Designer Stephanie Freeman navigates the complex world of art collecting.Designer Stephanie Freeman and art consultant Samantha Hanman with a work by London-based artist Tomo Campbell who creates large-scale abstract depictions of traditional subjects.
Stephanie Freeman, owner of the eponymous Stephanie Freeman Design (stephaniefreemandesign.com), understands that a homeowner’s walls are as valuable as a gallerist’s. They showcase the client’s aesthetic, personality and character with their displays of wallcoverings and art. As a designer Freeman brings her personal passion to the art selection process, often collecting and sourcing for her projects. But when a client is ready to begin their own art collecting journey or add to an already impressive collection, Freeman knows when to bring in outside expertise and exactly who to turn to.
Stephanie was first introduced to Kim Keever’s work during her time at Chicago-based interiors firm, Studio Gild. He creates underwater art with pigments in a tank and then photographs them as they slowly undulate, creating gorgeously captivating images.
Occasionally, Freeman brings in an established art advisor to embark on a longterm collecting journey with her clients, strategically selecting pieces for investment. But a recent project at Raffles Boston had her thinking a little more creatively about who she would partner with. The young, professional clients fell in love with the idea of filling their new home with modern and contemporary art. They didn’t necessarily want rooms with preserved pieces for potential resale. They wanted pieces that had wall power, that would spark conversation and that would complete their interior now. They wanted a mix of pieces that had a personal connection, that fit with their design aesthetic, that were fresh and unique and also some that were blue chip investments. They needed someone who walked in the art world effortlessly, who had great knowledge and taste and a Rolodex of connected dealers at her fingertips. Luckily Freeman knew just the person, her dear friend and art consultant Samantha Hanman (shcurations.com.).
As the granddaughter of patrons of the arts in Boston and avid collectors, Hanman has grown up amongst art all of her life. A Boston native who currently resides in West Palm Beach, she herself has a long history of collecting art, knows the up-and-coming artists on the brink of being household names and has the network to confidently source anything. “When we said we wanted a pristine Peace Through Chemistry by Lichtenstein, she found it for us. We weren’t in the wild world of the internet unable to validate anything. We had a trusted person on speed dial,” says Freeman.
The homeowners met in the chemistry lab at Stanford University and wanted Lichtenstein’s Peace Through Chemistry, a rare series that is nearly impossible to find. Samantha’s gallery contact at Gemini G.E.L. in LA located one in pristine condition in a matter of weeks.
Between herself and Hanman, they sourced almost 20 pieces of art, collaborating on placement in the client’s new condo. “Our art WhatsApp channel with the clients was the most fun. Sometimes we would formally present a bundle of things from a round of sourcing, but in between we’d just bat ideas around and let the clients direct us on what to pursue,” says Freeman. Although the duo tirelessly did their homework, the seriousness of art collecting was lifted and the process was fun and buoyant, leaving clients who are excited about their next round of collecting. Freeman and her team worked hard behind the scenes for a smooth process from acquisition to hanging, insuring and framing every piece of art. “Whether it’s collaborating with experts for the big decisions or working through small decisions like hand soap and tea towels, we help our clients complete their vision,” says Freeman.
