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I was then privileged to be part of Brown’s London Art Weekend #blaw2015 where we held a very successful  master class on the Art of Interiors. It is an amazing weekend in St James’s and Mayfair where over 100 galleries open their doors and you can explore a vast range of exhibitions ranging from Old Masters to Contemporary.

Here are some of my top picks from the galleries in London and New York to inspire you to visit them in order to choose stunning artwork and sculpture for  your homes.

The photograph above is shot by the talented Miles Aldridge and is theatrical, colourful and simply makes me smile every time.  Any one of his works of art could hang any where in your home to provide a real talking point! Grimaldi Gavin, 27 Albermarle Street, W1S 4DW.

I’ll bring you everything (c) Anna Barlow, Courtesy Rebecca Hossack

I recently came across the work of Anna Barlow pictured above. Sticky ice cream … We all scream for ice cream and Anna’s work is so realistic that you could almost smell the sweetness. A collection of these pieces at different heights in a smart clean contemporary kitchen would be very cool. Rebecca Hossack, 28 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NA

New Penwith, 1974, (c) Bowness, Photograph by Ellen Page Wilson, courtesy of Pace Gallery

I simply love Barbara Hepworth’s work and her commitment and passion during her lifetime. The Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives is a must see and currently there is an exhibition at the Tate Modern until 25 October 2015. If only I were able to exhibit such a piece in my drawing room! Pace Gallery, 32 East 57th Street, New York NY, 10022.

Complex Yellows, 1966 (C) Patrick Heron, Courtesy of Austin Desmond

The HOUSE designed by April Russell, www.houseevents.com

This is such a dynamic piece of art pictured above. I hung this piece by Patrick Heron over the fireplace with a TM Lighting picture light over it in the House at Olympia which I designed and curated in June . It takes your breath away with the bold design and colour. Austin Desmond, Pied Bull Yard,68/69 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3BN.

Remember to be open minded when visiting galleries, the more you see the more you learn.

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Joinery is a passion and I set to work designing an office area that works as an extension of the Drawing Room.  I was inspired by a piece of furniture I saw at Isle Sur la Sorgue in France and I designed the desk in the above photo which also works as a console table with a seating area adjacent and shelving and storage cabinetry above including an ingenious open and close mechanism at the touch of a finger!

By adding a pair of chairs from Nicholas Haslam, which I recovered in Fermoie  fabric, I created a cosy space to work, watch the news and just enjoy the outdoor views.

Whilst designing the credenza in the dining room pictured above I couldn’t resist the Verdigris Sea urchin handles from Collier Webb. Their gorgeous ironmongery offsets the furniture beautifully.

Most of the vintage furniture was sourced through dealers in the UK.  It was key to give personality to spaces that carried little architectural richness.  One fine example was the cocktail bar featured above which started out as a simple rattan wardrobe.  By adding a base to give height and redesigning the interior this piece became the focal point in the room for a number of reasons!

The piece de resistance was completing the interior design with large vintage society photographs and lithographs to offset the furniture.  I must say working in the US is always a joy and I am ready for my next commission.

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Once I get to know my client it is time to start thinking strategically. We explore essentials such as the architecture, positioning and lighting. I like to design interiors layer by layer, creating an environment which is simply unforgettable.  To achieve this effect I use furnishings and bespoke wall finishes to create a stylish, traditional or modern interior that has artwork as the focus.

In the picture above of the Belgravia Townhouse you can see that it has beautifully proportioned rooms that set the stage for the contemporary art collection. Light, clean walls with a pearlescent bespoke paint finish provide an ideal backdrop for the vibrant artwork.

If you have a large dominant piece of art, don’t shy away from it – embrace it! You can use an elegant colour pallet to allow the artwork to speak from the surrounding walls. I picked out the warm orange tones in the interior design of the living room pictured above to  bring to life the main painting and unite it within the space. Hanging a smaller picture next to the larger piece allows us to mix frames and styles, creating a sophisticated yet contemporary setting for both pieces.

When decorating with art in your home, remember that artwork can also provide a talking point. I hung the above contemporary piece of sculpture in the dining room of one of our Belgravia apartments to provide the guests with a talking point over dinner. Always consider carefully where to position art. The focal piece was hung where all guests could see it, creating a contemporary and striking back drop.

Hallways are as important as any other space in your house. For the modern London property pictured above I commissioned bespoke crackle glazed panels and the client chose the large painting. Positioning the sculpture at the end of the hallway draws in the eye and gives the statue the attention it deserves.

I hope you found the above advice useful and are ready to embrace the truly artistic side of your home! If in doubt, find out more about our art services.

