John Autard

John Autard has been in the Interior Design industry since 1990. After serving a formal apprenticeship, he set up business in Cape Town in 1993, firstly as a Sales Rep getting to know the 'who's who' in the local industry before embarking on his first interior design projects from 1994 onwards. He focused on Residential projects only and has completed many homes and apartments for local and international clients. John has served as the Regional Liaison for the South African Guild of Interior Designers and has participated in Decorex and Homemakers Expo over the years. In 2007 he made a major decision to refocus his attention to providing Internet based services to the Interior Design industry and now does web design, email marketing on behalf of companies through CyberCouriers and provides a platform for job seekers through his online publication Interior Placements.
John Autard took a few minutes to share some of his favorite art fromStateoftheArt . Read his comments and get a first hand peek at how his design
mind works.

As a style and design guru, what do you think makes art compelling in a room?

Art draws focus and sets the mood for a room.

When you redesign a room, what role does artwork play?
Very often a room is designed around a piece of artwork or artwork is sought to compliment an existing scheme.

If you could have any piece of art StateoftheArt, regardless of price or size, what would it be and why?
Red Baboon In The Protea Tree by Gary Frier. I love art relating to monkeys and baboons and have a fair collection including two of Gary Frier's works already. I particularly enjoy the baboon in amongst the proteas as it relates to the Cape. There is a sense of naughtiness in the baboons eyes and you wonder what he is about to do!! The scale of the work is good.

What general misconceptions do you run into regarding buying art?
Galleries far too often feel that decorators should be buying art for their clients but unless it is for a holiday home I would never enforce my taste on anyone.

What’s hanging on your walls at home?
My own collection of art is varied and ranges from prints, watercolours, acrylics and oils. The subject matter is varied too although I have tried to keep themes relating to specific rooms.  I also have work done by myself.

It’s not long until Christmas - what's on the top of your holiday wish list this year?
To have some time off just to relax and do absolutely nothing!

What is your favourite holiday indulgence or 'guilty pleasure'
Cooking up extravagant meals at a fraction of what they would cost in a restaurant and sharing with friends.

What are some things you like to do to your home or apartment to make it feel like the holidays?
I do enjoy setting up a Christmas tree and decorations! And the fridge and cookie jar must be full!

Are you going anywhere special this holiday season? If so, where?
I want to do things in and around Cape Town – I love being a tourist here!

What would our readers be surprised to know about you?
That I am basically a family man at heart with good old fashioned values!

Interior Placements
                           


I was drawn to these particular artworks either through an emotional response in the sense of being able to relate personally to the subject matter or by the use of colour and scale. A person's choice of art in some way reflects where they have been and where they are now; its also reflects their current state of mind and the way they perceive the world.