How House of Winsor Interiors Uses Art to Create a Space That’s Uniquely Yours
Art has always been in my blood. My mother - a designer turned antique dealer - was my first and most formative influence, nurturing a lifelong love of interiors, collecting, and art. I carried that passion from my childhood days “redecorating” our house by rearranging furniture and art, to more serious efforts in my high school art studio, college studying art history, and eventually into my work at the New England Foundation for the Arts, where I managed grant and professional development programs in public art. That foundation never left me. It lives in the way I approach every project today.
It’s a big reason why House of Winsor’s favorite way to start a new design project is by selecting a piece of artwork as inspiration. Art sets the tone for the entire space. It establishes an emotional atmosphere, supports an effortless flow from room to room, and helps introduce a layered color story. Art gives the home a point of view and ensures that the space feels collected, not installed. It is never an afterthought – it’s always intentional and essential to the design.
For many of our clients, especially those building or renovating second homes along the Rhode Island coast, incorporating artwork is what makes a home feel lived-in, deeply personal and uniquely yours.
Artwork is the inspiration for many of our interior designs.
What Influences Our Approach to Our Interior Design Projects
At House of Winsor, our aesthetic is shaped by a New England lifestyle. We love:
-Maximizing available natural light,
-Showcasing handcrafted furniture and custom elements, and
-Incorporating vintage and antique finds for their patina, warmth, and a personal connection.
We also design our homes with an eye on sustainability and location. This is why we love engaging local woodworkers, artists, vintage items, and treasured pieces from our homeowners. These are the details that add depth to a room and make a home feel welcoming and warm. This approach resonates deeply with many of our clients who value legacy, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
How We Incorporate Art In House of Winsor Projects
When artwork is a shared priority in a project, often one of our first client meetings is to visit a gallery or studio together. In addition to introducing them to local artists, these excursions are invaluable when it comes to insight into our client’s likes and dislikes, what inspires them, and the chance to see first-hand, the quality of the craftsmanship, textures, textiles, and color palettes.
When most people think of art in a home, they picture paintings. But great spaces draw from a much wider world. We look at art in several different ways to both carefully curate a decorative look and support a function. Designing in Rhode Island means we're surrounded by exceptional artistic talent — and we make it a point to seek it out. From our own backyard, we work with local artists who specialize in:
-Framed Paintings or Works on Paper
-Photography
-Ceramics and Sculpture
-Glasswork
-Handcrafted Woodwork and
Custom-Built Elements
-Custom Furniture: Wood and Upholstery
-Textiles
-And while not made from scratch, the ability to source Vintage and Antique Pieces is also abundant in the Ocean State.
Sourcing art locally not only supports the local community, but it’s tied directly to the sustainability of materials down to the environmental and financial cost of delivery.
Using Art for Architectural Interest, Function and an Artistic Finish
Another way we look at art is in the materials we use in our renovation and building projects -- custom millwork, tile, wallpaper, lighting, custom furniture and more. Incorporating even just one of these items can elevate a space from builder grade to a room our clients love to show off and live in. For example:
-A custom made table can be the focal point for family celebrations and gatherings
-A unique, light fixture can fill a space, add interest and create a mood in an entry
-Custom tiles can soothe or create whimsy when set in a unique pattern on the floor
-A wall mural can tie the furniture, millwork and lighting together while showcasing a treasured memory
-Incorporating a vintage chest can add patina, showcase a family heirloom and create storage
On their own, each element may not seem like art, but chosen with intention, they become the details clients point to when they say they love their home.
Using Art as a Decorative Accent
Art can also be used in the traditional approach, as decoration: a painting on a wall, a sculpture on a table top, or a collection of pieces. In this capacity it’s meant to beautify a space, add interest, set a tone, and more importantly, convey a little more about the homeowner and make the space their own.
An Art Installation Can Be One Piece or a Collection
One other consideration we make when it comes to artwork, is that it doesn’t have to be just one piece. Sometimes we’ll select a statement piece, but other times it could be a curated collection or one that evolves over time. We may even intentionally leave a wall blank, so that it can be used for a future gallery find, a meaningful travel purchase or an inherited piece – each, further making the home unique to our clients.
Our Criteria for Sourcing Art
Art can root a space to its location and help create an overall cohesive look. When sourcing art, we employ the following criteria to find just the right piece for the space:
An emotional response
Is the scale appropriate to the architecture?
Will it still feel relevant 10-20 years from now?
Layered color that supports the overall design
Will it last and/or could it become a treasured family heirloom?
A successful client visit to the Candita Clayton Gallery
Where We Love to Find and Shop for Local Artists – You Can Too
Our thriving Ocean State arts community allows us to discover both established and emerging artists across multiple disciplines. At House of Winsor, we attend gallery exhibits, local art shows, shops, and use our network to find just the piece for our clients’ needs. In select cases, we may commission work, particularly when collaborating with carpenters on built-ins and custom furnishings.
Here are just a few galleries where we’ve sourced art for our clients:
Don’t forget about local RI shows and fairs which can introduce you to both established and up-and-coming artists. Here are four we make sure to attend annually:
-Narragansett Art Festival: June 20 & 21
-Wickford Art (Association) Festival: July 11 & 12
-Scituate Art Show: October 10 - 12
-Providence Art Club Little Picture Show: Nov/Dec
Summer farmer’s markets, antique shops, and local art pop-ups are also great places to uncover unique treasures. We recommend including these on your list.
Vintage vs. Contemporary: Why both Design Approaches Matter to Us
While we’ve talked a lot about incorporating art into our projects, not every new design project calls for contemporary art. There are benefits to incorporating vintage pieces. A homeowner’s heirloom, or something we’ve purchased specifically for the space, like a vintage painting, can soften hard lines or a structural element. They can also add warmth and character to a room and introduce patina.
A vintage oil painting and frame sourced for our Gansett Guest project.
We hope this post inspires you to think more about how you can incorporate art into your home. A contemporary painting, a photograph, sculpture or even a vintage piece, can set the tone, transform a room, and create an emotional connection in your home. Art adds warmth, a lived-in feel and a design element that shares your point of view. When planning an interior design project, make art a priority from the start — not an afterthought.
Want More Insights on Interior Design?
Lauren Winsor is the Founder and Principal Designer of House of Winsor Interiors, an award-winning, done-for-you interior design and construction management studio in Rhode Island. In collaboration with trusted partners and tradespeople, House of Winsor creates one-of-a-kind homes that reflect our clients’ unique needs and desires. We serve Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Coastal Connecticut. Interested in working together? We’d love to hear about your design project. Inquire about our services today