKnottedRugs #SurrealistDesign #UFOArt #CulturalRecommendations