The Artful Home

BACKYARD PARADISE

Creating outdoor living spaces in new homes and renovations seem to be a hot trend that is growing across the country. Outdoor art appears to be more curated than ever. Incorporating a piece of sculpture into a garden can add sophistication to an outdoor area − transforming a space with style and artistry. Sculpture can add a focal point to a garden − providing a visual and atmospheric feature − whether subtle or dramatic − revealing a glimpse of the owner’s personality.

“It’s not just the very high-end homes that allow an interior artistic taste to extend outdoors,” says Dr. Jennifer Bryant Nagel co-owner of Bryant Nagel Galleries in Sedona. “Collectors seem to be enjoying a view of art outside their windows, which complement their interior design. The warmer weather we experience here in Sedona gives homeowners an added incentive to decorate their outdoor spaces.”

Limestone sculpture by Larry Yazzie.

Outdoor sculpture is becoming more popular for those who want to make a statement. Many are decorating personal spaces with meaningful artwork. For example, the Russ Vogt ceramic scuplture adds color and whimsy to the landscape of a collector’s home in Uptown Sedona, while the tall limestone sculpture by Larry Yazzie, is strategically placed in an outdoor alcove of a different house in Sedona. Both add beauty and color to the homes’ natural surroundings. “Sculpture is sometimes an accessory. You don’t design around them, you usually fit them into the design after it’s complete,” says John Stuart Leslie, owner of JSL Landscape Design Build. He felt differently after one of his clients gave him a unique sculpture to place in their garden.

Terry Schnitter and his wife, Shirlee Snyder, purchased a spiral sculpture from artist Bill Worrell titled “Tunnel of Light.” They wanted it to be the focal point of their landscape renovation that John was designing. The story behind the artwork was intriguing, as John understood its significance in the design. The spiral is symbolic in Native American cultures, and it depicts the evolution of the universe and eternal life. But the story behind the name of Worrell’s creation made it more appealing to the couple. The sculpture sat in Bill’s studio. His close friend, who was severely wounded in a terrorist attack, came to visit. Upon seeing the design, his friend commented on the familiarity of its shape and how he saw that spiral filled with blue light during his neardeath experience. Bill was touched by his friend’s story and decided to call the artwork, “Tunnel of Light,” in his honor.

“Tunnel of Light” created by Bill Worrell from Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art, sits in the “Spiral Garden.”

“I was inspired to call this place ‘The Spiral Garden’ because of its symbolism to the couple, the artist and his friend,” John says. The design became the inspiration for Terry and Shirlee’s outdoor sanctuary. “The spiral is prevalent throughout their home. Curved walls, mathematically calculated, have been incorporated into the design. The five basic elements of the universe: water, fire, earth, metal and wood, (Yin-Yang), are strategically positioned throughout the property. I designed the wall to be flowing with a specific radius so it feels smooth. And your eye guides you through the space, with the spiral as the focal point in the front yard,” says John. “Curves are free-flowing. The symbolism is subtle, but we know it’s there,” Terry says.

YOUR WALLS AS ART

Many people use neutral colors of paint in their homes while others want color to pop. The trends in colors and wall covering styles seem to go out as fast as they come in. But more recently, Venetian plaster is making a comeback and can be found in homes of style.

Tracy Browner, owner of Venezia Design & Finish, has a multitude of options with different ideas and finishes. Tracy has been creatively crafting her customers’ homes with plaster, gold, silver and copper leaf, stenciling, faux finishes, mosaics, and custom designs and finishes for over 20 years. “In the ’90s people did faux-leather look on the walls, which I think is passé. Today the finishes are more artistic, and the products are much better than years ago,” she says. “I can use 14 to 18 different tools and pieces of equipment just on one project. It is difficult for people to envision what the finished product will look like. There is trust involved. Either I have the vision or the designer has the idea for what will be pleasing to the eye. At the end of the day, I am manifesting their vision.”

Decorative barnwood faux finish created by Tracy Browner of Venezia Design & Finish (Left) and a Decorative wood faux finish added to a bedroom wall (Right).

Tracy adds faux finishes to just about everything within a home including fireplace surrounds, ceilings, doors, floors, furniture and of course, walls. She provides sample boards that are a work of art, giving the client an idea of what the finished project will look like. Tracy says the cost of doing decorative artwork can be expensive, but it is still more economical than taking down and putting in new marble. Plus, she says, not only are they getting a great piece of art for their walls, there is a story behind how it was created. One of Tracy’s clients spotted a mosaic backsplash in a magazine. It was a kitchen backsplash designed for the home of musician John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen. They located artist, Yulia Hanansen and asked if she would create something meaningful for their own home. She complied and created a mosaic, “Sedona Garden,” for the homeowners who were thrilled with their masterpiece. Tracy helped to install the mosaic backsplash then added an imported Italian decorative paint product to the walls to complement the artwork. “I am trying to beautify the world, one home at a time and loving every minute of it,” says Tracy.

The walls in this kitchen were created with an imported Italian decorative paint and compliment the custom mosaic backsplash.

UNIQUE OBJETS D’ART

A Mirror is leaned against a wall.

When it comes to home decor, everyone has his or her own style preferences or definitions of what is art. Some like a more modern contemporary look to their homes, while others like the character that comes with a more traditional style. Today, anything and everything can be used to decorate your home showcasing your own personality. “Art makes a home,” says Stephanie Larsen, of Stephanie Larsen Interior Design. “While designing a client’s home, a tall sculpture was strategically placed at the end of a hallway. It certainly makes a statement each time you pass that hallway. I believe placing beautiful artifacts on a wall creates texture, warmth and color. Also adding a pop of color to a neutral room setting creates a focal point.”

An antique Moroccan door is leaned against a wall.

Placing art in your home doesn’t have to be limited to just a painting. Finding architectural elements, old doors and gates can be eye-catching. There is an art to creating a focal point of a room. “Finding meaningful objects during your travels is another interesting way to incorporate art in a home,” says Stephanie. Recently, one of her client’s wanted to display an ornate African necklace that she found during her travels. Stephanie had the necklace artfully framed and placed it in the client’s dining room, where it has become quite the conversational piece. “I am always getting ideas from my clients that are unique and different,” she says. “My goal is to help create my client’s dream home.”

5 DECORATING TIPS FROM INTERIOR DESIGNER STEPHANIE LARSEN

USE A COLLECTION OF OBJECTS

If you have traveled to far away places, use your collectibles as decor. They will make a beautiful design on the wall that tells a unique story about your trip or brings back a memory to a specific time and place. It needs to be carefully curated, and you don’t want to overdo it. Place items into frames or shadowboxes, or display them carefully on shelves.

INCORPORATE COLOR TRENDS OF 2019

This year we are seeing a lot of grays, warm creams and beiges in addition to organic material like walnut and stone. These colors can make the room feel more natural in design.

KEEP IT MINIMAL

Know when to say “enough.” This is the hardest lesson to learn. You don’t need art on every wall. If you strategically place it, the artwork will stand out. It’s better to scale down and live with what you love.

USING ARTIFACTS AS ART

To complement a global hacienda theme, a wooden wheel mounted on an iron stand was placed in an alcove adding interest to a room’s decor. While an old moroccan door adds drama and intrigue to a carefully curated bedroom.

PLACEMENT OF ART

Not everything has to hang on the wall. Try leaning artwork against a wall − like a large mirror or painting. This will give a room depth. Looking for ways to creatively display art? Visit design stores or look in magazines for inspiration.