AO Journal

Latest Art News for your morning coffee

Swedish Interior Design is one of the leading authorities on Swedish Mora clocks worldwide with around 50 antique Swedish grandfather clocks in stock in all shapes sizes and colours.

PH Pianos and PH Furniture are delighted to offer via ArtOrigo a selection of Poul Henningsen designed PH Pianos and PH Furniture pieces.

Originally created from 1919 to 1954 by renowned Danish designer Poul Henningsen but today manufactured using the latest modern processes under exclusive license, PH Pianos and PH Furniture represents Danish design heritage at its very finest.The contemporary revival of Poul Henningsen’s piano and furniture designs coincides with the significantly increased interest of consumers in interior design inspired by the Bauhaus movement of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as a renewed appreciation for the mid-century modern aesthetic.

As the global virus continues to evolve, we hope you are staying strong, healthy, and above all, safe. Our hearts go out to all who are affected by the pandemic, particularly the citizens of Italy. From Sicily to Venice, the Italian spirit, courage and resilience is truly remarkable.

A designer’s home is often a working laboratory, a place where they can experiment with various tricks of the trade while reflecting their true design personality. For international interior designer Laurence Roberts, two homes on opposites sides of the world shows just how versatile the talented designer can be.

Nothing makes a statement like a great piece of art. Whether it’s a painting, photograph, or drawing, art can grab your attention, make a statement, and create a “wow” factor while completing the look of a room.

Purchasing art can also be an unnerving experience, as how, where and what to buy often confuse even the most seasoned curator. ArtOrigo recently sat down with global art advisor John Wolf whose Los Angeles-based company John Wolf Art Advisory & Brokerage takes the guesswork out of collecting. From sourcing and acquisition to conservation and restoration, Wolf helps his clients navigate the art world with ease.  

Modernity opens its new exhibition space in London – Moves into an 18th century mansion.

Modernity continues its investment in London and in February opens the gates to its new exhibition space in a mansion from 1770. Modernity will show first class Swedish, Finnish and Danish design from the 20th century. The property has been stripped back by the current owners to its raw, original features and will be renovated in just over a year, but before then Modernity will have the opportunity to exhibit in the space.

The worlds of art, antiques, and collectibles converged recently at two of the world’s most prestigious shows, attracting an array of curators and collectors, aficionados and dealers.

As we bid adieu to 2019 and welcome the decade of the 2020s, there is no better time to look ahead to the trends of the future…. namely, buying, collecting, and investing in antiques and art.

While doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles were on Maria von Trapp’s wish list in The Sound of Music, today’s sophisticated tastemaker is no doubt looking for something unique and one-of-a-kind that doesn’t fit in a stocking this Christmas.

Located just an hour and fifteen minutes from London lies an idyllic 17th-century stately country home known as Aynhoe Park. A virtual feast for the eyes, the grand Palladian house is filled with treasures, surprises, architectural details, and design delights at every turn as every room is a history and design lesson. Built in 1707 by architect Thomas Archer, the house is available for weddings, parties, and events, and best of all, its whimsical items can be purchased online through ArtOrigo dealer Aynhoe Park and A Modern Grand Tour.

London has long been at the epicenter of design as well as a major force on the art and antique scene. From the classic Staffordshire and chintz-filled interiors of English Country Style made popular in the 80s and 90s to today’s more contemporary cutting edge looks, the city remains one of the world’s most prestigious design capitals. 

If you are looking for the ideal weekend getaway, nothing beats the Hudson Valley. Located 150 miles from Manhattan on the Hudson River, the area is known for its scenic landscapes, fabulous antique shops, historical sites, wineries and a mecca for farm-to-table foodies.

As one of the most important of the visual arts, photography can excite, be thought-provoking, elevate the imagination, and most importantly, capture everyday life. 

While it has never gone out of style, the age-old alternative to paint experienced a downturn in recent decades. From hand-painted murals and modern geometric designs to tonal patterns and traditional toiles and chintzes, wallpaper is more popular than ever. 

