New York-based art consultant and creative designer Maria Brito has been a prominent figure in the art scene for the past decade. Named one of the top 20 Power Players in the Art World by Complex Magazine, ArtStar sat down with Maria to get her advice on collecting.

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @mariabrito_ny

What is your design motto?

MB: If there’s no good art, it isn’t done.

Project: Upper East Side/Manhattan House. Featured in Architectural Digest Mexico

What are 3 things you cannot live without in your home?

MB: My iPhone, my art collection, my bed.

What is the last piece of art you purchased? Why were you attracted to the work?

MB: Allison Zuckerman’s paintings, because I love her deep take on art history juxtaposed with technology and social media.

Curated Show: “Greek Gotham” was presented at Dio Horia, Mykonos in July and August of 2016, which was the first show in Greece comprised solely of New York artists.

What is the weirdest thing you have seen in someone else's home?

MB: Taxidermy animals… I mean, RUN!

One design rule you should never break?

MB: I don’t have rules and I don’t follow them -ever- that’s confining and boring.

What are your top Instagram accounts for inspiration?

MB: @juneambrose + @aiww

Tips for hosting a successful dinner party?

MB: Bring a creative and diverse group of people and please serve a lot of good champagne (NOT Prosecco).

What was the breakthrough moment in your career? When did you really come into your own professionally?

MB: Gwyneth Paltrow gave me my first big break eight years ago when Goop was a Thursday newsletter that she sent from her kitchen in London. Working with Sean “Diddy” Combs for seven years has always been a big highlight of my career. Curating a mega show in Greece two years ago and writing and designing the catalogue that went with it and whose intro was written by Jeffrey Deitch was certainly a breakthrough. These are all incredible but I don’t think I have gotten my big moment yet. I’m constantly evolving and constantly changing. I don’t like to be stuck and I don’t like to repeat myself. For me every day has to be filled with a new challenge!