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Jamie Drake, Clodagh, Raymond Waites, Tim Andreas, Sandra Espinet, Sheryll Jackman, Brooke Ziccardi, Nicole Sassaman, Thomas Piscitello, Neal Wagner
May 2, 2008
These ten designing minds share their thoughts on the changing face of luxury (excerpted from the Spring, 2008 issue of RELISH). Collectively they represent high-end perspectives from the worlds of residential, commercial and resort design, luxury retail, society show house, green design and architecture, and couture home furnishings. Their opinions and observations on wealth, status and the luxury lifestyle reveal that time is more valuable than ever, the search for meaningful experience runs deep, and the new gilded age is green, global and wired. --Susan Dickenson
JAMIE DRAKE
Today, the word LUXURY means: Time and fresh experience are the two luxuries of today. Living in a world of instantaneous information, being available 24/7, and having so much to do, anything that simplifies life and creates a little more leisure time is the ultimate in luxury. Second is creating a fresh experience, something new and intriguing and seductive. Think about your first kiss, the smell of a new car, the opening pop of a bottle of champagne, getting into a bed of freshly laundered and pressed linens, the smell of a summer lawn just after it is mown.
Today’s luxury commodities: Luxury goods and items are defined by quality, attention to detail and uniqueness. My residential design clients are entranced and easily sold on real 24K gold leaf (not Dutch metal), handmade lampshades with special details (knotted silk cords, fine pin tucks, hand-painted papers), hand-blocked wall coverings printed to order using custom palettes, fine silk and wool hand-tufted rugs and carpets, and bespoke cabinetry, millwork and upholstery. These clients need to see and understand the differences, but love the fact that their homes are furnished with one-of-a-kind items, commissioned expressly for them.
Today’s status symbols: The status symbols of yesteryear are pretty much the same, save for a few additions. Lush furs, superb jewels, powerful cars, beautiful homes (and a second home and a third and…), are all still ticks on the success chart. With the number of mega-rich people increasing dramatically, add to the list personal assistants and household managers, private planes and yachts and their attendant crews, security staffs and any other option that eases their lives.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Top-tier homes and interiors feature edited selections of superb furnishings and art and still, and often, antiques. They are less likely to be overly filled and brimming with stuff, to allow the client’s possessions to shine. They are more modern, even when traditional. The fabrics and textiles used are more likely to be textured and rich than patterned and dizzying. Color is often offbeat, and more retro, versus based on 18th and 19th century ideas. They are often eclectically furnished, reflecting the wide range of places visited and interests of the owners.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? We are truly living in global times. Drake Design Associates has worked in London, Paris, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Saudi Arabia. Recent interest has come from India, Dubai and Qatar. We are just starting a massive home in London’s posh Belgravia for Russian clients. Another current project is a New York residence for Shanghai-born clients in one of the city’s most famed and illustrious buildings. It has become an essential pleasure for my firm to work with the foreign press, to help spread the word about our work and projects. Of course, this will also help (I hope) if there is an economic downturn in one market, as another might not be affected.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? I think the definition of luxury is not cyclical, but evolutionary. Styles may evolve, but the quest for the finest is always there. The delicate ladylike FFF (fine French furniture) so popular in the 1950’s has been replaced by mid-century modern and gutsier 18th and 19th century pieces. Watteau is out, Warhol is in. Forget Fragonard, think fierce! End tables aren’t filled with paperweights; they showcase a few fabulous vases, allowing their shape and surface to tempt.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? Probably a little smaller, due to concerns about the environment, the cost of heating, air conditioning and electricity. But smaller might mean even finer. If the high-end consumer is going to live with less, the quality will be more, more, more!
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? I envision that dream home of 1988 in St. Jean Cap Ferrat, that idyllic spot in the South of France. A great behemoth of white stucco, with classical proportions and details. The interior would have marble floors, everywhere. The art and furnishings would be 18th and 19th century, and the upholstery and window treatments would have acres of damask.
