Guest Curator
Avenue of the Stars: L.A. Nightlife Design Mavens Guest Curate An Exclusive Collection of Art
We’re thrilled to have interior designers Andrea DeRosa and Ashley Mahanfrom Avenue Interior Design guest curating an exclusive collection of art as part of our ongoing Guest Curator series. No strangers to the online space, these two are the tastemakers behind I Heart Design by Avenue. Read on to discover the role art plays in their lives, first piece of art they bought, the artists they’d most like to meet, and the last great exhibition they attended.
(Image: Andrea DeRosa and Ashley Mahanfrom)
Since founding Avenue Interior Design in 2009, Andrea and Ashley quickly positioned themselves among the ranks of Los Angeles’s most sought after interior designers in the hospitality industry. Taking inspiration from fashion and jewelry, far away places, beauty trends and movies, Andrea and Ashley create unique, diverse and dynamic interiors for some of the hotel industry’s heaviest hitters. After years of searching for the perfect online art resource, they came across Saatchi Art’s enviable selection of original paintings, photography and prints from up and coming artists. Check out the pieces they can’t live without.
Cleo Restaurant designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
How would you describe your personal style?
Our personal style is always fresh, clean, practical, sophisticated, and feminine. We love to try new things and take a little risk.
How would you describe your taste in art? What are you most drawn to?
The artwork we love must be compelling. It could be a strong color statement, a graphic pattern, or a softly dramatic abstract wash of color. Overall, we’re drawn to contemporary, modern art that is textural (rather than figurative).
What role does art play in your life?
Art plays such a big role in our everyday lives. We pull inspiration from art all the time and when it comes to an interior, it largely sets the tone and defines the style of the space.
The Redbury Library designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
What do you collect?
We’re constantly mixing found objects like large stones, with vintage ceramic accessories, boxes, and glassware. Small works on paper from various artists, especially watercolors (by Happy Menocal) create fun vignettes.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, which would it be?
Anything by Efran Isaza.
The Redbury Room designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
Which artist would you most like to meet?
Past: Dennis Hopper. Present: Jeff Koons.
What was the first piece of art you purchased?
Andrea: My first piece of artwork was a gift from the phenomenally talented David Jensen. It’s a painted canvas that defines every room it’s ever lived in.
Ashley: My first piece was also a gift—a pair of paint by number horse portraits from the 1950s.
The Redbury Glade designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
What was the last museum or gallery you visited?
Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Favorite city to explore/experience art?
Los Angeles, New York, and Paris.
The Sayers Club bar designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
Abstract or Figurative? Abstract.
Color or Black + White? Black + White.
Digital or Analog? Digital.
Bacon or Basquiat? Basquiat.
Murakami or Mondrian? Murakami.
Rothko or Ruscha? Rothko.
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Rolling Stones.
The Sayers Club overview designed by Avenue Interior Design. (Image: Courtesy of SBE)
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