Art in interior design: why it is more than decoration

Over the years, we have noticed that some clients approach contemporary art with the same enthusiasm they bring to architecture. They visit exhibitions, follow artists, and occasionally leave galleries such as DSC Gallery, Kvalitář, or Bold Gallery with a new addition to their collection. It is not always about famous names or expensive pieces. More often, it is simply the joy of discovering something meaningful. Our role is not to choose art for our clients. There are people far more qualified for that. Our job is to create a space where art can thrive. Sometimes we design a place for a specific painting or sculpture that we know about from the very beginning. At other times, we create a flexible system that allows a collection to grow and evolve over time. And sometimes we simply leave room for the future. Because just as people gradually fill their bookshelves with books, they may also develop a relationship with art over the years. Experience has taught us that art enhances an interior. It adds personality, stories, and a layer that architecture alone cannot create. Some artworks need nothing more than a nail. Others deserve an entire space.

When we know about the art from the beginning

If a painting, sculpture, or object is truly important, it should already have its place in the design. Just like the dining table, kitchen island, or staircase. That is why we ask about art during the very first conversations. Not because we want to become curators, but because some decisions are much easier to make before the design is complete. In Vanguard, we knew from the outset that certain artworks would play a major role in the interior. The space was designed around them. A similar approach can be seen in Loft Hřebenky, where exposed concrete, steel, and contemporary art support one another naturally. People often assume that a strong architectural space needs bold furniture, dramatic lighting, and striking decoration. We think the opposite. When the architecture is strong enough, everything else can afford to be more restrained. Perhaps that is why we are so fond of combining exposed concrete with contemporary art.

Art in historic spaces does not have to rely on contrast

 When people talk about displaying art, the same formula often appears. White wall. Black frame. Strong contrast. And ideally, visitors should notice the artwork within the first few seconds of entering the room. But it does not have to work that way. In the Hradby project, we chose the exact opposite approach. Dark artworks were placed against steel arches and allowed to blend into the architecture rather than compete with it. We were not interested in creating contrast at any cost. We were interested in atmosphere and the relationship between materials. The result feels calmer. Perhaps less obvious. But that is exactly why we like it. Not every artwork needs a spotlight. Sometimes it simply needs the right company.

When a house becomes a gallery

Then there are projects where art is not an accessory. It is part of the original brief. That was the case with Villa Lučiny. From the very beginning, it was clear that the house would serve not only as a home but also as a space for displaying art. Ironically, that is exactly why we wanted to avoid creating a sterile white gallery. We could have left everything white. It would have been easier. But it would also have been boring. Instead, we designed a bold concrete floor finish that became part of the story of the house itself. Not as a competitor to paintings or sculptures, but as another layer of the space. A similar approach can be found in Villa Smrková. Here, we knew from the outset that the collection would evolve over time. The artworks on display would change, grow, and move. For that reason, we incorporated a cable hanging system beneath the ceiling, allowing paintings to be rearranged without constantly drilling new holes into the walls. Because a good art collection is never finished. Just like a good interior.

Art works best in unexpected places

And then there are the situations we enjoy most. The places where people do not expect to find art. Not above the sofa. Not above the fireplace. Not in the main hall. Quite the opposite. Some artworks are most powerful when discovered unexpectedly. In a corridor. On a staircase. Or even in a guest bathroom. Places where people pause for a moment and are not rushing anywhere. Perhaps that is why these moments often feel stronger than carefully staged focal points in a living room. Not everything interesting needs to reveal itself immediately.

Art needs space, not attention

Looking back at our projects, there is no single formula for working with art. Bold contemporary pieces often work beautifully in industrial spaces. Historic interiors sometimes benefit more from texture, material, and atmosphere than from contrast. Some homes become almost galleries. Others need only a single painting or photograph. The important thing is not how much art you own. The important thing is whether the space was designed to accommodate it. And perhaps there is one more thing. The best projects do not happen when an architect designs a beautiful interior and a client buys a few paintings afterwards. They happen when three things come together. An enlightened client. Architecture that creates the right framework. And art that has something meaningful to say. When that happens, art stops being decoration. It becomes a natural part of the home. And the home gains something that is very difficult to design. Personality.

What we have learned along the way

• Art is not something you buy a week before moving in.
• Not every empty wall needs a painting.
• Not every painting needs a white wall behind it.
• Industrial interiors and contemporary art often work surprisingly well together.
• Historic spaces do not always need dramatic contrasts.
• One meaningful piece can have more impact than an entire collection.
• The most memorable artworks are often discovered where nobody expects them.
• The best interiors emerge when architecture, art, and an engaged client work together.
   

od Radky - 17. 6. 2026