Now anyone that knows me knows that I love animals. Monkeys, Elephants, Goats, Horses, etc. but since none of those are allowed by my homeowners’ association, I have dogs. So I thought it was only fitting that I design an interior that incorporates some of William Wegman’s work. Wegman originally started out as a painter, earning a BFA and an MFA in painting. But what he is really known for are his photographs of Weimaraner dogs. The start of this life-long collaboration with Weimaraners occurred when he got his first one, Man Ray back in 1970. From there he built a career on the photography of his Weimaraners, Man Ray, Fay Ray, and Fay’s offspring: Battina, Crooky and Chundo. And later, their offspring: Battina’s son Chip, and Chip’s son Bobbin in 1999 and Candy and Bobbin’s daughter Penny in 2004. An entire generational tree of Wegman Weimaraners!
The art I used to complement Wegman’s is an acrylic piece, “La Ligne Tremlante” by Jack Roth. Which translates like it sounds, “The Trembling Line.” This particular piece completed in 1980, is representative of his paintings from the 1970’s and 80’s that were crisp, boldly graphic, and emphasized expanses of saturated color. Exploring this particular subject, he conceived a series of “La Ligne Tremlante” in 1980. Roth’s interests as a person and an artist were varied. He studied chemistry, literature, philosophy, music, mathematics and Zen Buddhism in addition to painting. As an artist he began working as an Abstract Expressionist, and evolved into Pop Art, then to Color Field Abstraction.
I kept the background for the artwork in this room somewhat neutral using Dunn Edwards DE6374 Silver Polish on the walls and wall to wall Jute floorcovering. The traditional style sofa has a clean profile which reiterates the neutral background. The side chair features the turned “bobbin” technique of the 17th century known as English “rural” style, and has raw rush at the back and seat with loose cushions upholstered in woven Jute Linen fabric.
The accent colors in the room include the rhubarb colors in the chair, and Moroccan motif print pillow. This is then repeated in the multi-colored vintage flat-weave Kilim area rug. The light fixtures include a French hand-forged iron chandelier and a floor lamp both in an Antique Bronze finish.
Almost all of the time spent designing a thoughtfully curated room happens long before the installation. But once we know where we’re going, we can get it done in about 58 seconds!
