Natalie Papier
Guest Curator
Photo Credit: Megan Easterday
“Art is in my soul and it is what brings true soul to homes.”
Natalie Papier is an interior designer, art curator, and TV personality who believes that meaningful design starts with art. Based in Charlotte, NC, she is the host of Magnolia Network’s Artfully Designed and the author of Start with the Art. Known for her vibrant, eclectic aesthetic, Natalie believes that meaningful design starts with art and that homes should reflect the people who live in them, full of life, character, and warmth.
Art is in Natalie’s soul. From a young age, art has been a form of expression and fascination, teaching her patience and deepening her appreciation for what it brings to someone’s home and life. She believes art gives the home soul.
Photo Credit: Margaret Rajicn
“I curate art the way I want my home to feel—playful, layered, a little unexpected, and always intentional.”
Art can be an intimidating purchase. When working with clients, Natalie always starts with feeling, not taste. Once she understands the mood, it is about finding pieces that may work within the existing design or kick off the actual design. Starting with mood allows clients to select work they are naturally drawn to.
When it comes to sourcing art, Natalie believes art reveals itself when you start paying attention to what you’re naturally drawn to—often before you even know why. Art can be heirloom embroideries passed down through generations, in the watercolor a child painted, or in the gallery piece you couldn’t walk away from.
Photo Credit: Megan Easterday
She’s also long believed in seeking out independent and emerging artists, as their work is a great way to add individuality and narrative to a space. Whether drawn to an original painting, a print, or something more accessible, the goal is a home layered in a way that feels personal, authentic, and lived in.
Photo Credit: Megan Easterday
Her collection reflects the balance she considers the sweet spot of soulful design: whimsical, but curated. Full of personality, but nothing accidental. Every collection needs that one piece that makes people pause—something a little unexpected, emotional, or even slightly odd.
Natalie hopes this collection serves as an inspiration and proof that there are no rules to loving and collecting art.
Natalie’s Picks
Illusion #1 by Gilles Leblu
Alive (Red Bouquet) by Juliet James
Tanglewood
by Frederick Phillips
Comme un Battement d’Aile
by Chantal Proulx