MEET THE DESIGNER

What is your design philosophy? I do not have a formula. I find that using larger pieces of neutral furniture allows the art, sculptures and accessories to show the taste and characteristics of the clients. Who has impacted your work? Not a person, but an institution: The Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts has had the greatest influence. I was involved with curatorial decisions and sourced and found objects for that collection. The museum had patrons who allowed us to purchase anything from the 20th century, so I was able to review wonderful furniture and objects. You have a home in Southampton. What inspired its décor? The Scandinavian sense of design. A handful of great objects in a room with clean lines and little clutter is appealing. I'm also influenced by the Japanese approach toward possessions: Even if you have a lot, you can only enjoy a few things at a time, so store the rest until you need a change. Which items in your house would you never sell? I have renovated and sold many homes so I am used to purging. Yet, I cannot part with my growing collection of Gothic candlesticks. These sculptural objects range in size and form and work in any room. They add a certain architectural and historical element to an interior. What do you love about the Hamptons? The ocean all year round and the sense of light that changes with the seasons. The beaches are never uncomfortably crowded, and walking along the shore with my dog is the most relaxing time of the day. What is your favorite material? Wood. It comes in such a variety of grains, textures, colors and types. You see this material used artistically in sculpture, functionally in flooring and in a purely decorative way in furniture. Plus, you can physically enjoy its warmth when you burn it and then use the ashes in pottery glazes. It's so versatile! Favorite flower? Parrot tulips in flaming orange with a flash of yellow. The green stems and leaves are just as important, too, for the counterbalance. What book is on your bedside table? The third volume of A History of Britain by Simon Schama. I love the English influence and the mad collecting the Victorians indulged in. And The Devil Wears Prada—a quick read for the gossip!