Adding Textures to Interiors with Art: From Ceramics to Gold Leaf

When it comes to styling interiors, one of the most effective design tools is the use of texture. From soft linens to raw timber combined with original textured artworks. The inclusion of various textures will bring a sense of depth, add warmth, and infuse your personality into the space. Whether you’re designing a room from scratch or refreshing a corner of your home, adding textures to interiors is key to creating a visually rich and emotionally engaging environment.

At KAB Gallery, we love how art can effortlessly elevate interior textures. Our curated collection “The Textured Edit” includes everything from a selection of thick impasto oil paintings that subtly protrude from the canvas, to incredible highly vitrified ceramics that offer a more rugged, grounded aesthetic. These tactile artworks don’t just hang on a wall or sit on a shelf — they transform the space around them.

If you’re drawn to natural and earthy interior styles, I recommend you explore the richly textured ceramic works of Bev McGarn, a passionate Australian ceramicist working from her sun-drenched studio on the east coast of NSW. Bev’s work is deeply rooted in exploration and material connection — she experiments boldly with various clays, natural ingredients like shells, rust and ash, and formulates her own signature glazes from locally sourced materials. Some of her pieces take months to complete, evolving through stages of careful transformation. Her artistic process is so organic and detailed that even with precise documentation, no two works can ever truly be replicated.

Bev’s framed ceramic tiles and sculptural pieces offer a balance of rustic texture and a sleek contemporary finish — a perfect way to add both texture and story to your interior in a clean and modern way. Every surface holds the fingerprint of her process, enriched by multiple firings and the natural “DNA” of her unique clay blends. Recently named a 2024 finalist in the Gosford Art Prize, her works are not only beautiful, but also respected within the Australian contemporary ceramics scene.

For those looking to add energy and boldness, our collection of impasto oil paintings offers striking contrast. These artworks by Sally West, Steve Tyerman and Sam Askin feature thick layers of oil paint, applied with expressive brush or palette knife strokes. The result is textures you can almost feel with your eyes. They’re perfect for layering against sleek interiors, adding a rich, sensory element that invites interaction and intrigue.

When styling with textured art, consider the interplay of materials already in your space. A heavily textured canvas can soften a modern room with clean lines. A rustic ceramic sculpture can bring grounding energy to a bright white coastal palette. The trick is in the balance — thoughtfully layering interior textures to create a space that feels curated, not cluttered.

Mixed media wall hangings and basketry created by Nicole de Mestre offer an interesting third dimension to your interior walls and shelving. 

Leaf Litter #12

For those looking to bring an extra touch of luxury into their interiors, Mel Bling’s artworks featuring silver and gold leaf applications are a good addition to the textural mix. These shimmering surfaces add an extra dimension to the room, catching and reflecting light throughout the day in a way that soft furnishings or flat wall paint simply can’t replicate. Whether you’re layering them against rich timber tones, velvety fabrics, or exposed stone, these luminous pieces elevate your space with an opulent and modern edge.

Metallic textures like these can act as focal points in both minimalist and maximalist interiors. They provide an element of contrast — especially when layered alongside more organic materials like wild clay ceramics or impasto paintings. The interplay of hard and soft, matte and shine, makes the room feel alive and curated with intention.

Textured artworks are more than visual pieces — they’re tactile experiences. They anchor a space, draw the eye, and create a sense of comfort through materiality. Whether you’re renovating, restyling, or just craving something fresh, adding texture through art is an effortless way to elevate your interiors.

Explore our full collection online or visit us in-gallery to discover the power of texture in contemporary interior design.

Earth Poetry – #5

Feathered Urchin #7

The Old Fisherman

About the author

Kerry-Anne Blanket

Director & Curator - KAB Gallery

KAB Gallery’s Kerry-Anne Blanket holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees (Hons) from the University of Sydney. With an extensive career in art education along with the management of museums and investment art galleries, Kerry-Anne can offer premier art consulting to her clients and source specially requested works. 

She has a keen eye for detail, comprehensive art market knowledge and a love of all things beautiful. Kerry-Anne works directly with artists and collectors alike to curate interesting and eclectic exhibitions.