DISPATCH
MEET THE MAKER LAURA MADDEN
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DESIGN
Sustainability and style inspire many different interpretations these days, but perhaps none as artful as Laura Madden’s take. The former model and fitness adviser-turned-artist upcycles old materials (think canvas, plastic, frames, wood, fabric and even paint) and turns them into artworks, often placed inside antique frames for a striking juxtaposition
that makes people sit up and take notice. Luxe chatted with Madden to learn more about her work. iamlauramadden.com; @refashionedart Where do you find inspiration? My work in fashion made me really aware of the need for sustainability and drove my desire to reduce my impact. I work with unrecycled plastics and paper as well as fabric remnants sourced from thrift stores, antique shops and people I know. The result is this unrivaled aesthetic. I want people to feel fashionable in their own homes. Do you have any favorites? One of my favorite aspects of my work is pairing modern abstract art with antique, ornate frames. That mixing of styles has become one of my signatures. With my 3D wall art, the fabric is probably the most popular, and it’s really striking. Textile waste is a big problem, so those pieces are purpose driven— I’m somehow part of the solution. Are you working on any notable collaborations? I’m working with David E. Adler Fine Rugs on a handful of rug designs based on my art. We started last year, and the project really has legs. I also participate in the Camelback Studio Tour each November. I open up the doors, and it’s a real thrill!
TALKING SHOP Proving true the adage that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, Ownby Design opened the doors to its 3,000-squarefoot showroom, Ownby Home, in Old Town Scottsdale this year. The impetus behind the four-room shop was designer Claire Ownby’s commitment to finding just the right accessories and furnishings for her projects. “Inventory really changed after the pandemic,” Ownby explains. “Launching the store allowed us to have a place to shop from for our own projects while providing a new home decor store to the Valley.” The showroom is open to the public, and visitors can browse goods from around the world. Ownby has a passion for sourcing, and she and her team have curated a selection of artisan products—many of them exclusive to her store—from Mexico, Costa Rica, Southeast Asia, Canada and the U.S. “Some of my favorite items are the basalt and cantera planters we are making in Mexico,” she says. “They are highly textural and organic. I have dozens of these around the inside and outside of my home.” Other goods to check out include such curated findings as vases, sculptures, side tables, lamps and geodes. This is cool, contemporary design done right. ownbyhome.com
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meet the maker photos: portrait, kavan lake; artwork, courtesy refashioned art. talking shop photo: dino tonn.
OWNBY HOME