Designers discover art for a project in so many ways, from newer-age approaches like Etsy and Instagram to the tried-and-true route of galleries or art consultants. We asked five industry pros—Nomita Joshi-Gupta, Aileen Warren, Kiley Jackson, Blair Burton and Giselle Loor Sugerman—to share how they source artwork.
Thrill of the Hunt
“Art is so personal. It must resonate with the client, but it’s also an investment. I like to keep up with our local gallery shows to really learn their inventory for specific clients. Secondhand shops sometimes uncover treasures too. Occasionally, I peruse online sites like 1stDibs and Lumas, if I have to. I also love museum stores for their unique collections.” —Nomita Joshi-Gupta, Nomita Joshi Interior Design, New Orleans
Seal the Deal(er)
“When it comes to selecting art for a project, we rely heavily on the experts. Once we have an idea of the client’s budget, a direction for the design and spatial requirements for the artwork, we reach out to our trusted art dealers to help narrow the search. Then we go and source interesting and unexpected pieces directly from galleries or from the artists themselves.” —Aileen Warren and Kiley Jackson, Jackson Warren Interiors, Houston
Close to Home
“I always like to support local artists, not just in Texas but people living and working in Austin. Austin is drawing in creative people and entrepreneurial clients; local artists often have a like-minded vision with how they approach their work. Local art gives the home an indigenous quality, some local flavor and a bit of soul. Also with local artists, you can generally get varying price points (and even if not, it’s a good investment). Our firm has five or six artists we like to work with, and we find a lot of creatives on Instagram too. Leftbank Art is a favorite for a more reasonably priced piece: It’s a copy, but you can have the artist sign the work, so it has more of a one-of-kind, original feel. We’ve never used an art consultant, though. We find that when clients have the kind of art budget an art consultant requires, they like to go straight to the gallery or they have their own consultant.” —Blair Burton, Blair Burton Interiors, Austin
Go for Broker
“Typically, we use a broker that represents various artists and has a wide selection of pieces, from decorative to collectible. This makes it more efficient for us based on the client’s budget. [My partner] Brett Sugerman and I also source pieces for clients during Art Basel Miami and Design Miami.” —Giselle Loor Sugerman, B+G Design, Miami
Homepage image: A contemporary Miami kitchen by B+G Design | Courtesy of B+G Design