In 1998? That’s where I live today. Eclectic, colorful and interesting. I moved into my current apartment in that year, and for me it was a dream achieved (OK, it wasn’t money no object, but grounded in some reality!). I was leaving a nice apartment that I had been in for 22 years, but it was lacking in amenities. No doorman, no washer or dryer, not enough closets, in a dark, mediocre neighborhood. The loft I chose is in a great neighborhood, has views of Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. It is spacious and bright, and has all the attributes I desired.
And today? Today and tomorrow are blending for me. After 9 years in my current home, I am ready to move. Next year I will be leaving my current home for a snazzy new flat. It is in a new building designed by a hot “starchitect”, in fashionable far west Chelsea. The neighborhood is filled with the best contemporary art galleries. My apartment will have dramatic 16-foot ceilings, walls of windows facing the Hudson River and a great outdoor room. The most novel feature is an automobile elevator that will whisk my car directly to its own garage attached to my apartment. The décor (as I imagine it one year out) will be cool and hyper-sophisticated. Sateen curtains cascading from those lofty ceiling heights, accented with bugle beaded borders. A fine woven metal carpet on which the low-slung seating will rest in the living room. The art will be sculpture, as there aren’t that many walls. The palette will be more severely neutral (black, navy, platinum) with bright accents of fresh pastels, and lots of gold and bronze.
Since launching New York-based Drake Design Associates in 1978, Jamie Drake has completed a vast array of projects for an impressive roster of clients. Equally comfortable in traditional and contemporary styles, his device of choice is color – used boldly, fearlessly and with great flair. Drake’s notable residential interiors include a Los Angeles showplace for Madonna and multiple projects for NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, including the recent renovation and restoration of Gracie Mansion and the redesign of various rooms at City Hall. He participates in several of the country’s most prestigious show houses and has designed rooms for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House, The Hampton Design Show House at Villa Maria, the French Design Show House, and the Southampton Rogers Memorial Library Show House. Drake’s work has been widely published and he’s received professional recognition as an inductee of the Interior Design Hall of Fame (2003), recipient of the IFDA New York Circle of Excellence for interior design, and the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the year.
CLODAGH
Today, the word LUXURY means: Time to spend with one’s family and friends, and with oneself. Low maintenance simple homes with everything at hand, and appliances and gadgets that work. Perfect service everywhere you go.Car service. Good airport lounges. Easy communications. Super health clubs and spas with the time to attend them. Think: simple, tactile, sensual, welcoming, hospitable.
Today’s luxury commodities: Time. Exclusive is still a good word, no label. Rarities are still a luxury but more and more consumable, so the rarity is an amazing wine or truffle from an obscure location. Fabulous tubs, showers and beds and kitchens. Terrific simple-to-handle media systems. Silence, sleep, great cookware.
Today’s status symbols: The true symbol of wealth and success is the person who has achieved both and still knows how to enjoy life. In fact, success is only valid if the person can enjoy life and good health… good health emanates from good eating and the great status symbol is knowing how to be the chef at your own dinner party.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Luxury in the home means a huge table and the space for people to gather. A fabulous mattress -- look how the Westin Heavenly Bed is selling… a billionaire client of mine bought one. Rich people experience luxury in hotels and try to capture that simplicity and comfort for their homes. What’s interesting to me is that as people simplify their homes they are spending a lot more money on their outdoor living spaces and landscaping to bring the inside out and the outside in.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? I work in Ireland, Armenia, New Zealand and Japan. For me, luxury is the opportunity to travel and experience the culture of other countries and to capture salient parts of that culture to use on all my other projects.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? We are at the beginning of a cycle where people collect experiences rather than things. We are working on hotels where one-stop experiences are so important -- a perfect restaurant, a spa and health club, a good bar and a garden experience to reinforce biophilic needs.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? Perfectly functioning simple, comfortable support systems. It was many years ago that Le Corbusier said “a house is a machine for living.” Luxury markets are moving towards hiring star designers and architects to create their homes. An interesting and exciting twist is the upsurge in art collecting… again, a nod to the fact that art can always be moved. Art is a good investment and, unlike the money in your bank, you can enjoy looking at it on your walls.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? I live in a loft which has not changed much since 1883. It would have been located on the West Side with a water view and a huge deck. In 1998? The loft acquired a guest bathroom and stayed where it is. And today? The loft acquired a home studio for me. This is true luxury… the simplicity of knowing that what you have is enough and if you add something, it has a useful role in your life. Nineteen windows with views on all sides is true luxury.
Another International Design Hall of Famer, Clodagh was named after a picturesque waterway in Ireland and raised in Oscar Wilde’s summer home. Known for her unique blending of modern technology, primitive materials, and ancient techniques, Clodagh emphasizes the inventive and sustainable use of materials to create energizing, low-maintenance environments characterized by unexpected design elements, innovative use of light and space and the incorporation of global influences. She was listed in Robb Report’s Top 40 Interior Designers in the World, named one of Interior Design’s Top 100 Interior Designers in America and one of the world’s leading interior designers by Architectural Digest and is an inductee of the Interior Designer Hall of Fame. Recent awards include the IFC Circle of Excellence Award for Enlightened Design, the 2006 Women in Design Award, an ADEX Platinum Award for her Copper Bowls for SURevolution and an ADEX Silver Award for her Strata Collection for Tufenkian Carpets. Current projects include the Landmarc restaurant in Manhattan, the Miraval resort spa and villas in Arizona, the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences and The Caledonia, the first luxury condominium building on the Highline in Manhattan. Recent projects include the Tufenkian Heritage Hotels and restaurants in Armenia, the White Horses Spa at Doonbeg Gold Club in Ireland and the Sasanqua Spa on Kiawah Island. Clodagh cover photo by Daniel Aubry
TIM ANDREAS
Today, the word LUXURY means: authenticity, exclusivity, rarity, sparing no expense, keeping ahead of the Joneses.
Today’s luxury commodities: private jets, a fifth home, things that pamper, technologies that make our life easier and more carefree. I think luxury brands have become so commodified that they have lost a lot of their exclusive appeal. People are therefore looking to more artisanally crafted goods, rather than the mass-produced goods being made by traditional luxury retailers.
Today’s status symbols: a personal chef, summer in the Hamptons, Christmas in St. Barts, personal guided tours of world monuments like the Sistine Chapel, private concerts with popular recording artists… People are looking for unique experiences, both in their daily lives and in their leisure time.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: minimal, polished, ethereal, dramatically lit, staff quarters and kitchens, home theatres, wine caves, 30-car garages, his and hers master suites, lots of Swarovski crystal chandeliers, carefully curated objets d’art, emphasis on spa-like baths, professional artist portraiture, contemporary art.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? We recently finished an apartment in the Alvear district of Buenos Aires.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? It’s no longer about a uniformity of aspirational style, but a search for authenticity and expression of personal taste, which in today’s world of rapidly blending cultures can often devolve into what I call fauxthenticity, or a pretense of individuality, that is really a commodity, and not an act of real personal expression. I think we’re only at the beginning of the cycle.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? There will be a greater move back to natural influences as resources become more rare. New technologies will create smarter homes that pamper us while conserving ever more precious resources. We’ll search for a more regional expression in architect as we need to relate more to our changing climate.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? In 1988 I had just moved to Los Angeles and my ideal home would have been a raw concrete and weathered wood simple, modern, clifftop beach house in Malibu, with an indoor/outdoor shower in shimmering glass mosaic tile, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
In 1998? In 1998 I had just moved to Manhattan, but I think my dream home would have been a penthouse apartment in historic Rome, with views of the domes of the city. It would be a mix of modern renovation and historic plaster detailing with old wood floors, a high tech kitchen and filled with contemporary Italian furniture… and a tiled rooftop terrace with a wisteria arbor.
