I was recently asked to collaborate with Duende Curation as a Guest Curator for their online gallery of Limited Edition Prints from around the world; within their newly launched Curator Series, I was asked to hand-pick a six-piece DUENDE X A GOOD CHICK TO KNOW Collection that I feel inherently represents my own personal style.

Today marks the launch of my Collection as well as the feature interview I did with them, in which I share my thoughts on how love & personality guide your art, how fashion & design reflect one another within my style, and the magic of telling your story within your home…

 1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DECOR AESTHETIC, EITHER NOW OR FOR YOUR ‘DREAM SPACE’ STYLE:

 As an Interior Designer, my decor style has taken on many lives; as my career expands and explores new concepts so does the realm of inspiration that I see, which has had a large impact on how I interpret my personality through the design of my space. Overall, three fundamental elements have remained a true reflection of my personal style: 1. An eclectic mix of furnishings, artwork and treasures (either found, thrifted or inherited) that I have been collecting over my lifetime – my house is quite literally a museum of my own story; 2. A masculine undertone with an overlying sultry vibe… I love a space that feels both dramatic and sexy, while at the same time remaining approachable and inviting, and; 3. A jungle! I very much appreciate the statement and sense of life that plants bring to a space, and my own personal collection of greenery has grown to encompass over fifty plants, including two 14’ fig trees (the benefit of loft living) and two other large species that are over forty years old (they used to belong to my grandmother)!

 2. WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK ART HAS ON THE VISUAL PROFILE AND VIBE OF A ROOM:

 To me, art is literally the language of a room within the storytelling of a homeowners’ space; while furnishings and accessories create the content that the story is based upon, artwork is the dialogue that we most prominently engage with. I believe that whether it is one select statement piece or a full gallery wall of chosen works, art is where people are most comfortable sharing an intimate look into their own interests, preferences and personalities. Ultimately artwork tells the authentic story and I love that!

 3. WHAT CORRELATION DO YOU SEE, IF ANY, BETWEEN YOUR FASHION AND DECOR PREFERENCES? WE OFTEN FIND THAT FASHION INFLUENCES DESIGN, AND VICE VERSA… DO YOU SEE THAT CREATIVE FLUIDITY AS RELEVANT IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL STYLE:

 Interiors and fashion are absolutely linked! While we may see trends hit homes and runways at slightly differing times, the draw and connection between the two is always notable. For me, my personal style is encompassed fairly seamlessly between my fashion and decor preferences, although I think ultimately I take greater risks within my home. My wardrobe, while sometimes a little on the edgier side, is predominantly comprised of black classics that can be easily intermingled, polished off with statement bags & simple gold jewellery … within my home there is likewise a strong sense of edge and an overall darker, moodier palette, but there are many more decorative details that have little regard for “working with each other” – it’s more of an eclectic vibe at home than in my wardrobe.

 4. WITH YOUR RECENT MOVE INTO YOUR NEW LOFT, HAVE YOU SEEN A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN HOW YOU SHOWCASE YOUR ART AND DECOR? DO YOU FEEL LIKE A SPACE CAN ALTER SOMEONE’S PERSONAL STYLE, OR DOES SOMEONE’S SENSE OF STYLE WORK IT’S WAY INTO ANY SPACE:

 Hmmm, that’s such a tricky one because I see it both ways – while I believe that someone’s true style permeates and adapts itself within any space they are living in when given the chance, I do also see that the fundamental feeling of a space can create it’s own inflections on the vibe of people living there. For me, this loft feels like the space I have been waiting to find forever; while it hasn’t “changed” my style, it has certainly offered me the perfect canvas to expand my preferences and explore different (and larger!) ways of expressing myself through decor. Art is probably the biggest shift for me within this space – I have always had a large art collection, but within this loft I have been able to almost double it, while playing much more with placement and scale due to the 18’ ceilings and open concept.

 5. WHEN ADDING TO YOUR OWN ART COLLECTION, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR? DO YOU LIKE TO MIX MEDIUMS OR DO YOU TEND TO STICK MORE STRICTLY TO EITHER PHOTOGRAPHY OR PAINTINGS, ETC:

Honestly, I have always had a weakness for photography… especially unexpected black and white pieces. I love nudes, motorcycles and candid people shots the most. Many of the pieces that I lean towards now when adding to my collection are photography, but the majority of the pieces I have had for a lifetime (or inherited) are paintings. Ultimately I love how photography and fine art play with one another – it’s the juxtaposition between the unexpected content and the structure (or lack thereof) that I most appreciate; my current collection is a heavy mix of edgier photography, abstract artwork from contemporary artists and limited edition prints from classical painters. My partner is a beautiful travel photographer, so I love to incorporate his works into the space – it makes me think of him (which makes it feel like home) as well as how he sees some of the world’s most incredible places, which always inspires me.