The Art of Interiors

As a textile designer, my work is greatly influenced by painting and the other arts, which offer a rich visual language that we can borrow for our own purposes. Recently, I was struck by the work of Alice Neel in the “People Come First” exhibition presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Neel’s honest portraits provide an aesthetic language of painterly brush strokes and vivid color combinations that influenced the tone of materials selected for the Stahl House photo shoot.

In keeping with the mood of the moment, we wanted to create a material environment with an honest, natural quality, emphasizing texture rather than pattern. We did not want to use textiles that look or feel slick or synthetic. The Stahl House itself is all glass and steel. By employing fabrics that invite us to touch, we could create a more relaxed and comforting space, echoing the visual and tactile complexity of the natural world.

The color palette is upbeat and optimistic. We used soft, nurturing tones, as well as neutrals and some earthy hues reminiscent of colors used by mid-century designers and architects. Bright pillows bring in pops of color. The intent was to give each piece of furniture its own independent personality, while coordinating hues to create an environment that is both vibrant and natural, a look that’s modern and dynamic but also with a bit of whimsy.

The material vernacular plays well with the architecture of the Stahl House — its bold simplicity and the openness to the outdoors that seems to encourage a healthy way of living in the open air and sunshine. At the same time, all those sleek, hard surfaces could feel cold and austere. Layers of color — and especially, texture — help bring a more organic feeling to the house. Whether texture is perceived or actual, it creates a more comforting space, one that’s grounding and reassuring.

Design inspiration comes from users as well as the context of architecture. Our choices were not just about beauty, a pretty fabric for a sofa, but also simple utility and the multiple needs of people who inhabit a space that often serves dual functions. We chose heavy wools for its wonderful natural texture and its durability. We also used textiles with significant recyclable and biodegradable content. We’ve learned that prioritizing nature and the environment is more than just a good idea.

Textiles certainly serve a fashion function, an aesthetic function, but they must also address real human needs for comfort, warmth, and honest utility, allowing everyone to do what they do, whoever they are and in whatever space they occupy. We want to create spaces that people feel good in.

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