ASPIREDESIGNANDHOME.COM 59 58 SUMMER 2026 ASPIREDESIGNANDHOME.COM 59 BROOKE DIDONATO: TAKE A PICTURE, IT WILL LAST LONGER Intro by Eleanor Sutherland Photography by Brooke DiDonato Thames & Hudson • $50 Some of us see a room and think of function first; a place to sleep, a place to work. For others, looks matter more; even if that chair isn’t the most comfortable, it looks terrific with that sofa. Photographer Brooke DiDonato sees a space and sets about upsetting the apple cart. “You sort of know what to expect in your living room or kitchen, so in a sense, they’re the perfect backdrop for something unusual to happen.” DiDonato’s penchant for turning everyday interiors into realms of the unreal is on full display in Brooke DiDonato: Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer (Thames & Hudson). The images, in which she usually appears – with her face hidden – ride a fine line between comedy and commentary. Standing on a stairway with striped wallpaper draped over her blue-suited figure, curled up nude in a firebox, her body parts sometimes displaced (arms where her legs should be), she shifts between something recognizable and something not quite. P h o to g ra p h e r B r o o ke D i D o n a to d o e s a n u m b e r o n d o m e s t i c i t y READ THE ROOM Amber Lewis and Four Hands Albi Double Sconce Cast your favorite framed photos and artwork in their best light with a spotlight-style picture sconce. Its aged patina brass finish brings a vintage character that only deepens over time. fourhands.com shoppe.amberinteriordesign.com “I started photographing myself somewhat out of desperation, but I wasn’t very comfortable as a subject, so I found creative ways to hide my face. People often remarked how the pictures felt universal, or in some cases, eerie, because the subject cannot be identified. That tension was really interesting to me, and over time, I began photographing all subjects this way.” DiDonato often shoots in the Ohio house she grew up in, built in the 70s and never redecorated. The color palette and patterns of the era add to the engaging peculiarity of her work. “The combination of dusty pastels and soft lighting is not intended to be a focal point, but rather, a tool to lull the viewer into a momentary feeling of stability.” Momentarily. Continue the visual journey on page 96 - THOMAS CONNORS LEFT Known for cinematic oil paintings that explore the quiet tension and mystery of American suburban life, Spanish-born painter Alberto Ortega constructs elaborate miniature sets as the basis for his meticulously staged compositions, creating works that channel the psychological stillness of midcentury cinema and the mood of Edward Hopper. “Art is really important to me,” Scott shares. “Choosing art with a client is always an adventure — and even more so with my own husband, Reid,” who, as an actor, travels often. While the two don’t always share identical tastes, both were drawn to the image of a father figure returning home, a theme that resonated deeply with them. LIVING ROOM A Lawson-Fenning table, library table from Martin & Brockett and Contardi pendant transform this light-drenched living room into a cozy respite. Art of the MATTER