20
Feb

Interview with Vicente Wolf

“The loft is my retreat. I have done exactly what I wanted to the space and filled it with objects I love in the casual way I want to live. You, too, can take your space into your own hands. I am not suggesting you copy what I’ve done, because the point is not to mimic anyone but to follow your own muse, whether you choose a designer or design yourself. What I am offering is a template – a few strategies to adopt or discard to get you started – because once you have really learned to see, you will find what you like and go your own way. Designing anything is a process and you should continue to add and subtract. Change is what keeps a space, and an individual, alive. How do you want to feel when you walk into a room? Comfortable? Tranquil? Energized? Once you know what makes you feel good, you can create a room that reflects your own emotions and sensibility. Designing is all about getting in touch with yourself.”

Vicente Wolf, “Learning to See”

I’m a huge fan of Vicente Wolf – designer extraordinaire with a definite point of view; with passion for design guided by simplicity and integrity; master of combining different styles in a way that feels effortless; extremely talented and a natural at what he does; superb photographer, passionate art collector and intrepid world traveler. Vicente Wolf has been at the top of the design industry for over 35 years. Architectural Digest included him in their “AD 100“ and he was also named one of the top 100 designers by Metropolitan Home’s “Design 100”. House Beautiful named Vicente Wolf one of the 10 most influential designers in the United States and Interior Design Magazine inducted him in its “Designer Hall of Fame”. He has received the Pantone Color Award and was named one of the “Top 20 Designers of the past 20 Years”. Vicente Wolf has published 3 books - “Learning to See” 2002, “Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design” 2006 and “Lifting the Curtain on Design” 2010 – all favorites of mine! I’ve posted quotes from them here and here. I’m running out of superlatives. So here is the interview. Enjoy. I sure did!

How would you describe your own style?

Spaces that are comfortable, elegant, but still relaxed with accents of different cultures and periods. The architecture shines through with clean and sharp lines.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be an interior designer?

In my early 20s.

Looking back at your first project what decorating knowledge do you wish you had back then designing the interiors?

The conviction of my vision to not use pattern. Even though the pattern was used everywhere in my first project, which neutralized it, but now I wouldn’t use pattern.

Is there a designer that has influenced you?

Yes, David Hicks.

Some designers believe that the first piece for any room is the rug or a painting that sets up the color palette. What is your first source of inspiration?

The requirements of the client, the pros and cons of the space, and my imagination.

How do you find connections between disparate things?

It is instinctual to me, and I see if they play well against each other.

How do you achieve this simplicity in your interiors?

By not using pattern, dealing with the architecture of the backgrounds in a balanced, clean way.

How do you achieve a sense of warmth and unity?

Warmth is a subliminal message that gets conveyed by a balance of shapes, tones, and a strong sense of humanity in the space.

How do you achieve a sense of good scale?

Born with it.

Please finish the sentence: The best moments of any project are:

Beginning and the end.

What do you find fascinating?

Being in places outside of my comfort zone that allow my imagination to come up with new ideas and visions.

You visited the tallest sand dunes in the world in Namibia, tribes in Papua New Guinea that were still living in complete isolation, you heard the temple bells in Bhutan… What surprised you the most?

How lost we are here in NY, and how we’ve lost the sense of what’s really important.

The treasures that you found…

I bring to my showroom, VW Home. I have the pleasure of finding them and the freedom to let them go.

Your top travel tip…

By an around-the-world ticket. It gives you the opportunity to travel to many places at a low cost.

What are for you the keys to a happy and meaningful life?

Nice clients, time off to explore, a meaningful relationship, and the freedom to eliminate the things that work against these things.

photos: Vicente Wolf

p.s.: A note by me

Some years ago I have no idea of interior design. A few months before my bar exam my husband gave me a wonderful book – it was “Learning to See”. This book has changed the way I view things. I began learning to see… It is not enough to be passionate about design. We have to stand for something. Vicente’s way inspires and reminds me of my favorite movie scene. In “Indecent Proposal” an architect (Woody Harrelson as David Murphy) stands in front of his students talking about architecture and great architects. His words: “the great ones are impossible to deal with… because they know that if they do their jobs properly… if they just this once get it right… they can actually lift the human spirit… take it to a higher place.”

Thank you, Vicente, for doing your job properly, continually inspiring us, sharing your knowledge, taking us to a higher place…

18
Feb

Leftovers

16 comments

Fotos von dieser Woche, die ich noch nicht gepostet habe.

