MEET THE ARCHITECT

What do you love about the Hamptons? Its small town charm and urban sophistication. I also love the character of the people here. Physically, the light and landscape combined with the pristine beach. Why did you choose to go into business here? The casual yet refined culture typifies my lifestyle and therefore my architectural/decorating style. Describe your home: A charming 1920s vintage cottage in the center of the Village of East Hampton. It has a casual, "painted floors" atmosphere perfect for kids and dogs, family and friends.Do you have a favorite structure? The Pantheon in Rome. It's symbolic of the light that should be in everyone's lives. I strongly believe: Your home should be a tranquil, peaceful place that keeps your life calm. In today's fast-paced, Internet-driven world, your home needs to be a retreat where you can relax and focus on the important things in life: family, friends, great food and good times. What's your design philosophy? Richness and simplicity, whether it be through antiques, fabrics or color. I always cringe when I see: Misfits—my terminology for poorly designed and constructed buildings completely out of context with their surroundings. What are your favorite materials? I prefer natural materials with more texture than pattern. Flagstone, old brick and antique pine for flooring. Linen, raw silk and wool for draperies. Reed shades on windows, cedar shakes on roofs, limestone and Baker's marble for kitchen counters. (I don't care that it stains.) What's something you can never have too much of? Time with my children. What's your most creative time of the day? Early morning. I write in my journal every morning to clear my head and focus on the day. What's your favorite cookbook? My partner Franco was a chef with Mario Batali, so we love all his cookbooks. What's on your iPod these days? My daughter just gave me an iPod with a dock for the store. She loaded it with classical, soft jazz and classic rock. Name a dream client: Someone who comes into my store and feels the ambience of beautiful colors, glorious antiques and great textures, and gets a sense of the calm and beauty they create. Then they ask me to create that for them