Step into the vibrant home of New York based interiors whiz and art collector, Jeanie Engelbach.
Introducing Jeanie Engelbach, the ‘chaos conqueror’ of interior styling, as dubbed by Town & Country Magazine. For over 20 years, Jeanie (AKA apartmentjeanie) has transformed the homes and art collections of an impressive portfolio of clients, from award-winning actors to New York Times best-selling authors.
We caught up with Jeanie to explore her own personal art collection and to find out more about her favourite pieces – many of which she discovered at the Affordable Art Fair…
“My design aesthetic is based on my 9-year-old self: candy, cartoons, comics, and colour.”
Jeanie Engelbach
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by artistic parents. Our home was always filled with art, and so it felt like a natural path for me. I’ve always loved bright, intense colors, especially neons. As a kid I remember my dad giving me old cigar boxes which I collected stuff in. As I grew up, my walls became a display of the things I curated and cherished.
As an Aries, I’m all about ‘ready, fire, aim’. I never used to have a plan – I’d buy whatever I loved and could afford, but now that my walls are full I need to be more thoughtful. That said, I do think you should buy what excites you to look at. My motivation for buying art revolves around colour, content, and then price.
“Art doesn’t have to be stagnant; you can move it around. It will always find a place in your next home. Listen to your gut. It’s always right.”
Jeanie Angelbach
I discovered Richard Heeps at an Affordable Art Fair and I’ve now collected nine artworks by him in my apartment. I’ve also bought some for clients! At first I was drawn to the super-saturated colours and the simplicity of Richard’s work – the Americana, the slice of life. I’m a hyper-observer and detail-oriented person, and so I love how he captures the smallest detail in such a beautiful way. His works are also truly affordable.
My goal is to own a beach house in Charleston, South Carolina, and I’ve already set my sights on the pieces I want for my imaginary home…”
“Spend what you can on good quality art.”
Jeanie Engelback
I’ve been purchasing from Bleach Box for well over a decade now. They’re so easy to work with. It’s always wonderful to go to the Affordable Art Fair and see them. My dogs come to the fairs with me too – Crème brulee hasn’t been yet, but my last dog Tater Tot was a regular.
I love the last piece I bought from the Affordable Art Fair, ICES by Richard Heeps. I first saw it in a gorgeous cobalt blue, but that wasn’t my color. Then I saw it in this gorgeous magenta color at the fair. I had to have it. It sat around in my flat for a while as I didn’t have the space for it, but I finally had the idea of suspending it from black chains from the ceiling in the bathroom – it was a rental so we couldn’t drill into the tiles!
I also love Lucy Sparrow – she’s another artist I discovered at Affordable Art Fair. I literally stopped in my tracks when I first saw her work. She was creating ’70s cases with vintage food and candy. My design aesthetic is based on my 9-year-old self: candy, cartoons, comics, and colour. Even now, I shop in a similar way. Anything candy-coloured excites me, and the glossy colours really attract me.
“It’s like how most people describe seeing the love of their life. I was like, “Yep, that’s mine.”
Jeanie Engelbach
Don’t overthink it. If an artwork draws you in and you start to scramble about where it would go and in your apartment, just buy it. Spend money on good quality art you can afford. You should go with your gut, not second-guess it. Art doesn’t have to be stagnant; you can move it around. It will always find a place in your next home. ‘Scream Girl’ was the first painting I ever bought. I saw it from across the room and I knew I had to have it. It’s like how most people describe seeing the love of their life. I was like, “Yep, that’s mine.”
Barbie doll pink is everywhere right now thanks to the blockbuster movie coming out! It’s featured in Architectural Digest, on the cover of Vogue… everything is in that beautiful Barbie pink! I think everyone should embrace pink….
Thanks so much to Jeanie for chatting to us and sharing her home art collection!
Follow her on Instagram @apartmentjeanie for more inspiration on art and interiors!