Welcome to “Living by Design,” a series of insightful interviews with experts in the interiors industry inviting us to delve into their journeys, styles, and inspirations. Through intimate questions, these visionaries share their insights, challenges, and triumphs, offering readers a glimpse into the artistry and thoughtfulness that shapes their work.
Join us as we discover the musings that define the essence of living by design.
Laura Mann is the founder & principal art advisor at Pearl Rowe, a contemporary art advisory based in Ontario, curating art for individuals, interior designers, and corporate clients.
Laura has over a decade of experience in the Canadian contemporary art community, fostering relationships with art institutions and galleries, and working directly with emerging and established artists. We recently partnered with her to develop an innovative and inviting brand and digital presence; one that connects people with contemporary art, and makes the often intimidating industry feel welcoming and inclusive.
Design Journey & Style
1. How would you describe your design style in three words or less?
Minimal, Collected, Textured
2. Where is home for you? What do you love most about it?
We live in mid-town Toronto, in an old, red brick 1930’s house that we renovated (twice!). I especially love the combination of vintage details in contrast to the sharp contemporary architectural elements — like the black metal exterior stair tower that we added. Inside, we worked really hard to create clean lines so that everything felt harmonious and prioritized two things: having great “art walls” and directing attention to the views of the ravine behind our house.
3. What past experiences have shaped your style?
I used to love stuff. I always collected things as a kid, but over time, I have come to really refine my style and created more discipline around what we bring into our home and shifted to a more minimal aesthetic. Now, it’s all about purposeful pieces in neutral tones and adding textures with a mix of materials.
4. What led you on the path of starting your own business?
I’ve always been passionate about contemporary art and want to help people navigate how to collect and live with more meaningful artworks. After expanding a NY-based art advisory firm to Canada, I recently launched my own firm PEARL ROWE that showcases my aesthetic in my own voice.
5. When it comes to your work, what brings you the most contentment and fulfillment?
I love sourcing and ideating about which artworks would be a great fit for a client and their home or office. It is most fulfilling when they understand the vision and share in the excitement. This typically happens after we install – sometimes it’s an immediate reaction, but just as often, it’s over time that clients realize just how much they enjoy living with meaningful artwork and months or years later are still talking passionately about the pieces they collected.
6. Could you share your top 3 sources for inspiration?
1.) In terms of practical sourcing, inspiration comes from visiting galleries, artist studios, and art fairs.
2.) I also love interior design – art sourcing inspiration often comes from watching the architecture and design process unfold and working in collaboration.
3.) and, of course, travel and time away to clear my head (doesn’t happen often with little kids around!).
“We all swoon over the picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy images, and want to imagine just inserting ourselves into the image. However, for it to become next level, it needs personal touches, the collected personal pieces and artwork that can tell a story about who lives in the home.“
7. What elements do you believe every thoughtfully designed home must possess?
A reflection of the homeowners and their unique story and values. We all swoon over the picture-perfect, Instagram-worthy images, and want to imagine just inserting ourselves into the image. However, for it to become next level, it needs personal touches, the collected personal pieces and artwork that can tell a story about who lives in the home.
8. What’s the best interior design advice you’ve ever received?
That simple and minimal is actually harder to achieve. With a “less is more” approach, each item really stands out – from the architectural details and finishes, to the purposeful artwork – everything is more visible and therefore needs to be just right.
9. And the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Marry a lawyer – they can take care of the paperwork. 😉
10. What’s one thing you wish clients knew about you or your process before starting a project?
Often, making a decision on the first piece is the hardest, and once we get through that stage, there is so much more trust and enjoyment out of the experience of collecting art together.
11. Name some Instagram accounts that you find enjoyable to follow.
Literally hundreds of artists and galleries from all around the world – too many to name.
Followed by hundreds of interior designers and architects…
In the lead up to the launch of PEARL ROWE, I was especially inspired by two fashion-based accounts who talk about honing your personal style, and I felt like that really resonated with me as I defined the look and feel for this new company:
One important takeaway is knowing who you are, what you stand for, and what feels best. The way they both talk about fashion/clothing is similar to how I think about connecting clients with art.
And I’ve loved listening and following @Secondlifepod for years — Hilary Kerr’s podcast interviewing women in their “second life,” their second career and the experiences that have shaped their lives.
12. If you had to choose, what’s your favourite colour scheme/palette to work with?
I love a neutral palette as a starting point and then the integration of deep, rich hues and textures in the design elements. When it comes to the art, we can dial up colour in some key spaces, or maintain that neutral base by sourcing works in different mediums, such as sculpture and textile.
13. What are you working on at the moment?
Currently, we are tackling a few corporate collections outside of Toronto, each one with a different design ethos and approach to collecting. I’m excited to see them come together in the next couple of months.
14. What do you do outside of work to design a life you’re proud of? What brings you the most joy?
Outside of work, I am with my husband and two boys. Joy around here comes from baseball!!
I wish I could say I am exposing my kids to art, but we haven’t quite managed that yet. At least they live with the art in our home and (for the most part) are pretty respectful (unless trying to play baseball inside the house which is less than ideal…).
Take Ten: Fast Favourites
Design Book:
Right now it’s “New Cosmopolitan Living” — a beautiful hardcover book that includes one of my clients’ homes! There’s nothing quite like seeing your work in print!
Travel Destination:
London – I lived there and it feels like a second home.
Signature Scent:
Whatever I “borrow” from my mom. 😉
Family Tradition:
I’m known as the family historian, each year I make a family photo album documenting everything that happened during the year… I guess I still love print.
Quote/Motto:
My husband says I’m a “do-er”… because I love to get things done.
Pattern or Solid:
Textured solid.
Design Trend You Think Will Last:
Personal mementos and vintage pieces.
Shop:
All online.
Room In Your Home:
Living room – it’s very serene.
Wardrobe Staple:
Jeans and button down shirt – my favourite ones are from T.LINE, a female-owned Canadian brand.
Latest Purchase You’re Loving:
A new artwork for our family room that I am obsessed with!
As we conclude this interview with art advisor Laura Mann, we hope her journey and feature in our Living by Design series has sparked a sense of inspiration within you. Consider this your open invitation to delve into more intimate stories to discover what defines the essence of living by design.
Explore Laura’s work on her website and Instagram.
Photos by Lauren Miller, Jules Lee, and Kevin Belanger.
