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Subvert Makes Art Collecting Accessible for All

Photos courtesy of Subvert  

For so long, the idea of “art collecting” has been viewed as unattainable—an interest reserved for the wealthy and elite. However, Subvert, an art curation company founded by Delia LaJeunesse, is challenging this stereotype, offering virtual consulting and curation services for aspiring collectors. “Art belongs to the people,” she says. “By reimagining traditional approaches, we aim to make art unpretentious and accessible to all.”

Beginning March 23, the company is introducing a new membership service to its repertoire. Designed to broaden the accessibility of art collecting for the next generation, these memberships provide curated portfolios comprising 30 pieces of art, which are each tailored to individual clients’ styles, personalities, and budgets. With three membership tiers priced at $297, $397, and $797 annually, Subvert ensures its services are catered to everyone.

“In this membership, I can prioritize artists who are local to my members when that’s important to them,” LaJeunesse explains. “I have a very extensive database of artists from across the world, which allows me to connect collectors with artists within their community. Local art is just one layer of personalization this curated service offers.” Also with the membership, clients have access to an exclusive resource library with framing and installation guidelines, buying decision worksheets, personal style exercises, and more.

While this new virtual service offers convenience and accessibility, Subvert has also recently partnered with Minneapolis-based Happy Place Interiors to assist Minnesota clients with their art collections. “Our work [with Happy Place Interiors] is mostly customized one-on-one art consulting with [owner Melanie Zaelich’s] interior clients,” she says. The interior design firm also refers clients to Subvert for art curation on a project-by-project basis.

The waitlist for the Subvert membership is open now. Doors will be open for two weeks starting March 23 and will close April 6.

‘STILL: The Art of Noticing’ Delivers Over a Decade of Daily Discoveries

Amid the chaos of life, we rarely take the time to slow down, stop, and be still, which Minnesota-based Mary Jo Hoffman has long tried to remedy through her blog, STILL. Since 2012, Hoffman has documented her discoveries in nature by taking photographs daily, which now, 12 years later, has resulted in a treasure trove of beautiful photographs encompassing often overlooked, seemingly mundane objects. This daily ritual provided her a means of grounding, connecting, and appreciating “life as a work of art,” as Hoffman notes on her Instagram.

Now, over 275 of these images, along with six essays delving into the depths of her creative process, are being compiled into the 318-page book, “STILL: The Art of Noticing.” So, whether you’re looking for a new coffee table accessory to share with guests or are simply seeking to explore a newfound appreciation for the world around you, this decade-plus project offers intentionality and reprieve from the busy routines we’ve grown accustomed to.

The book is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Monacelli, and will be released in bookstores worldwide on May 1.

 

A Grand Rochester Renovation by SKC Designs

Photos by Drew Gray  

What began seven years ago as a modest bedding project has transformed into a complete interior renovation for a home in Rochester’s Mayo Woodlands neighborhood. As a longtime client of SKC Designs, the homeowner put her trust in Sarah Conti, founder, when her husband passed away a few years ago—yearning for a refreshed space that was personalized to her and her lifestyle. The homeowner’s goal was clear: Infuse the interior with a warm and welcoming ambience. Conti says, “She wanted the home to be family-friendly, but she also wanted the home to be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing for all the entertaining she does.”

From the start, Conti sought to balance the architectural grandeur of the home with the homeowner’s personal style. Guided by both the client’s prized collection of original artworks and her love for Lake Superior, Conti crafted a color palette and selection of materials that effortlessly balanced one another. For instance, she used the client’s favorite colors, blue and orange, to infuse the design with personality while also complementing the original architecture’s natural elements, like the grand stone fireplace in the great room. “Weaving these threads through the design, honoring nature, speaking to the client’s interests and lifestyle, and bringing balance to all of that creates a beautiful interior that feels very natural,” she explains.

When embarking on the redesign, the first step involved updating and arranging furnishings for the spaces. “The furniture arrangement and quality of furniture was not very functional,” she explains. “I worked with [the client] to select fabrics, patterns, and textures that would bring more harmony and cohesiveness to the home.” In the great room, specifically, Conti was able to calm the space and make the grand room feel cozy, incorporating furnishings that “hug you,” she says. Most of the furnishings throughout the home were custom, some of which Conti designed herself, ensuring color and fabric selections would work well for the home’s many visitors.

Downstairs, a casual-style family room, which Conti just recently finished, prioritizes family-friendly functionality. “When her grandkids come over now, there’s a place to play games and watch movies,” she says. “I created an experience for her in that space that has really changed the way she interacts with her grandchildren and family.” And with a flexible layout, the room also acts as a secondary dining area when the homeowner is entertaining.

