Frida Kahlo was an intriguing artist and figure that continues to inspire so many years later through her personal style, her painting, her home, and her garden.
Last week a friend of mine sent me two images that caused me to revisit my friend Frida.
Frida Kahlo Rivera, Imogene Cunningham, 1931.
Collage by Katie McCann.
Frida’s style of dress was notable then as well as now.
Chic Frida makes an impression even in her simpler attire such as here with a deep square cut white top, her hair up, and the striking necklace.
Frida, Diego, Henry Hurwitz, Gilbert Seldes, and Lee Simonson, New York, May 1933.
Similarly chic and dramatic is this evening outfit.
Her wedding announcement published in La Prensa, 1929, pictured Frida in a dress that looks like the ruffled varieties en vogue currently. Were her hair down this picture might look a woman of today.
The colors of her paintings translate to interior color schemes.
A current client is requesting a neutral living room. The colors of Magnolias, 1945 would perfectly fulfill that request.
The rich red and greens here would make for a very interesting room.
This color scheme is commonly seen in rooms featured on magazine pages or on social media from traditional designers.
Detail of Self-Portrait on the Borderline between Mexico and the United States, 1932.
The warm brown of this detail from would make a lovely library or tv room.
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940.
One of my favorite paintings by Frida. The many shades of green with black are quite lush. The lavender and white provide a light accent.
Colorless yet no less inspirational are her drawings.
Frida took an artistic approach with the interiors of Casa Azul.
A spectacular fireplace in Diego’s study at Casa Azul.
Retablos line the walls in this room in Casa Azul.
Similarly, she made her garden as special as the interiors.
Méxican architecture has a solidity and severity paired with a romantic aspect that I love. It isn’t something seen much in the states.
The detail of the previous photo seen above in my candid photo from Casa Azul.
My daughter would absolutely hate this. She loathes unruliness in a garden. The wild aspect makes it exotic in my mind.
The New York Botanical Garden hosted an exhibit Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life a few years ago. An accompanying book provided many of the photos seen above. At the back of the book was included a list of plants that would have been in Frida’s garden as well as typical plants found in México.
All photos in this post except the first five are from this book.
The third, fourth, and fifth photos are from here.
Casa V Interiors can make your home unique and inspiring as Frida made hers.