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tag: richard herman
John Barnwell, of J. R. Barnwell Design, Inc., welcomed me into his gorgeous home only three months after moving there. As I wandered through his rooms, I was stunned to find everything in perfect order so quickly after his move, including art up on the walls. John is an avid collector of art, and a strong believer in trusting intuition when choosing what pieces to live with. As he gave me a tour of his collection, what resonated most was that each piece had a narrative that would draw you in, whether it was the life story of the artist, or the tale of the gem he discovered on one of his travels.
Late October, I spent ten days in London immersed in an intense cultural adventure. I found refuge sipping tea with Lisa's sister, Steffanie Brown, in her gorgeous Notting Hill flat. Despite the distance, Steffie & Garvin have built up a solid collection of work from Canadian artists. I personally adore Toronto artist Lizzie Vickery's large photograph of London in miniature - the focal point of their living room. You would hardly notice the rainy London days in their cheerful space, filled with colourful, contemporary pieces.
It is incredibly refreshing to witness how certain clients view art as an essential part of their everyday lives. Heather and Peter's passion for art and collecting challenges the notion of art as the “finishing touch” in the decorating process. Paintings are the main focus in their home, and with tons of artworks in storage, and leaning against the walls, their space has the air of a gallery (though much brighter and cozier).