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When my husband and I were first married, fifteen years ago, we lived in a lovely four-bed property in Holland Park. We bought that home because it had plenty of room for our six children, and it was also big enough for entertaining friends – perfect for our needs! Holland Park was a penthouse apartment with an enormous amount of light, and great views from the rear.

We moved to Cheyne Court in 2008, because we wanted to downsize. Our children were buying their own properties, and we didn’t need such a big place. They are now having children of their own, and we are looking for a bigger home once more so that the grandchildren can stay with us – it really has come full circle!

We chose to live in Chelsea because both my husband and I had lived here previously, and we were very happy here. We have always loved the area, and I particularly enjoy being by the river.

Location wise, we couldn’t ask for more. It’s quiet enough to hear the seagulls, which I love, and we are near everything we need. The building is very well run, which is key, and the apartment itself is beautiful. Chelsea truly is a magical area, with the Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Hospital and Burton Court within five minutes’ walk from our flat, and Sloane Square a short walk up the road.

One of my favourite things about the area is the abundance of green space. I love being able to take my pugs, Delores and Tallulah, for a walk in stunning surroundings. I have a whole host of places I love to visit that are a short walk from my home, some examples being Lucio Restaurant, Charles Saunders and Lomax gym on Fulham Road, and the Chelsea Farmers Market on Sydney Street.

Upon moving into Cheyne Court, we completely gutted it, turning a three bed into a two bed. The only remaining pieces were the cornice in the drawing room and a pair of  beautiful fire surrounds – we really made it our own in a way that made it truly feel like a home.

We took the original master bedroom quarters and turned the space into a kitchen dining area, which is at the rear of the building, with views through to Tite Street. It has masses of light and it is a great room to cook and entertain in.

We took another bedroom and turned it into a large bathroom, and turned a smaller bathroom into a dressing room.  Practical work such as all new double glazed sash windows and French doors were installed, and we raised door heights. All of the existing doors were replaced with beautiful dark timber doors, with nickel handles from Charles Edwards.  I love ironmongery and I love beautiful design – handles are jewellery for doors as far as I am concerned!

In terms of who our home would be suitable for, the flat is perfect for entertaining so it would be perfect for anyone with a penchant for hosting! The drawing room is large, as is the kitchen/dining area, with plenty of room for guests. The property would also suit a couple similar to my husband and me, looking to downsize and spoil themselves.

We are now full steam ahead planning for the future and, ideally, would like to stay in Chelsea. We have a number of business suppliers here that we know and love and I know of many beautiful places to walk to and spend time in. Our parish church, Christ Church, is at the rear of Cheyne Court. We would like to stay nearby, but simply move somewhere larger. We have four grandchildren, and more on the way – can you believe it!

Cheyne Court can be viewed here.

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Art is my passion, and my specialty. We put a large emphasis on the importance of artwork within an interior in every project we undertake, and recently hired a team of art experts – with experience at both Sotheby’s and Christies – to further expand our knowledge. One of the topics I have spoken about at length this year is how to house your own art collection. To read more about this, visit the following articles:

How to house an art collection – Amara Living
April Russell’s Tips for artwork within the home – Decorex International

I also created a video on this topic with team at LuxDeco, which I was very excited to be a part of!

We are very proud of the projects we work on, and were pleased to be featured in top publications for our work. To read more about our projects, visit the following articles:

Eclectic artwork in a Chelsea Pied À Terre – Art of Bespoke
A Holland Park family home, perfect for entertaining – Art of Bespoke

As interior designers, we are always happy to share tips and knowledge obtained over the years with those wanting to create their perfect home. To read some of our design tips, visit the following articles:

Kitchen design tips – Amara Living
Guide to luxury rugs – LuxDeco

A main event we were a part of this year was Decorex International, where I hosted a panel talk, in which every seat was occupied! It was a brilliant day, and we took a lot away from the experience. To read about our experience at Decorex, visit the following articles:

April Russell, The Art of Interiors joins Decorex Panel – Inside ID
One to watch at Decorex 2014 – Art of Bespoke
Top five trends to watch from Decorex International – Sothebys Realty
Decorex International 2014 – Amara Living
Top five trends to watch from Decorex International

Alongside Decorex, I hosted a talk at Grace Belgravia, which had a great turn out, and had very positive feedback.

Finally, I have been interviewed about my approach to work by ROCO and Heal’s, and have been profiled as a tastemaker for LuxDeco – a title I am very happy to accept!

Thank you to everyone that has featured our work in 2014, here’s to another fantastic year!

