Where Art, Design and Architecture Meet

In the wake of Frieze London and the Affordable Art Fair London, the city feels quietly altered — as though a trace of every canvas and sculpture still hangs in the air. These events have prompted conversations in the Finkernagel Ross office – we enjoyed the immersive, watery abstract paintings of Francesca Mollett (below) as the interplay of light, depth and layered surfaces connects with our interest in the sensory experience of space. We also loved the juicy brushwork of painter Carrie Jean Goldsmith, reminiscent of Howard Hodgkin. We are reminded how powerfully art can connect with us, and how profoundly it can shape the places we inhabit.  

For some, a single artwork becomes the compass for an entire interior. A gestural mark finds its echo the sweep of a staircase; a quiet landscape painting sets the tone for a restrained, tactile palette. In other spaces, it’s the architecture that leads - light, proportion, material - with artwork introduced as characters on a well-lit stage. 

There is no single rule. When art and architecture are in conversation, they create something richer than either could alone. A painting can hold a wall with quiet authority. A sculpture can draw the eye into a forgotten corner. When they are in harmony, architecture becomes more than structure, and art more than ornament; together, they shape atmosphere.  

This dance extends well beyond the gallery or the private home. In restaurants and hospitality spaces, art can set the emotional temperature the moment a guest steps inside. A commanding mural can gather energy around a bar; a serene composition can slow the pace of a dining room and create a moment of pause and intimacy. In these environments, art is not a backdrop but a participant in the interior design - drawing people together, softening acoustics, deepening a sense of brand, character and story. 

At Finkernagel Ross, we often begin with a conversation about art, as opposed to approaching it as decoration or an afterthought. Our holistic approach includes discussing the pieces our clients live with, the ones they dream of, or simply the emotions they wish their restaurants, businesses and homes to hold. The artworks clients treasure become a starting point, allowing the architecture to act as frame, vessel, and stage. 

In the best spaces, the relationship between art and architecture is a conversation -endlessly unfolding.