I’ve always believed that the most compelling rooms begin with a single, anchoring element, and more often than not, for me, that’s a piece of art. Letting artwork lead the design direction invites a sense of cohesion and intention into a space. It becomes the visual thesis from which everything else flows,palette, proportion, even negative space.
When I first saw Botanique Noir by Josh Young, I immediately knew it would serve as the conceptual cornerstone for the room. The piece struck an emotional chord, and from a design perspective, it offered a masterclass in contrast: softness and structure, light and shadow, restraint and romanticism. The painterly florals evoke nature in an abstracted, atmospheric way, an approach that resonates deeply with my aesthetic sensibility. Rather than taking a literal interpretation of florals, I leaned into layered textures and natural finishes to echo the tonal complexity of the piece, moody colorwashed walls, organic textiles, patinated brass, and millwork that feels timeless yet tailored. The Castello frame from Framebridge, with its antique-inspired detailing and rich wood finish, adds a sense of grandeur and architectural weight, bridging the art seamlessly with the room’s design and architectural elements.
I wanted the space to feel vibrant, expressive, and alive, so we played with saturated hues, playful prints, and unexpected silhouettes. But with all that movement, Botanique Noir brought balance. Its quiet drama offered a counterpoint to the brighter elements, a kind of visual gravity that kept everything tethered. This painting wasn’t just décor, it was the muse. And in letting it lead, every element in the room found its place, purpose, and poetic rhythm.
Like so many, I first discovered Josh’s work through Instagram back in 2018 when we were both living in New York. I was instantly drawn to the way he created layered, intentional vignettes that felt simultaneously storied and modern. His aesthetic stood out, rooted in classical beauty but never bound by tradition. When he launched his Bloom Collection, I knew that someday, one of his pieces would live in a home of mine. So, one of the first things I did after purchasing our historic Connecticut home last year was reach out to Josh and let him know I was finally ready. I trusted his eye completely. I shared what I was envisioning and knew I wanted something expansive, a single work reimagined as a series of four framed pieces. There’s something so compelling about the way breaking up an image elevates its impact; it becomes a focal moment, drawing your eye in and allowing the artwork to breathe within the space while simultaneously expanding it.
I’ve always believed framing is an extension of the artwork itself, it’s the architectural punctuation that completes the story. While I naturally gravitate toward traditional design, I find beauty in unexpected contrasts. It’s that interplay, refined meets raw, classic meets contemporary, that brings depth and tension to a space. For this piece, it only felt appropriate to select a frame from Josh’s collaboration with Framebridge. I chose the Castello with the Oversized Warm White Mat and Float Mount. The crisp profile paired with generous matting and the float mount technique allowed the artwork’s raw edges to take center stage, creating the illusion that the piece is gently suspended within the frame. I appreciate that Framebridge’s offerings are curated but never overpowering; each frame feels like a quiet complement to the art. Ultimately, the right frame should elevate the work while living in harmony with its surroundings. For me, it’s always about balance: quiet sophistication with a whisper of boldness.
When it comes to styling a room, I always start with a feeling. What emotion do you want to evoke when you walk into the space? Artwork should support that. I view framed art not just as a decorative layer but as a narrative tool. It can ground a space or set it alight, depending on the story you’re telling. My philosophy? Don’t be afraid to scale up. Framed art that fills a wall with intention adds architectural weight and soul. And always think about context: the art should speak to the space but not repeat it. It should be in conversation with your furnishings, finishes, and personal story.
Start with a feeling
When it comes to styling a room, start with a feeling. What emotion do you want to evoke when you walk into the room? Artwork should support that. I view framed art not just as a decorative layer but as a narrative tool. It can ground a space or set it alight, depending on the story you’re telling. My thoughts? Don’t be afraid to scale up. Framed art that fills a wall with intention adds architectural weight and soul. And always think about context: the art should speak to the space but not repeat it. It should be in conversation with your furnishings, finishes, and personal story.
When I finally saw the room come together with these framed pieces, it felt like the moment the space finally exhaled. The addition of the artwork was the final stroke, it brought the room to life in the most elegant, effortless way. I’ve already started dreaming up new corners of the house where more framed pieces could live. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing an idea translated into form, especially after imagining it for seven years.
I wanted something that felt poetic and grounded, soft and feminine yet architectural and masculine. There’s this balance I’m always trying to achieve. Josh’s Bloom Collection was the perfect starting point. There’s a quiet strength in his tonal florals that resonated with the energy of our home. I knew I wanted to echo the symmetry and structure of the space, so I worked closely with Josh to select a bloom that could be reinterpreted as a four-panel installation, similar to something I had seen of his and fallen in love with years ago. For framing, I chose clean, gallery-style frames in a soft white with generous matting to elevate the art and give it presence without overwhelming the room. The result is minimal yet warm, elegant but approachable.
Seeing the final pieces hung feels deeply personal, like the room is finally telling the story it was meant to. There’s a sense of permanence, of intention realized. Every time I walk past the pieces, I feel that same spark of inspiration that drew me to Josh’s work in the first place. Framing them so thoughtfully for our living room, just off the home’s entrance, made all the difference. It transformed the pieces into heirlooms in the making.
