FROM LIFE-SIZE PANDAS TO SOMBER MIRRORS, THERE’S NO ART COLLECTION DEBORAH WECSELMAN CAN’T ENHANCE WITH HER DESIGN APPROACH.

A commission with a significant art component comes your way. Do you start thinking about it differently than other less art-centric jobs? Absolutely. For me, it’s peace of mind to have an art collector as a client. Art determines everything in terms of design as there are so many factors to consider. For example, the relationship of the walls to the design of the space. And the approach to furniture selection, which we do in a much more holistic way when art is involved. Suddenly, the art is the protagonist.

Have you ever helped a client curate a collection as part of the design process? We do it all the time. We just finished a project for a client who only wanted to incorporate Spanish and Latin American art with a focus on emerging talent. Being part of that process and discovering these artists with them was very inspiring.

What are the main priorities to consider when dealing with an art collection? Proportion, lighting, placement, and the composition of the art piece. That’s where the conversation with the homeowners starts.

Can you expand on the importance of lighting?It’s simply the most important element when it comes to presenting artwork in a space. It needs to be bright, but not overly so, and never obvious. It also needs to create a sense of discovery as you walk into the room.

What do you focus on when you have to work with a collection or a piece of art that isn’t to your liking? You embrace it… and work around it.

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