Who doesn’t love color? It gives life, meaning, and character to a space. Unfortunately, most people lack the courage to utilize and incorporate them in their designs. Luckly, Sehra Han isn’t most people. She works with Scarlett Designs, a full service interior design firm for residential and commercial spaces based in California.

The interior designer Sehra Han is the creative force behind Scarlett Designs’ iconic makeovers. With more than 8 years of experience, putting comfort and cheerfulness first, Han has created a variety of designs.“I like to use happy colors, I want people to be comfortable.”

Modern living room by Sehra Han

Sehra goes beyond the usual paint in exploring color; she loves incorporating fine art. According to Han you “definitely need it to bring the space to life and give it some color.”

Certainly bold color has been a trend for the last few years, but newer on the scene is a trend towards bold graphics. According to Sehra Han, “There is definitely more of a trend toward the graphic look. So a lot of bold colors, bright colors, patterns.”

Urban Zen living by Sehra Han

Miss Han is not only able to meet her client’s needs, but can draw inspiration from her clients that leads to beautiful and creative private and public spaces. More specifically, she says “The clothing they are wearing…what kind of hobbies they have. I take a lot of cues from their lifestyle.”

Modern family room by Sehra Han

Simultaneously her most challenging project and her most gratifying has been the recent HGTV‘s White Room Challenge. With only a week and $1500 to design an entire room, Han had no time to sleep or eat, instead devoting herself entirely to the project. “That was the biggest time crunch that I have faced.”

With so much love for color, the designer picked Jessica Roth, a nAscent artist, as an inspiration. “I like the colors; they really stand out.”

nAscent artist Jessica Roth

She also expressed appreciation for Wynne Noble’s sculpture work. “They are so organic and it reminds me of coral or plant life in sort of a modernized sculptural way. It’s very interesting.”

nAscent artist Wyne Noble

-Yekaterina Sahakyan

Chicagoan Erica Lugbill’s masterful and professional works put her toe to toe with the very best. Despite having started her company, Lugbill Designs, just two years ago, Lugbill has already had Home and Garden Television feature her work, and she is busier than ever.

Interior designer of Lugbill Designs, photo from artist.

For this exclusive feature article, Lugbill gave The Bare Square an intimate look inside the mechanics of her colorful and creative mind. She creates an affordable and sustainable way of living.

Dining area by Erica Lugbill, photo from Lugbill Designs.

Commenting on her design style, she remarked, “I would describe my design style as modern elegance with hints of nature…My other inspiration is current fashion.”

Explaining her thought process of adding fine art in her interior designs, Lugbill said, “With every project, the first thing I ask the client is if they have any art that they love. I like to approach the design by using a specific piece of artwork as inspiration and I build the design off of that place.”

A bedroom artwork set designed by the artist, photo from Lugbill Designs.

Even in light of her company’s burgeoning growth, Erica remains humble, staying true to herself and her clients. Lugbill Designs offers a range of client services, including space planning, electrical planning, and color consultations.

When considering art for a project, Lugbill places her client’s interpretation first. “Some people do it [art] as an accessory, or as the last finishing detail, but I think art pieces reflect the personality of the space and the interest to the space. Because art reflects my client’s personality, I often have them personally select the art that inspires them.”

Another kitchen installation by the artist, photo from Lugbill Designs.

When asked which nAscent artists fit her design aesthetic, she chose Giuseppe DiLiberto and Erika Fortner as her two favorites. “My number one is Giuseppe DiLiberto. I love the intense earth-inspired colors and the graphic nature of the painting. Furthermore, I like how they’re nature-inspired without being a tree or a flower.”

Artwork by nAscent artist Giuseppe DiLiberto

“The other artist that I love is Erika Fortner. I love how soft her paintings are and her usage of color.”

Artwork by nAscent artist Erica Fortner

The Bare Square is proud to feature Erica Lugbill among its pantheon of rising and established design stars. Her artwork picks and fresh take on interior design inspire. Come visit us on Thursdays each week for the best Art in Design!

-  Paulina Tam [edited by Jen and James Wallace]

Interior designer Robin Wilson founded Robin Wilson Home in 2000, prompting a franchise of expert project managers and designers and successful product lines.

