Talk Shop: Hayley Stoen // The Atelier Collection
ABOUT HAYLEY
Hayley Stoen, founder of The Atelier Collection, is an art historian and dealer who curates original works of vintage art acquired throughout the United States and Europe, in addition to sourcing pieces by local, contemporary artists that she admires. Hayley acquired her B.A. in French from the University of Minnesota and her Master's degree in Art History from the University of St. Thomas, before founding her company. Hayley’s deep appreciation for the arts is the reason why she’s been able to grow The Atelier Collection into a stunning curation of timeless seascapes, landscapes, and genre paintings. She currently lives in Minnetonka Beach, MN with her husband and three children, giving us all the coastal inspiration from her Instagram! Enjoy the latest installment of our Talk Shop series.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Timeless, French, Coastal
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mother is a designer, and my father, is an architect. As well as my time living in France & England as a student and post-grad.
Where does your love of art come from:
My mother collected art and I always loved going to local museums in Minneapolis like the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, and the Swedish Institute. My travels to places like Nantucket, Aspen, and La Jolla - where I’m so inspired by the elegant, collected, worldly style. My eyes have always been glued to what’s on the walls wherever I go!
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my company while I was an intern at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and working towards my Master’s Degree in Art History at the University of St. Thomas. I loved the idea of working at a museum or gallery but I couldn’t shake the idea of starting my own business. I loved curating and collecting original art and doing my own restoration of pieces that were tattered or needed cleaning. My passion has always been to track down beautiful paintings from obscurity and bring them back to life and into peoples’ homes!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I had an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas who taught a class on French Modern Art, Dr. Lisa Dickenson Michaux. She was the head curator in the prints and drawings department at the MIA. She lives part-time in Paris and has a business as an art dealer. I was so intrigued by her and how she would host parties in her home and sell artwork to her network of friends and colleagues. We hosted an art show together at the University Club in St. Paul, and that was such an honor for me. I’ve learned so much from her!
What does your home say about you:
That I love to collect and I love history! The older, the better. My home is a 120-year-old lake house, beautiful but imperfect in the most charming ways. I’m attracted to the story of a place, and the authenticity of a space as well as meaningful objects within my environment.
Where do you find inspiration:
My children - two teenage sons and my little 6-year-old daughter. I love to show them that hard work is both fun and fulfilling and that their passions can be a career someday!
Who are your style icons:
Ralph Lauren, Gwyneth Paltrow
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Music, candlelight, wine, flowers, a few items catered and the rest I try to prepare on my own. Cozy and personal.
Do you collect anything:
Besides fine art, I have a large collection of vintage books, and antique, ski-related paraphernalia. I come from a family of skiers. You will often see ski paintings pop up in my collection for this reason!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Landschute (my parents’ architectural firm), influencers in Paris.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Less is more! I do not like clutter. I love treasure hunting but I really try to keep it to a minimum. If it’s displayed in my home I must absolutely love it. I tend to be a bit anti-trend and focus more on what is timeless, so I don’t have to worry about things looking outdated.
What are you working on right now:
My studio art selection is growing, and I’m currently seeking out contemporary artists whose work complements my aesthetic. I started my business selling only vintage art, so this has been a refreshing shift. The older pieces will always be a part of my collection, but I love connecting with today’s workings artists and showcasing their work. I’m also working as an art liaison in selling some very valuable paintings through auction houses like Sotheby’s. I typically sell pieces in the $350 - $1,500 range, using only my network/website, so this is a new venture for me! It’s exhilarating being in the presence of very high-end, historical paintings, doing research on the artists, evaluating provenance, and figuring out how best to market the piece.
Wardrobe staples:
Mother denim, cashmere sweaters (can never have too many), Gucci loafers.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Schumacher
Best interior advice you ever received:
Avoid an overly designed look. I love a “collected over time” feel.
Best career advice you ever received:
Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Art, antique furniture, and custom pillows are my splurges. Rugs are definitely an area where I try to save, I have three dogs!
Your greatest extravagance:
A Chris-Craft boat.
Favorite places to shop for home:
A Rare Bird Antiques, Chairish, HomeGoods.
What is one of your favorite pieces you’ve sourced for the Atelier Collection:
I have a painting with a father and his two sons sitting on a dock that looks exactly like my husband and boys at the lake. I treasure that piece.
Most prized possession and why:
My home; it is filled with my family, and our treasures. It is my happy place.
Your interiors motto:
Keep it simple and trust your instincts.
Your life motto:
You can sleep when you’re dead!
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
If you love it, go for it. Be true to your aesthetic.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Homemade soups
Drink: Pineapple Perrier & Chardonnay
Film: French Kiss
Hotel: The Sonnenalp in Vail, CO
City: Chicago
Bedding: Boll & Branch sheets
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with almond milk creamer
Playlist: Yacht Rock
Weekend Activity: Skiing or boating, depending on the season!
Design Book: Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes