These talented ladies you need to know…A dual-city art studio created by sisters, Laura Naples and Kristen Giorgi.

NG Collective Studio

What is your training?

L: I’ve taken a roundabout route to what I currently do, but I was always interested in art and design. I have taken art classes since childhood and was a graphic design major / fine arts minor. I worked as a graphic designer for several years, and always had creative projects on the side, including interior design and paper/stationery/invitation design.

K:  I have had no formal art training, but similarly to Laura, have always been interested in art and design.  I was in the studio painting in high school instead of on the soccer field.  I went on to work in fashion as a merchant and then decided to start painting again after the birth of my daughter, Vivienne.

 

What inspires you and your designs?

L: Conceptually, I employ a lot of layering and attempts to balance, which probably says something about the landscape of my life. Aesthetically, fashion gives us inspiration for color, form, and texture. The graphic designer in me is inspired by page layouts and typography. Music often guides the translation of my thoughts to paper/canvas and can set the rhythm for a piece.

K:  Much of my work is too inspired by fashion and design.  I always go into a piece thinking about the space I could see it living in if I could choose.  I approach it with an interior designers eye.

 

What is your favorite piece? 

L: My favorite piece of my own work is “Limpia“, which resides in the (amazing) home of our friend,  Colleen Locke.

It’s so hard to choose my favorite piece by Kristen, but at the moment it’s Kava. 

 

K:  My favorite piece is probably one of the first that ever sold when we started the business.  Its called No. 20 (attached). 

Its one of the ones that “got away” sort of wish I had kept it for me!!  Of Laura’s, its so hard to choose, but probably “Lyra” (attached) that JUST sold yesterday!  Tears…  

 

How has the your area influenced your work?

L: I grew up in and eventually moved back to the town where I currently live, which perhaps might make my work feel somehow peaceful, familiar or circular.

K: I live in the south (Atlanta), so I would imagine a lot of my works are bright and sunny as we get a good amount of sun here.  

 

What is your favorite restaurant in (your city)?

L: I like to sit in the wine cellar room at L’Albatros in Cleveland.

K: For a ‘fancyful” experience meal I would go to Umi (sushi) in Buckhead,

but for a more low key dinner that has amazing food, I would go La Tavola in the Virginia Highlands.

 

What is your favorite cocktail?

L: “The Red Wedding” – it’s from Edmund’s Oast, a restaurant in Charleston. Ingredients: Elijah Craig 12 Year Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Orange Peel, Hibiscus/Thyme Sweet Tea Ice Cubes.

K: There is a drink at a restaurant here called Gypsy Kitchen that has a cocktail called “The Seville Rose” – its contains vodka,  roses and spice, egg white, lemon and soda.  A beautiful pink-y lavender color with floating dried rose petals and oh so delicious…

 

How do you balance personal life and work?

L: I try to work when my kids are at school, but my son is still young and I’m at home most of the time with him. We do things together and then he’ll play independently while I do some work. I actually think it’s good for kids to see their parents engaged in something they are passionate about. Sometimes my kids will make their own art while I paint. With that said, it is challenging and probably the thing I struggle with the most. Fortunately my husband is very considerate, supportive and a true partner.

K: As Laura said, it is definitely tough to be Mommy and entrepreneur at the same time.  It definitely takes a lot of trial and error and even still hard to find the perfect recipe.  I have my little one in school three days a week and then I tend to work many nights when she goes to bed, but I’m ALWAYS answering e-mails and instagramming.

 

Dream trip?

L: I need to go back to Italy. I haven’t been to Florence so that’s at the top of my list.

K: Morocco. hands. down.

 

Dream commission?

L: A large-scale piece for Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent‘s new baby girl, Poppy. It would require we consult in-house and hang out with them, obviously!

K: Lol over Laura’s response!!  Mine would be someone in fashion who has really distinct style so you could really go for it – like Diane Von Furstenberg or Marc Jacobs.

 

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

L: Fresh cut flowers that I arrange in a vintage vase.

K: A fun (pretty) bottle of liqueur.

 

Who is your style icon?

L: Marlien Rentmeester,

Sofia Coppola, Emmanuelle Alt, Kiernan Shipka, Jessie Randall, the Olsens.

K: Kelly Wearstler, Olivia Palermo, Poppy Delevigne.

 

Your favorite up and coming artist?

L: Karina Bania,

Romy Northover.

K: Claire Oswalt

What is your most treasured possession?

L: A photograph of my husband and I being blessed by Pope John Paul II, taken at the Vatican a few months after we were married.

K: Sounds cheesy, but my engagement ring.  So obsessed with it.

 

What are you reading?

 L: After Visiting Friends by Michael Hainey,

 Powers of Two by Joshua Wolf Shenk,  Yes Please by Amy Poehler.

K: So bad, but I rarely read…I have horrible ADD and can never hold my attention to a book for long enough.  

What are you listening to?

L: Fleetwood Mac,

Beck, The Sundays, Bear’s Den,  CHVRCHES, Pink Floyd, Foster the People. I also like to listen to sister acts First Aid Kit, Heart, HAIM.

K: I always listen to the top hits…”music snobs” would hate me!  Bring on the Taylor Swift!

What are your favorite blogs / publications?

L: WSJ Magazine, T Magazine, Domino, Porter, Domaine, Rue, Le Catch, Habitually Chic, The Stories by The Line, Simple Lovely, Trot Home, Smitten Studio, Look Linger Love, Dust Jacket.

K: Domino, Trouve Magazine, Christine Dovey Blog, Elle Decor, Domaine, Studio-Mcgee

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A few favorites…