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Never buy a piece that you can live without

Have you ever seen a piece of art that you liked, but didn’t instantly love? That is the art you should always walk away from. Everyone has their own tastes, and you should always trust your own instincts when it comes to yours! If a piece is hanging in your home, you will see it every day. Wouldn’t you rather look at something you love, than something you quite like? Follow your heart, and you’ll be left with an art collection that you simply can’t live without!

Consider the art

A common mistake when designing a room is to neglect to take artwork into account. You should always consider your art first, and design the room around it. This will allow you to bring the interiors into balance with the art – if your collection is important, remember not to overpower it with too much colour, it shouldn’t have to compete for attention!

Avoid too much pattern

On this note, try and keep your walls free of large patterns, as this will detract from the art. Unless of course the space is enormous, and you have old masters to hang!

Lighting is important

You should always consider your lighting at the beginning of a project. Keep pieces away from damaging UV rays, and consider artificial lighting – try and cover all areas with over-head directional light or a pendant light. Low level lighting in the way of lamps should also be considered.

Think carefully about the frame

Too many times I’ve come across a beautiful painting in a terrible frame. Framing is incredibly important, and can make or break even the most enchanting piece of art. I always like to frame according to era – modern work in modern frames, traditional work in traditional frames. A simple tip, but an effective one!

Always hang at eye level

Never hang anything at an awkward height. If you have a wonderful painting and you have to stoop to see it, or stand on your tiptoes to appreciate it, viewing it will become a chore. If you are hanging in groups, start at eye level and move up. In this case, you can always take a step back to appreciate the entire grouping.

Plan, plan plan!

If you have a large collection, split it across different rooms and lean the art against the wall before making holes. This will allow you to check and double check that you are happy with your placement, and give you the chance to change your mind.

Employ the help of a friend

Have a helpful friend with you when it is time to hang. Have all your tools lined up: leveler, pencil, tape measure, nails, hammer. If the art piece is heavy you will mostly likely need to drill a raw plug and screw into position. In some cases you may need a pair for extra support. Remember when drilling to check that you aren’t drilling into a pipe on the other side of the wall!

Don’t overheat your room

Much like natural lighting, overheating a room is certainly not ideal for your canvas, and can cause a lot of damage. Avoid keeping your collection in a hot space.

Try something fun!

Never be afraid to try something new and fun. One thing I like to do is take black and white family portraits, and adorn them with colourful frames, before grouping them together. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous with an unexpected pop of colour. Looking at it will always make you smile!

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Tell us a bit about yourself.

I have always been very passionate about art. My formal training began in theatre and film where I could design and execute magical illusions on the stage, or for the camera, and everything just grew from there! A favourite project in the early years was working on a doll house for the Busch family – I spent two years custom-finishing the interior of the home in 1” scale with references to family history, heirlooms and family members. It was such a pleasure to work on.

Throughout the past 28 years I have had the honor of working with many talented and inspiring designers and clients, two notable ones being Shania Twain and Mutt Lang.

We worked together recently on an Upper East Side apartment, can you talk us through the project from your perspective?

Each room was different, making the project an exciting one. For the sitting room a textural effect that resembled a beautiful raw silk was our target finish, for which we created a translucent pearl glaze infused with texture. We then applied the glaze floor to ceiling continuously around the room, manipulating it to create the appearance of a softly woven natural, slubbed silk that glows in the warm sunlight, or under the soft pools of light that wash down the walls at night.

The dining room has a cool pewter plaster finish, with hand-painted cherry branches reaching down from the ceiling, gracefully creating movement and texture. The inspiration was to bring the exterior of the apartment inside – the tree blossoms in the courtyard and the vibrant red window trims.

The colours speak to the red leather chairs, fabric in the window treatments and the glowing églomisé dining table.  The walls are up-lit from the floor to give a dramatic glow day or night. The room really incorporates organic and elegant elements, perfect for casual family gatherings, or chic cocktail parties!

What are your thoughts on the result of the project?

Personally, if I was given the chance, I would love to live there! The apartment has windows facing the street, and a beautiful interior garden. Lots of light and air, too, which is not often found in NYC. As a part of the project, the unit’s original floor plan was opened up a bit and the ceilings raised – the sense of modern and traditional blends well. The bedrooms are luxurious, the library is cozy and comfortable. There were layout challenges that were dealt with well, and the hidden doors really open up the tight spaces. I wouldn’t change a thing, and I hope the clients are loving it.

What would your ideal project look like?

Each year, for the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects in Italy. My love for the country, its architecture, history and people, goes beyond saying. Therefore I think my dream project would be an entire room or castle, somewhere in Europe, transformed with paint and plaster (possibly in buon fresco) into a magical trompe l’oeil illusion, utilizing architectural details and romantic vistas to create a storybook setting that blurs the lines of fantasy and reality.

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