Designer Insight
Susan Pyle Dickenson -- Home Accents Today, 10/1/2006
Knock Knock This month HAT asked its design panel, "If we visited your home, what would your decor reveal about you?" We learned when it comes to practicing their profession in their own digs, our designers surround themselves in comfort, efficiency and objects with meaning. From Paul Thompson's desire that clutter have its "place in a space" and Rick Janecek's commentary on "welcome" signals, to Dorian Webb's "no rhyme or reason as to what's where or why" decorating style... nondesign professionals may feel more confident about their own castles after reading this.
MARK ABRAMS My home is filled with furniture and objects that hold memories for me and make me feel comfortable and at home. From trips around the world, vacation or work projects, I always seem to bring something back. A designer can never have too many "prettys" as a friend describes accessories. I live in a global mix of the good, the bad and for whatever reason "it" spoke to me. I have things that I loved but didn't sell, and things that died; a home of samples and past lives in the industry. You can stand in most of my rooms and there is a history.
I also find comfort in coming home to a color palette of brown, black and tan. But, I love to add color as a surprise. At the moment, my living room is mandarin orange. It literally jumps out at you. It's a happy room to say the least.
In contrast, my dining room is black with a mix of artwork and honey-stained furniture that is dramatic, yet casual. Candle light at night in a black room brings all the attention to the people, and the room sort of fades away. It's also fun when someone asks me why I have a black dining room. I always respond, "It's great for dinner and cocktails — you'll see."
If I hate it next week, it's another color. My home is constantly changing with new discoveries, tests of color and juxtapositions of objects. You never know what I may bring home next.
DORIAN WEBB A visitor to my home would have a window into what I'm about. My home is my nest. It's the place I go to rest, recharge, and feel rejuvenated. Since traveling is one of my favorite hobbies, I've filled it with mementos from the places I've visited. It's full of colors, shapes, textures and objects that, at one time or another, I have found inspiring or appealing. Piles of books and magazines everywhere will attest to my love of reading.
Many of my friends are designers who create wonderful things. Their pieces surround and stimulate me. Except for the groups of chandeliers that I designed for each room, there really is no rhyme or reason as to what's where or why. It is there simply because it's important to me.
JAMES SLAVEN We ask this question often. More accurately, we answer this question almost daily, though not in terms of ourselves but our neighborhood homes. As if we are all-knowing experts of proper living through exquisite design we traipse along tree-lined winding roads passing all too needed judgment upon our fellow residents' choice of surroundings: "Why would they want that to be seen by anyone?" "Oh my... Look at that!" "How could they keep that lamp in the center of their front window?" Sometimes we slow our pace a little to get a better look at how the interior is "decorated." This makes us feel better about ourselves.
Merrily we pass home after home on our walk of judgment and superiority until we finally arrive back at our door. It is strangely similar to the surrounding homes. Same era architecture, same crappy windows, same pitted yard. Then we see Mike and Jacky (our neighbors) as they pass on their daily walk. They seem to be whispering to each other! Could they be judging our house?
We'd like to say that mid-century modern decor which combines a balanced blend of both comfort and chic says something about us. That functionality balanced with form offers a home that is both stylish and efficient. The fact is that everyone has his or her own taste, which empowers one with enough knowledge to pass judgment on others.
Our home decor says only one thing about us. We're snobs!
But then, who isn't?
DOUG WILSON My home decor is casual and comfortable, but also reflects a refined and worldly taste. It definitely shows my love of travel. I like to collect travel books about places that interest me and places I've visited. You can find many decorative touches and cultural objects in my home from my travels around the world.
Young-at-heart and loose describes my style, which comes through in the playfulness of the painted grid wall, eclectic decor, and the punches of color I like to use here and there. I am always interested in learning new things as evidenced by the floor-to-ceiling bookcase in my bedroom filled with books on the arts, culture, design, etc.
My bachelor style is represented by the rich texture of the textiles and furniture that I gravitate to — browns, greens, reds, leather, and wood — and my small kitchen which inevitably leads me to eating out a lot.
RICK JANECEK Most people realize that their home decor reveals a lot about them to others — your interests, style, attention to detail, neatness, wealth.
What many people forget is it also tells people what you think about them. Is your home set up to make guests and family feel welcome or is it all about you? Do you use your home as an exotic stage for socializing or does some one need to move the laundry to sit down? Are you more concerned about comfort or appearances or both?
All of these things signal to others how you want to interact with them.
Personally, I am beginning to tear my house to studs and remodel. Does that show others I am an exhibitionist who wants to remove the superficial outer layer and reveal my inner self to others? No. I just want it pretty.
DAVID LANDIS The lines and spaces of my home are emphasized with lots of light — from my own designs as well as lots of windows. I like a mix of both the old and new and have paired the character of old furniture with sumptuous, modern fabrics, reflected in the natural beauty of polished hardwood floors and tabletops. My home reflects my love of travel, and I enjoy living among many of the things I've brought home from my travels to other places, especially Africa. I like large spaces and have done things to open up rooms and better showcase my favorite art, mementos and personal items.
PAUL THOMPSON It would be safe to say that you could tell I like clean and clear spaces. I'm not one for unnecessary objects or clutter. Clutter to me says that a space isn't well designed or planned for its user. Laundry, dishes, magazines, books and papers should all have their place in a space.
Deco/modern redux might be the best way to define my style. Mixing deco and deco-inspired mirrors, dining table and furniture along with modern metal industrial furniture pieces from the 1940's creates an interesting blend. The space is warmed up with wood and glass tables and lots of textured fabrics in neutral solids and subtle prints.
Art is another way I texture my environment. And after a lifetime of collecting drawings, photographs, sculpture and paintings, I've learned that portrait art is a great way to add color with highly personal, eye-catching stories that create instant conversation and connection with my guests. I love all the art that I own, but various combinations look better together, and I don't exhibit art just because I have it. Changing out the artwork on occasion freshens the look of the space and allows me to rediscover artworks that have had their appropriate timeout in storage.
I love coming home to a house that smells good and whatever the season, my personal taste is for a blend of scents that comforts me the minute I open the door; that reminds me I'm living in luxury. It's cool, warmed-up with a hint of spice — just enough for my guests to notice and ask for the recipe. Ranging from citrus in the spring and summer to more richly spiced fragrances for fall and winter I use a combination of diffusers and candles to scent my home. Never heavy and always in moderation, my mix is a secret, but I'll tell you if you ask me!
Mark Abrams
Dorian Webb
James Slaven
Doug Wilson
Rick Janecek
Paul Thompson
David Landis