Images from this week that didn’t make it into posts.

Jarson Residence by will bruder+PARTNERS, photo: home dsgn

totalblur

lemon jar

p.s.: This category is inspired by the leftovers of Japanese Trash – one of my favorite blogs

15
Feb

Interview with David Hicks

Designer, Interviews

17 comments

It is my pleasure to introduce David Hicks – one of Australia’s leading interior designers. Enjoy the conversation and David’s extraordinary creations.

How would you describe your own style?

I describe my style as modern luxury. I am heavily influenced by the modernists for my architectural work and detailing and love a bit of luxury. So I often combine the two in my work. My architectural style is very minimal and streamlined with using a currated palette of finishes, I then layer onto this the decorative. My decorative style is very eclectic yet considered. I use pieces from different periods and cultures and love to mix and match. This is a contrast to the architectural bones of my spaces but I make it work in harmony.

What inspired you to get into design?

Ever since I was a young child I loved design. I used to make little houses in the garden out of sticks and landscape around them, driving my toy cars into the minaiture properties. I loved James Bond movies and the sets they used to design. I think it was just in my blood really. I always wanted to be an architect but decided on interiors due to the quicker change over on projects. I think I would get too bored working on a building for years and years.

Looking back at your first project what decorating knowledge do you wish you had back then designing the interiors?

My first project was very minimal. It was all white and black and very modernist. Some would consider it not to be decorative but I did. I was decorative in the sheer expanse of simple materials used. The materials became the decoration and the precisely placed modern furniture. I suppose if I had more of an insight, as I do now, into decoration the space may have been a bit softer, but having said that it is one of my favourite projects.

Is there a designer that has influenced you?

I am going to say what most architects say, Mies van der Rohe. I love his work. I am also influenced by Lautner and Neutra and the Los Angeles modernism. I am influenced by people in fashion such as Tom Ford and from movies. As mentioned before I have been hugely influenced by the sets of the old James Bond movies.

Some designers believe that the first piece for any room is the rug or a painting that sets up the colors palette. What is your first source of inspiration?

This changes from project to project. I generally do not start with any one thing. The palette seems to just build up by itself. I am primarily more concerned with the bones of a space. This then allows for beautiful decoration. Once the materials of the space have been defined I then look at the decorative. This usually starts with a loose theme and is built up from there. Paintings, rugs, furniture upholstery and furniture itself are really layered to create a whole. I do not start with just one thing.

How do you achieve a good scale? Scale is a really interesting and difficult topic.

Scale is very important in design. It is what we as human beings relate to in a space. It is also what can make a space feel comfortable or uncomfortable. I often play with scale to create a bit of personality to a space. This come naturally to me and works most times. I do not labour over the size of things, rather trust my instincts and just go with it.

What do you love to do when you are not designing?

I love travelling. This is what really inspires me and feeds me. I like food, good wine and googling anything and everything on the Internet. Google is such an amazing thing. I can spend hours and hours on google.

Who are your favorite artists?

My favourite artists would have to be Meadmore, Australian working in America, for his amazing bronze sculptures; Dale Frank, Australian, for his amazing use of color; Curtis Jere, an American artist, for his now vintage creations and Charles Hollis Jones, another American for his work in lucite.

Your favorite books?

You know it’s terrible, I do not tend to read much. I am a visual person and love picture books. I do not really have a favourite as I love most picture based books. If I had to say I really like books on Helmut Newton photography and Mies van der Rohe architecture.

What does success mean to you?

Success is what you make it. I am always striving for success. I think most designers are subconsciously. It is the art of trying to be better and better and better. This is what drives me, the desire to perfect my craft. To make money doing this is success.

My signature Design Elements question – what are the most important design elements?

The most important design elements are space and materials. If the architectural space is not beautiful then the decoration will not be successful. Detail and how the space is put together is very important to me.

photos: David Hicks

13
Feb

Monday Dreaming

Houses, Monday dreaming

17 comments

Montagsträume… ein Haus am Strand in Costa Careyes, Mexiko. Einen guten Wochenstart!

Monday dreaming… of this house with breathtaking views in Costa Careyes, Mexico. Have a good week!

digsdigs

13
Feb

Bathrooms I Love

Bathroom

4 comments

1. nuevo estilo, 2. the aestate

11
Feb

Leftovers

12 comments

Fotos von dieser Woche, die ich noch nicht gepostet habe.

