A Designer’s Eye: How Caroline Milns Curates with Art in Mind
EXPERTS 01.07.25
For Caroline Milns, founder of Zulufish, art isn’t an afterthought—it’s a vital starting point, shaping and enriching every interior she designs.
Q: What role does art play in your interior design projects?
As soon as the fixed materials are specified, we try to start choosing the art at the beginning of the decorative spec, so the colour and style drives the scheme. There is nothing better than designing a scheme around a key art piece, as it gives the interiors depth and originality.
Q: Do the majority of your projects contain real art or decorative art?
There is a real mix. Often clients may come to us with existing art collections; like a Briget Riley or David Hockney, which we will then integrate into the Interior Design from an early stage. It's key to make sure these important pieces are given the gravitas they deserve in the scheme. We also have clients who have smaller budgets, so we have a database of decorative art suppliers, who we rely on to find the perfect pieces to complete the look of a scheme.
Q: How do you go about selecting art for a project?
Our schemes are always driven by our clients; their preferred design style and colour palettes and we then expand that vision and with that suggest interesting pieces of art that will sit in those schemes.
Q: Do you design around art or does art play a secondary role?
Both, depending on the importance of art to that particular client. Although I must say, some of our favourite projects are whe art is a key part of our clients life. It is wonderful to live around beautiful thought provoking art pieces, it enriches peoples’ lives.
Q: Has a client ever insisted on keeping a piece of art that you thought was a challenge to design around?
Not often, although I would like to think we would always rise to the occasion and find a solution for them. Most of our clients choose us as our large portfolio showcases contemporary, timeless, eclectic Interiors and Art that we love. We are commissioned because there is a synchronicity between our design styles and our clients tastes, so generally our choices tend to harmonise.
Q: Any particular piece of art from a project that has made a lasting impression and if so why?
I particularly like the Hockney piece over the piano in one of our Primrose Hill projects. It was from a Hockney's exhibition showcasing photographic drawings of interior scenes of his Los Angeles studio. It featured friends and colleagues and each person is fascinating to study and has a different reaction to looking at the art on the walls. Therefore this art piece isa bit like being a fly on the wall, inside an exhibition space and watching everyones’ reactions. What stuck me was that his artwork is as fresh and as innovative as it was when he became famous all those years ago.
Q: Are you an art collector, if so what’s your favourite piece and why?
I adore art, I love sourcing new and vintage pieces.I would love to collect more but I simply don’t have any more wall space to hang and enjoy it. I live vicariously through my clients, finding them special art pieces that are perfect in their schemes.
Q: If you could own any piece of art what would it be and where would you put it?
That is a difficult question, however what pops into my mind immediately is owning a large Bridget Riley piece. She is adept at using geometric shapes, patterns, and color theory to create optical illusions and visual movement. My background in textile design has given me a fascination with pattern and colour and her pieces manipulate and challenge you, creating a sense of depth, movement, and visual tension. Her work often features repetitive patterns, contrasting colors, and the Bezold Effect, where a color's appearance changes based on its adjacent hue.
Q: Have you experienced any art related disasters in your projects?
The 2 areas that require considerable forethought when placing art in Interiors are; the lighting and the hanging. If this has not been carefully planned in advance it could easily become a disaster. And yes I’ve learnt the hard way! The walls that will have art placed on need to be property lit with downlights or picture lights and the walls often need to be reinforced before they are plastered & decorated.