Perhaps the accolades say it all Architectural Digest AD/100 and House Beautiful’s Next-Wave awards along with spots on the Elle Décor A-List and Luxe Interiors + Design Gold lists have placed interior designer Amy Lau in the pantheon of Who’s Who in the design world. Her work graces the pages of the top shelter magazines, and her monograph, Expressive Modern (Monacelli Press) is a must- have for any design library. And fun fact, the multi-talented designer even created a dining room for everyone’s favorite serial killer, Showtime’s Dexter.

The Arizona-born, Manhattan-based interior designer is best known for her refined artfully inspired and color-filled interiors with a penchant for mixing vintage and contemporary. A/O Journal recently presented Amy with six questions on all things design. Enjoy!

September is one of the most exciting months of the year, marking a close to the long hot days of summer as the fall season ushers in happenings across the globe. From art festivals to design events, here are a few of our favorites at ArtOrigo. Mark your calendars!

Swedish Style is having a moment. Lauded for its crisp, clean lines, beauty and simplicity with roots dating back to 1750, it is a favorite among collectors and interior designers alike. 

Perhaps Connecticut interior designers Edie van Breems and Rhonda Elieish of Eleish van Breems sum it up best, “When you walk into a good Swedish-designed room, whether it is an antiques-filled  country house or a contemporary industrial loft space, there is a serenity , calm and a feel-good quality that literally permeates the atmosphere.”

As the home of lavish imperial houses, enchanting Baroque streets, historical and cosmopolitan museums, a lively cultural, cuisine and design scene not to mention a city that is steeped in music and history, Vienna is the city of the moment. And with all this grandeur and opulence, is it any wonder that Austria’s capital city boasts some of the best antique shops in the world? From a mid-century Mies van der Rohe table to museum-worthy Art Nouveau pieces, the city is a virtual treasure hunt for art aficionados, antique collectors and interior designers alike. 

When it comes to purchasing art and antiques in this age of luxury, several factors come into play. Does it suit my taste level? How is the quality? Will it hold its value? How does it work with my interior? And most importantly, do I love it? As Fabienne Cosulich, Managing Director and 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design Expert of Cosulich Interiors and Antiques, advises, “Always buy something you love, as life is too short and in the present, you must enjoy a noteworthy connection with your investment.”

With the many daunting choices present in the marketplace today, there is always a search for the exceptional. Let ArtOrigo show you how to spend your money wisely and offer a few fabulous finds from our dealers:

The best and the brightest design luminaries were in full attendance on June 6th at the Elle Décor 2019 A-List Event. 

The design world celebrates its biggest event this month in New York City with the venerable Kips Bay Decorator Show House. As the crème de la crème of designer show houses, 23 of the top design luminaries across the country (and a few first timers) transformed a 12,000-square-foot Upper East Side Neo-Federal townhouse into a stunning jewel box. The show house, celebrating its 47th year, benefits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club which offers after-school programs for 10,000 school kids throughout the Bronx. 

Refined and sophisticated, cutting edge and rich with culture, Northern Italy's capital city Milan is filled with chic bars, attention-getting restaurants and antiquities galore. While Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast often grab the spotlight, Milan is one Italian city is one to experience. 

Whether you attend fall's Fashion Week, the recent Salone del Mobile held every April or simply on holiday, here are a few noteworthy pursuits for your address book.

03. May 2019

Best in Show: TEFAF

Mark your calendars this week as treasures from the worlds of fine art, antiques and design will make their debut at the prestigious TEFAF New York Spring Fair. As an off-shoot of the TEFAF Maastricht show held annually in March, international dealers will unveil the best in unrivaled museum-quality modern and contemporary art. Much more than just a European Fair, the show attracts the attention of architects, designers, connoisseurs and collectors alike. Held at the Park Avenue Armory May 3rd through May 7th, here are a few of the highlights. 

Call them vintage antique dealers or modern design gallery owners but these purveyors of art, antiques and design and international tastemakers are so much more. Here is what makes their galleries stand out and why it’s worth your time to visit when in Paris, Stockholm or simply peruse online at ArtOrigo at your leisure.