And today? Having moved back to LA a few years ago, my dream home would be a simple log cabin in a secluded mountain forest, with a stream, a Memory Foam mattress, a Wolf range and complete assortment of kitchen gadgetry, a professional hydrotherapy tub, sauna, steam room and a massive fireplace.
Pennsylvania native Tim Andreas earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1987 from Penn State and moved to Los Angeles where he became an integral part of the design team at the award-winning architectural firm Koning Eizenberg Architecture. His work as executive architect on the Philippe Starck-designed renovation of the Mondrian Hotel for Ian Schrager in 1995 led to a position as VP of Design for Ian Schrager Hotels (ISH) in 1998. While with ISH and subsequently Morgans Hotel Group he expanded his expertise to interior design, including the Mondrian Penthouse, Morgans Bar, Skybar at Shore Club and an apartment for Rita Schrager in the Richard Meier designed Perry Street Condominium Towers in Greenwich Village. Since founding Banjo in 2005 with long time friend Steve Nelson, his range has expanded to include work for Morgans Hotel Group, Ty Warner Resorts and Hotels, Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher and Courteney Cox. Andreas describes Banjo as a search for authenticity, each design a singular exploration of space, light, material, texture, and color.
SANDRA ESPINET
Today, the word LUXURY means: Luxury means different things to different people. As an interior designer, getting to know your client and the way they live will reveal what that person “thinks” luxury is. Some people find luxury in space and simplicity. Some people consider luxury to be reflected in a brand. But generally speaking I think almost everyone today feels luxury is a level of quality only a few can afford and where settling for second best is not acceptable.
Today’s luxury commodities: Most people equate the basic status symbols such as private planes, yachts, third and fourth homes, fancy jewelry, European cars and big name brands to be luxury commodities. But my experience with most of my design clients reveals a more basic image: the ability to make things happen instantly and exactly the way you want them, with one phone call – the commodity of power and exclusivity. Not a lot of people can pick up the phone two days before the Super Bowl and get premium seating, or say to their assistant, as I once heard someone do, “no, I’m not available to see President Bill Clinton for lunch, I have a golf game.”
Today’s status symbols: The gilded furniture and ostentation are trends of the past. Today, it’s men who carry so much clout, they wear shorts and flip flops to fancy restaurants and no one cares. Having the power to walk into a room and be instantly respected for your achievements without having to scream “look at my jewelry” is my image of true status. No need to advertise it.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Part of the glamorous life includes staff, so most luxurious homes are perfectly clean and organized and always ready for guests. Large kitchens accommodate private chefs and are built with beautifully designed, well-stocked wine cellars. Large walk-in closets with amenities such as drawers designed specifically for each item… bathrooms with outdoor showers, tubs and fun bathing accessories such as rainheads or body sprayers. The latest and greatest electronics are always part of a great home and media rooms that require an audio technician are quite common.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.?
Absolutely. It all depends on the client’s needs and budget.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? Luxury is definitely being redefined. I think we are currently in a transition phase, using and reusing styles from the past and just updating the looks. I don’t feel a new style has emerged to define the 21st century.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? The home of the future will incorporate more technology to create a truly smart home. I think furniture will move toward accommodating and embracing more electronic products rather than hide them as we do today. We all have iPod’s and iPhones, and innovative components such as Creston systems are being used quite often in high-end residential projects. The Jetsons may not have been as far-fetched as we thought!
Stepping into a home designed by Sandra Espinet is an extraordinary design experience combining comfort and personalized style. Sandra’s dynamic creativity and multicultural heritage gives indoor and outdoor living spaces both the individuality of far-reaching travels, as well as the appreciation of classic luxury she shares with her clients. She draws from the natural world when selecting her color palette and materials and infuses her designs with an elegance and flair inspired by her extensive travels to South America, Northern Africa, Europe and Asia. An accomplished interior designer and allied member of the ASID, Sandra received her Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design from the New England School of Design in Boston. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design from the American College of Art in Atlanta and a Masters Degree in Production Design from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Espinet lives in the coastal town of San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, where she owns and operates SQUARE ONE Interiors and Gallery, an elite, full-service high end residential design studio and storefront gallery.
