Destination Artist Home: Georgia O’Keefe

June 22, 2023
Suzanne Ross

Just like we look to models to inform our aesthetic choices, the American artist Georgia O’Keefe, sought global and ancient sources to inform the creation of emotionally powerful spaces. Her edited aesthetic focused on organic forms expressed in a modern way that continues to resonate today.

A world traveler visiting over fifty countries across most continents, O’Keefe maintained two properties in New Mexico. Pictured here is her summer house in Abiquiú, located about 60 miles from Sante Fe, at the edge of 21,000-acre property called Ghost Ranch that originally functioned as a dude ranch and guest house and currently, retreats.

Narratives of Place and Space Lessons from Masters Artist Georgia O'Keefe at her home and Studio New Mexico — Narratives of Place and Space Lessons from Masters Artist Georgia O’Keefe at her home and Studio New Mexico

She said, “As I climbed and walked about in the ruin I found a patio with a very pretty well house and bucket to draw up water. It was a good-sized patio with a long wall with a door on one side. That wall with a door in it was something I had to have.”
Georgia O’Keefe

Narratives of Place and Space Lessons from Masters Artist Georgia O'Keefe at her home and Studio New Mexico Ghost Ranch — O’Keefe Painting at Ghost Ranch New Mexico

Narratives of Place and Space Lessons from Masters Artist Georgia O'Keefe at her Ghost Ranch Studio New Mexico — O’Keefe Painting at Ghost Ranch New Mexico

The home, with parts dating to the mid-1700s, is a combination of first-nation and Spanish Colonial building styles, but it integrates an appreciation of context and place and intermingles a modern aesthetic with abundant natural light, and mid-century modern furnishings.

Given all that dust and dirt from traipsing in and out the home, you might wonder: why an alabaster-toned carpet? With diminishing eyesight, O’Keefe wanted to see her black dogs when she woke up at night and the high contrast between the white carpet and their black fur kept her and them safe.

Designed Details: Mix of Transitions

Notice how the transitions in the partially painted walls occur in this multipurpose room above. Color blocking is used to humanize the span from floor to ceiling while also drawing your eye to each end of the room. On one side the color blocking abruptly bumps over the door jam. On the opposite wall, the color blocking disconnects the door. But wait, the beams intersect the span of the ceiling with curvy wave-like continuous movement achieved by linking the ceiling color between the beams with the complementary wood beam tone, without disruption, from edge to edge. It’s thoughtful and unexpected.

Narrative of Place and Space Lessons from the Masters Artist Georgia O'Keefe Home and Studio — Corner window

Narrative of Place Lessons from the Masters Okeefe Home View towards Ghost Range — Corner window

This type and expanse of window were unusual for her day. The diagonal direction of the window view draws the eye outward, and the internal experience of home feels both protected and immersive while embracing the environment inside and out.

Narrative of Place Lessons from the Masters Okeefe Home Caretaker and artist Juan Hamilton's sculpture untitled, 1981 Bronze — Caretaker and artist Juan Hamilton’s bronze sculpture, untitled, 1981

Narrative of Place Lessons from the Masters Okeefe Home Poster A House of Her Own — Caretaker and artist Juan Hamilton’s bronze sculpture, untitled, 1981

All-things Organic

Sourcing inspiration from nature, O’Keefe’s decor features found objects such as fossils, skulls, rocks, and pottery and sculptures with a hand touch.

If you are seeking the organic modern look, consider O’Keefe’s raw yet refined editorial perspective: Where pared down, less is more, simple bold silhouettes, curved lines, and shapes, soft against porous textures, all contribute to the storied patina that honors the perfection (golden ratio in snake skeleton, sculptures) within imperfection.