Ready for some work from home inspiration? For this week’s Start with Art feature, interior design Megan Hopp is giving her tips for creating an inspiring workspace and sharing how she styled Nesso Bridge Wooden Boat, Lake Como. Keep reading for Megan’s tips…

Hi everyone, I’m Megan! I have always loved interior design, I can't remember a time I didn't. I grew up going to garage and estate sales with my mom every weekend and building up an arsenal of furniture in our garage. While I ended up going to both undergrad and graduate school for theatre and pursuing that initially in NYC, I simultaneously had an obsession with interiors and took on any side project I could in the space. One day I got an opportunity to decorate a Matchmakers office in Manhattan, and while I did the initial job for free-she was really gracious about letting me design the space the way I wanted and recommending me to her clients and friends. From there I built my client book and portfolio and after years and years of figuring it out as I went and learning who I am as a designer I am really proud of what Megan Hopp Design has become today. I am known for colorful, pattern forward whimsical spaces, and as such attract those kind of clients!

How would you define your interior design style?

This may sound nuts but after being asked this question so many times, here is where I've landed-my design style is what I call a sophisticated circus. As I mentioned I have a background in theatre, not just as an actor/performer but as a writer, designer and producer and the type of theatre I love to watch and loved to make was surrealist and experience oriented, meaning it wasn't just about what you were seeing and hearing but rather what you experience all around you and how everything relates to one another. I'm obsessed with spatial relationship (if you want to go down a rabbit hole on this one check out Anne Bogarts View Points), which is essentially how things interact with one another and the environment they create based on where they are positioned in relationship to the space around them and each other. A quick glance at my portfolio one can quickly recognize that color and pattern are my lifelines when it comes to design, as well as a flair for the theatrical. I love old things, as well as inventing entirely new pieces and putting them side by side. I want everything to be chic and nothing a joke, but I want my rooms to be an experience, and a memorable one at that.

What drew you to Nesso Bridge Wooden Boat, Lake Como from Gray's La Dolce Vita series?

Speaking of experiences, what I love so much about Gray Malin's work is the experience it makes you have, as if you are there in the image, or could jump right in. As we all adjust to this new work from home life, my husband and I decided to seek a little more space outside of the city for the time being, and as such I needed to set up a desk area where I could feel comfortable but also as if I was in another place than right across the hall from our bedroom. I think the great advantage of a work from home space vs a traditional office is the ability to work in an environment where the decor and furnishings suit you better and reflect your taste. I knew I wanted to work in a nook with great natural light and have art depicting a beautiful scene that would fit the kind of day dreams I'm having nowadays. The Nesso Bridge Wooden Boat print elicits such a sense of nostalgia and wonder, it's the exact kind of place I want to be all the time...I haven't made it to Italy yet, but at least I can stare at it all day in the meantime.

What did you pick out as the most important elements of the print to incorporate into the space?

Color Palette was of course important when building out a work space around the piece. I already had the caned dining chair which I was thinking of using, and as such opted for the natural wood frame on the photograph to tie in the coloring of the chair perfectly. When it came to the desk, I felt as though I struck gold. It's of course a vintage piece and is actually an enamel top expandable kitchen table from the 1940's, however it was the perfect size for me, and chock full of charm. The pale distressed pink base mirrors the old pink building in the photo, and the green rim top echoes the water seamlessly. I used a vintage Italian alabaster table lamp as my desk light as a nod to the photograph’s location and to add a natural stone element to the space much like the buildings and bridge in the photograph.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to design a space and start with art?

Start with asking yourself how you want the space to make you feel, and from there think about what kind of art puts you in that place. I wanted to feel taken away but also comfy and nostalgic, and this photo did that for me. From there if you mirror the art in furnishings, decor, and color palette you're off to the races in creating an environment that will get you to that initial goal. You don't have to have everything match, (in fact please don't!), but chasing a feeling in design is often like following the north star and ultimately will get you in a literal space you want to be!

So, ready to give your work from home space a little bit of a refresh? Bring home a piece of art that inspires you with our Free Framing and Shipping promotion and give your workspace new life.

Keep up to date with Megan on her Instagram and website.

Cheers!

Team GM

Photography: Emma Hopp Photography | Emma Hopp