RAYMOND WAITES
Today, the word LUXURY means: TIME. Sharing time with people you care for and doing things that are meaningful and rewarding. The luxury cars, watches, and interiors still exist but the true luxuries are the personal belongings and acquisitions from travels that speak to the owner and the home.
Today’s luxury commodities: cars, watches, homes: second and third, travel, hotels and resorts, great restaurants
Today’s status symbols: All the luxury brands -- Cartier, Bentley, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, etc.; a girl or boy toy on your arm; and technology, such as the iPhone.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Creative mixes of new and old, expensive and inexpensive, traditional artworks and modern art, the latest in home technology. The smart home concept with HDTV, home theatre systems, integrated security and wired systems that can be accessed remotely. This is all similar to my current design crusade, “The Remix Revolution.” The style mixes personal objects, traditional and classic vintage pieces together in a lifestyle that is elegant and inspiring, yet comfortable and non-intimidating.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.?
Paris is the top of the luxury marketplace. Paris is like an old shoe that you always want to revisit.
St. Petersburg is one of the newly re-discovered luxury markets; Katherine’s Palace, the Hermitage Museum and the classical and neo-classical architecture are unmatched. Shanghai is competing with Hong Kong to be the most glamorous city in China and you can feel the culture blossom in these two cities as they vie for the title.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? Yes, and we are at the beginning. This Remix Revolution concept is just beginning to take seed and it will be very exciting to see how it all evolves in the luxury market.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? High-tech, electronic, convenient havens. The beginning of this trend has been accepted at the luxury end of the market, and aggressively. The problem is that these high-tech products and services are extremely difficult for people to work. One company, Phillips Electronics, has taken the initiative and made it corporate policy to make these products user-friendly so that you don’t need to be an MIT grad to use them. A major player going forward will be security. I hate to think that we will be hiding behind walls, gates, and doors, like we see in many foreign countries. But as our society becomes more divided between the haves and the have-nots, and our government ignores the discrepancy, it will be necessary to protect your family.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? My dream house would have been a refurbished rustic barn in Amagansett, New York -- with high vaulted spaces, rough and rustic beams, wonderful folk art, bold quilts, a reflecting pool outside. When the barn doors were swung open, there would be beautiful fruit orchards. The kitchen would have vast areas of white ceramic tile, tons of counter space, oversize ovens, ranges, refrigerators for the preparation of great gala events and quiet dinners with friends.
In 1998? An adventure in neo-classic spaces. Thomas Jefferson-inspired exteriors and interiors, domed dining rooms with French doors opening to cloistered gardens. Free hanging stairways twisting around an octagonal living room and overlooking a sky blue pool that would be heated from April to November and ready for an early morning swim or a festive pool side party. The style would be called Neo-Jeffersonian. Actually, I built this home in East Hampton, New York, and it is an exciting mix of traditional style and comfortable living.
And today? I recently purchased a neo-classical home on five acres with an historical, overgrown garden. The azaleas, dogwoods and magnolias have become more important than the house itself. It is not that I deserted the interior, it is just that when you have a wonderful garden around you, it becomes a treat to walk out and see the colors, have your morning coffee on the portico and listen to the wildlife all around you.
The designer, president, and CEO of Raymond Waites Design, Inc., draws inspiration from American and global heritage to create innovative products for the home using the finest domestic and international manufacturing skills available. Waites’ intuitive design sense and pioneering introductions have made him an authority in America, Europe and Japan, evidenced by a career $4.5 billion, at retail, of branded and private label products. His signature collections for Laneventure and other licensed manufacturers can be seen in shops around the world. Waites graduated with honors in Visual Arts from Auburn University and was a Graduate Fellow at Pratt Institute. He serves on the Design Advisory Board at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Kent State University and has been widely recognized in domestic and international publications. A recent trip to the Rijksmuseum for the celebration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday has inspired Waites to revisit his lifelong love of painting. Industry awards and honors include AMFAR’s Lifetime Achievement Ward, the Pioneer in Home Design Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Trail Blazer Award from the International IFDA, Circle of Excellence Award from the New York IFDA. He is the author of several books, including Festive Tables and Small Pleasures (Little, Brown), American View, Country Style and Living Home (Harper & Row), and American Country (Clarkson Potter).
