SH: What would you say are the aesthetic common threads that communicate your brand to clients and customers?
I always err on the side of subtlety. My philosophy is that when you enter a room, your eyes should not be drawn to any one element or finish, but instead, you should view the surroundings as a whole.
I aspire to create the perfect backdrop that enables fabrics, art, and furniture to blend and establish a particular mood. A palette developed to complement your home’s architecture and design can give your surroundings a completely new perspective.
SH: What has remained evergreen in your creative approach, and what continues to evolve?
I would say listening to my clients and providing them with the utmost in customer service. I feel there are many right ways to finish an interior, and a key factor in the decision-making process should be creating timeless, tasteful schematics which suit each client’s personal style and preferences—not simply the trend of the day.
I am truly grateful for the trust clients give me. They deserve a wonderful experience during the process. Customer service and developing a true relationship with each client is one of my favorite parts of the job. Life is too short not to have fun along the way!
SH: What type of artisan staff member do you like to bring on, and how do you keep your company true to its vision?
Teamwork is a critical part of our success. Although we do hire some expert artisans who bring new ideas and vision, the majority of our hires are chosen for their work ethic, great attitude, and good heart. I believe in encouraging the uniqueness of each individual artist and still insist on hiring people that I would enjoy a meal with and feel comfortable leaving my children around.
SH: What are some of the most exciting projects/endeavors on your plate?
Honestly, I love each and every project M.O. from a powder bath cabinet to a nursery to touching every surface in a home. M.O. When a homeowner truly feels more comfortable in their space, it gives me great joy.
We are working on a project where I have been able to offer input in completely updating a home, from the architecture to the space planning to all the finishes. The change has been remarkable. Allowing me total artistic freedom, we have installed plaster countertops; slurried interior and exterior brick; stripped, bleached, and limed existing doors; and plastered the walls and ceilings.
It has taken a home built in the ’80s to a current, French-Belgium aesthetic. M.O. Little nooks and crannies of wasted space have become functional. M.O. In a world of tearing down and building fresh, it has not only been fun but a testament to what can be done with existing structures.
SH: What comes first, the materials or the design idea?
For certain projects, like refinishing beams or doors, the design idea can come first. For the majority of the finishes, I like to see the existing or chosen surfaces.
Paint or plaster can be tinted any color, but hard surfaces like tiles, floors, or counters and soft surfaces like fabrics and rugs are limited to what is available.
Choosing these surfaces first allows me to design to any color palette, complementing them, and weaving the finishes into the perfect connecting thread.
