For stylist and fashion designer Sarah Corbett-Winder, art isn’t confined to frames on the wall—it’s everywhere. She sees it in the bold stripes that run through her northwest London house, in the curated chaos of her handbag wall, even in a single lost loafer perched lovingly atop a painting. There are also striking contemporary works thoughtfully placed throughout the joyful home she shares with her husband, Ned, their children, and their dachshund, Margaret.
With a background in fine art, a fashion label of her own, Kipper, and a flair for playful maximalism, Corbett-Winder has created a space that’s deeply personal, ever-evolving, and full of stories. Here, she shares how she collects, displays, and lives with art—from treasured finds, paintings, and prints, to the children’s drawings that make her house feel like home.
Portrait of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
Tell us a bit about where you live.
Our house is in northwest London, Willesden Green. She’s a mock Tudor and semi-detached. Our house is a large work in progress—like a big canvas that we all, as a family, add to and work on. It’s a collection of memories, places we’ve visited, things we love, and art that we have created. Our home really is our world. Things are constantly changing, being moved around, and added to. We want you to feel like you leave the outside work behind you when you come into our home.
What role does art play in your home?
Art plays an enormous part in our home. Firstly, what isn’t art? I feel pretty much everything is art; our house is filled with art. I see my wardrobe and my wall of bags as art. Art is an amazing way to express yourself. I actually studied fine art at the Slade, so for me art has always played a hugely important role in my life. It brings me great joy to be able to collect art. Arranging a shelf or putting cushions on a sofa in a certain way is art. I see putting an outfit together as art. Your home is simply the frame for all your art to be created and lived in.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
Do you have different philosophies about art in different rooms?
Listen to the room. Also think about what you want to see and when. We have an amazing Slim Aarons edition hanging above our bath. Ned and I see it at the start and end of our days. We both want to be there—our minds escape there and it’s magical! One day we must visit our dream.
We also use one color to decorate some of our rooms—our kids’ bathroom is purely red, thus only red art can hang in there.
We also see art as a way to start conversation. We have the wonderful photograph of a man I’ve named “Keith” hanging in our hallway—he evokes so many questions from our guests! We also wanted there to be a big statement at the entrance to our house; Keith is like our own security guard.
What’s the first piece of art you ever bought?
A Hugo Guinness print of a pair of big black glasses. I have always been a huge fan of his work, and pride myself in having a great glasses selection, so it sort of seemed rude not to have it in my life. I saved up for her, and love her so much. She makes me smile, she reminds me of me, and brings me a lot of joy—which is what life is all about, isn’t it? Her hanging position is forever changing—and I think she likes it that way.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
Can you share a favorite piece in your collection right now?
I love our Claudia Valsells—we are actually super lucky and have three, but we don’t have them hanging together. They are all in our kitchen but spread out—two on our “gallery wall,” but far apart from each other, and one is opposite leaning on our kitchen surface. It’s up to you how and where you hang your art: Remember you make up the rules! I love them in our kitchen, because we all get to enjoy them a lot, also the light changes the colors they are. I adore the very chic earthy color combinations. If I was art I’d like to be one of these pieces!
Any meaningful stories or rituals around how you’ve acquired pieces?
We are always collecting—bringing things home from our travels. I even see our fridge as a piece of art, we always collect fridge magnets from our travels.
We have no rules on what goes in a frame —the Starbucks coffee cup my husband proposed to me on, the napkin I kept from our first date. Our son’s missing navy loafer sits on top of a painting—why can’t that be art? It can, and it reminds of the moment that I accidentally threw away one of his shoes.
Our kids’ art gets framed and that encourages them to create art. We have a desk for them all, near the kitchen, where they paint or draw every morning before school. They get great joy from seeing their art framed. Also, the freedom children have in their art is what adults are always longing for, isn’t it?! Art for us is a lot about memories, and capturing and savouring moments that we want to remember. Shells, rocks, postcards, invitations, they all get framed, or sit on our bookshelves. Our house is full to the brim—I like to call it organized clutter! If it makes us smile, it stays in our house!
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
How has your taste evolved over time?
I guess I have become more confident with my taste in art. I am much more open to new ideas and new pieces. And I have definitely become more focused on what I love than what I think other people will love. At the end of the day, it’s you that has to look and live with it!
Do you approach collecting art similarly to how you approach your own creative work?
Oh my gosh, totally the same! We try not to invest in too many trends, and try to really ask ourselves if we really love the piece and if it will work in our home. My main question is, does it bring you joy? And will you get bored of it over time? Or will it be your forever friend? I refer to my wardrobe as my family—and anything new coming in needs to fit with the rest of my wardrobe/family. I use this for new art coming into our home—it needs to be friends or related to what you already have.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
What’s your process when choosing a new piece for your space?
It’s instinctive but very much done with my husband, luckily we work well together and agree! Having said that, I appeared once with a green buoy—Ned thought I’d gone mad!
I think when you really love something you will find it a home. There is always room in your house for new art.
When it comes to housing your new finds, it doesn’t always have to be hung. We just navigate and live with it, but are never afraid to move things around. Ned always hangs our pictures lower than I would, but I’ve learned to love it. They’re more in one’s eye line, so you enjoy them more.
Are there any artists or artworks you’re currently excited about?
I have recently discovered Florence Houston—I’m obsessed with all her jelly paintings—I’m determined to get one into our house! Imagine a wall filled with her jellies! Sensational!
I am longing to own an Alma Berrow. I love the reaction Alma’s pieces create, also the joy they bring. I hope one day to have one in our home; they are a serious masterpiece.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
Interior view of Sarah Corbett-Winder’s home. Photo by Alicia Waite. Courtesy of Sarah Corbett-Winder.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start buying art? Especially someone who doesn’t know where to start.
Don’t be overwhelmed: Art can be anything. It’s up to you what art is. There are NO rules; you make the rules. Be guided by what you like, and what you want to surround yourself with. It’s your art collection and thus you make the rules.
What are some of your favorite works on Artsy right now? Can you share a few works you’re drawn to?
Oh my gosh! Yes, please. I’m drawn to things that make noise and make me smile.
Credit: Source link
