Large walls in this home contain unexpectedly small works, making for surprising moments of intimacy. Camilla Wagstaff writes.
/ The home overall is unique in its effortless blend of 1970’s ranch modern architecture with mid-century Brazilian design. / Joshua Rice
When it came to renovating their dream home, the owners of this sprawling 1970s ranch in Dallas, Texas, wanted the spaces to reflect their rich and well-travelled life. Originally from Mexico City, the owners spent several years living in Brazil, where they fell in love with modernist design. They also fell in love with art, amassing an expansive collection of modernist and contemporary gems.
The collection stands out against a pared back neutral palette, with rich accents of rosewood and stunning pietra Greystone capturing Brazil’s warm and lively identity. “The home overall is unique in its effortless blend of 1970’s ranch modern architecture with mid-century Brazilian design,” says interior designer Joshua Rice. “The renovation allows for an expansive, open layout that enhances the flow of natural light. The unusually high ceilings amplify this effect, making the spaces feel grand and airy.”
The high walls also provide an ideal canvas for showcasing the art. Often, designers and art consultants are inclined to fill these larger spaces with comparably large works. But in this home, many of the larger walls contain unexpectedly small works. This makes for surprising moments of intimacy, the space intentionally left around the art elevating the importance of each piece.
The use of rare mid-century Brazilian pieces, many of which are crafted by renowned designers and sculptors, adds a layer of authenticity and parity to spaces throughout the home. Rice is particularly fond of the split-level sitting area near the entry. “This area has the most unique furniture layout and I love that it is separated but still cohesive with the main living area,” he says. A rare Movimento sculpture on the fireplace by Jaoquim Tenriero, more commonly credited as a furniture designer, does much of the heavy lifting here.
/ The use of rare mid-century Brazilian pieces, many of which are crafted by renowned designers and sculptors, adds a layer of authenticity and parity to spaces throughout the home. /
The work is paired with a sleek sideways sofa by Rikke Frost for Carl Hansen and a cohesive collection of designer armchairs gathered atop a vintage Oushak rug. The room is finished with a striking wall-mounted work by Peruvian sculptor Aldo Chaparro.
When it came to expanding the art collection, art consultant Temple Shipley wished to integrate works by North American artists into the client’s existing collection of largely Central and South American pieces. In the entrance hall, Shipley selected sleek, contemporary photographs by Paho Mann to complement the vintage character of the existing Brazilian furniture. The works are paired with the playful and irreverent Work Well Together by French street artist Mr. Brainwash.
A stunning mid-century bronze Bound Goat, Thursday by Californian Jack Zajac separates the living and dining spaces, elevating the plinth-like marble partition wall. In the main dining room, Shipley highlights the swooping lines of the Jorge Zalszupin rosewood dining table and RBW Palindrome light fixture, offsetting them with the loose brushstrokes of Fiona Weedon’s oil on canvas, Tears and Flowers. A series of Sol LeWitt 1980s silkscreen prints introduce a conceptual edge to the collection and round out the represented mediums.
Nancy Brett’s River sets the tone in the office, providing a calming backdrop for productive work sessions. “Like the large window on the adjacent wall, Brett’s painting of a snowy scene opens up the interior of the room to the outside landscape,” comments Shipley. The space is further framed with a set of Aim lamps by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Design for Flos and a bold rug from Atelier Agahzadeh.
While the final art curation in this home is clever and cohesive, the works would also be free to roam about the spaces as the collection changes. “I encourage readers to acquire artwork that could hang in several different rooms of their home,” concludes Shipley. “As a collection grows in volume over many years, having the flexibility to rotate artworks from one wall to another opens up a world of possibilities.”
Above: Fiona Weedon‘s painting Tears and flowers hangs on the main dining room wall and a series by Sol LeWitt hangs on the adjacent wall The Palindrome light fixture by RBW is suspended above the Jorge Zalszupin guanabara rosewood vintage dining table which is paired with vintage dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Two Vintage rosewood Diz chairs by Sergio Rodrigues sit in the piano room, while a sculpture by Aldo Chaparro energizes the space.
A rare Movimiento Sculpture by Joaquim Tenreiro is a stunning piece atop the fireplace mantel.
A mix of wonderful vintage and modern furnishings in the living spaces blends a modernist sensibility with contemporary design.