Robin Wilson

With Wilson’s eco-friendly touch for wellness, clients are provided with an affordable way to live in a clean, energy efficient, and non-toxic environment.

Though featured by HGTV, CBS, NBC, the  New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and House Beautiful, Wilson is most proud of helping her clients.

As a designer, Wilson likes to create interiors that are classic with a modern touch, while also utilizing her keen concern for the wellness of a space.

Chelsea Loft interior design by Robin Wilson Home (As seen on PBS Nightly Business Report)

NYC Luxury Condo interior design by Robin Wilson Home

On incorporating art into design, Wilson says, “Artwork is integral. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, you must make sure you like what you’re putting on your walls, that you’re not just buying art for investment value.”

nAscent Art New York, publisher of The Bare Square, has artwork to suit the most exclusive interiors. When asked to choose her favorite artist from among nAscent’s select emerging artists, Wilson highlighted the work of Erika Fortner.

nAscent artist Erika Fortner

Wilson enjoyed Fortner’s whimsical lyricism, stating, “The colors are vibrant, the brush strokes are bold and this would be the perfect artist for a collector who is looking for ‘classic with a modern touch.’”

“Designers have an obligation,” Wilson says, “To work with their clients to not just look at flooring and furnishings, but to bring artwork and the proper lighting into a space, to warm the room so that it represents the ‘look and feel’ of the interior.”

- Ava Cotlowitz

Interior designer and style expert Courtney Cachet has appeared everywhere from Vogue Italia to Better Homes & Gardens.

Courtney Cachet

Since the start of her business in 2003, Cachet has contributed regularly on Huffington Post Style and NBC shows like Open House NY and The Today Show.

Her good eye for design and heartwarming charm have skyrocketed Cachet’s television personality through her fast-growing franchise of interior makeovers, style tips, and product lines.

Cachet’s design style is generally a blend of modern and vintage, utilizing bold color and livable glamour.

Interior design by Courtney Cachet

On putting art into an interior Cachet says, “Art is what makes a space interesting. It really lends insight into who someone is.”

When asked about the artists of nAscent Art New York, publisher of The Bare Square, Cachet chose a few favorites.

For her designs, Cachet would recommend Marshall Jones for his intimate painting style and Kaileigh Osarczuk for her incredible light and color techniques.

nAscent artist Marshall Jones

nAscent artist Kaileigh Osarczuk

“Art makes a difference,” Cachet says, “It’s important to make sure a space is given the personality it deserves.”

- Ava Cotlowitz

[Editor's Note: What do you think of Courtney's picks? Visit our Facebook page and let us know your thoughts!]

As classmates in Cornell University’s Architecture program, Gideon Gelber and Benjamin Ascher know what it’s like to work side by side.

Gideon Gelber and Benjamin Ascher

Twelve years later, Gelber and Ascher co-founded Studio g&a, combining their finely crafted architecture expertise and technical color theory to create the perfect blend of an architecture and interior design firm.

Gelber and Ascher describe their architecture and design style as “Warm Modern,” having perfected a happy medium between comfortable, eco-friendly living and stylish, approachable spaces.

With Studio g&a in its eighth year, Gelber and Ascher’s projects have been recognized by media like The New York Times, New York Spaces, and HG Television.

Loft renovation in Tribeca New York City by Studio g&a – Cover story for New York Spaces

New Construction Coastal Residence in North Shore Long Island by Studio g&a – Award winning signature residence

While Gelber and Ascher have a remarkable sense of space and style, when it comes to putting art into an interior the duo says, “The search for art is almost always a collaborative effort; it’s got to be something that speaks to the client.”

After browsing through nAscent Art New York’s repertoire of artists, Gelber and Ascher highlighted Carlos Page for his imaginative assemblage of material and Lewis Folden for his whimsical compilation of composition.

nAscent artist Carlos Page

nAscent artist Lewis Folden

“Art is probably the most personal thing we put in a space,” Gelber and Ascher say, “So it has to be something the client finds interesting in a profound way, something they will want on their wall for a long time, to look at every day.”

- Ava Cotlowitz