4 minute read
Home is Where the Art Is
Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung
“When I first met [the homeowners] 11 years ago, they were in a whole other design world; very traditional with prints of soldiers in tortoiseshell frames,” said interior designer John Harrison of DIGS. Quick to point out that he is not averse to such inclinations, “a designer in Cincinnati can’t have ‘a look’ or you’ll be a pauper,” he laughed. Nonetheless, as their friendship progressed, Harrison gradually introduced them to new ways of thinking about design.
The baby steps became a full out sprint after Harrison introduced them to gallerist Carl Solway, who specializes in contemporary painting, sculpture, graphics and video art. “Carl’s knowledge of contemporary art is unbelievable, but he makes the process of selecting art fun and educational,” Harrison pointed out. The first painting they were drawn to? They knew for certain what it would not be.
Incidentally, it was "Stuck, The Flies Buzzed," an etching, drypoint, screenprint, and aquatint with embossed collage on Magnani Aquaforti paper by Nancy Graves (1990) that made them collectors of contemporary art from then on.
A small painting by Hunt Slonem positioned over the sofa in the living room makes a big statement. Te ceramic dango in front of the window wall is by Jum Kaneko. Furnishings are a combination of timeless upholstered pieces from Baker and mid-century classics.
One of the homeowners is an engineer and approaches collecting with scientific precision. His partner, a professional in the financial industry, approaches the collecting process from a visceral level. This yin and yang approach has created an extremely well-curated art collection in their current residence – aptly a contemporary condominium in a landmark building designed by architect José Garcia.
Harrison had the distinct pleasure of starting from scratch as the homeowners purchased their unit prior to the building’s construction. Such foresight allowed for many architectural changes to give prominence to the couple’s burgeoning art collection. “José is a joy to work with. Some architects fight interior designers and others, like José, just go with it,” said Harrison.
The finished project is both accommodating and artful. Case in point is the spacious living room. Upon entering, the eye is immediately drawn to a small painting centered above the sofa on the floating wood divider separating the room from the adjacent kitchen and dining area. One of Harrison’s early collecting lessons he shared with the couple, the Hunt Slonem painting was purchased during a trip to Santa Fe. “It is a great example of something not having to be large to have a powerful impact,” he added.
Commanding attention in front of a long window wall in the living area is a monumental ceramic Dango by Jum Kaneko. Recently installed, the piece – measuring more than seven feet in height – adds the perfect finishing touch in Harrison’s opinion. “The room was cold without it and I didn’t want to add curtains, so I was so pleased when they reacted positively to this piece.”
Furnishings in the living room are a combination of timeless upholstered pieces from Baker and mid-century classics, including a Barcelona daybed designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and a Saarinen pedestal side table. Pieces such as the minimalist Taburet M Stacking Stool next to one of the sofas are destined to be future classics. Anchoring the room is a wool and silk rug by Edward Fields.
Each piece of furniture and art throughout the residence has been carefully selected to provide maximum impact.
The kitchen was designed in collaboration with Garcia with material input from Harrison, such as adding heft to the marble that envelops the island. Hung between the windows on a wall at the end of the island is a painting on manipulated layers of archival plastic film by Seattle-based artist Katy Stone. Keeping with the minimalist aesthetic, window treatments here and elsewhere in the residence are limited to disappearing window shades that allow for light and privacy control. In the dining area, an antique table that once belonged to Harrison feels perfectly in sync with the clean lines of the leather upholstered chairs purchased from Voltage. The aforementioned painting by Nancy Graves is given prominence within a specially designed niche at one end of the room divider.
Hung between the windows on a wall at the end of the island in the kitchen is a painting on manipulated layers of archival plastic film by Seattle-based artist Katy Stone. An antique table that once belonged to Harrison feels perfectly in sync with the clean lines of the leather upholstered chairs purchased from Voltage.
One of the homeowners’ favorite installations is a series of paintings of the Korean alphabet by artist IK Joong Kang that hangs over the bar near the living room. The original floor plan called for a nondescript hall, but Harrison realized that the space presented a unique opportunity to showcase additional artwork.
One of the homeowners’ favorite installations is a series of paintings of the Korean alphabet by artist IK Joong Kang that hang over the bar near the living room.
Bookshelves line one of the walls in the comfortable study. An Italian- made, contemporary rendition of a cuckoo clock in wenge-colored wood by Paolino & Fusi on a shelf near the television was a gift from a friend. Positioned in front of the shelves is an Eames lounge and ottoman.
Displayed among the books and other treasures in the study is an Italian-made, contemporary rendition of a cuckoo clock by Paolino & Fusi. Positioned in front of the shelves is an Eames lounge and ottoman.
Minimally furnished by design, the master bedroom is a study in tranquility. Katy Stone is responsible for the ethereal artwork over the bed, while local artist Joe DeLuco of DeLuco Architectural Metals crafted the custom-made brushed silver bed. The television is mounted on a support column – the necessary wires concealed within – so as not to distract from the clean aesthetic.
The design of the master bath mirrors the deliberate, minimalist aesthetic of the bedroom.
Reflecting on his clients’ 10-year journey, Harrison could not be more pleased with the transformation – culminating in a residence that is artful both inside and out. He aptly summed it up by remarking, “We’ve executed their new vision to absolute perfection.”
