MEET THE MAKER

A NEW YORK DESIGNER FINDS RESPITE
EACH SUMMER IN QUOGUE

Click on any photo below for a larger view.

Where do you live in the Hamptons? Quogue. How did you end up there? We have so many friends there. It is a perfect respite for families. Our children ride their bikes everywhere, affording them a sense of independence that the city cannot offer. They charge everything to my account at The Quogue Market. When they were little they were so impressed with the generosity of the "nice people at The QM who give us free food." Who are your clients? Mostly families. Since I have children (16 and 14), they know I understand the design requirements for a family. What's the biggest challenge in designing a family home? The small childrens' rooms. Parents want the children to weigh in, but that leads us down a prickly path. I recently had a request for a bright red room on which we were asked to paint giant footballs—yikes. I'm still figuring out an alternate option. How did you get your start in design? I was desperate to be an actress, but no one was desperate enough to cast me. I was getting more callbacks for my decorating skills than for my acting prowess.
What are you working on? A lovely house in Baltimore, two jobs in London and a few apartments in New York City. What products are you excited about right now? Since you asked, I just introduced a few lights with The Urban Electric Company with more following soon. This September, through Holland & Sherry showrooms, I will launch A&T Textiles, a group of 10 patterns of hand-screened prints on linen and silk. Describe your own home: Cozy and comfortable but still chic. My den has lacquered green walls and gray upholstery; my dining room is blue and brown and mixes contemporary art with crystal candelabras. We heard you like to create custom linens for clients—give an example: For one of my clients in the Hamptons we tastefully embroidered small lavender-colored octopi in a few amusing places on her sheets. She loves them! Whose style is unerring? My mum and dad still are, and always will be, the most elegant couple I know.
Where do you visit regularly? Italy. The atmosphere that permeates every aspect of Italy is a magical elixir for me. I love the food, the art, the landscapes, but most of all the Italians' appreciation for family and living in the moment. What's the next change you plan to implement in your own home? I'd like to build my own modern version of an orangerie. However, I'm not sure if my husband, Chip, is on board with that, so for now I might just buy some pretty towels. Where will we find you in August? In Quogue! I'll make my annual vain attempt to feign athleticism. My friends are rather jock-y so I'll play tennis, do yoga and ride my bike and then I'll go back to the city and not do any exercise again for 11 months. What is essential in every home? Good lighting, myriad comfortable places to sit and lots of photos of the people one loves. I value my photo albums more than anything in my home.