Proud to present
Introducing Sara Bruce, who followed her heart from the corporate world to one in which her artistic talents are put on display.
SEEKING A SEA CHANGE, A LOVE
of collecting saw Auckland’s Sara Bruce leave her job as a lawyer and embark on a new career as a stylist and dealer of vintage curiosities at online store myexhibition.co.nz.
“I was inspired to launch this business by two things, really. Firstly, a desire to create a brand that’s quite idiosyncratic and original. I wanted to get away from current trends and offer options that are a bit more personal. I hate the idea that everyone’s houses might look the same these days. Secondly, buying antiques and vintage is sustainable and that’s very important to me in these times of cheap mass-production and our quite wasteful, throwaway culture.
“I live in a classic old villa and our front room was barely used, so I stole it and filled it up with all my finds: furniture, ceramics, art and other bits and pieces. By the end of last year, it had evolved into a showroom.”
Clearly Sara has quite the knack for curating thought-provoking collections. On the following pages she shares four key insights into how to bring character to your interior. •
“Don’t be afraid to display what you love, irrespective of whether it’s ‘proper’ art, and feel free to change things around; I try not to be too worried about holes in the walls.”
1 Pick a theme
“I like arranging things according to colour palettes – my favourites are pale greens, blues and whites – then adding in something a bit unexpected to provoke a discussion, like an old backgammon board, a vintage artist’s palette or a table tennis bat. The My Exhibition ethos is object-driven and slightly eccentric – it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I tend to allow my arrangements to take on a life of their own because I’m all about using found pieces that are collected over time.”
2 Perfect the salon hang
“Start with one big piece and build from there. Don’t be afraid to display what you love, irrespective of whether it’s ‘proper’ art, and feel free to change things around; I try not to be too concerned about holes in the walls. Among my finds at My Exhibition are paintings by Mr Rogers, my artistic alter ego. I like to think he has a colourful past and an irreverent and unconventional attitude to life and his paintings, and is very opinionated – although his unique insights haven’t been shaped by formal artistic training!” •
3 Channel treasured moments
“If you’re aiming to add more character to your home, make a start by considering the things you’re drawn to. It might be items that evoke a childhood memory or recollections of a special place, or maybe you’ve recently stayed in an amazing hotel and fallen in love with the vibe. Look on Trade Me for pieces that fit the bill and visit second-hand stores and antique shops. Combine the preloved items you find with your contemporary stuff, mix up the price points and add to your collection when you travel. Don’t be concerned with displaying only what’s fashionable – just have fun, enjoy getting a bargain and feel good about living more sustainably.”
4 Draw from different eras
“Think of the Louvre museum in Paris and how beautiful it looks with the modern glass-and-metal pyramid at the entrance [designed by IM Pei and criticised by some as being inconsistent with the classic French Renaissance style and history of the building]. I love the juxtaposition of pieces from different eras – the more extreme the better. Be wary of introducing too many objects or your home will look like a junk shop, but don’t miss the opportunity to create an authentic mix.”