My interiors celebrate a life well lived. Beauty is a universal need and it gives our lives meaning. When you put beauty first - everything you design will remain useful forever. I truly believe this with every bone in my body!
I work closely with each and every client to create a beautiful environment that expresses their personal style, their dreams and best fantasies. I act as a guide. I orchestrate all the players from the contractor to the upholstery shop to the framing of the art. I'm a conduit for ideas.
A reductionist at heart, my eye tends to eliminate anything that is unnecessary, to edit, search for purity of form and color. A celebration of texture, elegant contrasts and soft tonal relationships are key principals I embrace. The patina of a well-lived finish, antiques, vintage finds, contemporary shapes and bold art all meld together in my interiors and create a sense of harmony and the "soft modern" style I enjoy. When I say modern – I mean modern in the sense of how we live today in our contemporary world. The past has always informed the present and when intelligently considered the results can be truly magical.
I grew up in a tiny Midwest farming community, received a fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota before relocating to New York and pursuing a second degree in Interior Design from Parsons. My professional experience came with 10 years working at several of New York's top Design firms (modern master Thad Hayes & design icon David Easton) before opening Fairfax Studios in the heart of historic Greenwich Village.
Today, I approach furnishings and upholstery like a sculptor approaches a piece of clay. A pinch here or a tuck there – slide that – angle that - the magic IS always in the details. Furnishings should address the physical needs of our modern lives but most important to me is the overall effect. Is the arrangement mindful of the function of the room? Is there a visual consistency throughout the room? Whether I am working with a modest budget or with unlimited funds the questions always remain the same. Are the individual objects selected of the highest quality the budget will support and do they bring joy to the space?
I've been told I design like I'm playing a chess game. I have a curious soul and my brain is constantly ticking. Every choice made informs the next choice and so on and so on….. A space becomes an assembly of ideas and I encourage my clients to keep an open dialogue throughout the process. Design is as much about the communication of ideas and thoughts as it is about sourcing the most beautiful objects, art and furnishings. How the assembly speaks to you is key.
Through the years I have lead projects in New York, the Hamptons, across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean that have appeared in various publications: Architectural Digest, Travel and Leisure, Time Out New York, The New York Times Magazine and New York Spaces Magazine.
Whether you need help rethinking or reorganizing your existing furnishings, setting priorities, have dreams of an elegant dining room make over, if you have plans to build a new home, are renovating a townhouse - we are here to help with that first few chapters in your design adventure.
We help tell your story – chapter by chapter. After that – the end journey it's up to you. Interiors are living environments. They should evolve and become one with your well lived life.
Give your life meaning with a beautiful interior…..
