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David Netto Curates the Perfect Room Based on a Sol LeWitt Masterpiece

The designer’s ‘artful home’ idea draws on the painting’s color palette, then mixes in classical and contemporary furnishings

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Man with beard and glasses in a textured blazer and white shirt standing outdoors near white columns.
David Netto. Photo: Rishad Mistri

For interior designer David Netto, it’s about getting into character and telling a story—and tell a story he always does, with savoir faire, finesse, and quite often a surprise ending. His ease of style may come across as breezy choices that magically fall into place, but each one is carefully considered and the result of an astute study of interiors.

“My choice of this Sol LeWitt can’t be overintellectualized—I just like blue and yellow together,” says Netto. “Industrial Brutalism offsets the prettiness of the painting, then I added a Cubist rug but mixed with more classical pieces, calling to mind how Bunny Mellon would hang contemporary art in her traditional interiors.”

Irregular Form (1998) by Sol LeWitt.

Abstract painting with a large irregular yellow shape on a blue background.
Sol LeWitt, Irregular Form, 1998. Courtesy of Pace Gallery

Hamilton lantern by the Urban Electric Co.; urbanelectric.com.

Golden geometric hanging lantern with four white lampshades, suspended from a chain.
Hamilton lantern by the Urban Electric Co. Courtesy of Urban Electric

Forward Slant chair by Donald Judd; judd.furniture.

Wooden minimalist chair with a simple, natural finish and clean lines, viewed from the front.
Forward Slant chair by Donald Judd. Courtesy of Artware Editions

Cubist rug by Miles Redd for Patterson Flynn Martin; pattersonflynnmartin.com.

Abstract geometric pattern with various shades of brown and beige, forming triangles and intersecting lines, creating a textured surface.
Cubist rug by Miles Redd for Patterson Flynn Martin. Courtesy of Patterson Flynn Martin

Magic Cube clock; store.moma.org.

Digital clock displaying 7:30 with a blue backlight on a black rectangular case.
Magic Cube clock. Courtesy of MoMA Design Store

Arch Window mirror by Bower Studios; bower-studios.com.

Arched wall mirror with a slim black frame, reflecting a gradient from clear to a white background.
Arch Window mirror by Bower Studios. Courtesy of Bower Studios

Recommended: Sara Story Designs a Fantasy Room Based on Work by Neo Rauch

Untitled 2018 19 lamp by Netto Nocon; davidnettodesign.com.

Decorative table lamp with a white shade and a brown base adorned with intricate white spiral patterns.
Untitled 2018 19 lamp by Netto Nocon. Courtesy of David Netto Design

Industrial bookstand with leather inserts by RT Facts; rtfacts.com.

Books displayed on a vintage-style wooden and metal bookshelf with three tiers and an art book open on top.
Industrial bookstand with leather inserts by RT Facts. Courtesy of RT Facts

Rectangular rush basket by Mecox; mecox.com. 

Woven straw basket with three braided handles, empty and standing upright against a white background.
Rectangular rush basket by Mecox. Courtesy of Mecox

Falcon bar by Jane Hallworth; blackmancruz.com.

Modern geometric concrete table with angular shapes and smooth surfaces.
Falcon bar by Jane Hallworth. Courtesy of Blackman Cruz

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2019 Summer issue in the section The Artful Home: Living Masterpiece. Subscribe to the magazine.