Thoughts on Design
I truly believe that good design can be inspiring….and even transformational! One of the big pleasures I take away from my work is knowing that children are often growing up in family homes that I’ve designed. My hope always is that I’ve provided them with spaces that are creative, imaginative and organized – spaces where kids can learn and grow and hopefully be inspired to lead the best lives possible. (That’s a tall order I know, but hopefully I rise to the challenge more often than not!
Through the years I’ve realized that I’m a classicist at heart - but that in NO WAY means I’m a by-the-book traditional guy, or that my designs are ever stuffy or museum-like, quite the opposite, in fact. No matter what sort of space I’m designing, and no matter whether it’s considered traditional or modern, I always try to help my clients create a look based on the principles of good classic design – livable scale and proportions, the sensitive use of both natural and artificial light, as well as symmetry and balance (although throwing off the symmetry one in a while can be really fantastic).
I pride myself on not having a “signature style”; I always look forward to getting to know my clients and then working with them to interpret their unique visions of how THEY want to live in their homes. My personal favorite design look, the look that my husband and I live with in our home, is a mix of antiques and contemporary pieces with fresh fabrics and colors – clean and tailored rooms, often with some graphic elements layered into an overall calm and restful environment. Having said that, I love working in various styles, from pure English or French traditional to American craftsman, from mid-century modern to straight-edged global contemporary. I really enjoy working with pieces that my clients already have – re-purposing them, moving them around, maybe even painting an old wood piece if it’s not a good antique. I see no reason to throw everything out and start over when starting a new design project; there’s always something worth keeping, to my way of thinking.
Every design job DOES NOT have to be a high-budget job. In fact, I enjoy the challenge of finding just the right furniture piece or just the right fabric to make a room really soar without breaking the budget. In the end, I make certain that I help my clients bring their design dreams to reality in a way that remains fresh – with spaces that will endure and be enjoyed for many, many years. (IMHO, decorating fads and “the color of the year” are marketing ploys……I try not to stray too close to marketing ploys...)
I FIRMLY believe that the design process should ALWAYS be enjoyable! I try to make every job as stress-free as possible for my clients. I like for them to have as much fun as I invariably do in the course of a design project. The world is full of too many potential headaches already……home design should NOT be one of them!
Call me – let’s create something beautiful together.
