The Art-First Approach: Color, Pattern, and Personality in Interior Design with Natalie Papier
In this episode, I talk with Natalie Papier about her new book, “Start With the Art”. Natalie explains why the art you choose—whether it’s from a flea market, your kids, or a gallery—can and should be the starting point for designing a room. We discuss how art can shape color palettes, patterns, and materials, and why it tells the real story of a home. Natalie also shares examples from her own spaces, advice on experimenting with paint and scale, the importance of adding humor (think six-foot fiberglass ostrich), and personality to your interiors.
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
I recently had the chance to sit down again with designer Natalie Papier—this time to talk about her new book, Start With the Art. If you’ve followed her work on Magnolia Network’s Artfully Designed or seen her colorful interiors featured in Domino or Better Homes & Gardens, you already know she brings a bold, whimsical approach to design. In our conversation, we talk why she believes art should be the foundation of a home, not the afterthought.
Why Art Comes First
Most people think of art as the finishing touch—something you add once the paint is dry and the furniture is in place. Natalie wants us to flip that thinking. “It’s not about the price point,” she told me. “You could be at a flea market or in a gallery. The question is: what’s grabbing your eye and why?”
That’s the starting point. A child’s drawing, your grandmother’s quilt, a painting that makes you smile—these are the pieces that tell your story. Natalie argues they deserve to set the tone for everything else in a room.
Building a Room Around a Painting
One of my favorite moments in our talk was when Natalie walked me through examples from her book. In one room, a Theodora Miller painting of three joyful women dancing inspired everything: the teal walls and ceiling, the terracotta chair, the pinks and oranges in the rug, and even the black-and-white squiggle pillows that echoed the whimsy of the art.
In another space, she showed how a bold hot pink sofa only worked because a nearby painting carried that same pink into its composition. Remove either element, she explained, and the impact is lost.
Taking It Further
I loved hearing Natalie describe her own former bedroom in Oak Park, Illinois. She had found an abstract painting at Randolph Street Market and used it as the anchor for the whole space. A charcoal gray ceiling softened the room, black doors picked up lines from the art, and a blanket she discovered at a London flea market tied it all together.
Her takeaway? Don’t stop at simply hanging the art. Ask yourself: could the piece inspire a wall color, a ceiling treatment, or even the textiles in the room? Sometimes just a little more intention can make a space sing.
Stories Behind the Pieces
One thing I admire about Natalie is her openness to “just buying the thing.” In her own home, that has meant a six-foot fiberglass ostrich named Beyoncé greeting guests in the foyer and a mannequin’s legs sticking out of a mid-century hutch. Both are unexpected, quirky, and playful. “Don’t you want those moments of levity in your house?” she asked me. I couldn’t agree more.
She also talked about two projects where items that had been sitting unused in her garage finally found their perfect spots: four vintage wood panels became a dramatic headboard, and a scalloped wood dresser turned into a pool house vanity. Her point: if something draws you in, hold onto it. Eventually, you’ll find a way to make it work.
Paint, Patience, and Play
We both laughed about how many times we’ve painted a room the “wrong” color. Natalie shared her story of drenching her foyer in a blue inspired by a painting, only to realize it felt too overwhelming. Instead of giving up, she adjusted—repainting some walls white and leaving the blue on the ceiling and one focal wall. That small change gave the whole space breathing room.
For her, these experiments are part of the process. Paint is relatively easy to change. It’s much less risky than buying a $10,000 sectional that doesn’t fit.
Designing with Two Voices
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Natalie about something I hear from many listeners: “What if my partner and I don’t share the same style?” She compared it to marriage therapy. Both people deserve to feel heard. Her advice is to start small—add color in subtle ways, find areas of overlap, and take baby steps until both voices feel represented.
The Heart of Slow Style
What I took away from talking with Natalie is how closely her approach lines up with the principles of Slow Style. Begin with what matters most to you. Let your home tell your story. Be willing to experiment and adjust along the way. And don’t be afraid to add humor, whimsy, or even a six-foot ostrich if it makes you happy.
Natalie’s book Start With the Art is packed with examples, photos, and practical advice. If you’ve ever felt stuck about how to begin designing a room, her approach is a fresh and inspiring way forward.
Until Next Time
-Zandra