SHERYLL JACKMAN
Today, the word LUXURY means: I have to agree with Coco Chanel who described luxury as "the necessity that begins where necessity ends."
Today’s luxury commodities: Luxury is more about lifestyle. It's spending time with friends and family, traveling to exclusive locales, or indulging in a day at the spa. Commodities are just one of the trappings that create a sumptuous life.
Today’s status symbols: We view status symbols of wealth and success in many of the same ways as they've been viewed in the past. Now, however, European automobiles, jewelry and mansions are joined by private jet travel, mega yachts and multiple homes.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: We've been displaying and building high-end custom homes for 25 years and have seen incredible changes during that time. It is truly is about a larger gathering area for friends and family, and luxurious private areas including separate spas and baths. Home theatres are a must, as are guesthouses and/or suites. It includes customizing for every desire, such as the shooting range we designed in part of an underground living area.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? One phenomenon I have seen is the incredible growth in the international market for American-made furniture and furnishings. We're one of the country's largest Baker Furniture dealers, and we've not only shipped Baker products internationally ourselves, but seen Baker, Ralph Lauren, and other coveted lines open stores in Paris, Moscow, Dubai, and Rome. American furniture has absolutely become a status symbol in the growing markets outside the U.S.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? Luxury has definitely been marketed to the masses. You see articles about handbags, shoes, Rolex watches, and other items people indulge in to create the aura of having taste and knowing what is made well -- read “expensive.” That is one change. But I also think that type of culture only ups the ante for the truly wealthy, and elevates what they can indulge in. There will always be well-designed, well-made objects, coveted by people who can afford them; the items representing luxury will continue to be redefined. What people desire changes with the times, and is affected by what is happening in society, both here in the U.S. and internationally.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? It will be all about luxurious amenities and definitions of scale. Things will be precisely designed to accommodate every whim. Intuitive computer controls, simplified so anyone can understand them, will run entire systems, saving energy and water through finite use by only being applied as necessary. There will not be a dramatic change in our furniture designs; the human body will still seek comfort over looks.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? If I could have chosen anywhere to live, and any distinct style of home, I would have chose Montecito, south of Santa Barbara, California. A classic Spanish Revival home with a courtyard, water features everywhere, and an interior to match the architecture. The same goes for 1998, today, and maybe even 2018.
With more than 25 years experience in the field of decorative arts, interior design and architecture, Sheryll Jackman founded The Jackman Group in 1978 in Coronado, California. The multidisciplinarian is a past president of the ASID San Diego chapter, holds a general contractor’s license, is a licensed real estate broker, a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and owner of the high-end home design atelier and boutique Seaside Home in Coronado, La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe, California. “Southern California possesses many of the most affluent and design savvy individuals in the world,” says Jackman. “Up until now, many passed right over San Diego when it came to home design, heading straight to Newport, Los Angeles or San Francisco to find the quality and top-of-the line brands that they desired. Seaside has changed that stereotype and opened San Diego up to a new level of luxurious industry appeal.” A graduate of the Design Institute of San Diego, Sheryll is active with several design, appraisal and historical preservation groups in both San Diego and Coronado.
THOMAS PISCITELLO and NEAL WAGNER
Today, the word LUXURY means: An overall experience; the rush of excitement and the satisfaction of knowing you have the finest in any category. It is relevant to the consumer at any income level. Luxury is obtaining something extraordinary that makes you feel extra special. For our clients at MOGUL, the luxury experience is having unique, beautifully made, hand-crafted furnishings suited to their lifestyle that are found nowhere else.
