During the global pandemic of 2020 many of us were forced to stay and work from home. We at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh found that our community began to really take in the experience of living and working around the artwork in their homes. Whether it be just one painting purchased at a coffee shop a few years ago, or a collection amassed over many years, the joy of living with original artwork began to manifest for many. This is the second iteration of our online store: Living with Art.

For the second iteration of the store, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh worked with Lauren Piasecki, of Black Cherry Design to curate an online store featuring the works of our members. The store is designed to promote our member’s work and celebrate the joys of living with original artwork and supporting artists.

Shop the online store

Our Content and Creations Coordinator, Jamie Earnest, spoke briefly with Lauren about the value she sees in collecting artwork and how it plays into her interior design process. Read the Q&A below.

JE: Do you see collecting artwork as an essential part of interior design?

LP: Absolutely, a personal collection of artwork is like a personal collection of any type. It’s specific to you, your history, where you’ve traveled, the connections you’ve made with others throughout the years of your life and it can and should evolve and grow with time.

JE: As the owner of Black Cherry Design, how do you go about curating your for your clients vs. curating your own space & collection?

LP: For clients, I’m often introducing them to established and emerging artists either through direct connections and actually placing specific pieces within their designed spaces via 3-D modeling software or bringing physical work to them to see in their homes with their lighting and their furnishings. Many times, I’ll post artist’s work to my Instagram and clients will DM me about wanting to see more of their work and will ask me if it’s a good fit for their homes and/or businesses. I’m always thrilled to connect clients with local artists.

JE: How do you go about curating for your clients when it comes to artwork from local artists?

LP: I follow lots of artists on Instagram and online in general and I’m constantly taking screenshots of pieces and making mental notes of what work I should show clients. I also have a private Pinterest board for every project I work on where I save artwork, furniture, lighting, accessories and inspiration images.
Additionally, I’ll often coordinate a studio appointment or bring artwork to them on approval from the various artists.

JE: As trends are often coming and going within art and interior design, how has your personal collection changed over the years?

LP: I think my personal collection has become just that - more personal. As I’ve gotten older and more comfortable in my own skin and more confident in my designs, my taste has become bolder. I’m not afraid to own a piece that may be confusing or even a little offensive to some. I take more risks in my designs now and my personal style and artwork in my home is also a reflection of that.

JE: What advice would you give to someone who wishes to start collecting, especially amid the current times?

LP: My advice is to begin with a print or small work that you can afford and let your collection grow from that. I’ve moved artwork to different locations in my home once I started accumulating more of it and wanted to group pieces together and create little collections or “vignettes” that made sense in the spaces and among the other works. I could buy something new every week because I see so much incredible work, but it’s not always the right fit and once your collection has a direction, you know when it’s time to add something new or move something to a different room so it can take on a whole new life.

Living with Art & Design: A Q&A with Lauren Piasecki of Black Cherry Design