GUEST EDIT: DESIGNERS ON HOW TO CREATE YOUR SPACE
GUEST EDIT: DESIGNERS ON HOW TO CREATE YOUR SPACE
Three members of the AD100–Frances Merrill, Rayman Boozer, Adam Charlap Hyman–offer their tips on simple ways to give a room a refresh and how anyone can approach the design process (art included) with confidence.
Photo by Kelly Marshall courtesy of Apartment 48.
When you consider buying art, do you think about how it will coordinate with your home or space?
Imagining how different textures, colors and shapes interact is my favorite part of my job, so I don’t think I could avoid thinking about it. But I wouldn't exactly call it coordinating. My general thought is: if you buy what you love, it can all live together.
In January, many of us are thinking about giving our homes a little refresh. What’s one thing to change that would make the most impact?
Never underestimate the impact of a fresh coat of paint!
Any other tips for light redecoration?
Fresh flowers always give my house a little lift when I need it. It’s a great way to add color, texture and dimension to a room.
Some people are intimidated by the idea of “interior design,” especially if they don’t have a huge budget for it. Any advice for getting started?
Take your time. Really notice what you are drawn to and build a language around it. Start a Pinterest board or, better yet, an actual bulletin board with swatches and tear sheets. Take inspiration from anywhere you might find it. I have even been known to build a color palette off a favorite painting or an article of clothing.
How do you get a feel for your clients’ tastes and needs, and how do you know when you've found a good client match?
We like a client with a strong point of view who is excited to put in the time to get a space that feels unique to them and is willing to trust the process to get there. We ask a lot of questions!
Are there any great new home brands or makers you’ve discovered recently?
They aren't new, but I have been obsessing over Émile Gallé's art glass vases lately. Something I don’t think I would have looked twice at in the past.
What have you been up to lately (work or otherwise)?
I recently visited Mexico City and found inspiration at every turn. I stayed in Polanco, which has beautiful architecture and greenery and immersed myself in the city’s artwork and textiles.
Needless to say, I found my craving for color and optimism very well satisfied. I ended up bringing home some locally-crafted Christmas ornaments and got the idea to adorn my loft for the season with traditional luminaria. I am excited to refresh and grow in the new year.
What do you collect? When you consider buying art, do you think about how it will coordinate with your home or space?
I started collecting photography almost 30 years ago. When I was younger, I found photography more accessible than paintings, and I’ve stuck with it since. I own pieces from Luke Smalley, Bruce Weber and Arthur King that I adore.
I gravitate toward black and white photography because it layers well with my home’s abundance of color and pattern. Although when it comes to paintings, I veer toward the colorful and abstract—using a large piece or collection of smaller pieces to energize quieter places. The finishes, textures, and colors of a space should always inform what’s hanging on the wall.
Artwork is such an integral part of the design process, but often the element that is never quite finished—our preferences evolve as we grow, our budgets expand or contract, and sometimes it takes 30 years to find the right piece!
In January, many of us are thinking about giving our homes a little refresh. What’s one thing to change that would make the most impact?
I am a big proponent of wallpaper. What makes a bigger impact than transforming an entire wall or walls? With one choice, you’ll add color, texture and narrative direction to your home. If wallpaper isn’t in the cards, a large-scale artwork can also serve a similar function. But remember to think big! Too many incohesive, little pieces will make a room feel small—maximize the wall space.
How do you get a feel for your clients’ tastes and needs, and how do you know when it’s a good client match?
Meeting a potential client is a bit like a first date. Sometimes it starts awkwardly, but other times it is a match right off the bat. Either way, things always begin with a classic Q&A: What are your project needs and goals? What are your family and living realities? What do you gravitate toward in design, recreation and life?
A few shared passions—fashion, travel or a favorite movie, for example—can go a long way to forecasting a great partnership. Perhaps even more telling is when you inevitably confront a difference of opinion. Is the client open to being flexible? Do I feel comfortable adjusting my process for the client? Often, clients want to try something outside their comfort zones (or they wouldn’t be seeking my services). It comes down to discovering a mutual sense of trust.
Are there any new home brands or makers you’ve discovered recently?
I‘ve frequented Joseph Carini Carpets a lot this year. They do amazing custom work. I’ve also fallen in love with Lisa Hunt’s rhythmic wall-covering designs, Johanna Howard's linens and pillows, and Jomo Tariku Furniture (all three are fellow members of the Black Artists + Designers Guild).
While we have you: Any “best-kept design secrets” you’re willing to share?
Here's a simple but often maddening decision: You want to paint the wall a fun color, but which one? As a fashion enthusiast, I’d suggest taking a look inside your closet. We all have a color (or colors) we love to wear. What’s your go-to color when picking a new shirt, dress or bag? That is a good place to start when looking for a wall color you’ll love and won't tire of any time soon.
What have you been up to lately (work or otherwise)?
A bunch of things! We just curated a show at Tina Kim Gallery that is on until January 21. It’s an homage to a project by the architect John Hejduk and gathers some of our favorite artists and designers—historical and contemporary. We also recently finished a townhouse in Notting Hill in London for a wonderful couple that we’re really in love with, and the store we designed for MZ Wallace in Soho opened last month; it’s been amazing to see it in action.
What do you collect?
My collecting is very personal. I get drawn to pieces that have a real soul and can exist in a compelling dialogue with each other. That includes the decorative arts, as well as contemporary and historical artworks from different periods and cultures. I recently found a little portrait of Christian Bérard, one of my favorite designers, by Eugene Berman from the '30s that I just sent to the framers.
When you consider buying art, do you think about how it will coordinate with your home or space?
I think less about coordinating it with the colors in a decorative scheme and more about it as a part of a conversation between objects with different histories and meanings. I believe that if you love every single thing in your space, there’s no way things won’t work together.
In January, many of us are thinking about giving our homes a little refresh. What’s one thing to change that would make the most impact?
A rug! The best investment you can make is a rug that fits your room correctly.
Some people are intimidated by the idea of “interior design,” especially if they don’t have a huge budget for it. Any advice for getting started?
It’s all about figuring out what you love and why you love it—then don’t compromise. Having less in your house is better than having a bunch of stuff you think of as placeholders.
How do you get a feel for your clients’ tastes and needs, and how do you know when it’s a good client match?
We always start by meeting with our clients to review tons of reference images. In that meeting, we pull together a stack of tear sheets that speak to what we both like. It’s a way of developing a shared language that can be specific as well as abstract. We enjoy and work with many different types of projects and people—that range is cool to us.
Are there any great new home brands or makers you’ve discovered recently?
Chiarastella Cattana for linens, Yali Glass for glassware and Sam Chermayeff for blenders! The first two are in Venice, and Chermayeff is out of Berlin.