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Sara Story Designs a Fantasy Room Inspired by the Work of Neo Rauch

Story’s vision for the studious space involved a surreal work by the German artist and neutral design pieces

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Person with long hair in a colorful dress, seated in front of a vibrant abstract painting featuring various shapes and colors.
Sara Story. Photo: Taylor Jewell

Art is an integral part of designer Sara Story’s life. Who else would have Otto Zitko live in her home for three months while he painted an installation in the dining room? Her exuberant choices in design display exactly the same kind of fearlessness and dedication. 

“One of my favorite rooms to do is a study—a cozy, small-scale atmosphere where you can have a relationship with a piece of art,” says Story. “I can get lost looking at a painting, especially by Neo Rauch. I love the surrealism and the dreamlike quality. Since the painting is so vibrant, I chose more neutral pieces, relying on the textures of vintage and more contemporary items to create a rhythm.”

Propaganda (2018) by Neo Rauch

Abstract painting of people and surreal creatures in a village setting, featuring vivid colors and dynamic interactions.
Neo Rauch, Propaganda, 2018. Uwe Walter, Courtesy of the artist, Galerie Eigen + Art Leipzig/Berlin, and David Zwirner

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Vintage ceiling lamp with six cone-shaped brass shades and a wavy glass diffuser on a geometric metal frame.
Vintage chandelier by Giuseppe Ostuni. Courtesy of 1st Dibs

Vintage chandelier by Giuseppe Ostuni; rewirela.com.

Rectangular mirror with an abstract frame featuring blue circular decorations.
Enamel mirror by Christophe Côme. Courtesy of Cristina Grajales Gallery

Enamel mirror by Christophe Côme; cristinagrajalesinc.com.

Modern abstract white coffee table with unique sculptural design and four unevenly shaped legs.
Dee cocktail table by Paul Mathieu. Courtesy of Ralph Pucci

Dee cocktail table by Paul Mathieu; ralphpucci.net.

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Modern wooden armchair with white cushions and stitched detailing on a white background.
Vintage lounge chair. Courtesy of 1st Dibs

Vintage lounge chair; morentz.com.

Mid-century modern cream sofa with red accents and cylindrical armrests on a wooden frame.
Vintage model 5316 sofa by Edward J Wormley for Dunbar. Courtesy of 1st Dibs

Vintage model 5316 sofa by Edward J Wormley for Dunbar; 1stdibs.com.

Abstract artwork with geometric shapes and patterns in shades of brown and beige on a textured background.
Vintage kilim panels. Courtesy of FJ Hakimian

Vintage kilim panels; fjhakimian.com.

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.