Today’s luxury commodities: Luxury commodities will always stay the same and be highly desired by people from any income level. It is not something you need, but something you’ve always dreamed of having that is exclusive and decadent.
Today’s status symbols: Status symbols have basically remained the same as well. In Los Angeles, it’s still what you drive, what designer label you’re wearing, and where you live. The game is the same but the players change. The media tells us through messaging who the players are, what we should want, the “it” item of the moment – that if we own that item we will also have the lifestyle that goes with it. Sometimes this can be a good thing. What we wear affects the way we carry ourselves. Our clients tell us they feel sexier laying on our Italian-made 720-thread-count sheets. They feel powerful in our leather-studded Hudson Chair. We don’t want to be trendy, we want staying power, so we design classic pieces that will hopefully stand the test of time, just as the core luxury commodities have.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Today, luxury homes are more customized and embellished to fit their owners’ needs. Traditional or contemporary, the standard is an over-the-top layout with excessive bedrooms and bathrooms. They also have media rooms, immense walk-in closets and barber shops. One of our clients even has a disco in his house above Sunset Plaza, with a cool bar, lounge and place to strut your stuff. It is so well done it was one of our favorite things about the house.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? Yes, we have clients in Dubai and Moscow that want the MOGUL look. We travel throughout Europe and are inspired by the fashion and architecture and parlay that into our approach in designing the furniture and linens, accessories and lighting for our store.
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? We are in the middle of the cycle and heading back to how luxury was first defined: through extravagant, beautifully-crafted pieces that only the elite could afford. Today, people are straying away from buying a luxury item for the sake of having the name. They want more, and they expect it to be well-made.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? We believe that luxury homes of the future will be different in how they are built. No longer the immense and superfluous houses, but smaller, well thought out spaces… eco-friendly, new construction will be green. Furnishings will be minimal but extremely comfortable.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? For Thomas, it would have been a Manhattan penthouse overlooking the park, and for Neal, a penthouse on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, city views and super modern. Cocktails and art, darlings.
In 1998? We would have to say an old chateau in the South of France, done to the nines with crystal chandeliers and tassels.
And today? A mid-century redone with an open floor plan and great indoor/outdoor flow for entertaining. Not too big but not too small, with a drop dead view of the city; and a media room, art studio and walk-in closet to die for.
Thomas Piscitello and Neal Wagner’s MOGUL boutique on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue is where modern interiors meets decadent fashion in collections that offer a hip alternative for local clientele who seek the look and feel of the Hollywood mogul lifestyle. A former west coast director for Frette linens, Piscitello’s design expertise has been recognized in the pages of numerous lifestyle luxury and shelter publications, and through appearances on HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style. Wagner brings experience as a set designer and recognition as an accomplished artist to a partnership that fuses Wagner’s eye for detail with Piscitello’s fashion expertise to create MOGUL’s distinctive style. Their work has resulted in a high-profile following among the design community and Hollywood celebrities including Tyler Perry, Rihanna, Jerry O’Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Eva Longoria and Vanessa Williams.
NICOLE SASSAMAN
Today, the word LUXURY means: Beyond the normal day-to-day comforts.
Today’s luxury commodities: Steam showers, designer furniture, chef’s kitchens, resort-like homes inside and out.
Today’s status symbols: yourcar, purse, wallet, watch, home, furnishings, and how you fly.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: People want their homes to feel like their favorite resorts.
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? Canada and Sweden
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? In America, we are at the beginning of it.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? Jetson-like. Technology will be fully integrated into most every area of the home. Homes will be custom in their detail as the average person will become savvier as to how they can create exactly what they are looking for.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like? Probably like a New York loft inside with lots of white and something very clean and architectural on the outside. More stark than what I would choose today and a bit more industrial.
In 1998? I would have been using lots of maple woods and probably a bit of faux finishing on the walls with slip-covered sofas.
And today? I am living in it. I have a very Zen-like home with lots of woods, earth tones and clean lines. I use lots of warm colors as I have tried to recreate a very Aman-like resort in my own home!
