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New York City 01 by Dominique James on Zatista.com

New York City is one of the most recognized cities in the world. It’s one of the most diverse and powerful cities as well. The city’s iconic architecture has been the subject of many forms of artwork since its founding in the early 1600s, and that continues up to the present day.

Night Empire by Jennifer Childs on Zatista.com

Whether it’s the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, or the famous Flatiron Building, New York is home to countless examples of stunning engineering feats that are also works of art in themselves. They are all testament to the city’s strength and perseverance and the range of cultures and backgrounds of its inhabitants throughout its history. The Manhattan skyline provides a unique panorama of old and new, extravagant and modest.

Flatiron by Jeremy McKane on Zatista.com

As in many other great urban centers, alongside the stone and steel structures and often creating necessary sanctuaries in the midst of busy city life, beautiful parks and gardens exist which were created by some of the best designers of public green spaces. Frederick Law Olmsted, whose establishment in the 19th century of “landscape architecture” introduced a new way of thinking about green spaces which brought together form and function and served the needs of both the local people and the natural environment. Central Park and Prospect Park are two of his greatest accomplishments.

Brooklyn Bridge by David Hoffman on Zatista.com

These contrasts and harmonies of architectural and natural beauty have always been appealing to artists. In fact, some artists have made their careers and signature style based on their connection to or their images of the city. But for all of the paintings, photographs and other visual tributes to the city that have been made over the years, New York, with all its moods and faces is still an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

One of the things I love most about this time of year is witnessing young friends or family members transition from high school to college, or from college to life beyond. With graduation on my mind I was intrigued by a recent New York Times article about a new home owner’s desire to leave the dorm room aesthetic behind and create a more grown-up looking home.

On a limited budget and with design consultation donated by Manhattan design firm, Incorporated Architecture & Design, Colin Kelly gave his home a dramatic upgrade. The article states, “Incorporated began by questioning their new client about everything from the absence of a dining table to whether he wanted to entertain, gently ribbing Mr. Kelly about how empty the apartment was. ‘Of the seven things in here,’ he said, ‘are you attached to any of them?’”

BEFORE: very little furniture + no art = dorm room aesthetic Photo: Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

Although Colin was “not attached to most of the things in his apartment, he was fond of the artwork he’d accumulated including several paintings his parents had owned and a concert poster for the musician Beck.”

Photo: Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times

During the process the designers showed Colin a rendering of what his living room could look like, showcasing his own artwork on the walls.

Rendering by Incorporated Architecture & Design

The NY Times goes on to say, “Over a three month period, the designers scouted furniture options, hunted for carpet sales and experimented with inexpensive ways to create a large piece of art to anchor the room…”  Here’s the final look:

AFTER: clearly defined space + art on the walls = grown-up home Photo: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Photo: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

I am encouraged by the choices Colin made for his grown-up apartment. Among other things, Colin and his design team successfully moved beyond the dorm aesthetic and proved something I believe wholeheartedly: original works of art are some of the most personal items we collect for our homes over the years. Couches come and go, coffee tables fall in and out of favor, and posters end up in the dumpster, but original art is sentimental, moves with us from home to home, and stays with us for a lifetime.

by Tony Cenicola for the New York Times

Educational posters grace a golden wall, with Scherer’s collection of  mid-Century ceramics—many by Gunnar Nylund. Notice how their colors and shapes are reflected in the pulley diagram.

by Tony Cenicola for the New York Times

Pages from a guide book identifying the birds of New York state paper the walls, surrounding a birdcage sculpture by the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

by Tony Cenicola for the New York Times

I’ve been trying to take a peak into the homes of artists to see how they decorate their interiors and, of course, hang art on the walls. Hunt Slonem, a painter based in New York City and Louisiana, has such a flair with clutter (I’m not being derisive here—that’s what he calls it). And I’m very inspired by his talent for its placement. Just look at all of those paintings, and candlesticks and brocade panels in his dining room. There are many more paintings on that one wall than you would find in many homes, and it works really well.

Photograph by The Selby, courtesy of New York Magazine

He calls this room the Lincoln Room—several of the portraits are of Abe, and Slonem painted them. The chair also came from the hotel where Lincoln was taken after he was shot. Again, the canvases creep across the wall—there isn’t just one solitary piece over the sofa. And look at the collection of green glassware on the sidetable, which matches the gorgeous wall paint so beautifully. The vibrant orange curtains set off any danger of matchy matchy.

courtesy of huntslonum.com

And the Rabbit Room! Apparently Mr. Slonem loves to paint rabbits as much as they like to, well, you know. The placement of many rabbit paintings certainly suggests that trait. He paints them quite beautifully.

Photograph by The Shelby, courtesy of New York magazine	courtesy of art-interview.com
courtesy of huntslonem.com

You can see in this gorgeous, riotous painting of orchids how the colors of the surroundings Hunt Slonem has created for himself inspires his artwork. What’s on your wall that inspires you?

The thought of living in a small space sounds both enticing and daunting to me, but so goes life in NYC. In Brooklyn, Zach Motl makes the most of a small space. His 178 sq. ft. apartment is masterfully designed. Three great things about it: areas are clearly defined, it’s organized, and it showcases Zach’s great sense of style. If not for this attention to aesthetics, a space this small could easily feel more like a closet than a place to call home.

A recent New York Times article about Motl’s apartment says, “One-room living works well if you clearly define areas” and one of the ways Zach does this is with artwork. A large framed map anchors the couch,

and the walls of his wet bar display a collection of framed art and art objects.

Here the artwork draws attention to each area and functions as punctuation, allowing the eye to pause and notice that this is where a specific activity takes place.

“He knows how to hit the sweet spot that turns a bunch of objects, like stacks of magazines, into a collection,” the New York Times wrote, “and how to array those objects so they look sculptural.”

Zach’s “artfully arranged stuff” epitomizes this space, where everything from lighting to chalkboard-doors to Wellingtons become art.

Zach’s sophisticated apartment proves that living gracefully in a small space can happen with an artful eye. Get organized, punctuate areas with art, and with your own distinct flair you will surely create a very cozy sense of home.

Photos: Robert Wright for The New York Times