But Conti’s favorite room in the home is the lower-level guest bedroom—complete with a dramatic G P & J Baker wallpaper that features blue hydrangeas and birds. With goals of making the room feel warm and inviting, Conti also custom-designed an upholstered bedframe and worked alongside a cabinetmaker to craft perfectly sized nightstands. The resulting room is described by Conti and the homeowner as “cocoon-y,” with Conti stating, “I’m so drawn to this space. The client said to me, ‘Sarah, if you ever need a break, you can just come and sleep in this room. This could be your room.’”

As the project nears completion, Conti’s focus is now on the finishing touches—from updating the lighting to refreshing the window treatments. “To be honest, I’ve touched every space in this house,” she says. And although the team is still wrapping up the final details, the client now truly feels at home. “All her friends and family that come to visit, whether it be for personal, social, or business gatherings, continue to compliment her on her house. They stay. They linger. They feel at home in her home.”

Bringing the Outdoors In

Aulik Design Group

Photo by Spacecrafting

In today’s fast-paced world, the desire to slow down and reconnect with nature has never been more prevalent. As we seek solace in our homes, natural elements are making their way into many different forms of design. And while some homes boast a completely biophilic approach, there are smaller, simpler ways of bringing the outdoors in.

Light & Connectivity

Natural light is the cornerstone of any nature-inspired interior. Prioritizing light in spaces not only brightens things up but also fosters a sense of openness and connection with the outdoors. Take this primary bath by Home Design by Annie, for instance, in which the bathtub is positioned in its own bright, open area. Framing views of both the property’s gazebo and the lake, expansive windows on each side offer effortless connection with the island setting.

Natural Materials

Embrace the warmth and authenticity of natural materials to evoke an earthy, grounded feeling within your space. In this rustic Rochester bathroom by Interiors by J. Curry, dark and cedar wood tones, herringbone wood-look tile floors, and pebble tile all work together to create feelings of an outdoor retreat. Sculpted large-format tiles on the shower walls also contribute to the nature theme, with patterns mimicking the natural trickling of water.

Earthy Colors

Warm browns, soft greens, and calming blues evoke feelings of tranquility and create effortless harmony with exterior spaces. This bathroom project by Citydeskstudio is a perfect representation, boasting a wall of green, yellow, and cream tiles. The accent wall, which stretches the length of the space, shimmers in the glow of natural sunlight.

Water

Perhaps the most under-recognized means of connecting interiors with nature, water features bring a natural ambience to homes. Whether it’s a small indoor fountain, a fish tank, or rain shower, the sound and sight of water encourage relaxation and rejuvenation. But this spa conservatory by Conservatory Craftsmen takes nature-inspired design to the next level. The glass lantern design allows hot air to be released by an automated window that connects to the outdoors.

Greenery

No nature-inspired interior is complete without the addition of greenery. Not only do plants improve air quality, but they also add vibrant pops of color to any room. In this kitchen by Kenzo Construction and Milton House Design Collective, subtle pops of green bring life (both figurately and literally) to the main workspaces.

Picture-Perfect Patio Furniture by Loll Designs

Photos courtesy of Loll Designs  

The long-loved Platform One collection at Duluth-based Loll Designs has expanded with new products including a chaise lounge, daybed, and swivel table. Initially launched in spring 2020, “the collection was designed to be modular and built upon from day one, and by its namesake, it is truly a great platform to build on,” says Brian King, brand and marketing director at Loll Designs. Using the full-length cushions from the original Platform sofa as a base, the Loll Designs team discovered that removing the backrests and using them like beds created a new lounging solution that worked perfectly for patios and poolside living. “And of course, if you’re lollygagging poolside, it’s nice to have a cool beverage next to you, which is why the integrated swivel table was added as well,” King explains.

These new product offerings come with customizable colors, fabrics, and styles. Pair them with original items from the collection—such as the sectional sofa, coffee table, or ottoman—for a completed, cohesive look.

Visit here to browse the new pieces.

Platform One Daybed With Table (Charcoal Grey, Cushion Fabric Color: Cast Silver), $2,595 | Platform One Bolster Cushion (Cushion Fabric Color: Cast Silver), $295 | bläanks + loll Throw Blanket (Rugiada/Greggio), $225

Platform One Chaise Lounge (Charcoal Grey, Cushion Fabric Color: Cast Silver), $2,245 | bläanks + loll Throw Blanket (Rugiada/Greggio), $225 | Chilewich Round Floor Mat (Denim), $695 | Tall Lollygagger Lounge Chair (Charcoal Grey), $895 | Satellite End Table (Sky Blue, Round, 18-inch), $295

Platform One Chaise Lounge (Charcoal Grey, Cushion Fabric Color: Cast Silver), $2,245 | bläanks + loll Square Pillow (Carallow/Rugiada/Greggio), $145