Malibu, California-based designer Nicole Sassaman has been featured on The Style Network’s AREA, Fine Living’s Lulu’s House, and HGTV’s Designer’s Challenge, Smart Solutions and Kitchen Trends. To date, she has designed and sold more than 70 projects along the Wilshire Corridor and in the I.M. Pei Towers in Century City. She has revamped several Beverly Hills apartments and hillside estates in the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills including the Greta Garbo Estate, for which Viking appliances recognized her outstanding kitchen design. In 2007 Sassaman expanded her horizons with her first signature line of furniture and accessories which are sold exclusively at her Los Angeles interiors boutique, Colburn Sassaman. She is currently working on residential projects in Malibu and designing the on-set kitchen for the entertainment program Extra.
BROOKE ZICCARDI
Today, the word LUXURY means: privacy, seclusion, time, the art of enjoying an exclusive and/or customized experience. Access to the unattainable, such as a seat at a sold-out Broadway play or reservations at the hottest table in town.
Today’s luxury commodities: the last case of Sassacaia, the limited edition Maserati, etc.
Today’s status symbols:Custom homes with "dream teams" composed of architect, interior designer, landscape architect and contractor with imported materials and craftsman. Personal masseuses, chef, well-stocked wine cellar, exclusive travel experiences. Exclusive means of travel to include chauffeur, private jet, etc. The process or story behind the acquisition: Bentley purchased from factory while visiting in England… jewels selected while traveling in Rajasthan. Charitable contributions of both time and money.
Today’s luxury homes and interiors: Minimalism is back. With so many external stimuli, simplicity and calmness in interiors is present. This look requires exquisite detail and attention to craftsmanship. Home theatres, home spas with massage room, home office, art galleries, multifunctional spaces, massive garages, outdoor living environments, multiple dining options within the home (i.e. wine cellar, kitchen, dining room, outdoor spaces)
Are you currently working in, or planning to work in luxury markets outside the U.S.? Yes - Saudi Arabia, India, Jordan, Turkey, Dubai, Morocco, China, Singapore
Some say luxury is being dramatically redefined. Do you agree and if so, do you think we’re at the beginning, middle or end of the cycle? We are at the beginning of the ultra experience phase of luxury. The demands of instantaneous communications have driven the quest for solitude, for escape, for calmness. This is reflected in the choice of more secluded boutique experiences i.e. Skibo Castle, Lizard Island or Leopard Hills in Africa where the wealthy can relax in a more casual, unpretentious environment, close to nature but infused with the elements of luxurious, gracious living to include fine wines, food, etc.
What will luxury homes and interiors look like 20 years from now? Green, efficient and Smart Homes.
Think back to 1988. If money had been no object, what would your home have looked like?
Contemporary white raw silk sofas, taupe and black accents, polished marble, grand marble staircase, leather sofas, 4-car garage, white walls.
In 1998? Additional rooms consisting of a wrapping room and larger garage (6-car), adding the great room concept in the kitchen and family room, using wenge wood, urban influence in furniture, designer brand contemporary furniture.
And today? 8-10 car garage, more storage space, two full at-home offices, home theatre, spa, wine cellar/dining area, green design, outdoor living room.
Brooke Ziccardi, co-founder of Ziccardi Designs, is equally at ease at a project meeting in New Delhi, India, as in Newport Beach, California. Specializing in high-end luxury projects throughout the world, Ziccardi Designs has become a leader in the international interior design development business, focusing on custom projects that include residential, hospitality, commercial and planned community model home developments. Clients include royalty, entertainment figures, entrepreneurs, hoteliers and international families with projects in the U.S. and abroad. An Allied Member of ASID, Ziccardi has a business degree from the University of Southern California, Universal Design certificate degrees from both Harvard and USC, and holds a B1 contractor’s license. She serves as an academic and professional board member of several Southern California interior design colleges.
Posted by SPECIAL: Designers discuss the changing face of luxury on May 2, 2008 | Comments (0)
