Fine Art

Designing Interiors with The Art Edit

30 January 2025

MacAulay MacAulay

We are delighted to present MacAulay MacAulay's five selected lots in our next edition of The Art Edit. Here Rosy and Johnny, the successful brother-sister team behind the new firm, take a closer look at their favourite works, sharing advice on how to incorporate them into interior spaces.

The Art Edit

Explore our 11 February live online auction.

LESLIE MARR (BRITISH 1922-2021)

GLEN CAITLIN, 1975

Signed and dated '75 lower left, inscribed with title and dated to canvas overlap verso, oil on canvas

76cm x 92cm (30in x 36.25in), unframed

£500 - £800 + fees

Art in interior design can play a pivotal role. It is not just a decorative element; it can evoke a constellation of emotions and breathe life into a room to generate a cohesive and dynamic environment. One important element to consider is scale. This unframed piece by Leslie Marr is almost a metre wide. By no means does bigger mean better, but it is worth considering that a larger piece of art can offer significant impact and should be placed in an area that can present it with the power that it deserves. For example, exhibited above a fireplace, in between floor to ceiling windows, or hanging on a picture chain from a dado rail in a vast stairwell are but some options. But there is also an argument that flaunting a large piece of art in a smaller room can become an invitation to enter the panoramic scene that now dominates such a room. Using art as a focal point in this way can create a strong visual anchor and has the ability to transform a space into what can feel like a daydream.

WILLIAM MACTAGGART P.R.S.A., R.A., F.R.S.E., R.S.W. (SCOTTISH 1903-1981)

CHURCH THROUGH THE TREES

Charcoal

19.5cm x 25.5cm (7.75in x 10in)

£400 - £600 + fees

Stacking smaller pieces of art together whether in a symmetrical or asymmetrical way can introduce personality to your home, in a way that can compete with the use of a large singular piece of art. The balance achieved will be important. Personal style can overcome a desire to follow conventional norms, but the rules on presentation are there to be acknowledged but not slavishly adhered to if the ambience of the room can be enhanced otherwise. Art usually should be hung at eye level, but such a rule need not apply to smaller, quirkier spaces. This charcoal drawing by William MacTaggart would be a perfect addition to a stacking set of artworks in a vertical narrow space, a cozy nook or tiny WC under the stairs. The optional addition of brass hanging picture chains running vertically between the art would be highly encouraged for a traditional Anglophilic approach.

ANNE REDPATH O.B.E., R.S.A., A.R.A., L.L.D., A.R.W.S., R.O.I., R.B.A. (SCOTTISH 1895-1965)

DISH OF FRUIT, 1958

Lithograph, 22/75, signed and numbered in pencil to margin, published by Harley Brothers Limited, with their blindstamp

the sheet 36.25cm x 54cm (14.25in x 21.25in)

£300 - £500 + fees

One approach to creating a rich and textured environment is to mix different art styles, sizes and mediums. Such collaboration will infuse any space with character, soul and individuality. Creating a space that reflects personality and personal style can be challenging. Consider choosing pieces that all have a common thread, whether this be colour or theme. This can also depend on how eclectic you wish the space to be - traditional art quite often will represent reality, whereas contemporary art will provide a different lens. This lithograph by Anne Redpath could be a dynamic addition to a gallery wall, something that certainly aligns with our more-is-more approach to decorating. A gallery wall is a wonderful opportunity to create a personal narrative and even conjure up a sense of nostalgia. The only rule of thumb would be to hang the frames close together rather than further apart to capture a mix of images in a dedicated space and develop the narrative.

JOHN BELLANY C.B.E., R.A. (SCOTTISH 1942-2013)

WOMAN WITH A HEADDRESS

Ceramic plate, signed lower right, signed verso

29cm (11.5in) diameter

£300 - £500 + fees

Integrating sculptural elements alongside paintings can add depth and a degree of eclecticism to a space. Using several ceramic plates in an interior, for example, flanking a kitchen door frame, can offer a three-dimensional aspect to a space that can be visually stimulating. Whether lined up in perfect symmetry, or sporadically placed in a haphazard fashion, ceramic plates can create a layered environment. The mishmash of painting and sculpture can emerge as an unparalleled combination, a feast for the eyes, a duet that serves to compose an interior that can feel both light-hearted and refined.

JOHN CAMPBELL MITCHELL R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1862-1922)

SUNRISE AT MACHRAINISH

Signed lower right, oil on board

19cm x 34.5cm (7.5in x 13.75in)

£600 - £800 + fees

Many interior designers will use art as a starting point and that can be an important feature to consider when planning the electrical and furniture layouts. Our approach tends to start with allowing the architecture to do the talking. Then we consider pieces the client may already possess and does not wish to part with whether this be art or furniture. Often, art and decorative elements are just built up over time. Pieces are collected along the way and begin to feel intertwined with the chapters of life. Whilst of course there is no right or wrong answer for the starting point in interiors, and the phrase ‘a house is never finished’ rings true, starting with the art can be a helpful point of reference if the space is a blank canvas. The colours in this oil painting by Scottish landscape artist John Campbell Mitchell would be an interesting starting point when considering the elements for an interior space. Extracting colours from the art can become the catalyst for the creation of a harmonious space. Plagiarism at its inspirational best.

Our Authors

MacAulay MacAulay

The studio offers a full interior design service for residential projects, from initial concept to installation. Their design philosophy is driven by a desire to translate the client’s aspirations into bespoke creations. An understanding of colour and harmony produces a refined, yet eclectic flavour of different eras, a cultural blend that conspires to produce timeless interiors. They favour an organic approach with an emphasis on antiques and vintage pieces, to create an intriguing narrative that challenges a pristine interior.