Have you had a chance to shop the Australia Beach Sale yet? In this week’s Start With Art post, designer Marissa Adler is showing us how she decorated her outdoor entertaining space inspired by the print Bondi Beach, Sydney. We love how she played off the colors and made the space feel like a summer destination right in her own backyard. Keep reading to get inspired...

Hi everyone, I’m Marissa. I’m a wife of 15+ years, a working mother of 3, and a bit of an “accidental” interior designer. My first professional exposure to home design came through my experience of owning a home décor business for more than 11 years. Through that experience, I began going into customer’s homes for design consultations more and more frequently; until I decided to take a leap of faith and sell the retail stores to focus exclusively on interior design. In retrospect, I realize that my love of design actually started well before I can even remember. I have always been energized, inspired, and daydreamed about pulling together patterns and colors and borrowing from one space to re-arrange another. Like any artist, I feel like your personal style and what you aim to convey through your work evolves over time based on your life experiences and point of view. In this season of life, I feel like I am specializing in creating highly-functional and livable environments that emphasize the artistic elements of things that are traditionally mundane or functional. I believe in the opportunity for all aspects of a room to be simultaneously lovely, inspiring, and purposeful.

How would you define your interior design style?

I would define my interior design style as eclectic transitional. I love pulling ideas and accents from the great design traditions that have gone before, while adding the convenience and freshness of our modern culture and materials. I aim to create environments for gathering people back together to enjoy what speaks to our souls. Creating atmospheres for life to happen is why I do what I do. I believe environments thoughtfully created can add so much value and richness to our everyday moments and interactions.

What drew you to Bondi Beach, Sydney from Gray’s À la Plage series?

I selected the Bondi Beach print framed in black for its bright and contrasting colors, and the sweet, nostalgic slice of life it represents. I knew I wanted to use it in our cabana kitchenette where life is best when it happens a little slower, and where relaxing and appreciation of rest is the name of the game!

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

I initially chose this particular print for this space because I was drawn to the scale of the print. The immensity of the ocean is juxtaposed to the delightfully smaller and vibrantly colorful umbrellas. The cabana room I have placed it in has large picture windows covering both sides of the room and a high-vaulted ceiling. Those elements made the splash of color, the grand scale of the subject matter of the print, and the way that it’s content compliments lots of bright, natural light the special things about the print that made me feel like it was a perfect match for the design and spirit of the room.

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

I think art is the perfect place to start when designing any space, and one that is frequently undervalued. Art is such a powerful reflection of individual taste, style, and interests, and you simply can’t go wrong with a beloved piece of art as a starting point when your goal is to design a space for a client to really love! Building off the unique things that you love about a piece of art will always result in a space that speaks to your soul and conveys a cohesive theme for the design of the environment. If it’s the feelings you get when you see it, draw out that emotion. If it’s the color you love, build off that. If it’s a unique form or shape, play off of that! Lovely design always happens in layers and starting with art as a foundation will always ensure you love living in the finished space.

Ready to bring home your own piece of paradise? Shop the entire Australia Beach Sale here and bring home a print that will make your home feel like summer all year round. Stay up to date with Marissa on her Instagram and website.

Cheers!

Team GM