Images from this week that didn’t make it into post.

private island, Dubai, photo: where is the cool

design: Haynes Roberts, photo: saint honore home

ideaswu

p.s.: This category is inspired by the leftovers of Japanese Trash – one of my favorite blogs.

9
Feb

Color Me Happy

Entryway, Living room

7 comments

photos: 1. via my favorite blog La Boheme, 2. Marie Claire Maison

8
Feb

The Most Beautiful Make-Up

quotes

15 comments

delicate sound of thunder

1
Feb

Interview with Kelly Behun

Designer, Interviews

25 comments

Kelly Behun is a New York-based interior designer whose work I’ve been drawn to from the first moment I saw it in Vogue and Desire to Inspire. Although Kelly received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania she decided to follow her heart and moved into the world of design. I’m always impressed by people who made the choice to follow their passions. Meanwhile Kelly’s fabulous work has been published in many magazines globally, including House Beautiful, House and Garden, Vogue, Elle, Bo Bedre, Elle Decor Italy, New York Magazine, Architectural Digest Germany, Marie Claire Maison. I hope you’ll enjoy the interview as much as I did!

How would you describe your own style?

I am always reluctant to describe my style too specifically as it is always evolving….but others have called it “warm modern.” I am naturally drawn to modern interiors but always with an organic element, as well as something with a bit of “kook,” that is, something a bit off, surreal, or so-wrong-it’s-right.

You attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where you received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. What inspired you to get into design?

The realization that I would be a lousy investment banker. My mind tended to wander in class to more interesting issues, such as how could I redesign this room to make it more conducive to learning? Why is this lighting so unflattering and what would I do to fix it? Those were the early signs……

Looking back at your first project what decorating knowledge do you wish you had back then designing the interiors?

I guess I wish I’d taken more risks back then, not played it quite so safe, but for me that is something that has come with experience and confidence. My risks tend to pay off now, I can only imagine what they would’ve looked like back then. I see some of the fashion risks I took and I shudder.

Is there a designer that has influenced you?

I tend to be more influenced by architects: the elegance of Paul Rudolph’s Sarasota houses, the restraint of John Pawson, the sensualness of Marcio Kogan, the audacity of Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes.

Some designers believe that the first piece for any room is the rug or a painting that sets up the colors palette. What is your first source of inspiration?

The first source is the client. I love the collaborative process and where the push & pull of it can lead.

Your white rooms are incredible! How do you achieve this?

The funny thing about white is that people get scared of it, but when you have enough white in a room an interesting thing happens optically…not only can it be incredibly calming and soothing, but it tends to suppress the eye’s desire to pick up little imperfections, like a scuff here or a stain there. And that is the paradox of the all-white interior – it is rather forgiving!

How do you achieve a good scale? Scale is a really interesting and difficult topic.

I was fortunate in starting out to work for Ian Schrager’s design team and in doing so got to work on several projects with Philippe Starck who is a master at playing with scale in a space…it is all about balance: knowing when to respect it and when to subvert it.

What do you love to do when you are not designing?

Just hanging out with my 2 boys, and with my husband. The 3 of them are funny and sweet and make me laugh.

Who are your favorite artists?

Michael Heizer, James Turrell, Louise Bourgeois, Frank Stella, Agnes Martin, Francis Alys, Tauba Auerbach, Marlo Pascual, Elad Lassry. I could go on…..

Your favorite books?

All-time favorite: The Great Gatsby.

You have 2 children and a successful interior design business. How do you balance work and family life?

I think most working moms would agree, the balance is not always easy to achieve but somehow things always fall into place. My kids are my priority but working makes me happy and my children know that. And when I’m happy I’m a better mom.

What does success mean to you?

For me a successful interior is one that captures the essence of the client, and that beautifully expresses the original intention of the room, whether it be to restore, transform, calm, excite, inspire. Professional success means happy clients, and actually becoming friends with my clients after the project ends – that was something I never expected when I got into this business but it has come to mean a lot to me.

My signature Design Elements question – what are the most important design elements?

Good lighting, and knowing when to stop! I don’t like a space that has been over-designed…i prefer a bit of “negative space” where the eye can pause and rest. I’ve found it to be a powerful tool to achieving a beautiful environment…..

photos: Kelly Behun Studio

31
Jan