House Tour: Maria Brito's Art-Filled Apartment

Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours

Art collector Maria Brito treats ShelterPop to a tour of her New York City apartment -- where a fine art painting sits on a wall above a thrift store table and a stool from West Elm. We love this woman.

Maria Brito has created a memorable apartment by making bold choices when it comes to color and art. However, Brito doesn't describe herself as a decorator or designer (though she is both), but rather as a "life styler." While I was dubious of this unusual title, speaking to Brito I came to realize that while her approach to decorating is unique, it makes a lot of sense.


The usual descriptors didn't quite fit her services: In addition to traditional interior design services, Brito also works with clients to build art collections and even offers advice on purchasing and investing in wine. Says Brito of her work, "It's about making your life a little more stylish -- a little better" -- whether it's through a beautiful piece of art, a well-dressed home or a killer bottle of wine.

Here's how Maria Brito combined art, decor and style to create her happy home.

In Brito's living-dining space, she has mixed and matched her furnishings boldly. You don't need to buy your furniture in sets of perfectly matching wood, but Brito notes that a room will look more pulled together if you select wood furniture whose tones relate to one another, as she has done in her own living room.

Throughout Brito's home walls hung with art are either white or off-white. Brito notes, "If you change the color of the background, you change the perception of the color. I believe in respecting the artist's point of view." Likewise, Brito advises people to hang art at a level that is comfortable for the eye and invest in frames that show off your artwork to maximum effect. If you've bought a piece of art, but are unsure of how to frame it, ask the gallery or artist for advice, says Brito. "No one knows a piece as well as the artist."

Having a kitchen open to her living space means Brito is extra careful to keep everything neat and tidy. Following her rule that woods should relate to one another, the cabinets of her kitchen are in palette with the wood of her dining table and chairs nearby.

Living in an apartment, Brito has made the most of every nook and cranny in the space. For example, one corner shows off Brito's knack for mixing cheap-chic finds with pricey purchases: A fine art painting sits on a wall above a thrift store demi-lune table and a ceramic stool from West Elm. "The whole mix is what makes it home," says Brito. "It's not about buying everything in one store; it's about buying the most creative stuff."

A true wine connoisseur, Brito and her husband wanted a place to store their vino in their apartment. A traditional wine cellar was out of the question, so Brito converted a closet into a wine storage unit with insulation, a cooling system and wooden racks purchased in Napa Valley. The resulting "cellar" has struck a chord with friends and acquaintances and Brito has created similar units for other city-dwelling wine lovers.

With two small children, Brito has both her sofas upholstered in kid-friendly fabrics: The Italian sofa in the living room (at top) is an easy-to-clean ultra-suede and the den's sleek settee is covered in vinyl. Brito advises that families should reserve special fabrics, like the Missoni fabric on two of Brito's side chairs (also at top), for pieces your kids won't be climbing all over day in and day out.

Unafraid of risks, Brito wallpapered her powder room in a daring Fornasetti wallpaper -- the results are a playful and unusual surprise for visitors.

Wallpaper also makes an appearance in the master bedroom. Note: Brito does not hang art on top of wallpaper, as she thinks the two would compete with one another. For clients who are just starting out, Brito often will use wallpaper to cover bare walls. "When wallpaper is extraordinarily beautiful, you don't need art [in a room]," says Brito -- as long as you have art somewhere else in the home.

Walking into Brito's chic living room, you'd never guess that she is the mother of two young boys. Brito is a firm believer that children's playthings should stay in their own bedrooms or play rooms and not take over the entire house. Brito says the key is to get organized and make a place for everything. For example, in the cheery yellow bedroom above there's a place for every toy.

If you love taking virtual tours of stylish homes, check out these posts:
- Coastal Living magazine's Ultimate Beach House
- Lifestyle blogger Joanna Goddard's West Village apartment

 

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